Dr. Mark Torgerson
Department Chair of Christian Leadership
Dr. Torgerson teaches in the areas of Christian theology, worship, comparative religion, and religious space design. He enjoys exploring the intersection between religion and material culture, both in the United States and abroad. Historic and contemporary Christian (Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant) and Jewish houses of worship are favorite destinations. Sojourns in Japan, China, Peru, Tanzania, Turkey, India, and Nepal have provided first-hand opportunities to experience Shinto, Dao, Confucian, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, and indigenous holy sites. Remarkable works of art and natural features at these destinations added layers of beauty and wonder to the encounters.
Thousands of photographs have been taken. Insights into the beliefs and practices of Christianity and other religions are directed into the classroom to enliven conversations and deepen understanding.
Dr. Torgerson has written and published in the areas of theology, worship, and church design.听听An Architecture of Immanence听(Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2007) examines the history, design, and impact of modern and contemporary churches in Europe and the United States. Concern for living as faithful stewards of the creation prompted the book听Greening Spaces for Worship and Ministry: Congregations, Their Buildings, and Creation Care听(Alban Institute, 2012) as a guide for Christian and Jewish congregations to pursue environmental care in community. He has also published multiple articles concerning worship, theology, and the arts in journals such as听Faith and Form, Worship, SEEN听(CIVA Journal),听The Clergy Journal,听Doxology, and Reformed Liturgy and Music. 听
Dr. Torgerson is also a painter, using primarily acrylic on canvas. 好色先生TV one half of his paintings are designed for use in worship events. He is an ordained minister in the Evangelical Covenant Church, having served churches in Wisconsin and Connecticut. He enjoys hiking, modest mountain climbing (Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Fuji, Machu Picchu), photography, and traveling with his family and friends.
- Ph.D., University of Notre Dame, 1996
- M.A., University of Notre Dame, 1993
- M.Div., North Park Theological Seminary, 1988
- B.S., California State University, Fresno, 1982
Christian worship; church architecture; visual arts in the church
鈥淪枚vik鈥檚 Housefor the People of God,鈥澨�Faith and Form,Volume 51, Number 2 (2018):听 22-27.
Review of听Lone Star Steeples: Historic Places ofWorship in Texas听by Pixie Christensen,听GreatPlains Research, Volume 28, Number 1 (Spring 2018):听 95.
Review of听The Suburban Church:听 Modernism and Community in Postwar Americaby Gretchen Buggeln,听The CatholicHistorical Review, Volume 130, Number 1 (Winter 2017):听 161-163.
Entries for听Encyclopedia of Christianity in the UnitedStates, five-volume project.听 鈥淐hurchArchitecture鈥� (11,400 words), 鈥淓vangelical Covenant Church鈥� (2,100 words),鈥淐hristians in the Visual Arts鈥� (1,200 words), 鈥淐alligraphy鈥� (990 words),鈥淒ance鈥� (1,000 words), 鈥淒illard, Annie鈥� (770 words), 鈥淢useum of Biblical Arts鈥�(600 words).听 Lanham, MD:听 Rowman and Littlefield, 2016.
Review of听Liturgy as a Way of Life:听 Embodying the Arts in Christian Worship听byBruce Ellis Benson,听Worship, Volume89, Number 1 (January 2015):听 90-92.
听Greening Spaces for Worship and Ministry: Congregations, Their Buildings, and Creation Care.听Herndon, VA: The Alban Institute, 2012.
鈥淗ebrews in the Worship Life of the Church.鈥� In听Reading the Epistle to the Hebrews: A Resource for Students, eds. Eric F. Mason and Kevin B. McCruden, 269-296. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2011.
鈥淒esigning for the Elusive Presence.鈥澨�Faith and Form: Interfaith Journal on Religion, Art and Architecture, on-line edition, Fall 2010.
Review of听God in the Gallery: A Christian Embrace of Modern Art听by Daniel A. Siedell, Worship, Volume 84, Number 1 (January 2010): 89-91.
Review of听Jesus and the Emergence of Catholic Imagination: An Illustrated Journey by John Pfordresher, Worship, Volume 83, Number 2 (March 2009): 190-191.
鈥淐ommunity and Church Building Design: Inclusive and Exclusive Considerations,鈥澨�The Clergy Journal, Volume LXXXV, Number 2 (November/December 2008): 6-8.
鈥淎rtists and Worship: Vital Presence and Risky Business,鈥澨�SEEN, Journal for Christians in the Visual Arts (CIVA), Volume 8, Number 2 (2008): 14-15.
An Architecture of Immanence: Architecture for Worship and Ministry in the Twentieth Century. Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Liturgical Study Series. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2007.
Development of a monograph on Edward Anders S枚vik, a Lutheran architect who designed hundreds of churches for Catholic and Protestant congregations in twenty-three states over the course of his fifty years in practice.
- American Academy of Religion
- North American Academy of Liturgy
- Society for the Arts in Religious and Theological Studies
Calvin Institute of Christian Worship,听听[an excellent array of resources to explore and renew worship in the church]
Christians in Theatre Arts,听听[a primary organization and website for those involved in theatre]
Christians in the Visual Arts,听听[a primary organization and website for those involved in the visual arts of all kinds]
Image,听听[an important journal for artists of faith to share their work and reflections; also includes links for conferences and workshops]
The Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies,听 [a study program in worship studies at the graduate level; Dr. Torgerson maintains their on-line bibliography located under the “Resources” tab in the website]
The Sacred Dance Guild,听听[a primary organization and website for those involved in dance]
Society for the Arts in Religious and Theological Studies,听听 [a primary site for those exploring theology through the arts; includes a link to their excellent journal]
*The above listed websites do not necessarily reflect the views of 好色先生TV.