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1. The pastor should protect him/herself and keep a safe distance. He/she should not reach out and attempt to physically touch the person. The pastor should wait until the person is calmer.

2. The pastor can work with the person to identify the problem. Is the person responding to hallucinations or delusions? Did someone say or do something that was threatening or was misinterpreted? Is this a reaction to a similar situation in the past that was threatening to the person?

3. The pastor should use short, simple sentences and a calm, soft delivery.

4. The pastor should calmly discuss what is happening and the consequences that can occur if the situation escalates (such as the person or others being hurt; loss of trust and respect; the possible intervention of emergency services or the police).

5. If a threat is stated, the pastor should find out who, when, how and why there is a problem. The pastor should attempt to soothe the anger felt toward the threatened person(s). He/she should notify the threatened person(s) and, if warranted, emergency services and/or the police.

6. The pastor should follow up on any concerns or suggestions that were made during this interchange.

7. If a dangerous object (knife, gun, car, toxic substance, etc.) is part of the threat, the pastor should make an emergency call to police. If the pastor has the information, the person's physician, family (or caretaker) should also be contacted.