The Wounded Healer : Ministry in Contemporary Society - Softcover

Henri J.M. Nouwen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0232521026 ISBN 13: 9780232521023

Publisher: Darton, Longman & Todd, 1994

Synopsis

The Wounded Healer is a hope-filled and profoundly simple book that speaks directly to those men and women who want to be of service in their church or community, but have found the traditional ways often threatening and ineffective. In this book, Henri Nouwen combines creative case studies of ministry with stories from diverse cultures and religious traditions in preparing a new model for ministry. 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. Emphasizing that which is in humanity common to both minister and believer, this woundedness can serve as a source of strength and healing when counseling others. Nouwen proceeds to develop his approach to ministry with an analysis of sufferings -- a suffering world, a suffering generation, a suffering person, and a suffering minister. It is his contention that ministers are called to recognize the sufferings of their time 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 role and leave themselves open as fellow human beings with the same wounds and suffering -- in the image of Christ. In other words, we heal from our own wounds. Filled with examples from everyday experience, The Wounded Healer is a thoughtful and insightful guide that will be welcomed by anyone engaged in the service of others.

About this title

From the Author:

For more information on the life and works of Henri J.M. Nouwen, please visit HenriNouwen.org .

From the Inside Flap:

More than three decades have passed since this important work was first published in 1972.  Its enduring popularity demonstrates how clearly Henri Nouwen sounds the chord that reveals ministry as an encounter and identification with those who wait for Good News.

While the earlier edition might have attracted mainly people in Church ministry, the present volume is a universal call for compassion within relationships, on our journey to becoming more fully human.

Sue Mosteller, C.S.J.
The Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust

About this edition

• Publisher: Darton, Longman & Todd
• Publication date: 1994
• ISBN 10: 0232521026
• ISBN 13: 9780232521023
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 100