Lent Resources for Spiritual Leaders
Many of us as pastors and ministry leaders are at this very moment preparing to guide others into this most significant season of the church year. One of the great temptations of life in leadership is that we become so focused on leading others—it is our job, after all!—that we cease entering into these seasons of transformation for ourselves. We put off paying attention to the places where God is calling us to the rigors of self-examination and repentance.
There is no doubt that Lent requires something of us. But there can be no feasting without fasting. Entering into the Lenten discipline of giving up something in order to create more space for prayer is the fast that prepares us to fully enjoy the Feast of the Resurrection. My prayer is that part of your preparation would be to consider your own Lenten disciplines and bravely ask God, “How can I return to God with all my heart? Where have I gotten distracted or become distant from God as my first love? Have can I return to wholeness, to the version of myself that is most authentic, true and holy?”
Let us approach Lent, then, as an opportunity, not a requirement. Let us approach it as a joyful season. “After all, it is meant to lead us into the church’s Springtime, a time when out of the darkness of sin’s winter, a repentant empowered people emerges.” (Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter)
Journey with us through Lent
Lent is just around the corner, and we are invited to enter this season as an opportunity to face more bravely the complexity of the human struggle for authentic transformation through greater surrender to God. If you missed our Lent Online Oasis, you can purchase the recording to receive guidance from Ruth on bringing more intention into your Lenten journey.
Purchase the recording and receive weekly reflections written by Ruth Haley Barton.
This digital resource, Lent: A Season of Returning, by Ruth Haley Barton includes weekly reflections. Each week focuses on the disciplines associated with Lent including:
- Solitude/Retreat
- Self–Denial
- Repentance
- Confession
- Walking with Christ in his suffering
New podcast season
To further support your journey, we are launching a new season of the Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast entitled, “Tarry with Me Awhile: Learnings from the Black Church.” We will use Dr. Selina Stone’s book, Tarry Awhile: Wisdom from Black Spirituality for People of Faith, as a guide.
Black spirituality has much to offer us in understanding the practice of tarrying as a Lenten practice. Together we will seek a deeper understanding of waiting on God in the liminal space—where the resurrection feels far off, and our deaths and suffering are present.
The first episode drops on March 5. Listen to weekly episodes for wherever you listen to podcasts.
Podcast Patrons receive bonus episodes highlighting the spiritual disciplines associated with Lent.
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Receive 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.