From Here to Maturity

From Here to Maturity PDF Author: Thomas E. Bergler
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
ISBN: 146744202X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 189

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Book Description
Expert guidance on how to grow up in Christ 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. 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, From Here to Maturity will be useful to individuals and leaders from many different churches and theological traditions.

From Here to Maturity

From Here to Maturity PDF Author: Thomas E. Bergler
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
ISBN: 146744202X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 189

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Book Description
Expert guidance on how to grow up in Christ 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. 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, From Here to Maturity will be useful to individuals and leaders from many different churches and theological traditions.

The Juvenilization of American Christianity

The Juvenilization of American Christianity PDF Author: Thomas Bergler
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
ISBN: 0802866840
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 292

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Book Description
Pop 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. Watch the trailer:

Maturity

Maturity PDF Author: Sinclair B. Ferguson
Publisher: Banner of Truth
ISBN: 9781848718654
Category : Christian life
Languages : en
Pages : 248

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Book Description
What are the most important lessons the New Testament has to teach us about being a Christian? Sinclair Ferguson shows that a deep-seated concern of the writers of the New Testament was to see Christians grow to spiritual maturity‚"‚€‚"and if that was the concern of the first believers, then it should be our concern too. In clear and logical chapters that are rooted in the reality of the Christian life, the author, who has had long experience in pastoral ministry and seminary teaching, seeks to show what Christian maturity is, and how it is to be obtained. It was the apostle Paul's desire to present those to whom he ministered 'mature in Christ'‚"‚€‚"for such a maturity would lead to stable, servant-hearted Christians, and healthy, fruit-bearing churches. All those who desire to live useful, mature, and consistent Christian lives will gain much wisdom from reading and reflecting upon the contents of this book.

Called to Be Saints

Called to Be Saints PDF Author: Gordon T. Smith
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
ISBN: 083086489X
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 278

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Book Description
Theologies of justification are too numerous to count. In this book, Gordon Smith synthesizes a lifetime of writing on calling, conversion, discernment and spiritual formation in a comprehensive and compelling theology of sanctification. Smith presents holiness in its christological, sapiential, vocational, social and emotional dimensions.

Artificial Maturity

Artificial Maturity PDF Author: Tim Elmore
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118258061
Category : Family & Relationships
Languages : en
Pages : 279

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Book Description
How to raise kids who can handle the real world Today's Generation iY (teens brought up with the Internet) and Homelanders (children born after 9/11) are overexposed to information at an earlier age than ever and paradoxically are underexposed to meaningful relationships and real-life experiences. Artificial Maturity addresses the problem of what to do when parents and teachers mistake children's superficial knowledge for real maturity. The book is filled with practical steps that adults can take to furnish the experiences kids need to balance their abilities with authentic maturity. Shows how to identify the problem of artificial maturity in Generation iY and Homelanders Reveals what to do to help children balance autonomy, responsibility, and information Includes a down-to-earth model for coaching and guiding youth to true maturity Artificial Maturity gives parents, teachers, and others who work with youth a manual for understanding and practicing the leadership kids so desperately need to mature in a healthy fashion.

A Model of Christian Maturity

A Model of Christian Maturity PDF Author: D. A. Carson
Publisher: Baker Books
ISBN: 1441201750
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 192

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Book Description
We live in a time when leadership and showmanship are seen as far greater virtues than humility and meekness. Even the church has often got it backward. And in Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, he confronts similar problems in the first-century church. D. A. Carson believes we can learn valuable lessons from Paul's letter about what it really means to be a mature Christian in the face of adversity. In A Model of Christian Maturity he takes the reader step by step through an exposition of 2 Corinthians 10-13 and then helps them apply these Scriptures to everyday life in the church. Perfect for pastors, students, and laypeople, this book highlights the power of weakness in the life of the Christian.

The Lost Art of Disciple Making

The Lost Art of Disciple Making PDF Author: LeRoy Eims
Publisher: Zondervan
ISBN: 0310832063
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 193

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Book Description
"Every believer in Jesus Christ deserves the opportunity of personal nurture and development." says LeRoy Eims. But all too often the opportunity isn't there. We neglect the young Christian in our whirl of programs, church services, and fellowship groups. And we neglect to raise up workers and leaders who can disciple young believers into mature and fruitful Christians. In simple, practical, and biblical terms, LeRoy Eims revives the lost art of disciple making. He explains: - How the early church discipled new Christians - How to meet the basic needs of a growing Christian - How to spot and train potential workers - How to develop mature, godly leaders "True growth takes time and tears and love and patience," Eims states. There is no instant maturity. This book examines the growth process in the life of a Christian and considers what nurture and guidance it takes to develop spiritually qualified workers in the church.

Spiritual Maturity

Spiritual Maturity PDF Author: J. Oswald Sanders
Publisher: Moody Publishers
ISBN: 9780802467973
Category : Christian life
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Spiritual maturity is not a level of growth Christians achieve, but the passion to press on in Christ. In these concise chapters J. Oswald Sanders explores the primary source of continual growth. As we embrace God's providence, hardship, and more, we can move from infancy toward the fruitful maturity we were created to enjoy. Now, this new edition of "Spiritual Maturity" includes a "For Reflections" section making it an ideal resource for both individual and group study.

The Way Forward

The Way Forward PDF Author: Joe Barnard
Publisher: Christian Focus
ISBN: 9781527104679
Category : Christian men
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
A lot of Christian men - and small groups of men - feel stuck. They have a sincere desire to grow but feel confused about what to do next. The Way Forward is a road-map for men who want to cut through the noise and distraction of the 21st century and take definite steps toward spiritual maturity. This book follows the simple format of problem, solution, and plan. Men who read it will walk away with both a clear diagnosis for why they feel stuck and a practical action plan for moving forward.

Pursuing Maturity

Pursuing Maturity PDF Author: Berin Gilfillan
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780578461373
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The place of maturity is that place of increase, multiplication and hundredfold harvest in a human life. It's that sweet spot where all the years of toil and preparation pay off. The goal of God for every Christian believer is to "grow up" and become like Christ. In the natural, we all know what a mature individual looks like. A mature athlete, musician, artist or physician is valued by society and often greatly rewarded with fame and financial resources. How much more should Christians seek that place where their gifts, their callings, their relationships and their skills are mature?This book is about the pursuit of maturity. It's about the journey, the defining moments, the mentors and the milestones on the road to a life of success, meaning, purpose and fruitfulness.