Phil has practiced law, served as a pastor, and led various ministries in local churches for several decades. He has experienced three long periods of disabling suffering, which taught him much about spiritual growth. He taught spiritual formation at A. W. Tozer Seminary and Simpson University, and focuses his studies on the biblical theology of spiritual growth, the history of Christian spirituality, and learning from the classic Christian exemplars. He has published The Road to New Life and Flourish, has blogged on Christian maturity since 2015 (MeatForMaturity), offers online discipleship classes at ChristformationEncounters, and hosts a podcast titled Christ Formation: Practical Discipleship. He is currently finishing a comprehensive guide to Christian maturity. Phil has a J. D. from the University of Washington and an M.A. in Biblical Studies from Fuller Seminary. He also has an M.A. in Leadership with an emphasis on spirituality from Vanguard University, which includes graduate classes in spirituality from the Institute for Spiritual Formation at Talbot Seminary.