Combining education and practice, Ruth Haley Barton and the Transforming Center team are offering an Online Oasis — live online learning events about topics that are important for the spiritual health of leaders. As trained spiritual director, and retreat leader, Ruth is able to create an oasis in the midst of your week. These gatherings are designed to nourish and replenish the soul of your leadership.
Beyond Random and Haphazard Approaches: Spiritual Transformation in Your Community
Join Ruth Haley Barton and the Transforming Center Team
September 30, 2026
12:00–1:30 pm CDT
Cost: $49
Transforming communities do not happen by accident.
They are cultivated by pastors, priests, and spiritual leaders who have a clear vision for the kind of community God is calling them to lead—and who are willing to be wise and intentional about what that formation requires.
Too often, our approaches to spiritual transformation are random and haphazard: a meaningful retreat here, a new practice there, a program added when a need arises. These efforts may be valuable, but disconnected activities alone rarely create a community that is continually opening itself to God’s transforming work.
What does it take to move beyond isolated efforts toward a more intentional approach to spiritual transformation?
In this Online Oasis, Ruth Haley Barton will draw from her new book, Leading a Transforming Community, to explore the foundations, practices, and strategies that help whole communities become more available to God’s transforming presence and activity.
In this Online Oasis we will:
- Explore the foundations that support spiritual transformation in community
- Consider practices that help individuals and communities remain open to God’s transforming work
- Identify intentional strategies for moving beyond disconnected programs and activities
- Reflect on the role of the leader in cultivating a transforming community
If you long to lead your community towards spiritual transformation, register today!
Online Oasis 2026 Schedule
Cost: $49 per person with group rates available for teams. Includes recording of event.
- We Can Talk About Hard Things
April 29, 2026
12-1:30pm CST - Leading A Transforming Community
September 30, 2026
12-1:30pm CDT - Making Room for Advent
December 2, 2026
12-1:30pm CST
Past Online Oasis Events
Recordings of past events are available for purchase. Click the button below to learn about and access past event recordings.
FAQs
Combining education and practice, Ruth Haley Barton and the Transforming Center team are offering an Online Oasis — live online learning events about topics that are important for the spiritual health of leaders. As a trained spiritual director and retreat leader, Ruth is able to create an oasis in the midst of your busy lives. Each gathering is designed to nourish and replenish the soul of your leadership.
Our Online Oases are available for all. Our content is relevant for any Christian who wants to grow in spiritual formation and leadership - clergy, laity, coaches, non-profit leaders, and anyone who enjoys learning and encountering God.
Yes! We encourage you to ask Ruth and any presenter a question that will serve both you and the larger community that is gathered. We will remind you during the Oasis to use the Q&A feature in Zoom to ask your questions. While we can’t answer every question, we do our best to ensure that many voices are heard throughout the Q&A session.
Typically yes; the Online Oasis will be recorded and all registered participants will receive a link to view the recording, usually the same day of the event. We encourage you to register before the day of the event so that if there are any issues with registering, we can assist you.
Occasionally, we may offer a free or live-only Online Oasis. In these cases, we will indicate up front if the recording will be available after the event.
The recording is available only to those who have registered and paid for the content. The link we share with you provides access to exclusive content that has been paid for. Please do not share this link with others, as it is intended for your use only. Your understanding and respect in this matter is greatly appreciated!
We do our best to share the names of all resources (books, poems, sites, etc.) in the followup email with the recording. When slide presentations are used, we will include them as well.
You should have received an email with the subject line: “Registration Confirmation | Online Oasis with Ruth Haley Barton” which had your receipt and the Zoom information. Please check your spam folder and reach out to hello@transformingcenter.org if you still cannot find it.
Yes! Past recordings are available for purchase here.
Email hello@transformingcenter.org and we will do our best to help you. Each Online Oasis opens 15 minutes before the start time, so we encourage you to log in a little early in case there are technological issues.
Groups of 3-5 attendees receive 20% off the registration fee, and groups of 6+ attendees receive 30% off. In the Online Oasis registration, please select the number of additional participants you would like to register. Please make sure to enter the names and emails of all group members so that each person receives a Zoom link.
Everyone that is registered will receive an email. If someone registers a group and provides an email for each person, everyone will receive the Zoom information the morning of the event. The person who paid for the group will receive the Zoom information with the receipt. We suggest saving the Zoom link so that it can be forwarded to others in the group if necessary (sometimes emails end up in the spam folder).