The Wounded Healer - (Doubleday Image Book. an Image Book) by Henri J M Nouwen (Paperback)

About the Book

"First Image edition published March 1979"--Title page verso.

Book Synopsis

A radically fresh interpretation of how we can best serve others from the bestselling author of The Return of the Prodigal Son, hailed as "one of the world's greatest spiritual writers" by Christianity Today

"In our own woundedness, we can become a source of life for others."

In this hope-filled and profoundly simple book, Henri Nouwen inspires devoted men and women who want to be of service in their church or community but who have found traditional outreach alienating and ineffective. Weaving keen cultural analysis with his psychological and religious insights, Nouwen presents a balanced and creative theology of service that begins with the realization of fundamental woundedness in human nature.

According to Nouwen, ministers are called to identify the suffering in their own hearts and make that recognition the starting point of their service. Ministers must be willing to go beyond their professional, somewhat aloof roles and leave themselves open as fellow human beings with the same wounds and suffering as those they serve. In other words, we heal from our wounds. The Wounded Healer is a thoughtful and insightful guide that will be welcomed by anyone engaged in the service of others.

About the Author

Henri J.M. Nouwen was a Catholic priest who taught at several theological institutes and universities in his home country of the Netherlands and in the United States. He shared the final years of his life with people with mental and physical disabilities at the L'Arche Daybreak Community in Torronto, Canada. He died in 1996. He authored many books on the spiritual lfie, including Reaching Out, The Wounded Healer, and The Return of the Prodial Son.