2024 was a year where we saw church scandal after church scandal after church scandal. Let’s make 2025 the year we ditch the mindset that believes “That can’t happen here” and adopt the attitude “We can and must improve safety and security in every ministry of our church.” Let’s start with the most basic step – remembering why church safety and security are an important part of a healthy, growing church.
Scripture is where we get our “best practices” for church safety and security in a conceptual sense. Once we decide on a framework for our security plan, we use practical application steps that fit that conceptual framework. There are many passages about setting guards and setting watchmen such as Nehemiah 9 and Isaiah 21:6. The most comprehensive safety principles are set out in the story of David and Goliath.
When young David volunteers to fight the giant, Saul tells David that he has no chance of defending Israel by fighting the much more powerful and well-trained Goliath. In 1 Samuel 17, verses 32-37, David replies that he has cared for his father’s sheep by destroying any predator that threatened them. Any predator. Threats to our flocks come in many shapes and sizes, and we must ready ourselves to take them on, whatever those threats look like.
Let’s dig into this story a bit more. Modern readers tend to focus on David confronting and defeating Goliath in the story. We do that today in our own stories of how we need to run church security teams. We focus on threats to physical safety (which we certainly must do) but often neglect other matters that are just as important. Let’s see what David is saying to the people who tell him that his plans to keep the nation of Israel safe are just a pipe dream.
1 Samuel 17 begins by describing how the Philistines had gathered their army, including Goliath. He taunted the much smaller and less well-equipped Israelites and challenged them to put forth their best fight to challenge him in a winner-take-all battle. If his goal was to inflict terror on King Saul and the rest of the Israelites, it worked.
The challenge became a stalemate, and even standing armies needed to be fed. Jesse sent his youngest son, David the shepherd boy, to take food to his brothers who served in Saul’s army. David traveled to the battlefield after ensuring his sheep were being looked after. He was appalled to see the fear in the soldier’s eyes and the lack of leadership from Saul. David’s brother questioned the young shepherd’s motive for even being there. David didn’t let that bother him.
“Don’t worry about this Philistine,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!” “Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.” But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!” Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!”
I want to highlight some points I find interesting from this passage.
- David is not afraid to challenge a leader who isn’t acting in the best interests of the people
- As truth-tellers often are, David is mocked
- David is unafraid to mention his experience dealing with predators using situation-appropriate weapons that get the job done
- David’s ultimate faith is not in those weapons but in the God who provided them
- Saul, the top leader, allows a boy to do what he should have all along
How do we apply the lessons of this story today?
Saul, the reigning leader, is focused on the apparent impossibility of the task ahead, doubting David’s ability to face Goliath because of his youth and inexperience in battle. However, David is looking at the larger picture: Goliath is a threat to the well-being of God’s people. Leaders must face such threats head-on. By focusing on the odds and David’s age, Saul neglects his responsibility to protect and lead the nation.
David challenges Saul, not just in words, but through his actions. Leaders are called to act in the best interests of those they lead, and when leaders fall short or become complacent, it is sometimes necessary for those under them—those who recognize the real issues—to step up, even if it means challenging the status quo. It’s okay to question authority. It might be essential if leadership fails to address the people’s real needs.
We will all face times when speaking out is necessary for the greater good, even if it is uncomfortable.
Being a truth-teller often comes with the cost of being misunderstood or ridiculed. David’s confidence in his ability to take on Goliath is rooted in his past experiences protecting his flock. But Saul refuses to see that. Instead of understanding David’s resolve and the wisdom behind his words, Saul mocks him.
In today’s world, truth-tellers face similar challenges. Whether in the workplace, community settings, or even within churches or families, individuals who speak up about uncomfortable truths or call out injustice often find themselves ridiculed or belittled. They may be accused of being naïve, overly idealistic, or disrespectful.
Truth-tellers are called to persist, just as David does because the ultimate goal is to bring about change or highlight an important issue that others may not see.
David does not boast or embellish his accomplishments; instead, he simply shares the truth of his experience and the methods he used to protect what was entrusted to him. His choice of weapon—a club—was practical and suited to the threat he faced at the time. This speaks to David’s resourcefulness and understanding of the situation.
David doesn’t feel the need to justify his actions or apologize for using the tools he already had. When facing a lion or a bear, David used what he had—a club—to fight back. His success in this task gave him the confidence to face Goliath with similar faith, even though the tools for that battle would be entirely different. His experience with predators had already taught him to trust his abilities and God’s provision.
Don’t be overwhelmed with the task at hand. Confidently use the tools that are available to you.
In times of difficulty or when faced with overwhelming challenges, it’s easy to focus on our limitations—on the lack of resources, experience, or abilities. David’s story teaches us to trust in God’s faithfulness and provision. David didn’t have an army, heavy armor, or weapons like Goliath. What he had was the assurance that God was with him and would provide the strength and victory he needed. This deep, unshakable faith in God allowed him to face a daunting giant without fear, knowing that his God would fight for him.
Providing a safe and secure environment in our churches lies not in our ability or possessions but in our faith in God. It is God’s presence and power that make our plans effective. Just as David placed his trust in the God who had faithfully provided for him, we too are invited to trust in the same God who will never fail us.
David’s story calls us to remember that God equips us for every battle, and it is in Him that we find the courage to face our safety and security challenges.
In this passage, we see a striking reversal of roles. Saul, the king and military leader, is in a position of power, but David, a young shepherd boy, takes the initiative to face Goliath. Saul’s response begins with doubt and hesitation, but Saul ultimately permits David to go.
Saul’s failure to lead in the face of danger left an opportunity for David to step in and do what should have been the king’s role all along. Leadership is not just about holding a title or position of power; it is about taking responsibility and acting in the best interest of those we lead.
David’s willingness to take on the challenge of Goliath shows that sometimes, leadership may come from unexpected places.
Church safety and security are a crucial part of being a healthy church. The story of David and Goliath is a powerful reminder that those of us tasked to protect God’s flock must stand up for what is right, even in the face of mockery and adversity. David’s willingness to challenge Saul and his unwavering faith in God’s provision give us the courage to speak out when necessary, no matter how uncomfortable we feel. Just as David used the tools at his disposal to face Goliath, we too can confidently use the resources available to us to improve safety and security in every ministry of our churches. God is our ultimate protector and has given us the direction we need in His Word.
About the author
Lori Morrison is a member of her church’s security team, a retired private investigator, a former church staffer, and serves on the Worship Facility Editorial Advisory Board.
Her training guide, “Reclaiming Sanctuary: Enhancing Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Safety in Our Churches” helps church leaders adopt a new mindset, build a customized
strategy, and launch a sustainable plan for the protection of their flock. You can grab your copy on Amazon here.
