Wounded Healer - why the name?

The title for my blog comes from the title of a book by Henri J. M. Nouwen: The Wounded Healer.

Basically, the concept is that individuals, especially those in Christian ministry, must be vulnerable and honest with our own wounds in order to be effective healers.

The book strikes a blow to the professional aloofism (my own word I think) that many in ministry possess. People are hurting, and in order to help we must first acknowledge our own hurts and suffering. Then, as we heal,and move through the process of healing, we are of greater help to others.

The breakthroughs in my own life are examples of God's power and grace. Why would I be afraid to share them? Fear. Pride. Self-protection. All reasons, none sufficient.

I need others. And I need others to know me. Not the shell, but the core. I have found as we take the risk and get vulnerable healing CAN take place. To be sure, we can be hurt, betrayed, minimialized, etc. But, we must find community in the human condition where we can be ourselves and let others do the same. While at the same time being free to confront each others cultural addictions and failings without the defense mechanisms and bullshit that keeps us sick and unable to fulfill our dreams and desires - the very treasure that God has put in our hearts.

I have found that community in my church. When I left the ministry, I spent over a year working through the hurt and crap (still working through too). After that period of time I ( and my wife too) knew that the only way to get whole was in a community.

After all, the stuff in our heads can sound fine to us, but it may be total crap. We need others to help. Anyway, my standard for finding a church was a place where I could hear someone say "fuck" and "Jesus" in the same breath and be genuinely in love with God. My inspiration for this idea was Bono in the U2 Elevation concert that was taped in Boston, when he sings "Wake up Dead Man".

That way I could avoid the "posers" and "prophets" who scare the shit out of me. The ones who always have a word from God but no vulnerability. No transparency. No "limp".

Found one. The pastor is my friend and a fellow blogger - Hanson Carter. Our church is group of people just trying to move on in relationship with God and each other.

So, here I am. I drink beer. I cuss. I play cards. I'm fairly competitive, and I love God. And, the kicker, He loves me so much that I can hardly stand it, or understand it. In fact, Jesus is the most incredible person that I have ever met.

I am a wounded healer. So are you. We qualify. Any takers?

WH

PS - Today has been a particular difficult day for my wife as she goes though treatments for her cystic fibrosis. I think that I mentioned that I hate this fucking disease. If you pray, please pray. She hasn't been able to get much sleep this past week and is exhausted. Thanks.