Abstract
Using Henri J. Nouwen's writing as the primary ‘conversation partner,’ this article discusses the challenges associated in pastoral encounters with mid-career spiritual searchers — particularly career-centric men. The article arises from reflection on the author's personal faith journey, together with his long-term membership and leadership of a men's Bible discussion group in the capital markets industry and, importantly, during his more recent ministry as an ordained deacon in the Anglican Church of Canada. The article presents a conceptual distinction between silence, stillness and solitude, surrender and divine encounter; all within what is offered as a paracletic ministry journey with mid-career men in the fourth decade of life — a season that is described as both pivotal and filled with risk. In addition to Nouwen the work accesses a fairly broad range of practical and pastoral theologians, together with literature regarding male mid-life spirituality, to support the author's assertions regarding a paracletic approach for coming alongside, and encouraging those who are struggling with and searching for faith.
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