Bergler to present annual faculty lecture
FOR RELEASE: Monday, January 22, 2007
Huntington, Ind.-Huntington University's Dr. Tom Bergler will deliver the annual Forester Lecture Series faculty lecture on Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Zurcher Auditorium of the Merillat Centre for the Arts. Bergler, assistant professor of ministry and missions and associate director of the Link Institute for Faithful and Effective Youth Ministry, will present "No More Slow Dances with Jesus: Using Contemporary Worship Music Responsibly." Bergler was chosen for the honor after a competitive review process. The public is invited to attend this free lecture.
Bergler will identify the strengths and weaknesses of romantic worship songs by evaluating them in light of biblical teaching on worship and Christian discipleship. He also will identify the effects of this music on Christian worshippers. Finally, he will suggest steps that individual worshippers, worship leaders and songwriters may take to foster a sound, biblically grounded spirituality through singing.
Bergler completed his Ph.D. in American Religious History from the University of Notre Dame and his M.A. in Theology and Church History from Wheaton College. He served as a staff worker for University Christian Outreach for seven years, helping to evangelize and disciple students at the University of Michigan, the University of London and Michigan State University. He co-founded the Spring Academy, a Christian theology and ministry camp for students from state universities. He currently serves as associate editor of The Journal of Youth Ministry. He teaches Foundations of Christian Ministry, Discipling Ministries, Contemporary American Youth Culture and Understanding the Christian Faith. He also teaches Sociology of Adolescence for the Graduate School of Christian Ministries.
