Posts by Transforming Center
Season 25: Episode 4 | Advent Week 4: An Invitation to Find God in Unexpected Places
In this final episode of the season, we are joined by none other than the author of Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent herself, Enuma Okoro!! Enuma joins Charity,…
Read MoreSeason 25: Episode 3 | Advent Week 3: An Invitation to the Wilderness
Charity, Jeff, and Colleen are joined this week by the Transforming Center’s ambassador and resident theologian, David Hughes. David brings a depth of wisdom and experience to this conversation. The…
Read MoreSeason 25: Episode 2 | Advent Week 2: An Invitation to Transformation in Seasons of Barrenness
Charity, Jeff, and Colleen are joined for the second week of Advent by the OG of the OGs, as far as the Transforming Center is concerned, Dalene Strieff! The episode…
Read MoreSeason 25: Episode 1 | Advent Week 1: An Invitation to a New Season in Advent
This season, as Advent falls on the heels of a contentious election season here in America and amidst the reality of war and violence around the world, we here at…
Read MoreSeason 24: Episode 8 | Wrestling with the Cross: What does the Atonement Really Mean?
In today’s episode, Ruth and guests Rev. Dr. Prince Rivers and Rev. Dr. David Hughes navigate the depths of the future of Christian spirituality through the lenses of the atonement.…
Read MoreSeason 24: Episode 7 | The Work of Justice: Restoring what has Been Lost, Repairing What has been Broken
In this episode, Ruth delves into the future of Christian spirituality as it pertains to the role of justice. Joined by her long-time friend and expert in reconciliation studies, Dr.…
Read MoreSeason 24: Episode 6 | Making Room: Welcoming the One Who is Strange to You
What does it mean to be welcoming and inclusive from a rooted depth, and how do we see the Holy Spirit nudging us towards this concept? Ruth is joined by…
Read MoreBONUS: Connecting the State of Our Politics and the State of Our Souls
We cannot ignore the current state of our politics and the toll it has taken on the American public. As we approach another election season we wanted to provide you…
Read MoreSeason 24: Episode 5 | Knocking on Heaven’s Door: A Spirituality that is Practice-Based
Is the Holy Spirit moving us towards a spirituality that is practice-based and practice-oriented rather than faith-based and belief-oriented? This week, Ruth and Fr. Michael Sparough sit down to discuss…
Read MoreSeason 24: Episode 4 | Reading in Color: Engaging Scripture Across Cultural Contexts
How is the Holy Spirit leading us to engage with scripture in new and fresh ways? That’s what Ruth and guest Esau McCaulley discuss this week. Esau shares about his…
Read MoreSeason 24: Episode 3 | Attending to the Spirit: The Gift of Spiritual Direction
If a greater understanding and awareness of our own desires is part of the future of Christian spirituality, then today’s topic, spiritual direction, is a necessary companion in that journey…
Read MoreSeason 24: Episode 2 | Understanding Our Complexity: The Role of Desire in the Spiritual Life
The future of Christian spirituality will be propelled by a greater understanding and respect for the role of desire and desperation in the spiritual life. That is Ruth’s belief and…
Read MoreSeason 24: Episode 1 | The Future of Christian Spirituality: Towards a More Unified Faith
Welcome to season 24! This season we are exploring the future of Christian spirituality. Based on her own experience and the lives of people she accompanies on the journey, Ruth…
Read MoreSeason 23: Episode 5 | The Head Center: Managing Our Relationship with Fear
Finally, we’ve arrived at the head center! Ruth and Erin will discuss the 5s, 6s, and 7s of this triad and their special relationship to fear. Erin and Ruth cover…
Read MoreSeason 23: Episode 4 | The Heart Center: Managing Our Relationship with Connection and Disconnection
It’s time for the heart center numbers! Ruth and Erin will discuss the 2s, 3s, and 4s of this triad and their special relationship to connection and disconnection. Erin breaks…
Read MoreSeason 23: Episode 3 | The Body Center: Managing Our Relationship with Anger
We are exploring the body triad this week! Containing the enneagram 8s, 9s, and 1s, these folks have to work to manage their relationship with anger. Ruth and Erin discuss…
Read MoreSeason 23: Episode 2 | Beyond the Basics, Beyond the Behaviors
In this episode, Ruth is joined by our guest this season, Erin Baute! Erin and Ruth discuss the three subtypes or instincts, how they show up in all of us…
Read MoreSeason 23: Episode 1 | It Was the Worst of Times: How the Enneagram Can Help Us Navigate a Troubled World
Welcome to season 23! This season we are using the framework of the enneagram, and in particular the ways the 3 instinctual subtypes impact each enneagram number, to help people…
Read MoreEaster Monday | Transforming Post-Resurrection Encounters with Jesus (A Replay)
We are revisiting last year’s Easter Monday episode because we found the reflections to still be so timely with the themes we discussed during this season of the podcast. We…
Read MoreSeason 22: Episode 7 | Walking With Jesus in His Suffering During Holy Week
In this special episode, Ruth wraps up our season on suffering and the formation of hope and ushers us into the last few days of Holy Week. Holy Week allows…
Read MoreSeason 22: Episode 6 | A Hope That Does Not Disappoint
This week concludes our conversations with Curt Thompson, MD. Ruth and Curt examine what makes for a safe community. Why is it important to experience places of tension, hurt, and…
Read MoreSeason 22: Episode 5 | This is Hard! The Role of Endurance in Forming a Durable Hope
How does endurance or perseverance fit into this process of having a durable hope formed in us? How do we know we are making progress in this endeavor? What do…
Read MoreSeason 22: Episode 4 | Hope in the Midst of Collective Suffering
This week we are taking a break from our conversations with Curt and his book The Deepest Place to talk about a different aspect of suffering: the communal, unmerited suffering…
Read MoreSeason 22: Episode 3 | What Does God’s Glory Have to Do With Our Suffering?
What does God’s glory have to do with our suffering? How do we wrestle with the crucifixion of Christ and the issue of atonement as it relates to suffering and…
Read MoreSeason 22: Episode 2 | Compassion and Curiosity: Attuning to Different Parts of our Suffering
In this episode, Ruth and Curt dive all the way into the deep end as they discuss attachment, attunement, and internal family systems. The pair also tackle the importance of…
Read MoreSeason 22: Episode 1 | What’s Suffering Got to Do With It (Our Transformation)?
What does suffering have to do with our transformation? That is the question Ruth and Curt explore this season on the podcast! In today’s episode, they discuss how the Christian…
Read MoreBONUS: Preparing for Lent | Fashioning Your Own Desert
Lent is upon us again. In this special bonus episode, Ruth shares her remarks from our recent live, virtual event designed to help us prepare for Lent. Lent is for…
Read MoreVisio Divina Guided Practice | Assumptions
We were so lucky to have Scott Erickson on the podcast this season! Not only did he share his wisdom and thoughtfulness, but he also shared his art and his…
Read MoreSeason 21: Honest Advent | Week 4: Where is God in the Unfolding?
We’ve reached the end of our Advent journey. Ruth, Scott, and Charity come together one last time to wonder where God is in the darkness, the unfolding, and the journey.…
Read MoreSeason 21: Honest Advent | Week 3: Where is God in My Humanity?
Ruth, Scott, and Charity continue their journey through Advent with a conversation around Scott’s pieces, Sacred and Mighty. With these images, they explore where God is in our humanity, in…
Read MoreSeason 21: Honest Advent | Week 2: Where is God in my Vulnerability?
This week, as Ruth, Scott, and Charity examine Scott’s “cover” of Sister Grace Remington’s beautiful painting Mary and Eve, they delve into womanhood, mothering, and the invitation to embrace vulnerability…
Read MoreSeason 21: Honest Advent | Week 1: Where is God in My Uncertainty?
As we mark the first week of Advent we are examining the Annunciation. How do we define a revelation and what does it expose in us? What does a revelation…
Read MoreSeason 21: Preparing for Advent: Honest Longings, Honest Questions
Advent is upon us again. This season, we’ve invited artist, author, and speaker Scott Erickson to join us. Transforming Center team member Charity McClure is also on the microphone. Together…
Read MoreSeason 20: Episode 7 | This is Fun, Y’all: The Joy and Hope of Transforming Worship
Ruth sits down with producer Colleen to wrap up season 20 of the podcast. They share their learnings and highlights from these conversations and Ruth answers a listener’s question about…
Read MoreLee Ann Thornton Memorial Fund
Lee Ann Waters Thornton, of Austin, Texas, died Thursday November 9, 2023 after a courageous seven-year battle with endometrial cancer. Lee Ann Thornton’s history tells a good story, but her…
Read MoreSeason 20: Episode 6 | What about my puppets? Beyond Programming to Worship that Changes Us
David, Charity, and Leo return with Ruth to continue their conversation from last week. In an episode that could have been titled, “Confessions of Professional Christians,” these four vulnerably and…
Read MoreSeason 20: Episode 5 | Worship on Earth as it is In Heaven: The Transforming Power of Diversity
We have a full house for today’s episode! Ruth and Rory are joined by David Bailey, Leo Ayala, and Charity McClure. Sunday morning continues to be the most segregated hour…
Read MoreSeason 20: Episode 4 | The Pain and the Promise of Communion
We’re back! This season we’re focusing on worship, particularly worship that is transformative. Our season long guest is Rory Noland and we will be working with his book, Transforming Worship:…
Read MoreSeason 20: Episode 3 | Re-thinking Sunday Mornings: Creating Space for God
We’re back! This season we’re focusing on worship, particularly worship that is transformative. Our season long guest is Rory Noland and we will be working with his book, Transforming Worship:…
Read MoreSeason 20: Episode 2 | Beyond Auto Pilot: Worship that is Spiritually Substantive
In today’s episode Aaron Niequist joins Ruth and Rory to discuss the practices that make up Transforming Worship. They discuss how Covid revealed just how little participation was required in…
Read MoreSeason 20: Episode 1 | Beyond the Frenzy: Worship that Transforms
We’re back! This season we’re focusing on worship, particularly worship that is transformative. Our season long guest is Rory Noland and we will be working with his book, Transforming Worship:…
Read MoreSpecial Mini-Episode: A State of the Podcast Announcement
Hello! We’re popping in the podcast feed with a little “State of the Podcast” announcement (don’t worry! It’s not ending!). Ruth gives a peak behind the curtain as to what…
Read MoreSeason 19: Easter Monday | Transforming Post-Resurrection Encounters with Jesus
He is Risen, indeed! Happy Easter Monday, friends. Today, Ruth helps us celebrate the Risen Christ with five stories of post-resurrection encounters with Jesus. In each story she helps us…
Read MoreSeason 19: Lent Week 6 | Lament: Saying No to Triumphalism
This season we are focusing on justice as an aspect of spiritual formation and we believe Lent to be the perfect season to explore this connection. Using A Just Passion:…
Read MoreSeason 19: Lent Week 5 | Communal Suffering: Can These Bones Live?
This season we are focusing on justice as an aspect of spiritual formation and we believe Lent to be the perfect season to explore this connection. Using A Just Passion:…
Read MoreSeason 19: Lent Week 4 | Opposing Violent Injustice: Bringing Light to the Darkest Places
This season we are focusing on justice as an aspect of spiritual formation and we believe Lent to be the perfect season to explore this connection. Using A Just Passion:…
Read MoreSeason 19: Lent Week 3 | The Work of Justice: Healing our Broken Ways
This season we are focusing on justice as an aspect of spiritual formation and we believe Lent to be the perfect season to explore this connection. Using A Just Passion:…
Read MoreSeason 19: Lent Week 2 | Colonialism and Christianity: Bible Translation as a Work of Justice
This season we are focusing on justice as an aspect of spiritual formation and we believe Lent to be the perfect season to explore this connection. Using A Just Passion:…
Read MoreSeason 19: Lent Week 1 | Confession: What We Have Done and What We Have Left Undone
This season we are focusing on justice as an aspect of spiritual formation and we believe Lent to be the perfect season to explore this connection. Using A Just Passion:…
Read MoreSeason 19: Ash Wednesday | Learning to Love What God Loves
This season we are focusing on justice as an aspect of spiritual formation and we believe Lent to be the perfect season to explore this connection. Using A Just Passion:…
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