Phil A. Newton

Phil A. Newton (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) serves as director of pastoral care and mentoring for the Pillar Network after pastoring for 44 years, the last 35 at South Woods Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee, which he planted in 1987. Phil and his wife, Karen, have five children and six grandchildren. He is the author of several books, including 40 Questions About Pastoral Ministry, The Mentoring Church: How Pastors and Congregations Cultivate Leaders, Conduct Gospel-Centered Funerals (with Brian Croft), Elders in the Life of the Church (with Matt Schmucker), Venture All for God: Piety in the Writings of John Bunyan (with Roger Duke and Drew Harris), and Shepherding the Pastor: Help for the Early Years of Ministry (forthcoming February 2023, with Rich Shadden). He is an adjunct professor at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.