Henri Nouwen

"More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress. But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn't be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them."   Henri Nouwen

Thanks to Jamie Roach for bringing this quote to my attention.

Comments

[Rustin Smith]

Hi Mike!
I've finally getting to your book over at my blog. I have four couples reading it right now and we plan to use the book to launch some discussion about the future of youth ministry in our context. Thanks for your work.

Also love the Nouwen - of course.

[Doug Jones]

Excellent quote. I find it is very difficult to just be present. I also desire to be noticed or useful - I fail to see that being fully present is a gift that is so much more valuable. May we learn to be present; to be with; to be fully available, aware and attentive to others. Thanks for posting that Mike.

[Len]

Great quote Mike and just for you to know, I've seen that ministry of presence in you when we've had the chance to be together.

[aaron]

That quote is exactly where a lot of my thoughts are right now. I wrestle with the needs of myself and my friends to accomplish something huge, and get bigger and better. When I'm involved with something like that the most satisfying part is usually the praise of man, but when I'm just present with people the satisfying part is the whisper of God through the people I'm with.

[Mike]

Hey Rustin... I look forward to engaging with your church on Presence Centered Ministry.

Hey Doug... I think you could have written the Nouwen quote.

Hey Len... thanks for your kind words, I hope we can talk face to face again sometime.

Hey Aaron.. well said my friend, you are a poet.

[Mike]

Our Roundtable Leadership team had an extended discussion about this quote yesterday. I feel so much tension from this subject. I sense that I am wired more like Paul, resonnating with this statement from I Thessalonians 2:9 "You remember our labor and toil, brothers and sisters; we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God."

At the same time I do strive to be truly present to those I am with. I also value the importance of the ministry of interruption. I want to be involved in significant work AND I want to be whole and led by the Spirit of God in my endeavors. I want to live out Nouwens quote AND be accomplishing and doing significant things.

[Doug Jones]

The capitalizing of the AND is so significant - how do we live in the "and." I have read R. Rohr as saying something to the effect, "the name of our ministry is, The Center of Contemplation and Action and the most important word is, AND." That has stuck with me. It is helpful to think about and reinforces what you were sensing at the Roundtable, Mike.

[Dan Gras]

That quote resonates with me as well. I sometimes am overwhelmed by my lack of impressive ministry projects. This is especially hard for me having my parents, grandparents, and wife in full time ministry! Thanks for the quote!

[Mike]

Dan,

If anyone is in full time ministry - you are! All followers of Jesus are called into full time ministry and you embody that my friend.

Peace to you,

Mike