Henri Nouwen and Soul Care: A Ministry of Integration Book

In examining Henri Nouwen's approach to the ministry of soul care and spiritual formation at close range, we can conclude that his holistic and integrative style is essentially drawn from his sophisticated understanding of the coinherence of spirituality with psychology, ministry, and theology. Henri Nouwen's ministry is characterized by a ministry of integration primarily because he, first of all, embodied a spirituality of integration. His ministry was but an overflow of his spirituality. Unquestionably, Nouwen ministered out of who he was as a person--a person of deep integrity. The author contends that Henri Nouwen's work of soul care and spiritual formation is never about techniques. Neither is it about programs and curricula--important as they are in ministry. More importantly, it is definitely not about "roles" even though multiple roles have been attached to his person.