From Here To Maturity

This book is a follow-up to Thomas Bergler's acclaimed work The Juvenilization of American Christianity, which documents how church youth ministries over the past several decades have contributed to a process of adolescent spiritual traits becoming accepted and even celebrated by Christians of all ages. This "juvenilization" in the church is a real problem that must be addressed, says Bergler, and in his new book he addresses it head-on.

Bergler's From Here to Maturity is an accessible guide for helping both individuals and whole faith communities to grow spiritually. Bergler claims that spiritual maturity — defined as "basic competence in the Christian life" — is both desirable and attainable, and he effectively presents a biblical theology of spiritual maturity, identifying its traits from pertinent New Testament passages.

My guest on the program today will be Thomas Bergler.

Thomas E. Bergler is professor of ministry and missions at Huntington University, Huntington, Indiana. His book The Juvenilization of American Christianity (2012) was featured in Christianity Today and Preaching magazines and won an award of merit from Christianity Today