Thomas Bergler
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From Here To Maturity
$23.99Add to cartAmericans in general are not sure they want to grow up. American Christians, according to national studies, prefer an emotionally comforting, self-focused, and intellectually shallow faith. But spiritual maturity is desirable, says Thomas Bergler. Fortunately, it is not complicated or mysterious; it is just neglected.From Here to Maturity is an excellent guide that will help both individuals and whole faith communities to grow. Bergler defines spiritual maturity as basic competence in the Christian life and identifies its content (traits) from pertinent New Testament passages. He further offers a wealth of practical, research-based guidance as to how Christian leaders can effectively foster spiritual maturity in their congregations.
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Juvenilization Of American Christianity
$29.99Add to cartPop worship music. Falling in love with Jesus. Mission trips. Wearing jeans and T-shirts to church. Spiritual searching and church hopping. Faith-based political activism. Seeker-sensitive outreach. These now-commonplace elements of American church life all began as innovative ways to reach young people, yet they have gradually become accepted as important parts of a spiritual ideal for all ages. What on earth has happened? In The Juvenilization of American Christianity Thomas Bergler traces the way in which, over seventy-five years, youth ministries have breathed new vitality into four major American church traditions – African American, Evangelical, Mainline Protestant, and Roman Catholic. Bergler shows too how this “juvenilization” of churches has led to widespread spiritual immaturity, consumerism, and self-centeredness, popularizing a feel-good faith with neither intergenerational community nor theological literacy. Bergler’s critique further offers constructive suggestions for taming juvenilization.