DESCRIPTION: This course is about the spiritual journey of Henri Nouwen, with particular focus on his integrated ministry approach and his counterintuitive brand of spirituality. First of all, it is a synthesis of Nouwen's holistic approach to Christian formation--one that integrates spirituality, psychology, ministry, and theology together in a seamless fashion. Secondly, it is an exploration of Nouwen's spirituality of imperfection which he embodied throughout his lived experience--where the journey toward perfection is through the realities of imperfection.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The course exposes us to Nouwen's integrative approach to the ministry of Christian formation (spiritual, communal, and missional)--one that goes against the expert-driven, individualistic, and overly specialized approach that is often one-dimensional, hierarchical, and highly institutionalized in focus.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: It is hoped that by the end of the course the student will (1) be able to acquire a balanced understanding of the inward, outward, and upward nature of the spiritual journey and appropriate its reality within one's own experience; (2) be able to embrace a more integrated understanding of such journeying experience that incorporates the coinherent realities of spirituality, psychology, ministry, and theology; (3) be exposed to Nouwen's approach to the ministry of Christian formation with its combined spiritual, communal, and missional thrust as well as recognize its relevance and application to the local church; (4) be able to grasp in both theological and practical ways a spirituality of imperfection that Nouwen embodied himself; (5) be able to apply the art and discipline of theological reflection in whatever context one finds him/herself.

COURSE FORMAT: A mixture of class lectures, student report/discussion, and small group interaction. The class will meet weekly for three-hour sessions: Wed. Sept. 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10, and Dec. 1, and participate in an opening spiritual retreat at Serra Retreat Center in Malibu on Friday, October 1 from 8:30am-9:00pm, which is required. There will be an additional charge of $60 charged to your account at the time you register to cover retreat center costs (including two meals and materials).

REQUIRED READING:

Hernandez, Wil. Henri Nouwen: A Spirituality of Imperfection. Paulist Press, 2006. 155 pp. ISBN: 9780809144341. Pub.Price: $16.95.

________. Henri Nouwen and Soul Care: A Ministry of Integration. Paulist Press, 2008. 104 pp. ISBN: 9780809145461. Pub.Price: $14.95.

Nouwen, Henri J. M. Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life. Image Books, 1975. 166 pp. ISBN: 038523682. Pub.Price: $10.95.

________. Spiritual Formation: Following the Movements of the Spirit. Edited by Michael Christensen and Rebecca Laird. HarperOne, 2010. 192 pp. ISBN: 9780061686122. Pub.Price: $25.99.

________. The Living Reminder: Service and Prayer in Memory of Jesus Christ. HarperSanFrancisco, 1977. 80 pp. ISBN: 0866839151. Pub.Price: $10.00.

________. In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership. Crossroad, 1989. 107 pp. ISBN: 9780824512590. Pub.Price: $ 14.95.

Choose one biography:

Ford, Michael. Wounded Prophet: A Portrait of Henri J. M. Nouwen. Doubleday, 1999. 234 pp. ISBN: 038549372X. Pub. Price: $23.95.

O'Laughlin, Michael. God's Beloved: A Spiritual Biography of Henri Nouwen. Orbis, 2004. 198 pp. ISBN: 1570755612. Pub.Price: $16.00.

Choose one journal:

Nouwen, Henri J. M. The Genessee Diary: Report from a Trappist Monastery. Image Books, 1989. 223 pp. ISBN: 038174462. Pub.Price: $10.95.

________. ¡Gracias!: A Latin American Journal. Orbis, 1983. 188 pp. ISBN: 0883448513. Pub.Price: $12.00.

________. The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey. Image Books, 1988. 228 pp. ISBN: 9780385245531. Pub.Price: $ 12.95.

________. Sabbatical Journey: The Diary of His Final Year. Crossroad, 1998. 226 pp. ISBN: 0824518780. Pub.Price: $ 15.95.

Selected articles by Nouwen.

• Full attendance and participation in weekly sessions, including class and personal retreats (15%)

• Thoughtful reading of the assigned textbooks and course materials (10%)

• Eight-page Integration Paper focusing on spirituality's coinherence with either psychology, ministry, or theology (15%)

• Two-page Personal Essay addressing one's own spirituality of imperfection (10%)

• Three-page Interactive Journal Analysis (choose one from Nouwen's four journals; 10%)

• One-page Retreat Reflection Paper (5%)

• Three-page Book Report: A Portrait of Nouwen (based on one of his two biographies; 10%)

• Group Presentation (based on In the Name of Jesus; 15%)

• Four-page Theological Reflection Case Study Worksheet (10%)