SKU: 29908427311

Visiting Angels Franchise Financial Model 2026

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Visiting Angels Franchise Financial Model 2026What Does the Visiting Angels Franchise Financial Model Contain? This franchise unit financial model template provides a comprehensive toolkit for forecasting revenue, managing complex payroll, and analyzing multi year ROI for a senior care agency. [dynamic_pic1] All in one Dashboard Core inputs and core outputs [dynamic_pic2] Low Base High Three scenario analysis [dynamic_pic3] Professional Charts Presentation ready [dynamic_pic4] ROE Components

What Does the Visiting Angels Franchise Financial Model Contain?

This franchise unit financial model template provides a comprehensive toolkit for forecasting revenue, managing complex payroll, and analyzing multi-year ROI for a senior care agency.

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All-in-one Dashboard

Core inputs and core outputs

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Low/Base/High

Three scenario analysis

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Professional Charts

Presentation ready

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ROE Components

DuPont analysis

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Revenue Inputs

Researched revenue assumptions

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Bank-Ready Reports

Lender-friendly financial outputs

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Revenue Breakdown

Revenue stream detailed view

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KPI Dashboard

Performance metrics benchmark

Six Questions Your Visiting Angels Franchise Financial Model Must Answer

We built this home care franchise financial model using detailed market research to ensure every assumption reflects the reality of a premium agency. Key drivers like private pay fees starting at $700,000 and specialized memory care packages are pre-populated but fully editable to fit your local market. With a Year 1 revenue target of $1,500,000 and an initial EBITDA of $372,000, this tool gives you a data-driven roadmap for scaling a concierge-level service.

When will the unit reach profitability?

The unit hits profitability almost immediately due to the high-margin nature of private pay services, with a breakeven date of March 2026. By Year 1, you are looking at an EBITDA of $372,000 after accounting for all royalties and the $105,000 executive director salary. This rapid ramp-up assumes you hit your $1.5M revenue target through strong referral networks and local density. Speed to profit is the primary goal here.

Boost Net Margins

  • Upsell memory care packages
  • Reduce caregiver turnover
  • Optimize scheduling density
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How much capital is needed for launch?

You will need approximately $166,450 in hard startup costs, which includes the $51,950 franchise fee and $50,000 for leasehold improvements. The model also accounts for a significant cash buffer, as the minimum cash point hits $1,088,000 in May 2026 to cover ramp-up and working capital. This ensures you have the runway to hire your recruiter and scheduling coordinators before the first client billings arrive. Capital allocation is about timing as much as it is about the total amount.

Major Capital Uses

  • Franchise Fee: $51,950
  • Leasehold Improvements: $50,000
  • Furniture and Fixtures: $20,000
  • Office and IT: $15,000
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What is the expected return on investment?

The internal rate of return (IRR) for this unit is 14.1%, which is solid for a service-based healthcare franchise profitability analysis. While the payback period extends after year 5, the return on equity (ROE) of 3.13 indicates strong long-term value creation. Most of your value is captured in the back half of the five-year plan as revenue grows to $3.1M. Patience in the first two years pays off in the final three.

Key Investor Metrics

  • IRR: 14.1%
  • ROE: 3.13
  • Year 5 EBITDA: $1,062k
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What is the monthly break-even point?

You reach the break-even point in just 3 months, provided you can generate enough volume to cover roughly $11,150 in monthly fixed costs plus variable labor. The biggest lever here is the caregiver-to-client ratio and your ability to maintain a high average ticket through specialized care. If your $6,500 rent or $105,000 executive salary isn't supported by steady monthly sales, the timeline shifts. Watch your fixed cost coverage like a hawk.

Faster Breakeven Levers

  • Pre-sell respite contracts
  • Limit initial office staff
  • Focus on high-hour cases
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What is the cash runway and lowest point?

Your lowest cash point occurs in May 2026, with a projected balance of $1,088,000. This suggests the model assumes a high initial capitalization to handle the scaling of a large caregiver pool, which grows from 15 to 26 FTE (full-time equivalent) staff. You need to watch your billing cycles closely to ensure that mileage reimbursements and supplies don't outpace your private pay collections. Cash is the oxygen that fuels your growth.

Protect Your Cash Flow

  • Stagger caregiver hiring
  • Negotiate lease incentives
  • Automate billing early
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How do different scenarios impact results?

In a high-growth scenario where revenue hits the $3.1M mark by Year 5, your EBITDA margin expands significantly as fixed costs like the $6,500 rent are diluted. Conversely, a low scenario where memory care adoption is slow could delay your payback period and increase the total capital at risk. The model shows that even a small shift in caregiver supply costs can impact your Year 1 $372k EBITDA target. Scenarios help you prepare for the worst while aiming for the best.

Hit the High Case

  • Target hospital referrals
  • Premium pricing strategy
  • High caregiver retention

Finance: update unit break-even and payback model by Friday.

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Visiting Angels Franchise Financial Model Template Features & Benefits

Fully Customizable Financial Model 

This home care franchise financial model is a fully customizable Excel tool designed for high-stakes decision making. You can adjust pre-filled formulas and editable assumptions to match your specific territory, whether you are looking at a single unit or a multi-unit expansion. It defintely simplifies the complex math of senior care by letting you toggle revenue drivers and local labor rates in real-time. Every cell is open, so you can stress-test your own numbers without breaking the logic.

  • Editable assumptions and formulas
  • Revenue and pricing drivers
  • Staffing and payroll inputs
  • Operating expense categories

Comprehensive 5-Year Financial Projections 

Planning for the long haul is critical when managing a senior care franchise business plan with multiple revenue streams. This model provides detailed 5-year projections for revenue, costs, and cash flow, ensuring you see the full picture of your investment. You can track how specialized memory care and respite services scale over sixty months to understand your long-term wealth creation potential. It maps the transition from a startup phase to a mature, high-volume agency. Long-term clarity is the only way to manage multi-unit growth effectively.

  • 5-year revenue forecasts
  • Profit and cash flow projections
  • Balance sheet view
  • Long-term profitability analysis

Franchise Fee and Royalty Management 

Managing the 3.5% royalty and 2.5% marketing fund is non-negotiable for any operator in this system. This tool captures these franchise-specific financial obligations alongside the initial $51,950 franchise fee to show you the true net margin. By automating these calculations, you can focus on store-level performance without worrying about missing a brand-mandated expense. Honestly, the royalty burden is often the difference between a healthy unit and a struggling one. It keeps your overhead projections precise from day one.

  • Initial franchise fee inputs
  • Royalty expense calculations
  • Marketing fund contributions
  • Ongoing franchise cost tracking

Startup Costs and Break-Even Analysis 

Knowing how to calculate startup costs for a home care franchise is the difference between a smooth launch and a sudden cash crunch. The model breaks down the $166,450 initial capital requirement and provides a clear break-even analysis based on your fixed monthly overhead. It maps out exactly how much private pay volume you need to cover the $6,500 monthly office rent and executive salaries. You need to know your floor before you can reach for the ceiling. This section ensures you don't run out of fuel before the revenue kicks in.

  • Total startup investment
  • Fixed and variable cost analysis
  • Break-even sales estimates
  • Margin and contribution view

Built-In Industry Benchmarks 

This healthcare franchise profitability analysis includes built-in benchmarks to ensure your projections stay grounded in reality. You can compare your labor costs against industry standards to identify potential margin leaks before they happen. It helps you sanity-check your gross margin assumptions against typical ranges for premium, non-medical care. Plus, it uses real-world data to validate your average ticket and caregiver productivity. Don't fly blind when you can use proven industry data to guide your flight path.

  • Labor cost benchmarks
  • Occupancy cost benchmarks
  • Gross margin ranges
  • Revenue driver benchmarks

How to Use the Template

Download and Open

Simply purchase and download the financial model template, then access it instantly using Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. No installation or technical expertise required-just open and start working.

Input Key Data:

Enter your business-specific numbers, including revenue projections, costs, and investment details. The pre-built formulas will automatically calculate financial insights, saving you time and effort.

Analyse Results:

Leverage the investor-ready format to confidently showcase your financial projections to banks, franchise representatives, or investors. Impress stakeholders with clear, data-driven insights and professional reports.

Present to Stakeholders:

Leverage the investor-ready format to confidently present your projections to banks, franchise representatives, or investors.

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SKU: 29908427311

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4.7 ★★★★★
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Mark Erickson
Grantham, US
★★★★★ 5
Best book on Christian Leadership
Format: Paperback
I love this book and have read it 7 or 8 times - and will likely continue reading it every couple years for the rest of my life. As a pastor who can struggle with insecurity and the temptation to be powerful, spectacular, and popular, I read this book regularly to be called back to Jesus and to choose the way of prayer, service, love, and humility. In an era of celebrity pastors, consumer Christianity, and scandal, this book is a breath of fresh air. If I had to make a list of my top five books of all time, there is no question this gem would be on that list. It's a short and easy read, but is so powerful.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2023
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K Edward
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 5
Excellent glimpse into Christ's model for leadership
Format: Paperback
This book is on a required reading list for ministerial licensing in my state. I found it a refreshing look into real Christian leadership (seemingly free from methods and techniques encouraged by the world). I say 'refreshing' because so many leadership books send out a 'drill sergeant' message that 'You need to toughen up for leadership. It isn't a cake-walk... You do a lot alone, etc. etc.' That may be true, but it can almost be discouraging/ disheartening for those interested in learning about leadership. NOT SO with this book. The author is a humble man of God who only desires to walk closer with Him. He (author) approaches leadership from a Divine angle; that is, he doesn't see leadership as the exercise of power and authority for its own sake. He sees leadership as that quality one gets from simply walking with Christ in close fellowship, to the point of being what he calls 'a mystic'. He encourages us to take those quiet walks with God; get to know His heart, and only then... be qualified to lead others with a servant's heart. He encourages us to be transparent and not to seek to do this alone (contrary to the messages this world sends us). To do this he shares engaging stories from his own life - stories of tough lessons he had to learn about becoming a Christian leader. God taught him through these life experiences more accurately what it means to be a leader, and I found myself identifying with him. I found this book on leadership to be a great encouragement to just walk closely with God - and that's what it's all about!
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Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2006
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Brad
Natrona Heights, US
★★★★★ 5
Follow Jesus, Not the World
Format: Paperback
Henri Nouwen calls on Christian leaders--including himself-- to resist, as Jesus resisted, the temptations to be relevant, spectacular, and powerful. Instead, "...the Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her own vulnerable self. That is the way Jesus came to reveal God's love." Further: "We keep forgetting that we are being sent out two-by-two. We cannot bring good news on our own. We are called to proclaim the Gospel together, in community." And: "The temptation of power is greatest when intimacy is a threat. Much Christian leadership is exercised by people who do not know how to develop healthy, intimate relationships and have opted for power and control instead. Many Christian empire builders have been people unable to give and receive love." I hope these excerpts give you a flavor of what's inside this extraordinary book, which I thought was truly profound even in its simplicity. Nouwen speaks from the heart because he speaks from experience. He walked away from a high profile clerical career to follow Jesus in the most authentic way he could. His is a story worth hearing and imitating.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 16, 2006
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Lavid
Pawtucket, US
★★★★★ 5
Un libro que debes leer!
Format: Paperback
El tema del liderazgo cristiano es vital dentro de la Iglesia. La lectura del libro In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership, hace un aporte significativo a mi entendimiento teológico acerca del liderazgo. Como líderes podemos edificar o destruir vidas; ayudar a otros a que avancen o frenarlos en su jornada de fe; servir de inspiración o dejar huellas de dolor en la vida de otras personas; mostrarles el camino a otros o perdernos en el camino. El autor hace una pregunta que creo que es muy oportuna y puntual en nuestra vida: ¿Qué decisiones has estado tomando últimamente y cómo son un reflejo de cómo percibes el futuro? Ciertamente no había reflexionado en ello. Cada día tomamos decisiones desde el momento en que abrimos los ojos, si ya me levanto, qué voy a desayunar, qué ropa me voy a poner, etc. Pero no había analizado si mis decisiones diarias me están acercando a lo que Dios tiene para mí o si me tienen estancada en mi pasado. Una de las cosas que ha llamado mi atención en la lectura de este libro es que el autor dice que llegó a un punto en su vida donde comenzó a sentir una terrible amenaza interna y se cuestionó si el hacerse ya mayor en edad lo había acercado más a Jesús. Quiero detenerme aquí, porque una líder que ha influenciado mi vida es mi madre. Ella ya tiene 83 años, y continuamente me repite: -Hija, tengo que estar muy cerca de Jesús, ya casi llega mi hora y quiero poder encontrarme con Él cara a cara. Puede uno entrar a su cuarto y la hallarás en su sillón con su Biblia abierta y orando o cantando alabanzas a Dios. Ella se preocupa por guardar su relación con Jesús. ¿Alguna vez, como líderes, estamos preocupados por si estamos muy cerca de Dios? ¿O es que quizás nuestro liderazgo nos hace presuponer que sí lo estamos? Estamos tan ocupados en la viña del Señor que se nos olvida ocuparnos del Señor de la viña. El autor reconoce que en esa etapa de su vida ya no oraba con pasión, sino que lo hacía bastante mal, se había aislado de las personas y se dio cuenta de que su alma estaba en peligro. Vino a mi mente Mateo 16:26 (NTV) “¿Y qué beneficio obtienes si ganas el mundo entero pero pierdes tu propia alma? ¿Hay algo que valga más que tu alma?” O como Pablo les dice a la Iglesia en Corinto: “no sea que habiendo predicado a otros, yo mismo sea descalificado.” 1 Corintios 9: 27 (b) Creo que si reflexiono teológicamente me debería preguntar: ¿Tengo la seguridad de lo que vale mi alma? ¿Podré yo quedar descalificada ante Dios en algún área de mi vida? ¿Está mi alma en peligro? Henri J.M Nouwen desmenuza la tentación de Jesús y nos muestra tres tentaciones que como líderes y ministros enfrentamos frecuentemente. La primera a la que se refiere es la Tentación de ser Relevante y su base es cuando el diablo le pide a Jesús que convierta las piedras en pan. Hoy hay muchos que quieren ser “relevantes a toda costa”, aunque eso signifique ir más allá de nuestros principios y cambiar por completo el Evangelio. Cada vez que escucho a un predicador diciendo que “pacte” con cierta cantidad de dinero para recibir un milagro, me indigno en gran manera porque algo que Jesús ofreció gratuitamente al pagar con Su sangre, ahora los “grandes predicadores de estos tiempos” lo han convertido en negocio. ¿Estaremos provocando que Jesús voltee nuestras vidas como hizo con las mesas de los cambistas del templo? Se nos olvida que Jesús es quien tiene que ser relevante para el mundo y que tenemos que reflejar la luz de Cristo. Hoy vivimos pendientes de cuántos seguidores tenemos en las redes sociales, cuántos likes tienen nuestras publicaciones. Por eso decía al principio, que podemos perdernos en el camino. Nouwen se inquietó de que su ineficaz oración y la tiranía de lo urgente lo estuviera empujando a reprimir al Espíritu Santo. David sabía lo que significaba andar sin el Espíritu Santo como compañero, por eso clamó en el Salmo 51: 11 “No me eches de delante de ti, Y no quites de mí tu santo Espíritu” Coincido con el autor cuando expresa que los líderes del futuro serán aquellos que se atrevan a reclamar su irrelevancia en el mundo contemporáneo como una vocación divina que les permita entrar en una profunda solidaridad con la angustia que subyace a todo el brillo del éxito y traer la luz de Jesús allí. El autor nos hace reflexionar en la pregunta que Jesús le hace a Pedro. ¿Me amas más que estos? No le preguntó acerca cuánta gente lo conocía, a cuántos había impactado. La pregunta era relacional: ¿me amas a mí? Por lo tanto la pregunta para nosotros sería, ¿estoy enamorada de Jesús? Nouwen declara que el líder del futuro es uno que conoce el corazón de Dios. Cuando no estamos ligados al corazón de Dios porque nos falta esa intimidad con Él, somos más propensos a que el anhelo por la fama, por ser exitosos, se apodere de nosotros y nos desenfoque de nuestro llamado. Conocer el corazón de Jesús y amarlo son lo mismo. Cuando vivimos en el mundo con ese conocimiento del corazón de Jesús, no podemos hacer más que traer sanidad, reconciliación, nueva vida y esperanza donde quiera que vayamos. Seguido a la pregunta tan desafiante, viene una tarea importantísima: apacienta mis ovejas. Mi corazón se estremeció, pues a pesar de conocer este relato y haberlo predicado varias veces, esta vez el enfoque del autor me hizo reflexionar en que muchas veces se nos olvida que hemos sido llamados a apacentar las ovejas, que tenemos una responsabilidad pero por tratar de ser relevantes no la estamos cumpliendo a cabalidad. El autor aborda ahora el tema de la oración contemplativa como una disciplina importante para el cristiano. La oración contemplativa profundiza en nosotros el conocimiento de que ya somos libres, que ya hemos encontrado un lugar para morar, que ya pertenecemos a Dios, a pesar de que todo y todos los que nos rodean siguen sugiriendo lo contrario. Nouwen lanza una pregunta que es confrontante: ¿Son los líderes cristianos del futuro verdaderamente hombres y mujeres de Dios, personas con un ardiente deseo de morar en la presencia de Dios, escuchar la voz de Dios, mirar la belleza de Dios, tocar la Palabra encarnada de Dios y saborear plenamente la bondad infinita de Dios? Aunque está mirando hacia los líderes del futuro, mi preocupación es también por nosotros, los líderes actuales. Si no vivimos una vida de oración no vamos a poder enseñarle a los líderes del futuro cómo avivar ese deseo ardiente de permanecer en la presencia de Dios. Anoche en el servicio de oración de la iglesia, yo les hablé acerca de cuando Dios decide poner fin a Sodoma. Dios se pregunta: ¿Encubriré yo a Abraham lo que voy a hacer, habiendo de ser Abraham una nación grande y fuerte, y habiendo de ser benditas en él todas las naciones de la tierra? Pienso entonces: ¿qué nivel de intimidad tenía Abraham con Dios que éste no quiere encubrirle sus planes? La respuesta la da el mismo Dios: “Porque yo sé que mandará a sus hijos y a su casa después de sí, que guarden el camino de Jehová, haciendo justicia y juicio, para que haga venir Jehová sobre Abraham lo que ha hablado acerca de él.” Dios sabía que Abraham iba a preparar a su descendencia como líderes del futuro. La oración es llamada “la cenicienta” de la iglesia. Para muchos no es relevante; sin embargo, es lo que alimenta nuestra alma y define quiénes somos en Dios. Para vivir de pie delante de los demás, debo vivir de rodillas delante de Dios. La segunda tentación es la de ser espectacular. Hoy la mayoría de los cristianos quieren ser parte de los ministerios de la iglesia que son más visibles: alabanza, predicar detrás de un púlpito, ministerio de danza. Pocos prefieren estar en el grupo de intercesión, o en los servidores, o ser de los que limpian el templo. El mismo Nouwen dice que actuamos como si la visibilidad y la notoriedad fueran los criterios principales del valor de lo que estamos haciendo. La popularidad ha reemplazado lamentablemente la verdadera esencia del ministerio. Somos especialistas en dar shows domingueros, no en adorar a Dios los domingos. Somos especialistas en luces que impresionan en los stages de las iglesias, pero no somos luz que alumbra en medio del pecado. Somos especialistas en buscar las mejores voces para que canten en nuestro servicio, pero no en que nuestra voz produzca cambios en otros. La propuesta de Nouwen para tratar esta tentación es la confesión y el perdón. Los líderes y ministros deben ser personas siempre dispuestas a confesar su propia fragilidad y pedir perdón a aquellos a quienes ministran. Debemos ser capaces de rendir cuentas. Creo que esto es algo en lo que Wesley enfatizó y que debemos retomar. Hace unos años, para la tesis de graduación, mi esposo Daniel propuso como tema para la misma la rendición de cuentas. Esto causó revuelo en la Facultad, debido a que ellos decían que ese era un tema pasado de moda, que porqué tenemos que decirles a otros nuestras debilidades y nuestras faltas. ¿Qué tanta basura hay en mi vida que tengo temor a que sea expuesta? ¿Será porque dejo de ser relevante y espectacular ante otros? La tentación de ser poderoso es la tercera tentación que menciona Nouwen, y él considera que esta es la tentación más seductora. Ciertamente he visto a gente cambiar drásticamente cuando se les ha sido dada autoridad. El autor considera que a pesar de nuestra experiencia que el poder no nos da la sensación de seguridad que deseo, sino que revela nuestras propias debilidades y limitaciones, seguimos haciéndonos creer que más poder eventualmente satisfará nuestras necesidades. El texto que usa el autor en esta parte es uno de mis textos preferidos en la Biblia, Filipenses 2: 5-8, y me encanta la versión The Message: “Piensen en ustedes como Cristo Jesús pensó de sí mismo. Tenía el mismo estatus que Dios, pero no pensaba tanto en sí mismo que tenía que aferrarse a las ventajas de ese estado sin importar qué. De ningún modo. Cuando llegó el momento, dejó a un lado los privilegios de la deidad y asumió el estatus de esclavo, ¡se convirtió en humano! Habiéndose hecho humano, se mantuvo humano. Fue un proceso increíblemente humillante. No reclamó privilegios especiales. En cambio, vivió una vida desinteresada y obediente y luego murió una muerte desinteresada y obediente, y el peor tipo de muerte, una crucifixión.” Cristo renunció a todo, pero nosotros lo queremos conservar todo. El autor resalta el hecho de que gran parte del liderazgo cristiano es ejercido por personas que no saben cómo desarrollarse sanamente, sin habilidades relacionales y que han optado por el poder y el control en su lugar. Muchos constructores de imperios cristianos han sido personas incapaces de dar y recibir amor. Por eso es tan importante la disciplina de reflexionar teológicamente. Porque creo que ninguno de nosotros está eximido de enfrentar y de caer en estas tentaciones, así que debemos estar constantemente reflexionando en nuestro liderazgo y en la influencia que estamos teniendo en las personas que nos rodean. El verdadero liderazgo espiritual, según Nouwen, es uno en el que “el poder se abandona constantemente en favor del amor”. ¿Qué tanto estoy dispuesto a ceder por amor a Dios y a mi prójimo? Mis preguntas al terminar este maravillo libro son: ¿Cómo Dios ve mi liderazgo? ¿Cómo veo mi liderazgo? ¿Cómo otros ven mi liderazgo? ¿He permitido que alguna de estas tentaciones venza y gobierne mi vida?
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Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2020
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Verified Purchase
Rick Watts
Massapequa, US
★★★★★ 4
Great Book for Church Leaders
Format: Paperback
In this book, Nouwen describes what he believes the key characteristics of a Christian leader are. These characteristics are guided by two stories for the Gospels: the story of Jesus' temptation in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11) and the story of Peter's call to be a shepherd (John 21:15-19). These characteristics are being prayerful rather than relevant, ministerial rather than popular, and being led rather than being a leader. Nouwen first explains that the temptation of today's ministers is to be relevant. Nouwen says that Jesus also had this same temptation. When Jesus was tempted by the devil in the desert, the first temptation was to turn stones into bread. With so many people in the world dieing of starvation, we all wish at times that we had the power to turn stones into bread. However, when Jesus was asked to perform the relevant behavior of changing stones into bread, he stuck to his mission to proclaim the Word and said, "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). Rather than trying to be relevant to the world, a Christian leader should use Jesus as the source of their words, advice and guidance. It is through the discipline of contemplative prayer that Christian leaders can do that. It is not enough for Christian leaders to be moral people, well trained, eager to help their fellow humans, and able to respond creatively to the burning issues of their time. Christian leaders must truly be men and women of God, people with an ardent desire to dwell in God's presence, to listen to God's voice, to look at God's beauty, to touch God's incarnate Word, and to taste fully God's infinite goodness. The second temptation Nouwen says Christian leaders must avoid is the temptation to be spectacular. This was also Jesus' second temptation in the desert. "Throw yourself from the parapet of the temple and let the angels catch you and carry you in their arms" (Matthew 4:6). Jesus would not do it. He refused to be a stunt man to prove that he had something worthwhile to say. In stead Jesus said "Don't put the Lord your God to the test." Nouwen says that in today's church, individualism among ministers and priests is prevalent. Many do not have many skills to be proud of, but they still frequently feel that, if they have anything at all to show, it is something they must do solo. However, Nouwen says that ministry is not done solo, but in pairs. In Mark 6:7 Jesus sent the discipline out two by two to conquer evil. We cannot preach the Gospel on our own, we are called to share the Gospel together, in community. Nouwen goes on to say that ministry is also mutual. Jesus said, "I am the god shepherd. I know by own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for my sheep" (John 10:14-15). Ministers have gotten the idea that good leadership means keeping a safe distance form those we lead. However, when the members of a community cannot truly know and love their shepherd, shepherding just becomes a subtle way to exercise power over others. Nouwen says that the only way to for us to over come this temptation is confession and forgiveness. This does not mean that ministers should bring their own sins into the pulpit. It means that ministers are called to minister with their whole being, including their wounded selves. The third temptation today's Christian leaders must overcome is the temptation of power. When the devil said to Jesus "All this I will give you if you will bow down and worship me." Jesus replied "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only" (Matthew 4:9-10). Others say that having power - provided it is used in the service of God and your fellow human beings - is a good thing. Nouwen says that it was this rationalization that caused crusades, inquisitions, and the enslavement of Indians. He says it seems easier to be God than to love God, and easier to control people than to love people. Nouwen says that a common misconception among Christian leaders is that the older and more mature you get then more capable you become as a leader. However, John 21:18 says, "I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Nouwen says that the most important quality of Christian leadership is not a leadership of power and control, but a leadership of powerlessness and humility. Powerlessness and humility in the spiritual life refer to people who are so deeply in love with Jesus that they are ready to follow him wherever he guides them, always trusting that, with him, they will find life and fine it abundantly. Nouwen says that the way to discern where we are being led by Jesus is through theological reflection. Theological reflection is thinking with the mind of Christ. The Christian leaders of the future have to be theologians, persons who know the heart of God and are trained - through prayer, study, and careful analysis - to manifest the divine event of God's saving work in the midst of the many seemingly random events of their time.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 19, 2010

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