The Pillar Network

Ep. 107 - Are Affinity Groups Helpful or Hurtful to the SBC?

Nate Akin, Dave Kiehn, Brandon Langley, and Ben Wright discuss affinity groups within the Southern Baptist Convention. In this episode, they explore the benefits and concerns surrounding affinity groups, their role in fostering cooperation for missions and church planting, and how these networks can help churches engage more meaningfully in SBC life.

Ep. 106 - Ministry and Missions in the 21st Century with Greg Gilbert, Ryan Fullerton, Andrew Walker, & Tom Schreiner

Nate Akin hosts a panel discussion on Ministry and Missions in the 21st Century with Greg Gilbert, Ryan Fullerton, Andrew Walker, and Tom Schreiner at the 2026 Pillar Intensive at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.

Ep. 105 - Holiness of the Shepherd with Liam Garvie

Liam Garvie gives a talk on Holiness of the Shepherd at the 2026 Pillar Intensive at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.

Ep. 104 - 12 Lessons on Preaching Application with Ed Moore

Ed Moore shares 12 Lessons on Preaching Application at the 2026 Pillar Intensive at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.

Pillar Women Ep. 12 - Flourish in Your Local Church with Hunter Beless

In this episode of the Pillar Network Podcast, Sarah Rogers and Betsy Gómez sit down with Hunter Beless to talk about discipleship, women’s ministry, and the irreplaceable role of the local church. Hunter shares how her understanding of the church deepened through years of ministry, especially as she saw the limitations of online influence and the necessity of embodied, relational discipleship. Together, they reflect on the beauty and challenges of church planting, the formative role of motherhood, and how God uses ordinary, unseen faithfulness to shape His people. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize that true discipleship happens in the context of real relationships, rooted in God’s Word, and lived out both in the home and the local church. They call women to reject a consumeristic mindset and instead embrace a life of humble, Word-centered service for the building up of the body of Christ.    Highlights from the episode: “In a generation of curated platforms, we cannot disciple people at a distance.” “I have become less consumeristic… and more willing to bend low and serve.” “Everything is curated to the algorithm… we end up surrounding ourselves with people who are just like us.”  “The Lord uses this space within the four walls of my home as the training ground for what it looks like to apply the gospel.”  “I have become less consumeristic and more willing to bend low and serve.” “We are embodied souls… we need embodied discipleship.” “The gospel is on display when we have unity across our differences.” “The home is the training ground for applying the gospel.” “If we open God’s Word together, we are doing real spiritual good.” “No woman is exempt from teaching what is good.” “Discipleship is teaching and training in godliness in the context of a relationship.”    Dig deeper: * How has the “algorithm” or online influence shaped your expectations of church and discipleship? * Are you trying to grow spiritually apart from the context of real, embodied relationships in the local church? * In what ways might you be approaching church with a consumer mindset instead of a servant’s posture? * How is God using your home (your current season, responsibilities, and relationships) as a training ground for the gospel? * If discipleship is “teaching and training in godliness in the context of relationship,” how does that challenge the way you currently think about spiritual growth?