Posts by Transforming Center

We have been deep in theological waters in this season. In this episode  we are going to look at abandoning our false self through the lens of the Enneagram. This is not going to be a deep dive, but it is aligned with what the purpose of the enneagram – a tool to help us…

Episode 4 starts with some very good news if you are feeling trapped by your false self. This episode raises up some theological questions and Robert Mulholland’s perspective as a New Testament theologian. Good news for those who are struggling with being stuck. Maybe God is knocking. A rich episode that will challenge and encourage…

Ruth names it – this is the most convicting part of the book for any of us who are Christians – especially for Christian leaders. Steve and Ruth have different reasons it is difficult to acknowledge their religious false self. If anyone thought we were done with the attributes of the false self in the…

Ruth and Steve begin the second episode defining terms – expanding on Mulholland’s definition of the false self. A lot of what is happenings in churches is superficial tinkering, and the reality is that not everyone in the church is on the same journey. The Bible doesn’t call it the narrow way for nothing. Steve…

We are excited to be back with our first season of 2021. Ruth launches the season by connecting Robert Mulholland’s book, The Deeper Journey with the season of Lent and discussing the Examen and leadership. Is the goal of the Christian life to become like Christ? Listen to the first episode to find out the…

We are excited to be back with our first season of 2021. Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Wiens will be walking through Robert Mulholland’s book, The Deeper Journey. If you would like to read along with this podcast season you can purchase Mulholland’s book at your favorite place to buy books or visit our online store. Support…

Join Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins for spiritual encouragement based on this year’s Advent Reflections (Cycle B) with an episode for each week of Advent. This podcast season is designed to help leaders (and everyone) carve out time to make Advent a season of transformation. If you would like to make listening to the scriptures each day…

Join Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins for spiritual encouragement based on this year’s Advent Reflections (Cycle B) with an episode for each week of Advent. This podcast season is designed to help leaders (and everyone) carve out time to make Advent a season of transformation. If you would like to make listening to the scriptures each day…

Join Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins are definitely keepin’ it real. Listen and discover what is so far in the rear view mirror for Ruth. Based on this year’s Advent Reflections (Cycle B), this podcast season is designed to help leaders (and everyone) carve out time to make Advent a season of transformation. If you would like to…

Join Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins for spiritual encouragement based on this year’s Advent Reflections (Cycle B) with an episode for each week of Advent. This podcast season is designed to help leaders (and everyone) carve out time to make Advent a season of transformation. If you would like to make listening to the scriptures each day…

Happy New Year! Advent marks the beginning of the church year. Join Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins for spiritual encouragement based on this year’s Advent Reflections (Cycle B) with an episode for each week of Advent. This podcast season is designed to help leaders (and everyone) carve out time to make Advent a season of transformation. If…

There is a tension between personal holiness and social holiness. This last episode is a helpful conclusion to the season and serves to protect us from dangers on the spiritual journey, and sadly, once again Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins have to deal with the issue of control. There are some radical demands of…

What is the body of Christ? If you think it is only the church little “c” you will want to listen to this episode. Frustrated with your local church? Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins have some bad news for you and it will likely surprise you. Join them for an expanding conversation about corporate…

We jump into the deep weeds in episode 8 and begin with a paradox and Romans 8:10. Note there is a dead body in this episode, and neither Ruth Haley Barton or Steve Weins want to talk about it. In Mulholland’s work, he talks about silence, solitude and prayer as postures and not just practices…

We begin this episode by redeeming the word “disciplines” by offering up the word “practices” and looking at disciplines through the lens of desire and about opening ourselves up to God, reminding us that we are not in charge of our spiritual journey. Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins discuss four practices: prayer, spiritual readings,…

In this episode, Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins move to looking at the four classic Christian stages of spiritual journey – awakening, purgation, illumination, union. Mulholland makes a valuable contribution to our understanding with five aspects of purgation. Steve and Ruth discuss current events and why we shouldn’t shy away from the sin of…

Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins continue their discussion of holistic spirituality, and they finish their discussion of the personality types. You will want to catch Part 1 to fill out the discussion. SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES You can also access podcast on Google Play or Stitcher. Listen to other episodes from Season 10 Access past…

What is Holistic Spirituality? How does one nurture the whole person along with answering this question: What does love require of me? Because insisting on “being myself” is really not holistic spirituality. Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins discuss both the positive and negative expressions of each of the Myers-Briggs personality types. SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES…

Listen in to learn what creation gifts are and how they relate to our spiritual journey. Make no mistake, this journey is not about self actualization. Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Wiens discuss why Mulholland uses Myers-Briggs. A relevant conversation in a time when the Enneagram is overhyped. SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES You can also access…

Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Wiens continue their conversation about the road map of spiritual formation and discuss what it means to be transformed into the image of Christ. Confirmed to the image of Christ does not mean we are trying to copy Christ, because when we try to copy someone we are not being…

When the student is ready the teacher appears. Ruth begins by sharing the story of her friendship with Bob Mulholland and how the Transforming Center has come to stewards some of his works. As always, we start with definitions and Bob’s definition in Ruth’s estimation is the greatest and full of grace! Self compassion and…

In this season Ruth and her conversation partner, Steve Weins, discuss one of Dr. M. Robert Mulholland, Jr.’s most important works, Invitation to a Journey. In each episode Steve and Ruth engage in a lively discussion of Mulholland’s profoundly biblical road map for spiritual formation. SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES You can also access podcast on Google Play or…

What is spiritual transformation—really? How can we move from the false self to the true self in Christ? Is it possible to talk about sin without being judgmental? What is the relationship between personal spiritual formation and our mission in the world? Listen in as Robert Mulholland and Ruth Haley Barton discuss these questions and…

What happens when you record a podcast and the lawn service is working very hard outside your window? Find out on today’s podcast! We will also discuss the integration of psychology and spirituality – an important topic for spiritual leaders. Leaders can fall into the trap of over spiritualizing in order to avoid doing the…

Ruth is joined by Aaron Niequest long-time friend (alumn of TC9) who has also served as worship leader in some Transforming Community® communities. Ruth and Aaron have a rich discussion about practice based faith and worship. Since they both were raised in the Plymouth Brethren tradition, they share what they believe is the best contribution this…

Church leaders seldom crash and burn because they fail at preaching or ministering. Christian leaders often burn out because they don’t know how to manage themselves and what they’re experiencing. In the second episode of a two-part conversation we lay the groundwork for understanding how human relationships work and our part in those relationships referencing the eight concepts…

Church leaders seldom crash and burn because they fail at preaching or ministering. Christian leaders often burn out because they don’t know how to manage themselves and what they’re experiencing. In the first episode of a two-part conversation we lay the groundwork for understanding how human relationships work and our part in those relationships referencing the eight concepts…

A great conversation with long-time friend Steve Wiens, pastor of Genesis Covenant Church, about sexuality and gender that will surprisingly leave you encouraged. Ruth defines spirituality, sexuality, sex, gender and asks the question: How can we redeem our sexuality?  We need to do the work of #metoo #churchtoo, but there is hope on the other…

A conversation for those who have money and those who feel they don’t have enough money. Our relationship with money reveals what we are placing our trust in. Sadly even in most Christian families there is a disconnect between our spiritual life and money. In episode 4 Ruth is joined by Todd Harper, President of Generous…

The third-part of Ruth’s conversation with author Fr. Ronald Rolheiser is a thought provoking discussion of  the third stage of discipleship – giving our deaths away. How can we give something deep in our passivity like Jesus did in his passion? A fascinating dialogue about dying and the spiritual journey.  Ruth shares with us what her mother taught her…

“The human soul is like a fine wine that needs to ferment in various barrels as it ages and mellows…Growing up and maturing is precisely a process of fermentation.  It does not happen easily, without effort and without breakdown.  But it happens almost despite us, because such is the effect of a conspiracy between God…

“The human soul is like a fine wine that needs to ferment in various barrels as it ages and mellows…Growing up and maturing is precisely a process of fermentation.  It does not happen easily, without effort and without breakdown.  But it happens almost despite us, because such is the effect of a conspiracy between God…

Join us for this series of Advent and Christmastide reflections. The seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by entering into these seasons we experience the deeper dynamics and rhythms of the spiritual life by walking closely with Jesus and learning…

Join us for this series of Advent and Christmastide reflections. The seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by entering into these seasons we experience the deeper dynamics and rhythms of the spiritual life by walking closely with Jesus and learning…

Join us for this series of Advent and Christmastide reflections. The seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by entering into these seasons we experience the deeper dynamics and rhythms of the spiritual life by walking closely with Jesus and learning…

Join us for this series of Advent and Christmastide reflections. The seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by entering into these seasons we experience the deeper dynamics and rhythms of the spiritual life by walking closely with Jesus and learning…

Join us for this series of Advent and Christmastide reflections. The seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by entering into these seasons we experience the deeper dynamics and rhythms of the spiritual life by walking closely with Jesus and learning…

The seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by entering into these seasons we experience the deeper dynamics and rhythms of the spiritual life by walking closely with Jesus and learning from him as we go. In the last episode of…

The seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by entering into these seasons we experience the deeper dynamics and rhythms of the spiritual life by walking closely with Jesus and learning from him as we go. In this season of the…

The seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by entering into these seasons we experience the deeper dynamics and rhythms of the spiritual life by walking closely with Jesus and learning from him as we go. In this season of the…

The seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by entering into these seasons we experience the deeper dynamics and rhythms of the spiritual life by walking closely with Jesus and learning from him as we go. In this season of the…