Updates
Sponsorship – Giving the Gift of Transforming Community
Words from those who have sponsored people to be in Transforming Community… To inspire those considering sponsorship as a way of “paying it forward”, would you briefly share what compelled you to act with such generosity towards someone longing to be in Transforming Community? Comment below, if you prefer to remain anonymous just write anonymous…
Read MoreSponsorship – Receiving the Gift of Transforming Community
Words from those who have been sponsored in Transforming Community… If you received financial assistance making it possible for you to join a Transforming Community, please share what the gift of sponsorship or scholarship meant to you and the impact that this community experience has had on your life and in your ministry. Use the…
Read MoreSponsor someone in our an upcoming Transforming Community
We are continuing to cultivate the Transforming Community experience with younger leaders in mind. Our hope is that one half of the communities will represent the “next generation” of pastors, artists, organizers, influencers, writers, investors and teachers. We are welcoming men and women in their 30’s and 40’s who desire to be in God for…
Read MoreChristmastide: Love Incarnate, Love Divine
Special music for a special time of year:
Read MoreEarn credit towards a Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Spiritual Direction
The Transforming Center has established an exciting partnership with the Richmont Graduate University, located on campuses in Atlanta and Chattanooga, Tennessee. The partnership is aligned with the Transforming Center’s mission to create space for God to strengthen leaders and transform communities. Richmont’s School of Ministry prepares men and women to fulfill God’s call to transformational…
Read MoreThe Alumni Retreat: “We don’t know what to do with power.”
At a recent staff meeting of the Transforming Center, Ruth shared about an energizing conversation she had recently with Gary Haugen in preparation for our upcoming Alumni Retreat. In addition to the important topics they had already planned, together they agreed to create space for the hard conversation about the misuse of power in Christian…
Read MoreMerry Christmas
Special music for a special time of year:
Read MoreChampioning a new reality for the body of Christ and its leaders
Your gift creates “ripples of transformation” in our communities and beyond. When people allow God to work in and through their lives ‘from the center out’ they are leading from the strength and wisdom of a transforming soul. One way to reflect on the impact of Jesus’ birth during the season of Advent is to…
Read MoreA Bold New Vision and $30,000 Match Opportunity
It has been a thrilling three months since I stepped into the role of Chief Operations Officer. A bold new vision, moving our retreats to a new venue, six retreats, a cross-country move, a trip to Kenya, and contractors still at work in our new home have created a sense of excitement! All that God…
Read MoreExpanded Edition Now Available: Strengthen the Soul of your Team!
The expanded edition of the best selling InterVarsity Press book, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, includes guidance for reflecting together on the soul of your leadership. This Transforming Resource also includes the popular “How Is It with Your Soul?” assessment for leaders and a new compelling forward by Gary Haugen, International Justice Mission. Order before May 31st and receive these book…
Read MoreTransforming Center Welcomes Rob Kastens as COO
The Transforming Center is thrilled to announce that, through a long and grace-filled process of discernment, Rob Kastens has agreed to join us as Chief Operations Officer beginning in mid-February. Working in close partnership with founder Ruth Haley Barton and the Transforming Center board, Rob will provide day-to-day leadership for staff along with strategic leadership…
Read MoreMerry Christmas
Equipping and Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders
Dear Friend, When a few of us started meeting together fifteen years ago to attend to our own spiritual formation as leaders, it would have been impossible to imagine all the Lord would eventually do. We began gathering on retreat not to start a ministry—but to survive and thrive ourselves. Now I can hardly believe…
Read MoreAdvent: Leaders in Waiting
Lectionary Readings for the first week of Advent: Isaiah 64:1-9; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:24-37 Click for complete Advent calendar (CycleB) and guidance on using the lectionary. “No one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those who wait for him.” Isaiah…
Read MoreEarn academic credit through our partnership with Sioux Falls Seminary
Earn academic credit while participating in a Transforming Community® We are pleased to announce that the Transforming Center has formed a partnership with Sioux Falls Seminary, located in Sioux Falls, SD. Through the Kairos Project, an alternative educational track, participants in a Transforming Community® can fully integrate their transforming leadership journey with one of several…
Read MoreIn memory of David Strieff: A charming and righteous man
David Hall Strieff, 69, died peacefully but too soon on June 5th due to complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. He was born in Harvey, IL, and graduated from Glenbard West and Coe College. A loving father and grandfather, he loved providing opportunities to enjoy the beaches of Sanibel, or a few days at Christmas in…
Read MoreHow do we build a bridge to the next generation of spiritual leaders?
Consider these statistics from Barna Group’s 2017 State of Pastors Project: The average age of Protestant senior pastors is 54, a decade older than 25 years ago, when the average age was 44. Today just one in seven pastors leading congregations is under 40. In the 1960s the majority of pastors were under 45. In…
Read MoreAll the Lord has Done: Sharing Stories of Transformation
“I have not hidden your saving help within my heart, I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness, from the great congregation.” Psalm 40:9 The practice of noticing Those of you who have been through a Transforming Community remember that on the last retreat there is a…
Read MoreTransforming leaders — may their tribe increase!
Dear Friend, It is hard to remember a time when the topic of leadership and character has been more pressing on our minds and hearts. The most oft-repeated sentiment I heard during the recent presidential election was some version of “Since I can’t vouch for either candidate’s character I am going to vote for their…
Read MoreCiri Situs Agen judi online dominoqq Terunggul Serta Dapat dipercaya
Ciri Situs Agen judi online dominoqq Terunggul Serta Dapat dipercaya! Kenal lebih dalam mengenai ciri situs agen judi online dominoqq terpercaya serta terbaik seharusnya Anda tahu dari saat ini. Buat membuat jadi lebih mudah jalannya permainan judi online yang Anda mainkan. Lantaran Anda mesti sanggup bermain lebih trampil serta sedikit kalah dalam permainan kedepannya. Serta…
Read MoreAlumni Survey: Is the Transforming Community experience transforming leaders?
We surveyed those who have completed the Transforming Community since 2001 and 85.5% indicated that the Transforming Community experience was very valuable and changed them in profound ways! No one indicated that the experience was neutral or not valuable. We received an excellent response rate to this alumni survey and are excited to share the results with you. The…
Read MoreThe M. Robert Mulholland Scholarship Fund
April 2016 We are pleased to announce that the board of the Transforming Center has created a scholarship fund for pastors and leaders in honor of Dr. M. Robert Mulholland, Jr. This fund provides financial support for clergy and non-profit leaders to participate in the Transforming Community®, a two-year experience of spiritual formation for leaders. “The establishment…
Read MoreDr. M. Robert Mulholland, Jr. 1936- 2015, honoring a beloved friend and teacher
Late last evening our beloved teacher and friend, Bob Mulholland, went to be with the Lord. We write this news with sadness — for his passing is a great loss to us — but also with gratitude for the significant friendship we shared with him in Christ. We have been privileged to walk with Bob…
Read MoreCelebrate with us on October 11
These are exciting days for the Transforming Center! We are finally moving into our newly renovated office space and are looking forward to sharing it with you—our good friends. As the process of rehabbing this 110 year old house has intensified and is now nearing completion, I have been surprised at how deeply moving (pardon the…
Read MoreCongratulations to 2015 Northern Seminary Graduates
Congratulations to eight Transforming Community alums who graduated from Northern Seminary on June 13, 2015 through our academic partnership with Northern Seminary. Wendy S. Cordova Doctor of Ministry Spiritual Transformation Emphasis BA, Gordon College, 1992 MDiv, Fuller Theological Seminary, 1999 Testimonial I am grateful for the growth that has taken place in my heart, life, and ministry since starting…
Read MoreLeadership that is Transforming or Deforming?
For the last few weeks I have been pondering what one journalist calls “The Painful Lessons of Mars Hill Church.” For those who may not be familiar, Mars Hill is a mega, multi-site church in Seattle whose high profile pastor, Mark Driscoll, resigned in October amid “an avalanche of allegations, ranging from charges of bullying, to…
Read More5 Christmas Gift Ideas for the people you love
Looking for something a bit unique for a special Christmas gift? Something you can’t buy anywhere else? This Christmas celebrate the coming of our Lord with some of these gift ideas from Transforming Resources. Most are exclusively available from the Transforming Center. Stocking stuffer – Christmastide: Music in Solitude CD. Our newest CD is a perfect companion…
Read MoreMinistry update and match gift opportunity
Out of 20 pastors who enter ministry, how many will stay in ministry until they retire? As a former pastor I would have guessed possibly 15, but probably 10. I was not prepared for the real answer—1! This sad reality is not so surprising if you listen to the news. Almost monthly we hear about a Christian leader…
Read MoreAn Invitation to Walk With Christ on Good Friday
Prayerfully walking through the stations of the cross is one way we can keep vigil with Christ during these holy days, and as a part of our Holy Week observance we are inviting you to keep vigil through our Stations of the Cross Prayer Guide. Traditionally, there are fourteen Stations of the Cross—most of them taken…
Read MoreIs this all there is?
IS THIS ALL THERE IS? This question unsettles us when it bubbles up inside us, especially when we ask it at church! In an online article written for Christianity Today entitled, “Is This All There Is?,” Fritz Liedtke dares to explore the question that makes church leaders squirm. Liedtke is not ungrateful for his faith…
Read MoreTransforming Center welcomes David Hughes as Executive Director
The Transforming Center is excited to announce that as of October 1, Rev. Dr. David Hughes has joined our team as full-time Executive Director! David’s commitment to the Transforming Center and his conviction about the significance of this ministry is deep and longstanding. He says, “I am convinced the Transforming Center is at the forefront…
Read MoreDune grass, pastors, and stability in the harsh conditions of today’s church and society
As we officially enter into the summer months, many of us start thinking about a trip to the beach! Having recently returned from a week on the shores of Lake Michigan, I am reminded once again of the beauty and environmental significance of dune grass. The Significance of Dune Grass Dune grass performs an essential function.…
Read MoreChristmas Praise
Lectionary readings for December 25, 2012: Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1: 1-4 (5-12); Luke 1:1-14
Read MoreHealing the Ailing Spirit
This last Wednesday the Transforming Center was featured on the Neighbor section of the Dupage County Daily Herald. To read the full article click here.
Read MoreResurrection Joy!
It was a joy to keep vigil with so many of you on Good Friday from around the world. We trust the Stations of the Cross Prayer Guide provided helpful guidance for walking the way of the cross with Christ. Please leave a message below or on our Facebook page letting us know what you…
Read MoreInterview with Ruth Haley Barton Regarding Sacred Rhythms
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