SIGguy229

From FoxNews.com: Pistol-Packing Pastor Quits to Work for Gun Rights, Protecting Churches - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

A pistol-packing pastor who drew national attention earlier this year for hosting a "God-and-Guns" event at his church is stepping down from the pulpit to serve his flock with a new mission.

Pastor Ken Pagano ended his 30-year career last month when he resigned from the New Bethel Church in Louisville, Ky., saying that he wants to focus on church security and Second Amendment rights — a crusade he insists is better fought outside the ministry.

"Thirty years was a good, long run, but it's time for a change," Pagano told the Washington Times. "If I can write my own ticket, I want to get involved more in Second Amendment issues as they affect the church, and I can do more from outside the pulpit than from behind it," Pagano told the paper.

About 200 people attended Pagano's "Open Carry Celebration" at the New Bethel Church in June. The event commemorated the roles of religion and gun ownership in American history, and included a handgun raffle. Attendees were also provided with firearms-safety information.

While Pagano says the event drew mostly positive responses, it made him realize that he might have another calling — keeping worshippers safe.

Pagano has since teamed up with New York Rabbi Gary Moskowitz, who has worked to protect synagogues from terrorist attacks, to form the International Security Coalition of Clergy, an organization dedicated to "making the vulnerable less vulnerable," according to their mission statement.

The group promotes the use of armed and trained security at houses of worship. Kentucky law allows residents to carry guns openly in public, with restrictions.

"Churches are very soft targets and very vulnerable to attack from terrorists and other homegrown, disgruntled individuals," Pagano told The Washington Times. "Unfortunately, most religious leaders are living in denial," he told the paper.

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obxned

Exaclty!

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There is only one gun law in this country, the 2nd Amendment. All else is bureaucratic nonsense that I choose to comply with or not at my discretion.

When governments make laws, they must consider the unintended consequences.

searcher 45

A few organized attacks on the same Sunday and the church world will began to set up a pay attention. Churches are very soft targets because we believe in love and mercy, and rightly so.

Problem is pastor do not preach about Biblical self defense, so congregations are unaware that they have a God given right to defend themselves.

In America we have had the blessings and protection of God over the churches for so long we thank it can not happen here as it has in other countries. It is time that the church in America woke up and realized; just as we have the responsibility to carry the gospel to the world we also have the duty to self defense.

chrise2004

I think all pastors should have to hear this man speak.

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Glock 27,Hi-Point .380, S&W 3913

NRA Member/Supporter

"Government is not the solution to our problems; government is the problem." - President Ronald Reagan

2edgesword

we've got about dozen LEO in my church with other ccw holders. There is no paranoia but we're prepared.

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JerryM

A pastor is called by Christ to be an undershepherd over the flock, to feed them by preaching and teaching the Word, preaching the gospel, and to prepare them for the work of the ministry.

I would have serious doubts about a pastor who stopped doing what he is called to do, and instead to concentrate on security and guns.

If my pastor got hung up in the 2A cause and spent time doing that instead of studying the Word, preaching and pastoring I would find another church.

Proper study requires many hours per week. I recall one well known pastor who, when was interviewed, was asked what he would do other than Sunday. He replied that he needed at least 20 hours/week to study and prepare.
I suspect that few pastors study that much, and as a result their preaching and teaching suffer, and the flock remains ignorant about much of the Bible and it's major doctrines.
As far as I am concerned a pastor does not have time for defense of the 2A that takes his study, preparation, and visiting time.

There is nothing wrong with a church having a security plan, but that should not fall to or require much time by the pastor. He needs to be aware of the plan, but others should make it and execute it with the pastor's knowledge and approval.

We don't need more like the referenced pastor, but more who labor in and teach the Bible in depth.
More will be hurt by shallow preaching than will be hurt by violent attacks in the church.

Regards,
Jerry

tangoseal

Sounds to me like you might be judging his choices based on what ???

How do we know that God's place for this gentleman is not to protect the 2A when God may have a political use for this person to help keep to many sheep from being sheep if you know what I mean.

Good I hoped that you would leave. I wouldn't leave the church i'd offer to help him out.

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"I believe that the right of the citizen to keep and bear arms must not be infringed if liberty in America is to survive." - Ronald Reagan

miklcolt45

Jerry,

There are all kinds of ministries. While I don't see myself leaving to go advocate for 2A, it may be that God has called him to this. I don't know.

I know pastors who have counseling ministries and street ministries and music ministries and on and on. The above-referenced pastor's choices don't make sense to me, but I can't sit in judgment over him.

OTOH, I agree with your comments about the importance of sound, well-researched biblical teaching/preaching. It is the biggest issue facing the church today. How else could Oprah have such a following?

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Mike

In God we trust. Everyone else,
keep your hands where I can see them.

njeske

on any given sunday we've got at least 4 guns in our church. no paranoia, just being prepared.

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Nevada Gun Owners Forum

Tye_Defender

After 30 years in the preaching ministry, it shouldn't surprise anyone that it is time for him to move on. As you said, it's not my place to judge him or his reasons. This may be his new calling.
It doesn't make sense to me to send people and resources to Africa, when there is an urgent need for help down the street. Lucky for us, we can do both. There can be counseling ministries, and prison ministries, and help-a-church-go-mobile ministries, so why not a help-people-protect-the-innocent ministries.

That being said, my Punch-In-The-Nose ministry that I am trying to start to help my younger brother doesn't seem to be getting to much support. However, I can't honestly say that I have gotten a calling from God to start it. It's more of a see the need kinda thing. Maybe I just need to wait for God to call me to do it. He keeps calling me to do other things, like work in the church nursery and be a Cub Scout leader, but I'm telling you that a good punch-in-the-nose would probably straighten that boy up!
Okay, maybe that's the other problem with my startup ministry. It really isn't biblically based. Okay, won't do that then. This pastors ministry is biblically based though. All through the Bible you see references to justified self-defense and arming yourself as a protection against wrong.

I see nothing wrong with a pastor preaching biblical teachings about self-defense. I'm confused why any Bible-believing Christian would have a problem with that.