Ministry of Presence

“More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, throw water, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social progress. But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn't be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them.”  - Henri Nouwen

I am beginnng a Ministry of Presence at the shelter and am interested to see how this is received by our guests and how this touches and transforms those who come to just be present with people. I'm currently putting together a mini-training and am also interested to see how that turns out - teaching people to BE present with people with no agenda. This is what people really seek though, isn't it? It's also closely linked, in my view, to spiritual companioning.