Beyond Words®

Reflections on the Soul of Leadership

Written by Ruth Haley Barton, each reflection provides spiritual guidance and encouragement for those seeking to be in God for the world.

Becoming More

The Future of Christian Spirituality: Part 3 | A Spirituality that is Practice-Oriented and Practice-Based

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“We do not know God by thinking, but by encountering.” –John of the Cross As my director and I transitioned into a new kind of relationship I was still thinking…

Becoming More

The Future of Christian Spirituality: Part 2 | The Charism and Practice of Spiritual Direction

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“A spiritual director is one who helps another recognize and follow the inspirations of grace in his life, in order to arrive at the end to which God is leading…

Graphic illustration of a winding path heading towards a mountain chain with stars above in the night sky.

You are Made for More

By Ruth Haley Barton |

We’re made for more. And yet, the road between where we are and where we want to go can feel…

Advent: Waiting for the Light

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“God comes to us like the sun in the morning—when it is time.”—Carlo Carretto, The God Who Comes My favorite…

red and yellow flower growing next to a rusty beam

Finding Freedom Through Sabbath Resistance

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“If you aren’t resting, you are a slave to something.” – Adele Calhoun We tend to think of sabbath as…

sun beams bursting through dark clouds

Waking Up to the Gift of Sabbath

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“God gave us the Sabbath. Jesus taught us that we weren’t made for the Sabbath but that Sabbath was made…

Is This All There Is?

By Fritz Liedtke |

Dear Church, First of all: Thank you. Thank you for the gift of life. I grew up in you as…

Juneteenth: Celebrating the Good News of Freedom

By Transforming Center |

Where the Spirit of the Lord there is freedom. II Corinthians 3:17  Today as we mark the Juneteenth national holiday,…

A variety of different doors collaged together

Even When the Doors are Shut: Encountering the Risen Christ

By Ruth Haley Barton |

My favorite thing about the Easter story—aside from the resurrection itself—is reading the stories about Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances and how…

The Practice of Keeping Vigil

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“Who can stay awake in this night of God? Who will not be as if paralyzed by it? Christ’s struggle…

FREE RESOURCE

Pay attention to the soul of your leadership with a FREE series written by Ruth Haley Barton

  • Reflections written for spiritual leaders delivered over 4 weeks each Saturday morning
  • Includes guidance to listen to what your soul wants to say to God and what God wants to say to your soul
  • Every reflection includes a recording by Ruth that goes deeper into topic.
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