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I understand this book (Henri Nouwen’s Creative Ministry) in the context of the developing pastoral theologies in the latter half of the 20^th century; and can place some of the socio-philosophical (and especially psychological) context from which Nouwen is writing. I was even surprised to find a slight liberationist bent in his words, “Should I remain nonviolent at all cost, or is there a time when violence might be the only ethical response?” Overall however, I find most important his central critique of “professionalism” in ministry, the disillusionment the minister experiences when our profession is placed side by side with the other helping professions, just another facet of the overall human care system. Such commoditization is perhaps what is at the root of the problem, not to mention in the current U.S. health care debates. We ministers do not want to be seen as just another commodity, just another white coat. There is something unique to what we do, transcendent, and yet we are often relegated to just another specialization. In this sense I think what Nouwen is saying here has special relevance not just for the local minister, but for the chaplain as well.

I also find important Nouwen’s reflection on the nature of spirituality in ministry; this sense that spirituality is a separate component in life that must somehow be pumped up before we go back into the world. This compartmentalizing is harmful to true spirituality, I believe, and I think Nouwen touches a nerve here when he says, “What moves me to do all this?… Going back to regular prayers? Spending more time with the reading of Scripture?… If I cannot find God in the middle of my work – where my concerns and worries, pains, and joys  are – it does not make sense to try in the hours set free at the periphery of my life. If my spiritual life cannot grow and deepen in the midst of my ministry, how will it ever grow on the edges?” These questions must be examined as we consider a spirituality of work, and not necessarily a spirituality for work. I think the difference is vast, and I hope to plumb it myself.

Finally, I find the theme of education threaded throughout Nouwen’s thought, although it is not explicitly set up as a chapter or heading. But Nouwen is asking about competency, in lieu of professionalism; how do we gauge competency for the ministry? And how does the academic system with its rewards and demerits affirm, promote, or discourage competency? I do not decry academia; but I do question, as I believe Nouwen does, to what extent the student can find their value in such a system.

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