Nouwen's "In the Name of Jesus"

I recommend this small book to any Christian leader actively involved within Christian ministry. Nouwen addresses three common temptations (e.g. to be relevant, spectacular, and powerful) that leaders can easily fall prey. The one that recently snagged my soul at this point in my life is the temptation to be spectacular. Nouwen describes how pastors and priest have fallen into individualism within their given ministries. In other words, we feel like if we have anything meaningful to show then it needs to be accomplished by ourselves. Is this not true of most pastors, teachers, and leaders? We constantly strive to be known, original, profound, etc.

I guess I sense the need to be "spectacular" because of the particular season that I am in right now. Even though I am in full-time ministry, my family and are in a transition where we desire to move and be close to family in MN. This means that I am on job hunt and I'm starting to interview with various churches in the Twin Cities area. Is not the point of an interview to show off one's "spectacular" qualities? If not, I definitely feel that way (and I don't think I would be the only one to admit this). When I interview I feel like I have to demonstrate how spectacular I really am and how foolish it would be for them to pass on such as qualified and wonderful person.

It is comforting (at least to me) that even Jesus was tempted to be spectacular. When led into the dessert to be tempted, Satan encouraged Jesus to jump from the temple so that the angels would rescue him. This stunt would amaze the crowds and in turn the people would be compelled to follow him. His popularity would grow leaps and bounds. Yet the purpose of the incarnation was not to be a stunt man, but to unite us to God and others.

Nouwen encourages Christian leaders to resist the individualism of ministry, but to see ministry as a shared responsibility. He talks about how Jesus never sent his disciples out by themselves, but sent them out in pairs. When we are in community with others (and God) we are more inclined to resist the temptation to be spectacular and to confess our inadequacies, frustrations, fears, anxieties, etc.

There is much more I need to muse on concerning this area, but I can take solace in the fact that God knows where I am at. He knows my fear, anxiety, frustrations, confusion, etc. and wants me to confess this to him and to others.