It was a senseless, evil act June 17 at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. Nine people in a prayer service were shot and killed, including the senior pastor, state Sen. Clementa C. Pinckney. A 10th victim survived.

Dylann Storm Roof, 21, has been charged with nine counts of murder in the shootings, and the FBI is investigating possible links to a hate manifesto that showed up online along with photographs of Roof.

Since then, fire has destroyed seven Southern black churches. Arson is suspected in some but not all of the fires. They do not appear to be linked, and investigating agencies have not mentioned specific evidence of hate crimes.

The attacks and series of fires could be coincidence. Even so, they should prompt congregations everywhere to consider their security. Too few churches, synagogues and mosques are adequately equipped to respond to damaging outside forces — whether they’re accidents, burglaries, attacks, vandalism or even “acts of God.”

Do volunteers protect the parking lots during services? Some congregations do. Are ushers trained to spot trouble and head it off? Some are. Are the alarm systems for fire and forced entry up to date? Are there security cameras?

They should remember the Old Testament story of Nehemiah, who ordered his men, surrounded by hostile tribes, to keep their swords strapped on as they rebuilt the toppled walls of Jerusalem.

Churches are bastions of charity and kindness. They feed the hungry, aid the poor, defend the defenseless. But they must remember to protect themselves, too — as Nehemiah did.