DETROIT (AP) — The Rev. Lawrence Adams teaches his flock at the Westside Bible Church to turn the other cheek. Just in case, though, the 54-year-old retired police lieutenant also wears a handgun under his robe.

Adams is one of several Detroit clergymen who have taken to packing heat in the pulpit. They have committed their lives to a man who preached nonviolence and told followers to love their enemies. But they also say it's up to them to protect their parishioners in church.

"As a pastor, I'm referred to as a shepherd," Adams said. "Shepherds have the responsibility of watching over their flock. Do I want to hurt somebody? Absolutely not!"

Responding to a break-in at his church Sunday evening, Adams surprised a burglar carrying out a bag of loot and shot the man in the abdomen after the man swung the bag at him.

The burglar survived — for which Adams is grateful — but the reverend said he could have been hurt or killed if he had not been armed.

Detroit had the nation's highest homicide rate last year among cities of at least 500,000 residents. The city has been losing manufacturing jobs for decades, and these days about one in four working-age residents is without a job.

The northwest Detroit neighborhood surrounding Adams' church isn't one of the city's most dangerous. But there have been many recent reports of crimes in the area, including four burglaries, three auto thefts, one armed robbery and four assaults, including one with intent to murder.

"It's getting worse because of the economy," Adams said. "People are out of work and feel they have to provide for their families."

Prior to 2000, anyone who wanted to carry a concealed weapon in Michigan had to show a need to do so. Now, gun owners simply have to pass a stringent background check and complete eight hours of handgun training.

"I get people from all walks of life, including pastors," said Rick Ector, owner of Rick's Firearm Academy in Detroit. "But it's not anything specific to pastors. Detroit is not a very safe place."

Michigan allows pastors to decide if someone registered to carry a handgun can do so for protection inside churches.

The clergy in Detroit who arm themselves say they do so because of the high overall crime rate. But churchgoers elsewhere have been the target of violent attacks several times in recent years:

— Last year in a New Jersey church, a man fatally shot his estranged wife and a man who intervened in the attack.

— A pastor was found stabbed to death in August in an Oklahoma church.

— A Maryville, Ill., preacher was gunned down during his Sunday sermon in March.

— In December 2007, a gunman killed two people at a Christian youth mission center near Denver and two others at a megachurch in Colorado Springs.

— Near Detroit, a man was shot to death in 2003 while worshipping in a Catholic church. And an attacker fatally shot a woman and wounded a child inside another Detroit church three years ago because of a domestic dispute.

"I don't know what kind of issues people are bringing with them. You could be running from estranged husband, boyfriend," said Bishop Charles Ellis III, pastor of the 6,500-member Greater Grace Temple in Detroit.

Ellis said he sometimes carries a gun, but never in the pulpit. His church has a "ministry of defense" for Sunday services made up of about 18 armed congregants who are off-duty law enforcement officers.

Clergy are adjusting to society, said the Rev. Kenneth J. Flowers, pastor of Greater New Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Detroit.

"In addition to their faith, they are carrying weapons," said .....

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GREAT DAY IN THE MORNING! WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO??!

by   
Esther45
October 3, 2009, 5:02 pm
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Kenjsmith
After Peter did that what did Jesus do? There was no other Disciple that Jesus had to correct or rebuke more than Peter! Bible characters are shown to us with their good qualities as well as their flaws to teach us both what TO do and what NOT to do.

by   
Drwill911
October 3, 2009, 11:18 am
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Peter packed a sword. Remember he cut off one of the guard's ear to protect Jesus.

by   
Kenjsmith
October 2, 2009, 5:58 pm
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I hope that these gun-toting pastors know EVERYTHING about their guns and how to handle them---or BAW will be printing the first news story of a gun that went off into a congregation,from the pulpit!!!!

by   
Rubinisk
October 2, 2009, 3:26 pm
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LOL!!! NOT funny,really---I guess the REAL SIGN of the times,will come,when teachers,and profs. will have to pack in their respective classes!!!!

by   
Rubinisk
October 2, 2009, 3:19 pm
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You don't bring weapons into the House of God.

by   
RaaSaa
October 2, 2009, 12:54 pm
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..then you wonder why we do not have black banks and black credit unions. We cannot because we give too much wealth to one building and one man and his light-skin wife we call the first lady.....it is just criminal the way we allow certain people to have freedom to plunder the community. Dope dealers and preachers do what they want , they just take, and take...it makes me sick.

by   
Jazflutesmith
October 2, 2009, 12:29 pm
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You know what ? If I were a pastor and someone came to rob the church I will tell them to take the money, " Here take it, we were going to give it to you anyway". If they came back again I would say, "Take it, we were waiting on you, here is the money" The pastor is stealing it anyway, why as well let everyone steal it. If you know me , I cannot stand black pastors, they make me sick. I would never be a pastor. I see pastors out here doing all kinds of stuff, they are a bunch of criminals and black church goers are a bunch of fools for allowing it

by   
Jazflutesmith
October 2, 2009, 12:26 pm
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It is amazing how preachers these days continually do things to indict the church and, sadly, don’t even know it. This occurs because too many of them are uneducated, jump into the pulpit based on a “call”, and being unaware that Jesus said many are called but few are chosen. This guy carries a gun because of fear. Fear is the antithesis of faith. Fear is of satan whereas faith is of GOD. Satan will not enter where faith is. Satan and his minions will only enter where he has previously gained authority. If the pastor learns to usher faith in, he won’t have to fear satan’s minions breaking in.

by   
Drwill911
October 2, 2009, 12:03 pm
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I think a Pastor caring a pistol under his robe in a church is sending the wrong message. Ministers need to be educating the public against violence and not advocating violence. This just send a very dark message about the times we live in now. If I ever thought I was safe it was always in the house of the lord. Now I can go to church and get killed by the Defense Ministry....what is the world coming to. I think in this case this Minister is protecting himself from some situation he created. Empower Yourself

by   
Reality_Check
October 2, 2009, 11:58 am
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These fools think that the church is an easy target...I pity them. Shoot first and pray later!!!

I Said It, Yes I Did!

by   
Brightwood1
October 2, 2009, 10:57 am
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Criminals target churches, becaus ethey know that money will be in the House of God. I don't blame the pastor for having a gun, i tis s sign of the times. The Word tells us to be wise as a serpent, but gentle as a dove. God helps those who help themselves...ther is nothing wrong with having a defense ministry. Look at all of the violence that is happening to church people. ..

by   
Brightwood1
October 2, 2009, 10:55 am
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How can u call yourself a true Christain pastor; Whathappen to Faith in god, do not fear no man but GOD, How about praying for these young hoodlums but u walking around the PEW with a loaded damn GLOCK....might as WELL CALL YOU Pastor TROY!!!! SOmebody please MILK this MANNNN

by   
Milkkman
October 2, 2009, 10:01 am
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you wonder why our kids have so much mental and emotional dramas these days because our folks are hooked on guns.this pastor probably made enemies so he wants to carry a gun. oh well thats his business and we can't stop him. i hope that he makes a wise decision before somebody gets hurt.

by   
Quita32
October 2, 2009, 7:56 am
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Maybe he knows he is due to meet with a debt he owes. A gun can also bring an element to you that you later regret. How this ends will be interesting. The truth will reveal why this man really carries a gun and more so why other people continue to follow hiim. I agree with Jazflutesmith. I would find another place of worship. A gun is a path I prefer to turn away from.

by   
Elchar
October 2, 2009, 7:16 am
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..this is GHETTO, this is a GHETTO PERSON. Go to another church. I am sure you can go to Novi somewhere to get the word without having the pastor point a gun at you demanding tithes and offerings. It is is like it is subliminal.lolol. If you do not pay, will he crack off a couple of rounds...lolol
soooo GHETTO

by   
Jazflutesmith
October 2, 2009, 6:46 am
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