Home Tonight: Further Reflections on the Parable of the Prodigal Son, was inspired by Henri Nouwen’s most personal reflections on his spiritual homecoming. This new book, published by Doubleday, contains materials never before in print. Order online at www.HenriNouwen.org/shopcart . Buy the book, share it, give it as a gift, tell us what you think about it.
Journey of the Heart - the life of Henri Nouwen has aired on many PBS stations. Journey of the Heart, produced by Windborne Productions, is an interesting, rich and inspiring biography of one of the most significant spiritual thinkers of our time. If you have seen this film, please tell us what you think about it. What resonated with you? What surprised you, inspired you? If you enjoyed seeing the film on PBS, we invite you to call the station to let them know and to encourage them to air it again, during prime time.
Journey of the Heart can also be purchased from our shopcart.
In the spring 2006 issue of Harvard Divinity Today six of Henri’s graduate assistants who worked with him at Harvard in 1985 reflect on how he influenced their lives. Peter Weiskel, recalling when he first encountered Henri in 1973 writes, “Henri reflected on themes of solitude, compassion, and community. (The sermons were later published as the book Out of Solitude.) The style was intense and personal, the message grounded in the gospel texts, and the effect on the congregation was electric. . . . I sensed that we were hearing a word that was both traditional and contemporary, very old and yet completely fresh. . . . For me what was most important was his practice of deep ecumenism of the heart that seeks unity beyond conventional social and religious boundaries.”
How were you introduced to Henri Nouwen’s writing? Have his writings influenced your life in some way? If so, could you tell us about that? What does (or doesn’t) resonate with you? If you met him or heard him speak, we invite you to share your experience. What, for you, is Henri Nouwen’s legacy?
On May 18-20, 2006, two-hundred and fifty people gathered in Toronto, Canada on the campus of the University of St. Michael’s College to reflect on the legacy of Henri Nouwen. The conference, organized and hosted by The Henri J.M. Nouwen Archives to mark the 10th anniversary of Nouwen’s death, brought together people from across the spectrum of the Christian faith and from three continents. Powerful presentations were made by seven keynote speakers including Mary Jo Leddy, Michael Higgins, Laurent Nouwen, Carol Berry, Sue Mosteller, Gord Henry and John Mogabgab. More than forty-three people presented papers and workshops on topics that preoccupied Nouwen in his lifetime, and still have particular relevance for us today. Music, morning prayer, talking circles and artistic renderings of the symbol of the wheel provided continuity and invoked a spirit of enquiry, reflection, and community. A biographers’ panel stimulated lively discussion and challenged many to consider the relevance of the personal life of a man who for many is one of the great spiritual teachers of the late 20th century.
We invite participants of the conference to share thoughts, experiences, questions or comments about the conference, in general or very specific terms. It is hoped that this can be a space where conversations started can be resumed, where questions pondered can be asked, and challenges or disappointments can be voiced. It may also be a place where the community that took root in our three days together can continue to grow and flourish. Your ideas on how to harness the energy and spirit of our time together are especially welcome. Many of us felt commissioned by Laurent Nouwen to befriend our “Adam” and by Sue Mosteller who said in her concluding remarks: “We are beloved daughters and sons of a living God and called to become more and more beloved mothers and fathers, loving others and taking responsibility to be compassionate and forgiving of all. We were not here as consumers of a nice gathering and nice speeches. We are beloved and called to share this good news with others.” Consider sharing the ways you have (or have not) incorporated this call into your lives.
Our thanks to Henry Freeman and Frances Saus for moderating the Spirituality of Fund-Raising blog and thanks to all those who participated. Watch for our next blog - to be launched soon.
In his little book, The Spirituality of Fund-Raising,Henri Nouwen lifts up and presents many insightful thoughts about money, ourselves, and the role of “giving” our financial resources as it relates to our spiritual life.
What are your thoughts about Henri’s book? What words of wisdom do you find within its pages? Are there parts of the book–and Henri’s approach to fund-raising–that trouble you………..or which you find to be simplistic and lacking substance?
What thoughts do you have to share?
As a fundraising consultant I often find that people have a very difficult time asking people for financial support regardless of the “worthiness” of the cause or organization. Indeed, most people find it easier to “give” than to “ask”.
Specifically, the “act” of asking people for a financial commitment (in fundraising terms “the ask”) often causes discomfort even among the most confident and “self-assured” people. (Ironically, people have far less problem asking another person to “volunteer”–ie give of their time–that they do asking for a financial investment in the same cause or organization.)
Is this an accurate statement and, if so, why is “asking people for money” so difficult?
Sometimes our concern for the poor may carry with it a prejudice against the rich
As Jim Wallis of Sojourners has pointed out in many of his books, the Bible is filled with passages about God’s preference for the poor. We, however, live in a world that often idolizes the rich. In this context, Henri expresses the view that, as Christians, we may at times address this tension through developing a prejudice against those who have material resources far greater than our own.
Is this an accurate perception on Henri’s part? What is your experience in your personal relationship with others? Does someone’s financial status in life impact upon your relationship with them?
As Henri so clearly states “The question is not how to get money. Rather, the question is about our relationship with money.”
Deeply embedded in the fundraising process–and all interactions between people–are those attitudes, beliefs, and perceptions that we each “bring to the table”. What is our attitude toward money? How does our view of money influence the fundraising process? What is its impact on how we relate to others who we perceive to have financial gifts far beyond our own?
Interesting–and important!–questions. What are your thoughts?
“As a form of ministry, fund-raising is as spiritual as giving a sermon, entering a time of prayer, visiting the sick, or feeding the hungry.” (The Spirituality of Fund-Raising, page 4)
For those of us in the fund-raising profession could there ever be a stronger statement of affirmation for our work and ministry? In the above statement, Henri gently nurtures us to see fund-raising for what “at its best” it can be……namely a profession that is embedded in the art of inviting people to join into partnership (and into community) to, in some way, “make the world” (or a portion of it) a better place through our financial gifts.
But do we believe Henri’s statement? Does it ring true in our lives…………or do we find ourselves “weighted down” by the image of a the fundraiser as someone who is skilled at persuasively taking people’s money?
Your thoughts? Any examples of “fundraising as ministry” that will enlighten our discussion?