Purpose
The Wounded Healer: Ministry in Contemporary Society is written by Henri Nouwen. Henri Nouwen was much more than an author, he was also a priest, teacher, theologian, and writer who was fluent in five languages. He was born in Holland and became an ordained priest at the age of 25. Nouwen earned a degree in psychology at the Catholic University of Nijmegen and moved to the United states at 32 to continue to further his studies. Eventually, he settled down in Ontario, Canada where he was buried after his death in 1996 (“About Henri Nouwen, n.d.). His purpose in writing this book was to answer questions that surround present problems in ministry with the hope of encouraging the reader not to be discouraged if questions cannot be answered. Also to instill a sense of self-efficacy in helpers so that they do not feel inadequate if questions remain unanswered. The intended audience is people who want to make a difference in the societies they live in. Nouwen is qualified to write towards Christian helpers because of his experience teaching at theological institutions, and working with people with mental illness and physical disabilities (Nouwen, 1979).
Content
The first chapter of the book is …show more content…
This was a really good reminder for me as I considered the place of spirituality in professionalism. If I do not remember this as a Christian helper, am I really satisfying God and myself with what I do? Without having a value in the meaning of life it would be so easy to get dragged down and disheartened by the unsuccessful encounters. Although with it, I will be able to see a glimpse of good in the tough time. After all, “Christian leadership is called ministry precisely to express that in the service of others new life can be brought about” (Nouwen,
The Wounded Healer: Ministry in Contemporary Society is written by Henri Nouwen. Henri Nouwen was much more than an author, he was also a priest, teacher, theologian, and writer who was fluent in five languages. He was born in Holland and became an ordained priest at the age of 25. Nouwen earned a degree in psychology at the Catholic University of Nijmegen and moved to the United states at 32 to continue to further his studies. Eventually, he settled down in Ontario, Canada where he was buried after his death in 1996 (“About Henri Nouwen, n.d.). His purpose in writing this book was to answer questions that surround present problems in ministry with the hope of encouraging the reader not to be discouraged if questions cannot be answered. Also to instill a sense of self-efficacy in helpers so that they do not feel inadequate if questions remain unanswered. The intended audience is people who want to make a difference in the societies they live in. Nouwen is qualified to write towards Christian helpers because of his experience teaching at theological institutions, and working with people with mental illness and physical disabilities (Nouwen, 1979).
Content
The first chapter of the book is …show more content…
This was a really good reminder for me as I considered the place of spirituality in professionalism. If I do not remember this as a Christian helper, am I really satisfying God and myself with what I do? Without having a value in the meaning of life it would be so easy to get dragged down and disheartened by the unsuccessful encounters. Although with it, I will be able to see a glimpse of good in the tough time. After all, “Christian leadership is called ministry precisely to express that in the service of others new life can be brought about” (Nouwen,