ABOUT THE HOST

The host of Meat for Maturity is Phil Rehberg. He currently spends his time writing, teaching, and coaching students through his online discipleship class Christformation Discipleship Experience. His books, The Road to New Life and Flourish: A Guide to Your Growth in God’s Community, can be found on Amazon.com. Phil focuses his studies on the biblical theology of spiritual growth, the history of Christian spirituality, and learning from the classic Christian teachers of spiritual growth. He is currently working on a new book for long-time Christians seeking greater maturity titled The Christlike Creed.

Phil has a J.D. (law) from the University of Washington, an M.A. in Biblical Studies from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena and an M.A. in Leadership with emphasis on spirituality from Vanguard University in Costa Mesa, California. Phil also took graduate classes in spirituality from the Institute for Spiritual Formation at Talbot Seminary and these classes were credited towards his degree from Vanguard University.

History

Phil Rehberg began his Christian walk at age ten. Many years later, while attending law school at the University of Washington, he had a near-death experience while river rafting. Realizing that he could die at any time, Phil committed himself more completely to Jesus. Phil practiced law for two years but was not satisfied – he wanted to do ministry. He left his hometown of Seattle and moved to Pasadena, California and enrolled at Fuller Theological Seminary. There the Lord transformed his heart and gave him a great desire to love and minister to people.

During his time at seminary in 1984-1986 Phil became very frustrated with the lack of teaching at the seminary on spiritual growth. He began to read Christian classics and in the years following seminary he eventually found authors such as Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross who helped him understand what spiritual growth is all about. He has continued to read the classics and the history of Christian spirituality and this became the primary source, after scripture, of inspiration for spiritual growth.

After seminary, Phil became the pastor of a small Evangelical Free congregation, where he preached for two years, until some intense spiritual battles prompted him to take a break. In 1991 Phil’s father died, leaving a small law practice. Phil took over the practice and turned it into a successful business. During this time he became involved in his church, teaching a class for new Christians. In 1996 he sold his law practice so he could devote more time to ministry. Among his many teaching and serving opportunities, Phil led an effective emotional healing ministry where he saw dozens healed of deep wounds. His ministry also included developing ministry teams, leading home groups, spiritual formation, teaching, and weekly preaching.

During this time Phil felt the Lord leading him to study the problem of American Christianity, and why it is so ineffective when it comes to transforming people. He recognized how weak salvation invitations actually were—that they often omitted conviction of sin, repentance, and surrender. That was the genesis of the book The Road to New Life.

Phil has been through three long periods (3-8 years each) of desolation in his life. Each one was deeply painful physically and spiritually. Much of a normal life was lost but much was gained. As a result, Phil believes in the importance of dry or dark times and death to self. He believes these times purify a believer and generate the fruits of the Spirit. God is continually revealing and transforming in Phil areas of unbelief, fear and weak love.

In July 2004 Phil moved to Orange County, CA to do graduate studies in leadership at Vanguard University and to continue writing. He also did graduate studies at the Institute for Spiritual Formation at Talbot Seminary at Biola University. He enjoys reading Christian classics from the second century on and intends to do more writing on spiritual formation. In 2010 he published The Road to New Life which explains the essentials for following Jesus. In 2015 he published Flourish: A Guide to Your Growth in God’s Community.

Looking back, Phil has spent over 40 years in churches and other environments observing what transforms people and what does not. He has observed which types of leadership produce lasting discipleship and which do not. His books, blogs and classes reflect decades of frustration and seeking for authentic transformation into the image of Christ. There is always more to learn, but he is confident that he has found strategies for change that are much better than what is usually found in congregations. Sermons, bible studies and books are helpful but they have not produced deep change in American Christianity. Effective change comes from understanding the biblical model of transformation and from the wisdom of the great Christlike models of past centuries. When combined with practical exercises for applying these sources, believers can enjoy far more effective change.

Phil currently lives in Redding, CA with his wife who is a Psychologist. Along with blogging and teaching Phil is working on a book on Christian maturity for long-time believers that will be a comprehensive discussion of the biblical theology of maturity with practical guides.