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I was truly blessed to attend the NC Baptist Disciple-Making Conference. It was a great time of learning, worship, and fellowship, and I strongly encourage you to make plans to attend next year if you can.
My personal highlight was a breakout session titled “Spiritual Warfare and Pastoral Health” led by Dr. Chuck Lawless from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. The session was both encouraging and convicting. Here are a few key takeaways that really spoke to my heart.
First, we must get our strength from the Lord.
Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”
Our strength does not come from experience, position, or ability, it comes from Him.
We were reminded of David. As a shepherd boy, he was small and inexperienced in battle, facing a giant warrior trained since youth. Yet David trusted the God who had been faithful to him in the past. He went in the power of the Lord and struck Goliath down with a single stone. David fought for the honor of the Lord.
However, in 1 Chronicles 21, we see a different picture. David the king allowed himself to be moved by Satan to number the army. Joab warned him not to do it, knowing it would bring guilt upon Israel. David did not listen. God was displeased, and Israel suffered. Our sin often affects others.
The contrast is clear:
David the shepherd boy relied on God.
David the king relied on himself.
The challenge Dr. Lawless gave was simple but powerful: Live your life as a shepherd boy, not as a king.
Second, we must guard our relationships and surround ourselves with the right people.
2 Timothy 4:5
“But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill
your ministry.”
Every believer, especially every pastor or ministry leader, needs four key relationships:
- A Paul - someone we can look up to and learn from.
- A Barnabas - a faithful friend who walks through life with us.
- A lost person - someone we are burdened for and intentionally sharing Christ with.
- A Timothy - someone we are discipling and pouring into.
If you do not have these four people in your life, pray and ask the Lord to provide them. We must always be discipled even as we disciple others.
The Disciple-Making Conference was a rich time of encouragement and a reminder that spiritual warfare is real, pastoral health matters, and dependence on the Lord is not optional, it is essential.
Noel Williamson
nwilliamson@sybaptist.org
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