of course.

In the Name of Jesus-- Henri J.M. Nouwen

Of course a life that makes sense, a life worth living, a life with purpose is one that follows Jesus--a life that is lived in the name of Jesus. Nouwen explains so clearly what people need, so clearly what I need. Leadership is reflected in every day life, not just within leaders of the Church. Here he ponders what a life of Christian leadership truly looks like.

First Thoughts:

-Jesus' first temptation was to be relevent. (As Christians, aren't we called to be relevant-- to meet the world where it is and show them who Christ is? Many Christian leaders struggle with this idea--that they are not being relevant enough.)

- The leaders of the future will be those who dare to claim their irrelevance in the contemporary world as a divine vocation that allows them to enter into a deep solidarity with the anguish underlying all the glitter of success, and to bring the light of Jesus there.

*"Do you Love Me" Again, Nouwen shows just how simple it really is: The only question we need to be asking is if we really love Jesus.


-Hearts that forgive, care, reach out, and want to heal are the hearts our world needs now. "It is a heart that wants only to love and receive ove in response. It is a heart that suffers immensely because it sees the magnitude of human pain and the great resistance to trusting the heart of God who wants to offer consolation and hope."

-This is "First Love"-- "we love, because Christ first loved us."

*The only way we will be able to give this love is discovered in the discipline of prayer. We must be deeply deeply rooted in Christ's first love in order to be able to give it to others.

Ture leaders are those who desire to dwell with God--those who know his voice and actively seek his goodness. The interesting danger Nouwen presents is the problem of interfering opinion with divine suggestion. This is interesting, however, because essentially, won't all advice stem from opinion? Yes, I believe there can be divine inspiration, but is there danger in believing that advice from those who are "in tune" with God will automatically give "divine opinion"?

Nouwen then explores the importance of Christian leaders being open and honest with their "sheep". Community is a mutual experience--it is important for leaders to make their fears, hopes, desires, and struggles familiar. The sheep cannot be expected to follow their leader if she does not show her humanity or relatability to the flock.

Brilliant: "The mystery of ministry is that we have been chosen to make our own limited and very conditional love the gateway for the unlimited and unconditional love of God."

Nouwen states that the thrist for power becomes an issue when intimacy is threat. How, then, can healthy intimacy be practiced for Christian leaders? Amongst themselves, through their community, accountability partners?

The key for Christian leadership? Nouwen's summary reflects what Paul attempts to do in his letters-- giving a divine interpretation of the sufferings of his recepients. "Theological reflection is reflecting on the painful and joyful realitites of every day with the mind of Jesus and thereby reaising human consciousness to the knowledge of Gods gentle guidance."

of course...