Rating: 
Summary: Transforming and Profound
Review: In Nouwen's work during his time at Daybreak community in Toronto, he reflects on Christian leadership and what it takes to lose oneself in downward mobility, the way of the cross. Using the passage from John with asking Peter, "Do you love me?" Nouwen uses grace and style in one of his more powerful books. I was touched by the call to Christian ministry in pairs, and being fully rooted in intimacy with Christ. Highly reccomend!
Rating: 
Summary: A Wonderful Little Book By Henri Nouwen
Review: In this small book (81 pages) Nouwen tackles three temptations faced, but too often not acknowledged, by Christian leadership:1. the temptation to be relevant.
2. the temptation to be spectacular.
3. the temptation to be powerful. SUGGESTION: This little book doesn't cost that much. Buy a copy for your pastor.
Rating:
Summary: A Description of Ideal Christian Leadership
Review: Nouwen contrasts Christian leadership against the ways of the world. He emphasizes contemplative prayer, trust in God--rather than ourselves, sharing ministry with others and being radically open to the workings of God in our lives. And he does all of this in a fascinating, engaging manner!
Rating:
Summary: In the daily life of Jesus
Review: Nouwen invites us into the daily life of Jesus through his reflections upon the three temptations of Christ and his call to three disciplines of the spiritual life. Classic Nouwen: practical, easy to read, profound spiritual insights for everyone who wants to live more deeply in Christ's love. For another book from The Crossroad Publishing Company on the daily practice of the spiritual life, this one written for parents, look into "The Family Cloister: Benedictine Wisdom for the Home", by David Robinson (New York: Crossroad, April 2000).
Rating:
Summary: 81 Pages and 81 Years Worth of Wisdom
Review: Nouwen packs so much wisdom into so little space. These aren't cerebral facts, these are life-altering, heart-changing ideas. These are words to fuel a revolution. Essentially, in his simple and loving manner, Nouwen tells us that we've got it all wrong and that we need to get back to the basics. "Much Christian leadership is exercised by people who do not know how to develop healthy, intimate relationships and have opted for power and control instead." This quote by Nouwen not only hits the nail on the head, it pinpoints the problem of serving God in an official capacity. Many have insulated themselves from relationships, often under the impression that they must show only their good side as a minister of the gospel; thus they wrestle alone with the sins of the flesh. This short book attempts to refocus leaders' eyes on the basics...and the basics, as viewed here in poignant and startling clarity, take a lifetime to learn. Nouwen manages to make this all seem not only possible, but desirable. Not only helpful, but necessary. Each time my mind began to get in the way, his words brought me back to the responses of the heart. To start and finish this book, Nouwen tells us about his mentally-handicapped friend Bill. By tucking his message between the very real love and efforts of his own life, Nouwen punctuates his words and shows us that they can, indeed, impact our own lives. Even if it takes me 81 years to get it all figured out.
Rating:
Summary: 81 Pages and 81 Years Worth of Wisdom
Review: Nouwen packs so much wisdom into so little space. These aren't cerebral facts, these are life-altering, heart-changing ideas. These are words to fuel a revolution. Essentially, in his simple and loving manner, Nouwen tells us that we've got it all wrong and that we need to get back to the basics. "Much Christian leadership is exercised by people who do not know how to develop healthy, intimate relationships and have opted for power and control instead." This quote by Nouwen not only hits the nail on the head, it pinpoints the problem of serving God in an official capacity. Many have insulated themselves from relationships, often under the impression that they must show only their good side as a minister of the gospel; thus they wrestle alone with the sins of the flesh. This short book attempts to refocus leaders' eyes on the basics...and the basics, as viewed here in poignant and startling clarity, take a lifetime to learn. Nouwen manages to make this all seem not only possible, but desirable. Not only helpful, but necessary. Each time my mind began to get in the way, his words brought me back to the responses of the heart. To start and finish this book, Nouwen tells us about his mentally-handicapped friend Bill. By tucking his message between the very real love and efforts of his own life, Nouwen punctuates his words and shows us that they can, indeed, impact our own lives. Even if it takes me 81 years to get it all figured out.
Rating:
Summary: A must read for the serious leader
Review: Nouwen, radically redefines the meaning of spiritual leadership. With careful thoughts and piercing insights, this book cuts to the core of the spiritual leader. It challenges and encourages leaders to put of the yolk of impact and relevance and put on the cross of Christ, in a way that only Nouwen can. This book is a must read for all who desire to serve in the ministry. It should be a required reading at seminaries world wide!
Rating: 
Summary: More of a pamphlet, really.
Review: This book is a transcription of a speech Father Henri gave on Christian Leadership in the 21st century several years ago. He encourages leaders to flee from desire for relevance into contemplative prayer; to flee from personal heroics into confession and forgiveness; and to flee from possible power into the mind of Christ. While it is a solid pamphlet that many will benefit from reading, it lacks the profundity and depth of some of Nouwen's other books, most likely simply because it was written as a speech, not a book. Father Nouwen is still my favorite Christian writer, and I envy those who were able to hear this talk, but I like some of his other books better. discuss? williekrischke@hotmail.com.
Rating:
Summary: More of a pamphlet, really.
Review: This book is a transcription of a speech Father Henri gave on Christian Leadership in the 21st century several years ago. He encourages leaders to flee from desire for relevance into contemplative prayer; to flee from personal heroics into confession and forgiveness; and to flee from possible power into the mind of Christ. While it is a solid pamphlet that many will benefit from reading, it lacks the profundity and depth of some of Nouwen's other books, most likely simply because it was written as a speech, not a book. Father Nouwen is still my favorite Christian writer, and I envy those who were able to hear this talk, but I like some of his other books better. discuss? williekrischke@hotmail.com.
Rating:
Summary: Solid and Concise
Review: This book is not just for formal Christian leaders, but for anyone who wants to be focused on what is really important in the Christian life. It is really short, and you could definitely read it in less than 2 hours (probably closer to 1 hour). But it will remind you of what being Christian is all about--being genuine and vulnerable, and loving others through that vulnerability. It is a beautiful picture of leadership, and about how as a leader we can be set free to be ourselves and enjoy God and love others. In a lot of ways, Nouwen shows how the most effective leadership is very simple and has been done for a couple thousand years. It's about emptying ourselves, taking up our cross, and sharing that journey with those in our care. This book is well worth the short amount of time it will take to read.
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