This is a superficial use of the data, ignoring the reasons for the apparent discrepancy between atheists and born agains. For instance, merely looking at the divorce numbers overlooks the fact that atheists have less divorce because they marry less often; they tend to substitute cohabitation for marriage, and those relationships have a shorter duration than marriages.

Another common error in such arguments is that of assuming that being Christian is synonymous with being morally perfect. As any thinking Christian will admit, we remain sinners – aware of our moral failings, convicted of our moral imperfections, and seeking to raise our game to a higher level. I am not aware of any mature Christians who claim moral superiority over other people – that would be judgmental, which itself is a moral failing – but know many who lament the fact that Americans (be they atheist, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish or otherwise) are not living up to a higher moral standard.

Another dimension of the atheist arguments I have recently read is that there is no standard to live up to; morally, in that view, is a personal choice, based on their determination of what serves their needs best. To me, that’s really scary since that renders murder, rape and other atrocities morally viable if so determined by personal preference.

It is abundantly easy to identify social statistics that support any desired perspective. What’s harder is to offer a compelling, comprehensive and viable worldview that does not have God’s moral standards at the center.

His comment reminded me of some research we conducted among churches and pastors, examining longevity and impact. We found that church leaders have their greatest impact on the lives of congregants during years five through fourteen of their tenure at a church. Prior to year five they are clarifying, articulating and seeking buy-in of their vision. After year 14 they tend to get stuck in a routine that produces diminishing returns.

Some pastors remain fresh and effective after year 14, but they seem to be the exception to the rule. It is quite easy to become complacent and comfortable in the lead role after a decade and half in the same ministry. Leaders can often justify to constituents their continuation in a comfortable role, but Christian leaders must remember that they answer to the God who called them to leadership – and He will not be fooled.

Great leaders keep reinventing themselves, stimulating both themselves and their organization to reach new levels of impact. That means continually looking at the vision in new ways – coming up with a new vision, but adapting the organization to the ever-changing realities the ministry faces and implementing the vision in new ways and contexts.

But we also discovered that most leaders have a ceiling they must recognize for their leadership abilities, and work within those parameters. Certainly a great leader grows, but part of what makes them great is being realistic about themselves and responding intelligently and honestly to their limitations. Too many leaders engage in denial about their limitations, to the detriment of everyone involved. Great leaders seek situations in which their gifts and abilities are a perfect fit – and they are savvy enough to depart when their abilities are no longer a good match for the circumstances. Operating within one’s limitations is a sign of wisdom not defeat; staying beyond the time when one can add value is selfish and bad stewardship. Learning about these matters from some of the excellent research on the stages of organizational growth is helpful in this regard.

It wasn’t that Henri’s presentation was bad. He was simply more spiritually mature than I was – so much more mature that I was completely incapable of grasping his understanding of spirituality and the way that God transforms us.

Over the past six years I have been doing research on the spiritual transformation process. The middle two years were a black hole when little was intentionally accomplished on this project while I tried to sort out my frustration with the subject matter.

Upon returning to the project with a renewed sense of calling and energy two years ago, one of the tools the Lord provided was exposure to Henri Nouwen’s writing. After studying a few short pieces he wrote, I have read three of his books in the past two months and have truly enjoyed them. As I have come to realize, whatever his faults and quirks may have been – which he discussed quite openly – he was certainly a man motivated to know God more deeply and to become the Henri that God envisioned, not the Henri that Harvard, Yale, Notre Dame, the church, L’Arche Community, or even Henri envisioned. His journey with God is an interesting trek. I have learned a lot about God, myself, spirituality and ministry from his honest reflections.

If you have never read any of his work, try Spiritual Direction, which was written and compiled in 2006, a decade after Henri’s death, by several of his protégés. It will give you a broad introduction to his ministry, his heart, and his mind. He was a man of substantial wisdom. Let me know what you think of the book if you get the chance to read it.

The others I’ve read so far: Life of the Beloved and The Return of the Prodigal Son – have also been interesting. If you are a Nouwen fan, which of his books has been most helpful to you, and what value did it add to your life?