Creative Ministry - Conclusion
Reading: Conclusion and Epilogue
And so, as we approach Christmas Day, "it may be extremely difficult for us in the modern age to feel close to Jesus of Nazareth, who lived in another world; it may be even more difficult to look forward to the day of His return; but more than ever it may be possible to experience the Spirit of Christ as a living Spirit who makes it possible to break through the boundaries of our imprisoned existence and makes us free to work for a new world" (p 12).
1) This is really what this discussion has been all about - how can we break through the boundaries of our imprisoned existence, and truly minister to others in the power and name of Jesus Christ.
a) And so, as we wrap up this book, and this discussion, and as we head into a new year... what thought or summary would you like to carry with you, that might help you to truly lay down your life in creative ministry to another?
2) In the epilogue I think Henri did a wonderful thing. He published some of the questions and criticisms others had of this book. Perhaps you can identify with some of the questions others raised, and perhaps it explains why we had a hard time with some of these chapters.
a) What does Henri's decision to publish these criticisms teach us about the art of Creative Ministry?
December 24th, 2012 at 1:23 pm
I don’t have the book here with me now but am remembering the question Henri Nouwen wrote at the back regarding organization and how people might question the value of what he wrote in Chapter 4, that with such serious problems and suffering in our world that we need emergency solutions. Then I am remembering the part of the book towards the last chapters where he quotes John where Jesus says he doesn’t speak on his own authority but speaks as His Father asks Him to. It may sound very gritty and something most of actually recoil from doing but going to the “ghetto”, whether it be a real ghetto of poverty and hunger or a ghetto of people living very vulnerable and dependent lives–the disabled, people who can’t walk, who can’t remember, who can’t string two sentences together coherently, I really think Nouwen found and encourages others to find that, when we want to know the real Jesus among us in our world we have to go where people aren’t recoiling from the world, we might end up being most real and learn most about suffering from them, be most able to listen to Jesus speak to us as His Father asks Him to speak to us. I think, for me, turning my eyes toward truth means trying to listen more to the people written about in Chapter 4 as Nouwen wrote it and not going in the direction of thinking the solution follows from that organization question at the end. The solution for me is being led by the poor and not simply solving poor people’s problems as many people may see the needs too narrowly, not their own needs for greater understanding of suffering and growing of faith.
December 24th, 2012 at 3:40 pm
This has been an interesting, and challenging book. I must admit, I was a bit reluctant at first, as I noticed when the book was written, and was afraid it might be a bit “dated,” addressing more the times that existed when written. But upon reflection, we have many of the same issues today, just in a different context.
In any event, I think in the conclusion Henri Nouwen does address some of the criticisms/questions raised in the epilogue. For me, he sums up the book, and leaves a good message for all of us. He points out that as Christians, we are all ministers. And now, just as then, there are masses of people who are searching, and many don’t know what it is that they seek. As Christians, we know their hearts seek Jesus. To paraphrase St. Augustine, our hearts are restless until they rest with God. Henri Nouwen describes it as “a deep desire for new insight, new understanding, and most of all, new life.” Of course, many try to find that in things of this world, getting wrapped up in their day to day existence without God as a reference, and without God as the center of their being. Instead, they are like the young Catholic Henri Nouwen speaks about who talks of trying drugs, sex, with only suicide left. Not surprising, as only looking for the answer to what one seeks in earthly things only leads to despair. All of those things of this earth are only temporary.
As Henri Nouwen describes, we must all become sensitive to God’s presence in our own lives, so that we may in turn share His presence with others. Ultimately, as he states, we must help others “distinguish between the constructive . . . and the destructive . . .” But again, coming back to what I perceived to be an underlying theme in the book, we must have the humility to do so, meeting people where they are, and fostering a relationship of trust and of compassion allowing them to find their own path to God. This is a powerful message on what for me is Christmas Eve, as we await the birth of Jesus in the morning.
Heartfelt thanks to Brynn for making these discussions possible. I have gotten a lot out of them, as I am sure all the other folks have as well. And thanks to all who posted, I found your observations and comments very insightful, and have learned a lot from all of you.
Merry Christmas to all of you, and may you all be blessed this Christmas season and thereafter.
Chuck
December 25th, 2012 at 12:50 pm
A prayer for the warmest of Christmas blessings upon each of you! I hope you are having a wonderful day.
I have more to post, but I just wanted to send out this little prayer.
Brynn
December 25th, 2012 at 1:57 pm
I have been silently following you all and am so very grateful for the opportunity to feel part of a “tribe” who want to feel connected on a deeper level amidst a world that so distracts from a God centered life.
My 4 grown sons have chosen paths and life choices that are difficult for me to witness. Yet I know in my heart that God has a plan for them and I must continue to pray and trust in God’s will. I want to meet them were they are without judgement or criticism…respecting their paths through life. My continual prayer is that they seek and find God.
Henri Nouwen’s writings have been a source of wisdom and strength for me for years . Your insights have been a great support for me during this Advent season. I thank you all. I look forward to the next book that Brynn will offer for discussion.
May God bless us all abundantly with His grace and mercy,
Nancy
December 25th, 2012 at 2:09 pm
Appreciate your blogg entries. We are visiting our daughter and her boyfriend and his mother over this Christmas holiday. Had some discussion about attending a worship–the mother’s home church would be Polish but she did not want to attend there and very infrequently attends church. She was suggesting our denomination which is Lutheran. The boyfriend did not want to attend any church. It would have felt crappy to have attended a church worship, leaving the boyfriend home alone. Your thoughts are very wise, Chuck. No need to force anyone into Christian worship–God is loving everyone and gentle with everyone, waiting for them to become aware of their deepest needs to be in relationship with Him and others. We’re celebrating being together and full of hope for the future, a future filled with love and family. Your blogg entry fits right in with our Christmas celebration, as does Henri Nouwen’s book. Thankful for all the community reading and blogging and helping God’s Kingdom to grow. Blessings.
December 26th, 2012 at 8:59 am
Friends,
May you and your families be blessed during this Christmas season and thank you for sharing your time and your wisdom during this Advent book discussion. And I want to echo Chuck’s thanks to Brynn for guiding us along the way.
I hope to have an additional reflection later this week, but I wanted to pass along this item now. In today’s NY Times, op-ed columnist Maureen Dowd (a cradle Catholic that can be very critical of the Church) presents the reflection that she asked Father Kevin O’Neil, a long-time Dowd family friend, to write because, “As we’ve seen during this tear-soaked Christmas, death takes no holiday.” For me Fr. O’Neil’s beautiful essay demonstrates the Creative Ministry that Fr. Henri Nouwen was writing about. You can read Dowd’s column at http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/26/opinion/dowd-why-god.html?hp.
Peace and all good.
Ray
December 26th, 2012 at 9:29 pm
Merry Christmas to all! It’s nice that the church year starts here because it’s one thing that helps in the “after Christmas let down.” My biggest take away thought from this book is simply not to be attached to the outcomes of what I feel The Lord is calling me to do. I’m very happy we have a good pastor now who will keep us grounded in the word of Our Lord and will keep us constantly fed.
It’s important to keep a balance between looking out and looking inward.
I appreciate all the prayers we received. Our daughter is doing a lot better and there has been a lot of opportunity to share my faith with her from adult to adult now.
December 26th, 2012 at 10:17 pm
There’s an old saying, “Christianity is caught, not taught.” I think the anti-dote to all that Henri describes of pessimism and feeling religion offers nothing, is for those of us who believe to find so much joy, peace and enthusiasm (the root of which is Theos, God), that people want what we have. The Church as an institution sometimes comes across as so protective of its ways and threatened by new things - especially new ways of spirituality - that people on the edge reject everything. I, for one, have always wished there were more experiences of prayer available for the rank and file parishioner. All that richness of tradition, of mysticism, is unavailable. So a lot of people seeking some form of spirituality will take a little from all these different religions but it’s all surface stuff and won’t nourish them in the long haul. It has no roots because to get to the roots you have to study deep into a faith expression, you have to invest yourself. We who believe cannot attract people to our beloved faith unless we’re willing to let them see the heights and depths of our interactions with our God. The depths would be the sharing of our weaknesses like Henri describes; the heights would have to be radiating the joy of a close relationship with God.
I found the questions in the epilogue interesting. I think part of the theme of humility running throughout the book could enable us to not only listen to a person’s comment but also feel free to say that their question deserves a more in-depth answer than we could give alone and recommend that they continue their search with such and such a person - and that we would have relations with people with expertise in different areas that we would trust to gently respond to the questioning person. That would take an attitude of being a fellow journeyer in faith, searching for the Truth, willing to share what we have learned and/or experienced but able to admit that we still have a ways to go ourselves. I have many times taken a person to the monastery, to talk to one of the sisters who is trained in sppiritual direction, telling the person that here is where I have found nourishment, challenge and comfort and I hope you will, too.
I think the message I carry from this book, and from everyone’s postings, is to improve my listening to people of all kinds and in all kinds of situations, while at the same time letting my actions and prayerfulness do a lot more speaking than my lips and ego. I really appreciate everyone who participated in this study and helped open it up so I could adapt it to my life. Brynn, thanks so much for the questions that helped all of us do this study.
Ray, thanks for hsaring that beautiful essay.
December 27th, 2012 at 8:06 am
I thought today’s (Thursday) Daily Meditation on a Non-Judgmental Presence was perfect for our wrap-up of this discussion group, especially “When we walk around as if we have to make up our mind about people and tell them what is wrong with them and how they should change, we will only create more division… But it is one of the most beautiful fruits of a deep spiritual life and will be easily recognized by those who long for reconciliation.”
December 27th, 2012 at 9:06 am
Each morning before beginning the Liturgy of the Hours, I read the day’s Mass readings, a commentary on them and, if it’s a feast day, the commentary form Saint of the Day by Fr. Leonard Foley. Today being the feast of St. John the Evangelist, there was quite a long commentary. I was struck by the timeliness of the last of it in light of Brynn’s questions for this week: “It is a long way from being eager to sit on a throne of power, to call down fire from heaven, to becoming the man who could write: “The way we come to understand love is that he laid down his life for us. We must lay down our lives for our brothers.” I’ll be “chewing” on John’s gradual conversion of life today as I go about the business of applying all the inspiration I’ve gained form this study to the nuts and bolts of my work and interactions with people.
December 27th, 2012 at 5:40 pm
I think Henri did a great job in the conclusion of reminding us that Creative Ministry is all about learning to live our own lives in the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, and allow all of our life experiences to minister to others.
Throughout the conclusion Henri reminds us that we will never overcome our own weaknesses entirely, and in fact our areas of weakness only serve to highlight the strength and power of the Holy Spirit, as the One who truly does the work. I thought what Henri did in the epilogue demonstrates how to live ministry with a humilty that says I don’t have all the answers, and I am open to learning from others.
The thing that I want to really take away from the book is Henri’s reminder to bless another by choosing to receive from them, or more specifically to learn from them.
I hope you are all having a wonderful week!
Brynn
December 27th, 2012 at 9:37 pm
Apologies in advance for the length of this posting….
Henri writes, “Ministry means the ongoing attempt to put one’s own search for God, with all the moments of pain and joy, despair and hope, at the disposal of those who want to join this search but do not know how… it is the core of the Christian life.” The New Evangelization called for by Blessed John Paul II and emphasized by Pope Benedict XVI in the current Year of Faith challenges Christians everywhere to share the good news of Jesus, in other words, to be creative ministers to those we come in contact with, and to the world. Henri Nouwen demonstrates how life-giving ministry—with sound teaching, heart-warming preaching, loving care of the ‘least brothers of mine,’ improving our society, and celebrating our love of God and each other—must be at the heart of this New Evangelization.
In his conclusion, Henri points out that there are many barriers that may “prevent us from being free to experience the transcendent Spirit of God, which can renew our hearts and our world as well.” Yet, as Henri also notes, it is this “…Spirit of Christ as a living Spirit who makes it possible… to work for a new world.” For me these two thoughts brought me back to something Henri wrote earlier in the book when he discussed the “growing interest in the Pentecostal movement within the Catholic Church…” (today’s Catholic Charismatic Renewal). Now in its 45th year, the Catholic Charismatic Renewal has been blessed by God in a special way with the grace of Baptism in the Spirit—a life-transforming experience of the love of God the Father poured into one’s hear by the Holy Spirit, received through a surrender to the lordship of Jesus Christ. It brings alive sacramental baptism and confirmation, deepens communion with God and with fellow Christians, enkindles evangelistic fervor and equips a person with charisms for service and meaning.” (Source: Baptism in the Holy Spirit, International Catholic Charismatic Renewal Services Doctrinal Commission). Guided by the Holy Spirit, members of the Renewal, like ordained ministers and all Christians, are called, as Henri writes, “…to be obedient to God, to hear God’s voice and understand God’s call, and that this person can offer others the way to the same experience.” It is for this reason that both recent Popes have said that the new movements like the Renewal are a gift to the Church and and a catalyst for the New Evangelization. And Henri Nouwen’s Creative Ministry can provide a guide for the Renewal as they live out their life in the Spirit and their call to proclaim the love of Jesus to the world.
In the epilogue Henri responds to the feedback he received while writing this book in 1971 when he writes, “I became more and more aware that many people had completely different experiences from those I had and could hardly recognize themselves in the ideas I tried to formulate.” And this led directly to the questions he posed at the end. It is interesting to me that twenty years later Henri ended another book in exactly the same way. Henri originally wrote Life of the Beloved - Spiritual Living in a Secular World in response to a request by his friend Fred Bateman to, “Say something about the Spirit that my secular friends and I can hear.” In the epilogue to this book, Henri tells us that Fred gently but clearly told Henri, “Although it is clear that you try to write for me and my friends from your own center and although you express to us what is most precious to you, you do not realize how far we are from where you are… You are not aware of how truly secular we are.” So, once again, Henri wrote from his heart and it didn’t necessarily find a receptive home for some readers. Henri readily acknowledged that he could only write about what he knows and his “experiences are completely pervaded with the knowledge of God’s presence.” So how do you minister to someone that is so secular they don’t feel that presence? Henri’s answer then, in 1992, may be even more important in our even more secular world today: “Maybe the great challenge is to trust so much in God’s love that I don’t have to be afraid to enter fully into the secular world and speak there about faith, hope, and love. Maybe the place where the gap has to be bridged is within me. Maybe the distinction between the secular and the sacred can be bridged when they have both been identified as aspects of every person’s being human.”
I think Henri would agree that in today’s world, as it was in 1971 or 1992 and throughout history, creative ministry is building life-giving bridges between people and making straight a highway for our God (cf. Is. 40:3).
Thanks again to each of you for being who you are and for sharing a portion of your faith journey at this holy season.
A personal note at the end - I am scheduled for an elective major surgery at Washington Hospital Center tomorrow and I ask that you keep me in your prayers.
I look forward to joining many of you for the Lenten discussion.
Peace and all good.
Ray
December 28th, 2012 at 8:55 am
The Charismatic Renewal has been mentioned several times during this study. At the time when our parish was most alive, we had an active Charismatic group. The wise old pastor who got me involved in ministry encouraged it and often participated; our music/youth minister who later became a deacon was a driving force in it. I was not interested n that form of prayer myself, but noted that it had a revolutionary effect on many people who joined the group. The church was packed for frequent healing Masses. The great thing was that the group really encouraged its members to get involved in parish ministry so they could share their experience of the love of God. Then that pastor retired and the new one just wasn’t interested and would not do healing Masses. The groups - and enthusiasm - began to decline but struggled to continue, much smaller and less noticable. Then the next pastor pretty much killed, made the deacon’s life so miserable he transferred to another diocese, stopped the group and killed a lot of the ministry going on in the parish. Most of us staff members quit because life was made so miserable. The parish pretty much fell apart. Sadly, under our new, gentle pastor’s leadership, things are healing but no one is trying to revive the Charismatic group. Too bad, that might just be what this parish needs to come back to life.
I’ll definitely be praying for you, Ray. May the surgery be successful and the healing remarkably fast, so that you enter the New Year with enthusiasm.
December 29th, 2012 at 9:02 pm
Dear Nancy,
I just saw your comment from Dec 25th - for some strange reason it went into the spam folder. Sorry for the delay in uploading it, it is here now (above) - we’re certainly glad you took the time to share.
To all those who are also silent participants we value you just the same! Thanks for journeying with us.
Brynn
December 30th, 2012 at 6:30 am
Regarding the question…”what thought or summary would you like to carry with you, that might help you to truly lay down your life in creative ministry to another?” I took some quiet moments to ponder and the following insights came to my mind,
1. Today, through the social media communications, especially in the internet, I feel the throb in the heart and core of humanity. Henri Nouwen, to my knowledge is first and foremost a listener, a discerner, and a lover of brokenness and pain of humanity. I can start with listening with the ears and heart of Christ to be creative in my ministry for others.
2. After I have listened, I will keep sharing from web to web, from site to site, from heart to heart the message of hope, the challenge of love, the necessity of radical conversion to the poor and suffering humanity, knowing that whatever good news I share, can lift the downtrodden spirit of a lonely heart.
3. To regain strength, wisdom and joy, I go back to the silence of prayer, the beauty of listening, the delight of creating a space. I can only be effective, with I allow God to be God in my ministry, not doing it just for my own selfish aggrandizement, but just being a channel, a tube, a mirror to let His light shine through.
4. I take concrete action like holding the hand of an elderly with Alzeimer’s and letting the warmth reassurance of love and care flow, giving a hug to a child in fear, being a peacemaker in the family, giving kindness to a stranger or something to eat or drink, or simply a word of cheer or encouragement.
5. I stay in the attitude of gratitude, awe, amazement and joy in doing something good and beautiful for others, always going out of self to reach out to those who are lost and forgotten, at the outskirts of “city gates” always hearing the echo of Jesus’s words, “whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do unto Me.”(Mt. 28)
December 30th, 2012 at 4:56 pm
Well, today brings us to the end of our Advent discussion of Creative Ministry. A sincere thanks to each of you who shared so much - it was wonderful to learn and be together these last few weeks.
I also want to recognize Maureen Wright, the Resource Coordinator for the Henri Nouwen Society. She does so very much for the Society, and is a big “unseen” part of these discussions.
Keep your eyes open for the start of the Lent discussion in mid February. If all goes according to plan, we’ll be studying Henri’s much loved book, The Return of the Prodigal Son.
I look forward to meeting with you all again soon!
Sincerely,
Brynn
December 31st, 2012 at 2:06 pm
Wishing you all the joys of the Christmas season and best wishes for 2013. I said a little prayer for you all at the Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve.The family were home for Christmas. We had a full house, and now that they have gone, the house seems very quiet today! We’re going to the christening of a little grand-nephew from America later . He came to Ireland for his christening with his mom and dad, and his grandparents on his mom’s side. It will be a great occasion for both families I’m sure and we’re all looking forward to it!
I have been reflecting a lot on the concluding chapters, particularly on the criticisms that Henri Nouwen speaks about there. A few months ago I read a criticism of him. I’ve been thinking on that too.The writer said that Henri Nouwen wrote too much about himself. I felt at the time that the writer misunderstood Henri Nouwen and that he had somehow missed the point. My own experience of Henri Nouwen’s writings is that the generous sharing of his life story is in the service of others, that as minister he breaks open the Word of God for me, and that his wisdom offers new hope to people where perhaps there was despair.
Just to stay with the subject of hope for a moment. There’s a lot of despondency about the Church in Ireland at the moment - how the numbers of Catholics attending Mass have fallen and how the numbers of young people attending have fallen. When I arrived at the church for the Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve, it was full. There was hardly standing room.There were many young people, children and their families. There was a beautiful youth choir singing carols and the children helped the priest read the Gospel. It filled our hearts with joy and hope.
With thanks
God bless
Grace
December 31st, 2012 at 3:53 pm
Several times I attempted to post the last 2 weeks and each time I was distracted and lost the momentum for posting my thoughts. However, I wish to thank everyone again for their sharing of themselves, it is most appreciated.
On Grace’s comment about Henri being critized for writing about himself too much: Like Henri, I’ve come to realize it is in sharing of ourselves (in every sense of the word) that we enrich the lives of others. What else can we give others? We can only give what we have. And Christ came to us and gave us His life so that we may live. God bless you throughout the New Year with His Joy and Happiness.
January 1st, 2013 at 8:35 am
Grace, thank you for these words of hope. I will remember that with the gospel of Jesus and living it, truly living it, there is hope.