November 14 - Feeding and Forgiveness
In the chapter “From Popularity to Ministry” Nouwen identifies the task of ministry as feeding the sheep and the discipline of confession and forgiveness. Popularity, which is so important in secular circles (and sadly, in many churches as an endorsement of “success”) is all about feeding oneself, not sacrifically caring for those around you. Confession and forgiveness symbolizes weakness in the secular world and are unfortunately often absent in the religious communities as well. (I wonder how many of the recent “fallen leaders” would have avoided their “fall” had they practiced “feeding”, and a discipline of “confession and forgiveness”?). So, as you read the chapter “From Popularity to Ministry”, what in Nouwen’s observations about feeding the sheep or the discipline of confession and forgiveness challenged you and why? How do you see this being lived out (or not) in your life as a believer or in the life of your spiritual community?
clips porno anacondaporn anaimeamateur porn analporn ass analbisexual pics anal pornanal porn camanal porn creampieporn anal ebony Map
andersen financial loanmaxloan gardner ky annie collegeinstant apple from mbna loansconsolidation debt loan a for applyloan applying a for online staffordin equity applying loans london homein loans assume virginialoans astrive students Map
6 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
Leave a comment
Line and paragraph breaks automatic, e-mail address never displayed, HTML allowed: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>
November 27th, 2007 @ 8:26 am
An important thing I’ve learned through my 72 years of living (& 40 “earning a living” in the pastorate)is not to expect immediate results from “feeding the sheep.” Such is a typical American expectation: take these 4 easy steps & pronto! a conversion will result…and/or a huge congregation appear. We are required to be faithful (not numerically successful). As Paul wrote: some plant, some water (and he could have added that some throw fertilizer)…but God gives the increase. And God doesn’t operate according to our expectations!
November 21st, 2007 @ 12:44 am
Jack, that sounds like an awful ordeal you had to endure for so long and then end up leaving the church! You must have a fan club like us at your church that encouraged the new pastor to apologize and invite you back. Did you go back?
Popularity (power) can be Ok when it’s used for the benefit of others and not sought after, like Bruce writes so well about in his comments on individualism! There are many examples in the church of the challenges to these questions, which Henri raises so humbly and eloquently. For my ministry, I feel like it’s very important, at times, to confess to those that I am ministering to. I can see how it could be hard for pastors to confess, when faced with many sheep, numerous opinions, attendance numbers, and most of all, a budget.
I like William Barclay’s commentary on John 20:15-19, what love brought Peter was a task,“If you love me,” Jesus said, then give your life to shepherding the sheep and the lambs of my flock.” We can only prove that we love Jesus by loving others. Love is the greatest privilege in the world, but love brings the greatest responsibility in the world.”
Love brought Peter a cross: We may not be able to write or think like John; we may not be able to go to the ends of the earth like Paul; but each one us can guard some one from going astray, and each one of us can feed the lambs of Christ with the food of the word of God.
We have the same calling as St.Peter—and ultimately, are we feeling the love of Christ deeply enough to allow Him to bridge the divides in our lives? This morning, my wife and I were having coffee and talking about this very thing, which ended on us agreeing that we just have to keep our focus on Him by doing what we’re called to do and not worry what others are doing or supposed to be doing. In our prayers!
November 19th, 2007 @ 6:36 pm
Dear Jack and Bruce
Thank you so much for your insight. It really helps me to hear others views…
Prayerfully
Judith
November 19th, 2007 @ 8:18 am
Nouwen gives life and meaning to the walk of faith. Much of the challenge to me in living the life of faith comes in being able to pray like Christ, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”.
We attended a church where the pastor was displeased with me because I wasn’t a puppet. He didn’t speak to me for 2 ½ years. After we left a new pastor came and came to our home to say, “I’m sorry. We failed you.” He was a unique example of Christ in action – he was someone who took responsibility for something that wasn’t his fault. Exactly what Christ did in dying for our sins.
And it is the community of faith expressed by people in this blog - a essential “church” - the body of believers - that gives me hope and validation of the existence of the true church. Thank you all for being there. And thank you, Lord, for giving us a prophet like Henri Nouwen to be a refreshing oasis in the walk of faith.
I grieve that the pastor who was angry at me could quote Ephesians 4:31 – he just couldn’t live it. But, I think the thing that challenges me in this chapter is to live out the life of the scriptures even if the “professionals” don’t.
Feeding the sheep isn’t just parroting theology. It’s sacrificing to give – Jesus coming from Heaven to earth – or Nouwen moving from Harvard to L’Arche. It’s not leading by power, but humility, example and trusting the power of God to bless the obedience and sacrifice.
November 18th, 2007 @ 11:09 pm
I believe that the chapter on Popularity and Ministry to be very thoughtful. Henri Nouwen makes a powerful point about the dangers of individualism. I spent most of my working life in environments where individualism was rewarded - military and corporations.
In my church experience I have found that individualism is very unpopular - even if done by Senior Pastors, Music Directors, Head of Council, lay ministers, etc. It is in direct conflict with the Body of Christ. Most accomplishments are achieved by those who practice dialog (not debate), humility (not pride), listening (minimize talking) and affirming (not criticism). Individualists had better have a team prepared to listen to confessions and telephone numbers of those with whom he/she need to seek forgiveness.
When I read Henri Nouwen’s ideas I wish had had them fifty years ago when I was just starting out.
November 16th, 2007 @ 10:48 am
Henri’s observations about feeding the sheep or the discipline of confession and forgiveness has certainly challenged my thinking. Is the environment trusted and healing for clergy to be open and finally accept responsibilty for wrongs commited? Certainly I have not been privy to anything but deceit and witholding the truth when I think of pastoral staff moved to our parish to work with vulnerable individuals,having hidden charges against them elsewhere for sexual abuses…. Certainly some issues have stigmas attached so the environment must be safe and accepting as well as healing for people to confess and ask forgiveness. I still think there is one set of rules for the laity and secrecy or another set of rules for the clergy. Now I am speaking very personally and perhaps this is different in other faith traditons. I do not see this being lived out in my spiritual community as yet.