The Pillar Network

Matt Rogers & Nate Akin host a discussion with panelists Blake White, Jason Finley, Josh Wredberg, and Clint Darst. They discuss the importance of elder plurality, including some of the challenges, ways to maintain a healthy balance of authority and deference among elders, senior/lead pastor roles, and more. This audio is from a network-wide Zoom call from December 5, 2024.

In this episode, John Musyimi delivers a talk on maintaining the authority of the Bible over pragmatism. He delves into the fear of God versus the allure of success, exploring various temptations that can lead us towards pragmatism. John is a member of our network and the Lead Pastor of North Point Baptist Church in Nairobi, Kenya. This talk was originally given at the 2024 Pillar Unite Conference.

In this episode, Brandon Langley interviews Orlando Saer and Casey Williamson on college ministry in the local church and how it relates to church planting. They discuss some of the challenges, pitfalls, best practices, and more. Orlando is the Senior Pastor of Christ Church Southampton in the UK, and Casey is the Lead Pastor at Goodwood Community Church in Baton Rouge, LA. 

In this episode, Phil Newton interviews Aaron Menikoff and Zack DiPrima about planting from the perspective of a sending church. They discuss the motivations for sending, preparing both Zack and the core team, timing, and more. Aaron is the senior pastor at Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA. Zack and his team were sent out to plant Trinity Church Kennesaw in early 2024. 

In this episode, Phil Newton and Jordan Thomas discuss pastoral endurance at a Pillar pastors gathering in Memphis, TN. They talk about challenges to enduring in pastoral ministry, what it looks like to endure faithfully, and more. Jordan Thomas is the Lead Preaching Pastor of Grace Church Memphis. Phil Newton has decades of experience in pastoral ministry and now serves as the Director of Pastoral Care & Mentoring for the Pillar Network.

In this episode, Liam Garvie, Johnny Lithell, Jason Wredberg, and Jimmy Steele discuss raising up leaders through residencies in the local church. They discuss the purpose and content of residencies, identifying candidates, funding, and more. This panel discussion is from one of the breakout sessions from the 2024 Unite Conference.

In this episode, Nate Akin gives a talk on Sola Scriptura, biblical authority, tradition, and how baptists have navigated these topics. This talk was originally given at the 2024 Pillar Unite Conference.

In this episode, Brandon Langley and Liam Garvie interview Matt Smethurst about deacon ministry in the local church. They talk about the biblical principles and functions of the office, identifying deacons, deacon ministry in church planting, and more. Matt is the lead pastor of River City Baptist Church in Richmond, VA, and the author of Deacons: How They Serve and Strengthen the Church.

In this episode, Phil Newton interviews Mark Livingston about church revitalization. Mark shares his experiences of pastoral ministry, biblical principles for revitalization, and encouragements for pastors in the process of revitalizing churches. Mark is a member of our network and the lead pastor of Broadway Baptist Church in Southaven, Mississippi. 

In this episode, Nate Akin interviews Dr. Albert Mohler about how he became a baptist, baptist confessions, holding important theological convictions, and more. Dr. Mohler is the president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a member of Third Avenue Baptist Church.