Tuesday, 5 June 2012

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Reading: Chapter 1 (Ministry in a Dislocated World)

Before we get into the text, I want to mention two things. First, those who have recently bought the book have a slightly revised edition. The Wounded Healer was originally published in 1972. In 2009 the Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust updated the text for today?s readers. For example on page 25 of the updated text it refers to ?modern humanity? whereas the original text refers to ?those who live in the nuclear age.? Regardless of which text you have, you will be able to participate well in this discussion.

I also want to appreciate that each person comes to this discussion from different experiences and backgrounds, and that is what makes this discussion so rich! However, I also know that Henri was strongly committed to the Word of God, which is why I invite you to inform his writing from that basis, if you are able.

1) Henri points out to us how important it is to understand what is going on in the hearts and minds of those we are ministering to, if we wish to effectively minister to them. He draws a distinction between ?pre-modern? and ?modern? mindsets. Forty years after Henri wrote this text, it may be time to add ?post-modern? mindset.

a) What do you perceive to be the difference between a ?pre-modern? mindset, a ?modern? mindset and a current ?post-modern? mindset? You may want to specifically consider perspectives in the following areas:
- the meaning of the word ?truth?
- personal responsibility for the past and the future
- value systems
- connection with the natural world
- consumption of resources, things, experiences and relationships
- commitment to a specific ideology, family, job or relationship
- the purpose and meaning of life
- paradoxical or inconsistent human experiences
- other?

c) Would you consider yourself, personally, to have a ?pre-modern? mindset, a ?modern? mindset or ?post-modern? mindset? Remember that this really doesn?t depend on age as much as on the perspectives you live by. Also, we are not saying one is right and the others are wrong.

d) Would you consider those you minister to to have a ?pre-modern? mindset, a ?modern? mindset or ?post-modern? mindset?.

2) The reason for exploring this difference, of course, is that those who live with a ?modern? or ?post-modern? mindset are simply not going to be able to embrace a ?pre-modern? style of church teaching/ministry.
a) Can you describe the ways you see that people have lost their connection with the church, and are instead seeking a mystical way or revolutionary way to freedom? What does it look like in today?s society?

3) Henri goes on to say that neither the mystical approach nor the revolutionary approach on their own will bring deep and lasting satisfaction, but that Jesus Christ remains the way to true liberation and freedom (p25). That being said, it is quite important for us to remember that Jesus Christ did not come to bring another religion or ideology. He came to offer his very life (p16 and p25).

a) What has been your personal experience of Jesus Christ?
b) What are some scriptural texts in which Christ offers freedom, liberty, life? How do we receive what He offers?
c) Please recall some stories from Christ?s life in which he demonstrates that he had the freedom to love, in a way that was quite radical?
d) How did Christ teach us what it means to truly love God, our neighbour and ourself? How does this kind of love bring true liberation?

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