SKU: 64265216820
uppababy cruz youtube

uppababy cruz youtube UPPAbaby

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uppababy cruz youtube UPPAbabyby UPPAbaby Babesta Pick Best Full Size Single Stroller for NYC Families Category: Full size strollers Single strollers Travel systems Birth to toddler strollers Certifications: GREENGUARD Gold JPMA Certified REACH certified leather Warranty: 3 year transferable The UPPAbaby Cruz V3 is a 26. 5 lb full size single stroller suitable from birth (with the included infant insert) to 50 lbs. Its fully reversible, lay flat seat, 4 position one hand recline,

by UPPAbaby  |  Babesta Pick — Best Full-Size Single Stroller for NYC Families

Category: Full-size strollers  |  Single strollers  |  Travel systems  |  Birth-to-toddler strollers

Certifications: GREENGUARD® Gold  |  JPMA Certified  |  REACH-certified leather

Warranty: 3-year transferable

The UPPAbaby Cruz V3 is a 26.5 lb full-size single stroller suitable from birth (with the included infant insert) to 50 lbs. Its fully reversible, lay-flat seat, 4-position one-hand recline, integrated foot barrier for carriage mode, and magnetic harness buckle make it one of the most genuinely newborn-ready full-size strollers on the market — no separate bassinet required for the first weeks. As NYC’s expert baby boutique, Babesta considers the Cruz V3 the sweet spot for families who want full-size quality and a premium push without the bulk of a modular platform stroller.

The Cruz V3 is the ideal pick for first-time parents expecting one child who want a stroller that works from the hospital through preschool, delivers a smooth ride on NYC sidewalks, and still folds compactly enough for a car trunk or elevator lobby. If you’re planning to expand to two or more children in a single stroller, consider the UPPAbaby Vista V3 instead.

 

Specifications

Stroller weight (frame + seat)

26.5 lbs

Frame weight only

17 lbs

Seat weight only

9.5 lbs

Unfolded dimensions

37.5″ L × 22.5″ W × 41.8″ H

Folded dimensions (with seat)

17.5″ L × 22.5″ W × 33″ H

Folded dimensions (without seat)

13.5″ L × 22.5″ W × 30″ H

Fold type

One-step trigger fold; footrest and bumper bar tuck in automatically; self-standing

Suitable from birth?

Yes — with included infant insert in lay-flat reclined seat + integrated foot barrier

Suitable without accessories?

From birth with infant insert; up to 50 lbs

Max child weight

50 lbs (approx. age 4–5)

Basket weight capacity

30 lbs — extra-large, easy-access

Seat orientation

Reversible: forward-facing or parent-facing

Seat recline positions

4 positions, one-hand adjustment; full lay-flat for sleep

Leg rest

Adjustable with one hand

Handlebar

Telescoping, one-hand height adjustment; REACH-certified leather grip

Suspension

Enhanced FlexRide™ — all-wheel, frame-integrated for smooth city ride

Tires

Never-flat polyurethane; front wheel lock with visual indicator; reflective accents for low-light visibility

Canopy

UPF 50+ water-repellent; integrated sun shield; zip-out extension; mesh ventilation panels

Harness

5-point with magnetic buckle; infant-to-toddler tapered fit; no-rethread adjustment

Frame material

Durable aluminum; painted finish

Seat fabric

100% polyester; GREENGUARD® Gold certified; premium fabrics with leather details

Certifications

GREENGUARD® Gold; JPMA certified; REACH-certified leather

Warranty

3-year transferable

Included in box

Stroller, infant insert, bug shield, rain shield

 

Best For / Not For

Best For: First-time parents planning on one child, families who want a full-size premium push without a modular platform, parents building a UPPAbaby travel system with the Mesa or Aria infant car seat, elevator-building NYC residents, and anyone who needs a newborn-ready stroller without buying a separate bassinet. Also strong for parents who walk long distances daily and need a stroller that handles NYC sidewalks and park terrain comfortably.

Not For: Families planning to convert to a double stroller (choose the Vista V3 instead), parents in walkup buildings who need a carry-up stroller (the Joolz Aer2 is better for that), or parents who need an airplane-overhead-bin stroller. At 26.5 lbs it is a daily city stroller, not a travel stroller.

Available Colors & Pricing

Colors

Jake (black), Callum (blue), Greyson (charcoal), Evelyn, Julian, Owen, Savannah (white/grey), Ada — all $899.99

Frame options

Graphite or Carbon (matte) — matched per colorway

Availability

Most colors in stock at Babesta; allow 2–3 weeks for order fulfillment

 

Is it suitable for my baby's age?

Newborn (0–3 months)

Yes — seat reclines fully flat with included infant insert and integrated foot barrier for carriage mode. No separate bassinet required for newborn use (though the V3 Bassinet is available separately for maximum lie-flat comfort).

Infant (3–12 months)

Yes — seat reclined or semi-reclined, infant insert still in use, compatible with Mesa or Aria infant car seat for travel system use.

Toddler (1–4 years)

Yes — forward or parent-facing, 4-position one-hand recline, adjustable leg rest, magnetic harness, up to 50 lbs.

 

Is it good for NYC / city use?

Yes — the Cruz V3 is one of Babesta’s strongest recommendations for NYC parents who stroll daily. The Enhanced FlexRide suspension handles cracked sidewalks and dropped curbs better than most full-size strollers, and the never-flat tires mean no emergency trips to get a flat fixed mid-walk. The one-step fold is quick and intuitive; the footrest and bumper bar tuck in automatically so there are no extra steps when you’re managing a baby and a cab door at the same time.

The 22.5″ width is notably narrower than the Vista V3 (25.7″), which matters in NYC: restaurant aisles, elevator doors, and narrow hallway entries are all more manageable. The 30 lb basket is best-in-class for a single stroller and handles a full grocery bag without issue.

NYC note: The Cruz V3 folds compactly and self-stands, but it is not a subway-carry stroller. It works best for families with a car, a building elevator, or a ground-floor entrance. For subway-heavy days, many Cruz V3 families pair it with a lightweight like the Joolz Aer2.

 

Quick Comparison: Cruz V3 vs. Key Alternatives

Feature

Cruz V3

Vista V3

Joolz Aer2

Dragonfly

Weight

26.5 lbs

27.6 lbs

14.3 lbs

With seat 21.8 lbs; with bassinet 23.1lbs

Basket capacity

30 lbs

30 lbs

17.6 lbs

22 lbs; rear pocket 5lbs

Newborn-ready (no extra purchase)

Yes — incl. infant insert

No

Yes — incl. baby net

Yes when purchased with bassinet

Converts to double

No

Yes

No

No

Subway/walkup friendly

Manageable

Harder

Best in class

Good

 

Car Seat Compatibility

No adapter needed

UPPAbaby Mesa, UPPAbaby Aria

Adapter required (sold separately)

Clek, Cybex, Bugaboo x Nuna

Bassinet compatible?

Yes — UPPAbaby Cruz V3 Bassinet attaches directly; sold separately

 

What’s Included

       UPPAbaby Cruz V3 stroller frame

       Full-size reversible toddler seat with lay-flat recline

       Infant insert (for newborn use from birth)

       Bug shield

       Rain shield

       3-year transferable warranty

 

Optional Add-Ons Available at Babesta

       UPPAbaby Cruz V3 Bassinet — for full lie-flat newborn use; attaches directly without adapters (strongly recommended for 0–3 months)

       UPPAbaby Mesa Infant Car Seat — clicks in without adapters for instant travel system

       UPPAbaby Aria Infant Car Seat — clicks in without adapters

       Car seat adapters for Clek, Cybex, Bugaboo x Nuna, Chicco, Maxi-Cosi, Peg Perego (sold separately per brand)

       PiggyBack® Ride-Along Board — for an older sibling standing at the back

       Cozy Ganoosh — footmuff/sleeping bag for cold NYC winters

       Cup holder and parent organizer accessories

 

Babesta Pick — Why We Carry It

The Cruz V3 solves a problem that a lot of NYC first-time parents don’t anticipate: the other premium single strollers in this price range either require you to buy a separate bassinet for newborn use, or they’re so light that the ride quality suffers on cracked sidewalks. The Cruz V3 does neither. The included infant insert plus the lay-flat seat means you genuinely can take it home from the hospital. The FlexRide suspension means the push is smooth enough that you’ll want to keep strolling — which in NYC, where parents walk miles a day, is not a small thing.

We’ve also found that the magnetic harness buckle is one of those features that sounds like marketing until you’ve wrestled a squirming 18-month-old into a conventional buckle in the rain outside a restaurant. After that, you will never want a non-magnetic buckle again.

The one trade-off we are honest about: if there’s any chance you’ll want a double stroller, the Cruz V3 cannot convert. In that case, the Vista V3 at the same $899.99 price is the smarter long-term investment. But for the family that is confident in one child and wants the best single full-size stroller in the UPPAbaby lineup, the Cruz V3 is it.

 

Babesta Services on This Purchase

When you buy the Cruz V3 from Babesta, you get:

       Free in-store assembly and full stroller demo — we walk you through every fold, recline, and harness adjustment

       Home delivery below Canal Street NYC (assembled) and same-day courier delivery in NYC/Brooklyn (unassembled)

       Hold it until you’re ready — buy now, take delivery when baby arrives, no rush

       Price match guarantee — found it cheaper? We’ll match it

       Registry support — add the Cruz V3 and compatible accessories to your Babesta registry with expert guidance

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this stroller from birth without buying a bassinet?

Yes — the Cruz V3 is one of the only full-size strollers at this price point that is genuinely newborn-ready out of the box. The included infant insert, combined with the seat’s full lay-flat recline and integrated foot barrier, creates a carriage-mode position suitable from day one. That said, Babesta does recommend the separately sold UPPAbaby Cruz Bassinet for the first 3 months if you want true lie-flat comfort and a fully enclosed sleep environment.

What is the difference between the Cruz V3 and the Vista V3?

Both share the same FlexRide suspension, magnetic harness, canopy quality, and 30 lb basket. The key differences: the Cruz V3 is a single-only stroller (it cannot convert to a double), is 2 lbs lighter (26.5 vs. 27.6 lbs), and is 2.9″ narrower (22.8″ vs. 25.7″). The Vista V3 can expand to a double or triple stroller with accessories. If you might have a second child, choose the Vista V3. If you’re confident in one child and want a slightly lighter, narrower, more streamlined stroller, choose the Cruz V3. Babesta’s team can walk you through this decision in person.

Which infant car seats are compatible without adapters?

The UPPAbaby Mesa and UPPAbaby Aria click directly onto the Cruz V3 frame with no adapters needed, creating a seamless travel system. For Clek, Cybex, Bugaboo x Nuna, Chicco, Maxi-Cosi, and Peg Perego, brand-specific adapters are sold separately. Ask the Babesta team for the right adapter for your car seat brand.

Does the bassinet come included?

No — the UPPAbaby V3 Bassinet is sold separately. It attaches directly to the Cruz V3 frame without adapters. Babesta recommends it for the first 3 months, particularly for parents who want a dedicated sleep-safe lie-flat environment for their newborn.

Is it good for Central Park and outdoor walks?

Yes — the FlexRide suspension and never-flat tires handle grass, gravel, and mixed terrain well for everyday park use. The Cruz V3 is not a jogging stroller. For trail or beach use, stick to paved or packed surfaces.

Can I try it in person?

Yes — the Cruz V3 is on the floor at Babesta Tribeca, 56 Warren Street. Our team will walk you through the fold, the infant insert setup, the recline positions, and — if relevant — the side-by-side difference with the Vista V3 so you can decide between them confidently.

Can I put this on my baby registry?

Yes — the Cruz V3 is a top registry pick at Babesta. A Babesta registry comes with exclusive perks and services, and our team can advise on which accessories to register for from day one versus which ones to wait on based on your lifestyle.

Does it fit through a standard NYC doorway?

Yes — at 22.8″ wide, the Cruz V3 passes through standard 28″–32″ interior doorways, elevator doors, and most restaurant and retail aisles without issue. It is one of the narrower full-size strollers in its class.

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K
Verified Purchase
K Edward
Omaha, 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
B
Verified Purchase
Brad
Chelsea, 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
L
Verified Purchase
Lavid
Lake Worth, 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
R
Verified Purchase
Rick Watts
Natrona Heights, 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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Victoria
Charlottesville, US
★★★★★ 5
Not just for leaders
Format: Paperback
Even though this book is geared towards Catholic leaders and I’m not in a management/leadership role, I found the discussion of the temptation of fame, power, and relevance so applicable. It cut to my core. I think we all wrestle with those temptations in some way or another. Definitely one to read again and again!
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Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2023

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