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 in.
COURSE FORMAT: A mixture of class lectures, student report/discussion, and
small group interaction. The class will meet weekly for three-hour sessions
(total of 9 class sessions), and a required class retreat scheduled for May 22
(8:00 a.m.-1:30 pm) at the Immaculate Heart Retreat Center (Los Angeles), with
an additional cost of $50 to be paid in full upon registration.
REQUIRED READING: