{"product_id":"from-here-to-maturity-thomas-e-bergler-9780802869449","title":"From Here to Maturity: Overcoming the Juvenilization of American Christianity","description":"\u003ci\u003eExpert guidance on how to grow up in Christ\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e This book is a follow-up to Thomas Bergler's acclaimed work \u003ci\u003eThe Juvenilization of American Christianity, \u003c\/i\u003e 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Bergler's \u003ci\u003eFrom Here to Maturity\u003c\/i\u003e 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Adapting Dallas Willard's model of spiritual formation and applying it to congregational life, Bergler offers a wealth of practical, research-based guidance as to how Christian leaders can effectively foster spiritual maturity in their congregations. He also identifies six key faith-sustaining factors and provides a system for evaluating a church's state of spiritual maturity and steps for improving it. Ecumenically friendly, \u003ci\u003eFrom Here to Maturity\u003c\/i\u003e will be useful to individuals and leaders from many different churches and theological traditions. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Thomas E. Bergler\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0802869440\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780802869449\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 11\/01\/2014\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 189\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.60lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.90h x 6.00w x 0.60d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eChristianity Today\u003c\/i\u003e 01\/01\/2015 pg. 65","brand":"Thomas E. Bergler","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":43992442732799,"sku":"9780802869449","price":21.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_e268eb5c-46bc-4d1e-8798-cba082e8afd4.jpg?v=1683318978","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/from-here-to-maturity-thomas-e-bergler-9780802869449","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}