Friday, May 18

From Henri Nouwen

"I am deeply convinced that
the Christian leader of the future
is called to be
completely irrelevant
and to stand in this world
with nothing to offer
but his or her own
vulnerable self."
~In the Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen~

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think it means today, doing exactly what you do everyday Sandra: spending time with those cute children who ring your doorbell everyday, saving me from insanity by coming over and making me coookies...
I don't remember who said this, but it goes, "Preach the good news. If necessary, use words." I love that. Living it out is far more powerful than just speaking it.

Anonymous said...

I agree with Erin.

The line that says completely irrelevant kinda throws me because one of the "new" efforts on the Church's part is to be relevant to the world and the culture it's surrounded by. So how do we reconcile the two thoughts?
My guess is that in the sinful society we live in, the beliefs and standards we have is irrelevant to most. When we show our vulnerability and offer nothing that's from ourselves, that's when Christ can shine through, and the Holy Spirit who is continually drawing people towards God, can reveal the hope that everyone needs.
Did that make any sense???
Acey

Catherine said...

It's a little tricky without more of the context, but here is my guess: The people whom God uses to lead in the future will be people who have nothing to offer to God but themselves. Their ministry won't be about them and their giftings or their charisma or their talent. It will be about God working through a simple person, standing on his own, offering his life to God to use as He will. In that way, who the Christian leader is as a person is irrelevant to God's work through Him.