- In this hope-filled and profoundly simple book, Henri Nouwen offers a radically fresh interpretation of how we can best serve others. Here he inspires devoted men and women who want to be of service in their church or community, but who have found some traditional practices of outreach alienating and ineffective. Weaving keen cultural analysis with his psychological and religious insights, Nouwen has come up with a balanced and creative theology of service that begins with the realization of fundamental woundedness in human nature.
According to Nouwen, ministers are called to identify the suffering in their own hearts and make that recognition the starting point of their service. For Nouwen, ministers must be willing to go beyond their professional, somewhat aloof, roles and leave themselves open as fellow human beings with the same wounds and suffering as those whom they serve. In other words, we heal from our wounds.
The Wounded Healer is a thoughtful and insightful guide that will be welcomed by anyone engaged in the service of others.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Introduction: The Four Open Doors
- Ministry in a Dislocated World - The Human Search
- Ministry for the Rootless Generations - Looking into the Fugitive's Eyes
- Ministry to a Hopeless Man - Waiting for Tomorrow
- Ministry by a Lonely Minister - The Wounded Healer
Conclusion: A Forward Thrust
ENDORSEMENTS:
One's overall response to the book has to be 'Yes.' Yes, this describes a style of ministry desperately needed by all of us. - America
A lucid and profoundly simple book......As a combination of creative case studies, stories from diverse cultures and religious traditions, perceptive cultural analysis, in-depth psychological and religious insights, and a balanced and creative theology, this small volume should prove exciting and intelligible for both clergy and laity. - Christian Century.
One of the world's greatest spiritual writers. - Christianity Today.
