NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Many church leaders have been taking a second look at their security plans following the deadly church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina.
Dozens of churches around Music City stay closed during the weekdays. Often times, a side door stays open to allow for people to come in and out.
At the Jefferson Street Missionary Baptist Church, Tonia Transou was on the front line of the church's open door policy. She has been the office manager and the only one who can buzz people into the church during the weekdays.
"I'm constantly looking," She said. "Any little movement that I see go past that camera, I'm watching."
The church has played hosts to dozens of events throughout the week. Despite the inclusive environment of her church, Transou said she has been even more careful after nine people were killed during a bible study at Emmanuel AME in South Carolina .
"You really have to use your spirit of discernment because you don't know the intentions of people and there are some good people in the world and there are some bad people in the world," she said. "You're taking a chance either way."
Over at Bethel AME church near the Gulch, Pastor Antoni Sinkfield spent Friday afternoon on a nation-wide call with pastors discussing how to keep their parishioners safe.
"The alarming reality of yesterday does cause you to revisit and think about whether or not you're providing the best environment and safest environment for those who are a part of it," Sinkfield said.
Wednesday's shooting has shattered a piece of Sinkfield's security.
"It was heartbreaking for me that the place in our country that has always been a safe place, always been a place of sanctum and a place where you can literally escape from any of the troubles that have been concerning you," he said. "That was broached."
However, he said he's confident his church is safe. He wants to keep the open-door policy in effect because, after all, that's his purpose for his church.
"It's not tough at all. We err on the side of being welcoming," he said.
Overall, both churches said they will not let this shooting affect how they worship.
