Dr. Philip D. Douglass

Professor Emeritus of Applied Theology

Dr. Phil Douglass came to Covenant Seminary after 14 years of pastoring in the Washington, D.C., area, where he planted three churches. Since coming to St. Louis, he has started two churches and served for six years as a weekend pastor of a local church where he mentored students while continuing to teach full-time at the Seminary.

Dr. Douglass has served on the PCA’s National MNA Committee for 28 years and as Chairman for five years in addition to serving as Chairman of the Missouri MNA Committee for 13 years. For 10 years he directed Covenant Seminary’s Doctor of Ministry program and has served as president of the National Association of DMin Directors. When he transitioned to Emeritus status, he accepted the position of Director of Church Planting, Growth and Renewal for Missouri Presbytery. Over the course of his time at the Seminary, he has facilitated 300 graduates in planting churches with that number growing each year.

Dr. Douglass is known for taking time to mentor and assist students and pastors in clarifying their sense of calling as well as for encouraging a vision for church planting. His book What is Your Church’s Personality?: Discovering and Developing the Ministry Style of Your Church (P&R, 2008) has helped many pastors and pulpit committees understand their unique church ministry style and gifts.

Dr. Douglass and his wife, Rebecca, have four married children and ten grandchildren.

Education