In this special Christmas Eve edition of the Pillar Podcast, Phil Newton reads the story of the birth of Jesus from Luke 1 and 2.

Sarah Rogers and Jenna DiPrima discuss criticism in ministry, including understanding different types of criticism, responding with grace, practical tips for handling criticism, modeling healthy responses for children, and more. 

Dave Kiehn interviews Phil Newton about chapters 2 and 3 from "Churches Planting Churches” on what the church is and does. They discuss the importance of ecclesiology for church planting, elder-led congregationalism, how narrowing the view of the church helps to clarify its purpose, and more.

Nate Akin, Dave Kiehn, and Liam Garvie discuss how Pillar values closed membership. They address the practice of open membership, the importance of baptism, conscience dilemmas, regenerate church membership, what historic Baptist confessions have to say, teaching patiently on membership, and more. 

Dave Kiehn talks with Daniel Gillespie, Kurt Gebhards, & Eric Bancroft about the importance of building deep and meaningful Christian friendships among men, including the contrast with modern male friendships that lack depth, friendships that go beyond superficial interests, encouraging spiritual growth, and more. 

Dave Kiehn talks with Joseph Hussung from Fieldstone Counseling about the importance of counseling in the church, particularly for pastors. They also discuss biblically based counseling, the balance between counseling and discipleship, and more. Learn more at fieldstonecounseling.org.

Brandon Langley talks with Liam Garvie about his chapter of Churches Planting Churches on how associations can foster collaborative church planting, including the biblical precedent and value of associations, formalizing associations, teaching congregations about partnership and more. 

Dave Kiehn talks with Keith Crosby about his journey to faith and pastoral ministry, the long game of revitalization, and his testimony of God’s grace throughout trials and suffering. Keith is a member of our network and the Lead Pastor of Hillside Church in San Jose, California.

Dave Kiehn talks with Andy Davis, Andy Winn, & Chase Jenkins about the journey to planting Parkside Baptist Church in Durham, NC. They discuss the reasons for planting, the joys and challenges of the first year, raising up a team to plant, challenges for the sending church, and more. 

Brandon Langley, Phil Newton, and Nathan Baumgartner talk about how to fund a church plant from chapters 11 and 12 of "Churches Planting Churches." They discuss budgeting, vision casting, dedicated funds for planting, church documents and policies, and more. 

Sarah Rogers gives a talk on discipling women in the local church, including the importance of sound doctrine, older believers teaching younger believers, teaching a distinctly Christian home life and character, and more. This talk was originally given at the 2025 Thrive Women's Conference. 

Brandon Langley and Matt Rogers talk about developing a healthy leadership team for a plant from chapters 7 and 8 of "Churches Planting Churches." They discuss why to send a team rather than an individual planter, recruiting from sending churches and partner churches, clear communication and expectations, and more. 

Clint Darst gives a talk on walking in Christ from Ephesians 4:1-5:21. This talk was originally given at the 2025 Pillar International Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Brandon Langley, Dave Kiehn, and Matt Rogers talk about two of the chapters in Pillar's upcoming book, "Churches Planting Churches." They discuss how to find planters, where to plant a church, trusting God's providence in the church planting process, and more.

Vic Carpenter interviews Nigussie Yadete about his journey to faith in Christ, good ecclesiology, the path to planting a church in Ethiopia, and more. Nigussie is a member of our network and the Lead Pastor of Christ Community Baptist Church in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Vic is also a member of our network and the Teaching Pastor of Redeemer Bible Church in Spotsylvania, VA. 

Brandon Langley, Nate Akin, and Matt Rogers talk about Pillar's upcoming book 'Churches Planting Churches.' They discuss the purpose and goal of the book, building churches that multiply, biblical foundations for church planting, and more. 

Jenna DiPrima and Sarah Rogers talk about friendship in ministry, particularly for pastors' wives. They discuss the unique challenges in forming and maintaining friendships within the church, discernment in what to share, taking initiative in friendship, and more.

Nate Akin interviews Pastor Alistair Begg. They talk about the development of his theological convictions, his time at Charlotte Chapel in Scotland, longevity in ministry and marriage, personal evangelism, and more. They also discuss the viral moment of Begg's sermon about "The Man on the Middle Cross" and the upcoming book inspired by that message. Alistair began in pastoral ministry in 1975 and served as senior pastor at Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio from 1983 until 2025. He is also the Bible teacher at Truth for Life. 

Dave Kiehn talks with Josh Wredberg and Matt Capps about their new book, 'Every Member Matters.' They discuss the importance, meaning, and expectations of church membership, the collaborative writing process, and more. Matt is the Lead Pastor of Fairview Baptist Church in Apex, NC. Josh is the Lead Pastor of Redeemer Community Church in Fuquay-Varina, NC.

Phil Newton talks with Rich Shadden and John Sarver about how to navigate rhythms, rest, and sabbaticals in pastoral ministry. They talk about some of the challenges that make rest difficult, planning time for rest and vacation, and more. This discussion is from a recent Memphis, TN regional gathering of Pillar churches.