Posts by Transforming Center

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…

We received such a great response to the practices and moments of quiet reflection that we included in our most recent episodes that we decided to do the same thing with Lent. The seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by…

We received such a great response to the practices and moments of quiet reflection that we included in our most recent episodes that we decided to do the same thing with Lent. The seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by…

We received such a great response to the practices and moments of quiet reflection that we included in our most recent episodes that we decided to do the same thing with Lent. The seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by…

Ruth begins by sharing just how important the rhythm of retreat has been for her life. What is the one thing that must be present in a retreat center. Ruth shares about the lifting power of retreat and why you don’t pull up the plant to see if the roots are growing. Now it is…

How do we return from retreat? In this episode we get some much needed counsel and a little help from Aslan. Ruth gives very practical advice on how to return home after a retreat. Are you a blurter? Some warning about sharing your retreat experience. SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES You can also access podcast on Google…

Is it really possible? We begin by dealing with Steve’s resistance to the chapter title. Steve might or might not be having an existential crisis. Are you the responsible one? Maybe you can start with considering where you do have freedom. What are disordered and ordered attachments and how does it relate to spiritual freedom? Ruth…

Often time on retreat there is sadness that takes one by surprise. Who do I want to be and how do I want to live so I can be who I want to be are important questions for recalibrating on retreat. What is the question Jesus wants to be with us on retreat? Jesus wants…

If you have gotten this far and are still wondering if a retreat is a necessary practice, we knock it out of the park with discussing Jesus’ pattern of retreat. Jesus utilizes retreat for discernment even though he knew everything. Ruth shares three categories of discernment that can be practiced on retreat. Settle the crazy…

We start with defining what is meant by false self patterns and where it fits into our spiritual journey. Ruth shares her perspective on the current popularity of the Enneagram right now. Just noticing is an important part of the journey of relinquishing. The good news is there are spiritual practices for each number on…

Steve has control issues even if surrender is one of the major movements of the spiritual life. Retreat is a powerful tool to practice surrender. Could your absence from those you love while on retreat be a ministry? Ruth discusses the ministry of absence. Ruth also shares a personal story about her daughter, and how…

Fixed hour of prayer. It is as simple as praying at fixed hours of the day. It is about reorienting ourselves to God. Ruth shares the four prayer movements that are used in the Transforming Community experience at the Transforming Center. Whether this is new or you have written this practice off as too rote,…

Human beings are made with rhythms and for rhythms. A beautiful conversation ensues about the beauty of rhythms and how to find and recognize rhythms. In the Christian tradition tears are always a gift. Ruth provides a great encouragement to let the tears come. We end this episode sharing the story of Kevin and how…

Are you living out of external expectations instead of God’s calling on your life? Learn more about common sources of exhaustion. Could it be that our desire to serve is more about staying in control? Ruth names some of her own sources of exhaustion. Go deeper with this content and purchase Ruth’s newest book, Invitation…

Too busy? When is the best time to go on retreat? Join Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Wiens for episode 2, and don’t forget your pillow. A great discussion about how technology has caused many of us to feel we can never do enough to feel like we’ve done enough. Listen and discover how to…

Why did Ruth write another book? How does it relate to Invitation to Solitude and Silence? We start with a delicious word – invitation. Ruth moves in to define our terms and discuss how retreat has been compromised in our culture. Ruth and Steve even discuss who should go on retreat. Lets reclaim the word…

Why does Ruth end a book on silence and solitude with a chapter on for sake of others? Listen to find out. Ruth describes her own journey of moving out of silence and solitude and how it transformed her interaction with teenagers. A great discussion of words and why silence and solitude are important for…

Why does Elijah say the same things again? We expect Elijah’s experience of God’s presence to transform him, but there is a comforting interpretation of this passage. The good news: we don’t have to beg God for guidance. He is our shepherd and wants to guide. A great conversation ensues around how silence and solitude…

We begin this episode with a quick review of the story of Elijah. There is a payoff to waiting, and not running away.  God is becoming Elijah’s ultimate orienting reality. Entering a silence that is not empty but full of God’s presence. Good news, God is a much better parent than we ever could be.…

We are in the chaos with Elijah. In solitude and silence we feel the battle between the false self and the true self. Some of the most important questions emerge from the chaos. Ruth and Steve discuss what facing ourself really means and how our true self is hidden with Christ in God. This is…

It takes stamina to stay in silence and solitude. Why does God meet us in such vast emptiness? Ruth has a thought. There is great encouragement in Elijah’s journey and how long it took. Emptiness can be very lonely, yet you don’t have to go alone. It is good to have some human support and…

We have made it to the cave with Elijah and he is telling the whole truth. The good news is God can handle anything. Ruth shares about being in solitude and silence with gratitude and how restful and energizing it can be. What if we feel like God didn’t show up? Ruth has some advice. Faithfulness to these practices…

We are moving through this story slowly and it is good. At this point God asks Elijah a question. Allowing the mind rest into the heart is a helpful way to describe letting the mind rest without discounting the contribution of the mind. Ruth shares a personal example of resting and trusting God. We end…

What is not to like about the fact that God instructed Elijah to take not one but two naps? Why do we treat our body so poorly? Ruth and Steve discuss a powerful psalm to better understand the dynamic of silence and solitude. They also discuss how the daily examen can help us get in…

We pick up with the story of Elijah, and why it is important that he rested first. We talk about how to recognize being dangerously tired, with Ruth sharing some concrete examples. How does one surrender to exhaustion. We get into describing what sane rhythms look like, and we close by practicing again. Subscribe on…

Our lives are not in danger like Elijahs, but we all have to face resistance. If you feel the push pull, then this is likely a signal God is at work.  How do we push through our fear? What if we are afraid God will not show up? It is good to know our own baggage.…

Learning to be present with God alone – where do we begin? How do we get to the point where we recognize that what needs done in our lives only God can do? We define our terms in this episode – what is silence and what is solitude? Steve is already overachieving, Ruth encourages people…

Learning to be present with God alone – where do we begin? How do we get to the point where we recognize that what needs done in our lives only God can do? We define our terms in this episode – what is silence and what is solitude? Steve is already overachieving, Ruth encourages people…

In Season 5: Invitation to Solitude and Silence, Steve Wiens and Ruth Haley Barton will walk through Ruth’s book by the same name. Join us for a rich conversation, and grab a copy of the book to take a deeper dive into solitude and silence. Episode 1: Beyond Words finds us walking with Elijah in…

This episode begins with a discussion of the kind of lonineless that is probably the hardest for a spiritual leader – when we feel God is against us. Moses’ story in Exodus 33 has a lot to teach us. If you have ever doubted God’s goodness to you because of the personal cost of ministry…

Episode 8 highlights God’s faithfulness in meeting us in the loneliness of our leadership and how that leads to discerning together. We do an overview of corporate leadership discernment (All of Season 3 is devoted to the topic) and end with the conclusion to the story Ruth began in Episode 4 of this season. Ruth…

Leadership opens leaders up to a whole world of pain. Moses is such a great leader because he always brings the difficulties people brought to God. You don’t hear much about the role of intercession in leadership circles. A rich discussion of differentiation and its importance in leadership ensues. Ruth shares how she makes intercession…

The story of Moses and Jethro brings us right into the topic of sane rhythms in the life of the leader. What are the signs we are dangerously tired? What is the role of technology in all that! You won’t believe what Ruth does not have on her iPhone. Everyone is dealing with pace of…

In this episode Ruth and Steve start looking at the implications of the leadership journey, and how to guide others on their spiritual journey. Ruth makes a distinction between first half of life leaders and second half of life leader – looking at suffering and experiencing an internal death which leads to inner authority. Great…

This episode begins a bit differently. Instead of starting with the biblical story (Moses) Steve dives in and turns the table on Ruth, asking her about her own calling and what it looks like right now. Steve and Ruth talk about the fatal question, and a great discussion proceeds out of understanding the difference between…

Don’t wait till you’re headed into a collision to recognize the need to pay attention. Ruth shares a funny, but sobering example. In this episode Ruth and Steve discuss practices to help leaders pay attention to their life in leadership, and you will find encouragement in Steve’s faith building experience of learning to page attention…

Ruth and Steve jump right into the story of Moses and we learn why he is such a great guide for those who are in leadership. Ruth and Steve explore some of the common family of origin issues that tend to negatively affect a leader’s life. And Ruth will guide you in finding your own…

It was 10 years ago that Strengthening the Soul of your Leadership was published by InterVarsity Press. Last year we launched this podcast by the same name, and this year to celebrate the 10th anniversary InterVarsity released an expanded edition with a group experience and an assessment tool (check it out). Ruth and Steve will…

Last episode of Season 3. Are you still listening? Listening is a huge part of corporate leadership discernment. Ruth points out the role of listening in the discernment process in Act 15. Leaders are often poor listeners and there are some helpful practices around becoming better listeners and guidance for noticing without judging. Ruth and…

This episode begins with a discussion of why sailing is such a beautiful metaphor for discernment. In this episode Ruth and Steve delve into what helps groups cross the threshold from decision-making to discernment. The prayer of indifference might be new, but it is deeply biblical and Ruth explains its role in discernment. How do…

We are seven episodes in and we haven’t yet talked about the practice of discerning together. Everyone knows that it doesn’t go well when you paint a room and skip the prep work. Ruth shares why the prep work is so important to corporate leadership discernment. The running joke through this season crops up again…

The truth is, sadly, that many have lost faith that a community can be a safe place. How many leadership teams talk about love in the context of leadership? Ruth gives wonderful examples of the practices born out of the values important to the Transforming Center. Steve shares how it can all become derailed by…

What is the first thing that goes when a leadership team gets busy? Does community mean two hours of checking in about how the kids and grandkids are doing? Ruth and Steve have a rich conversation about values and practices that helps us live together as a leadership community. The good news is that values…