Phil A. Newton serves as the Director of Pastoral Care and Mentoring for The Pillar Network. He served as a lead pastor for 44 years. He is visiting Professor of Pastoral Theology at Southeeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Adjunct Professor at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Phil married Karen in 1975 and together they have five children and nine grandchildren. They live in Memphis, TN area where Phil serves as an elder at Midtown Baptist Church. 

Unburdening the Soul is divided into two parts. Part 1, as one friend put it, provides a catechism on confession of sin, answering: What is confession? Why is it important? How do we confess our sins? Part 2 gives a biblical approach to confession of sin. This section has fifty-two models of what it looks like in personal and corporate Scripture reading to recognize our sins, and how to confess them as we read and listen to God’s Word. Each confession ends with a biblical assurance of pardon, so that we might rejoice in God’s provision of forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Part 2 can be used for personal devotions or in corporate worship. The goal of the book is to help Christians grow in walking with Christ.

1. Personally addressing sins affects the individual Christian’s walk with the Lord. Corporate confession affects the collective holiness and witness of the church. (pg. ii) 
2. When the instrument of the heart gets out of tune, confession retunes it to keep the life focused on living in Christ. (pg. 4) 
3. Unconfessed sin affects spiritual energy, slows obedience, decreases joy, and hinders loving others. (pg. 12) 
4. Private habits of daily confession affect personal fellowship with the Lord as well as the corporate worship gathering. (pg. 21) 
5. Corporate confession of sin binds the church together in dependence upon the cross of Jesus. (pg. 35)