"Compassion is hard because it requires the inner disposition to go with others to the place where they are weak, vulnerable, lonely, and broken. But this is not our spontaneous response to suffering. What we desire most is to do away with suffering by fleeing from it or finding a quick cure for it. As busy, active, relevant ministers, we want to earn our bread by making a real contribution. This means first and foremost doing something to show that our presence makes a difference. And so we ignore our greatest gift, which is our ablity to enter into solidarity with those who suffer." (from The Way of the Heart by Henri Nouwen)
Nouwen also wrote what I consider to be the best book on Christian Leadership that I've ever read (and I've read a few) called In the Name of Jesus
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