christian leadership

i had never read henri nouwen before until i was given his small book, In the Name of Jesus. I have heard him quoted often, but i was blessed by reading one of his works, which explores the necessity of being humble in christian leadership.

"Here we touch the most important quality of Christian leadership in the future. It is not a leadership of power and control, but a leadership of powerlessness and humility in which the suffering servant of God, Jesus Christ, is made manifest...I am speaking of a leadership in which power is constantly abandoned in favor of love. It is a true spiritual discipline. Powerlessness and humility in the spiritual life do not refer to people who have no spine and who let everyone else make decisions for them. They refer to people who are so deeply in love with Jesus that they are ready to follow him wherever he guides them, always trusting that, with him, they will find life and find it abundantly" (82-84)

Thank you for the inspiration Mr. Nouwen .. the challenge for me now is living this out: powerless and humble, deeply in love with Jesus. i have a long way to go :)