A series of reflections on the exercise ministry and what it means to be a Christian leader today. The book is based on a series of talks that Nouwen gave in Washington, DC. He attempts to use his experiences at L’Arche Daybreak to help illustrate how people who minister and lead can grapple with serving in our modern high-paced, success-oriented society. The message of the is based on two main accounts in the Gospels: Jesus’ temptation by the Devil (Matthew 4:1-11;Luke 4:1-13; Mark 1:12-13) and Jesus re-instating Peter after the resurrection (John 21:1-25). Nouwen identifies three main temptations which Jesus faces in the desert, which those who minister and lead likewise must wrestle with as a part of their own journey. He also illustrates three corresponding challenges and practices Jesus bids Peter to take up, giving modern applications for each. The temptations Nouwen identifies are: the temptation to be relevant, the temptation to be spectacular and seek popularity from the crowd, and the temptation to act as a ruler. ( )

This is a powerful book (although short at only 107 pages) written by a Catholic priest on Christian leadership in the 21st century. He emphasizes that leaders can only lead if they have a living, active and intimate relationship with the One they are teaching about, Jesus Christ. It's not your typical "how-to lead people" but more reflections on what a godly leader should look like according to Scripture. And for all of us Protestants out there, we can learn many things from our Catholic brothers so don't automatically rule this book out because it's written by a Catholic priest. ( )

Christian leadership can get tangled in the charisma of a high profile individual who has all the skills to function well and be effective within the community. Nouwen regards self-actualization -- that desire to be relevant, spectacular, heroic or powerful as temptations. The quest for self-direction, personal efficiency and effective leadership habits, however, still leaves many individuals empty over the long run. Effective leadership centres itself in Christ. Nouwen's wisdom is grounded in the foundation that we are a people 'called'. He acknowledges that it is the real presence of the Holy Spirit who motivates us toward a life that is lived not merely 'with' but 'for' others. According to Henri Nouwen, all principles by which we live, whether it be honesty, integrity, integrity, fairness, excellence, service, etc., pale in their capacity for effectiveness if LOVE is not at the root of them. Love is the first principle and finds its origin in what Nouwen refers to as God's first love - that creative extension of God's self into the life of the world. ( )

A very small book, but immensely profound. ( )

My favourite Nouwen book (which isn't saying very much, I'm afraid). It's a sweet, humble meditation on Christian leadership. His Scriptural support is not strong, but the basic direction of the book is biblical.

As one seminary prof used to say, "Good sermon, poor text." ( )