IN THE NAME OF JESUS
Author HENRI J.M. Nouwen
Publisher CROSSROAD
ISBN 0-8245-1259-6
Subtitled “Reflections on Christian Leadership” and taken from several presentations that Henri Nouwen made concerning Christian Leadership in the 21st Century this is, as usual with his books, short and to the point. Some will say that it is taking up the subject in a superficial way, others will baulk at his remarks about the necessity for Christian leaders to have a mystical element to their lives and still others will simply say, just another offering from Nouwen. All these reactions would miss the point. The author is right at the heart of what it means to be a Christian minister and leader. He makes his points in relationship to the three temptations that came to Jesus in the wilderness. These he regards as a temptation to relevance, popularity and carnal ways of leading and the journey for those who overcome these is to prayer, ministry and the humility of being led. What are the temptations church leaders face? To be relevant, spectacular and powerful. Indeed! How pertinent for the 21st century! The remedy to these Nouwen finds in the words Jesus spoke to His broken hearted leader Peter. The question, “Do you love Me?” The Task, “Feed My sheep,” and the challenge, “somebody else will carry you.” So as we read on we pass into the life that answers the question, fulfils the task and takes up the challenge, in this Henri Nouwen’s understanding requires the disciplines of a life of contemplative prayer, (the mystical element mentioned above), of confession and forgiveness in the context of at least two or three others in fellowship and finally the necessity of theological reflection. Lest these terms put any would be reader off from getting this book, this man explains and qualifies what he is advocating very helpfully. A little book made available after Nouwen had left the rarefied atmosphere of Harvard and Yale and spent some years with the community in Toronto known as L’Arche where he lived and worked with those who many would regard as quite the opposite of the would-be movers and shakers of the world of universities. This means his words have a rare weight and substance. This can be read in half and hour but the lessons contained will take a lifetime to embrace fully.
