Henri Nouwen dot org

Principles of community

Other visionaries offer solutions to the current crisis of spirit and the breakdown of community. What makes Henri Nouwen's vision distinctive? Four principles stand out.

  1. Each person – no matter what religion, race, age, sexual orientation, handicap, woundedness, or creed – is the beloved of God. This universal vision of the human person offers grounding for a peaceful, lively, and creative relationship with all people.

  2. Every person experiences fear, doubt, insecurity, and brokenness. When we acknowledge our vulnerabilities and discover in them new strengths, we find ourselves empowered to love and serve others. Community is where the integration of our strengths and weaknesses becomes a sign of hope to the world.

  3. Authentic community springs from each member's willingness to spend time alone with God. When we recognize in our solitude that our belovedness is grounded in God, we are not dependent on others to guarantee our truth or our value as persons. Rather, we become free to give and receive love in response to need rather than in search of acceptance and affirmation. We learn how to dance creatively between solitude and community.

  4. Community is where we help those who are poor or suffering not merely from a sense of social justice but because we have a deep sense of our interconnectedness with all people, creatures, and all of creation. And in helping, we too are nourished.