Book Club: In The Name of Jesus by Henri Nouwen
Henri Nouwen’s In the Name of Jesus is a deeply profound reflection on Christian leadership, written with a disarming vulnerability and clarity. Drawing on his experience transitioning from a prestigious academic career to living and serving in a small community for individuals with intellectual disabilities, Nouwen challenges conventional ideas about leadership and offers a Christ-centered alternative rooted in humility, service, and dependence on God.
I came across Nouwen’s writings a few years ago when I read a quote attributed to him in The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry. I’m a nerd and if a quote jumps out at me, I quickly flip to the back of the book to see where it came from. I have since purchased a number of Nouwen’s writings, including one of my favorite books, The Way of the Heart.
I’ve had this one on the top of my “read next” list for several months and finally picked it up the other night. I couldn’t put it down. I found it to be both refreshing and challenging. Nouwen’s vulnerability makes his writing extremely relatable (although our lives are anything but similar). As he recounts the lessons the Lord has taught him, his writing style allows space for the Holy Spirit to do the heavy lifting and boy did he…
The central theme of the book is that the future of Christian leadership is not about achieving upward mobility or worldly success but embracing downward mobility, following the way of the cross. Nouwen argues that the essence of leadership lies not in relevance, power, or control but in servanthood, care, and the willingness to lead from a place of vulnerability. As he writes, “The way of the Christian leader is not the way of upward mobility… but the way of downward mobility ending on the cross.” He also asks a convicting question (one that we should all ask ourselves) as he navigated his own leadership journey: “Did my becoming older make me more like Jesus?”
One of the most striking insights in the book is Nouwen’s assertion that true leaders must dare to claim their irrelevance in the eyes of the world. This countercultural perspective frees leaders to depend fully on God and find their identity in Christ rather than in accomplishments or accolades. As Nouwen says, “The leaders of the future will be those who dare to claim their irrelevance… as a divine vocation.”
Key Takeaways
Embrace Humility and Vulnerability: Leadership is not about asserting power or control but about offering your authentic self in service to others. Resist the temptation to seek significance through influence and instead serve in secret, as Christ modeled.
Listen to God in the Present Moment: Nouwen reminds us that God reveals Himself in the present. Rather than worrying about the future, leaders are called to live attentively and trust the Spirit’s guidance in the here and now.
Resist the Temptation of Power: Love, not power, is the hallmark of Christian leadership. Nouwen challenges us to choose the hard task of loving others over the easier path of control or dominance.
Ultimately, In the Name of Jesus is a call to reimagine leadership in light of the gospel—a call to follow Jesus into the quiet, selfless, and humble way of love. For anyone in a position of influence, this book is an invitation to lead not in your name, but in His.
What books should I add to my “read next” list?