Beyond Words®

Reflections on the Soul of Leadership

Written by Ruth Haley Barton, each reflection provides spiritual guidance and encouragement for those seeking to be in God for the world.

sunrise with two people silhouetted on a hill in the distance

It is the Lord!

By Transforming Center |

Happy Easter Monday, friends! Once again, Ruth invites us to celebrate the risen Jesus through five powerful post-resurrection encounters. We’ve reflected on these stories before, yet they continue to speak.…

a light cast shadows on step in the darkness

Staying Awake During Holy Week

By Ruth Haley Barton |

Lectionary readings and guidance on using the lectionary Monday of Holy Week (April 14, 2025): Isaiah 42:1-9, Psalm 36:5-11, Hebrews 9:11-15, John 12:1-11 “Stay together, friends, don’t scatter and sleep.…

Phil Jackson

What Happens After 30 Years of Being on Call 24/7/365

By Transforming Center |

Phil Jackson has served full time in urban ministry to youth for thirty years. He is currently a church planter and the lead…

Fall Garden

By Ruth Haley Barton |

In fall the garden is spent having given its all. Cucumber vines lie exhausted on the ground Tomato plants list…

Spiritual Direction (Part 2): A Key Practice for Transforming Leaders

By Ruth Haley Barton |

Part One of this eReflections series can be found here. “There is a temptation to think that spiritual direction is…

Spiritual Direction (Part 1): A Key Practice for Healthy Leaders

By Ruth Haley Barton |

Part Two of this eReflections series can be found here. “The whole purpose of spiritual direction is to penetrate beneath…

A Story from Transforming Community #4 by Gilbert and Lesley Smith

Sustained by the Rhythm of Retreat

By Gilbert and Lesley Smith |

Continuing the story of Transforming Community: Transforming Community 4  (TC4) continued to impact the greater sense of community as more spouses…

A Story from Transforming Community #4 by Vincent Rife

The Desert Blooms

By Reverend Vincent Rife |

Continuing the story of Transforming Community: Transforming Community 4 (TC4)  continued to impact the greater sense of community as more spouses of…

Charlottesville

The Darkness of Indifference

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it’s indifference.  The opposite…

Becoming a Transforming Church retreat

On the Road to Becoming a Transforming Church

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“Nondiscipleship is the elephant in the church.”  – Dallas Willard Oak Hills Church was founded in 1984 with seventeen people in…

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Pay attention to the soul of your leadership with a FREE series written by Ruth Haley Barton

  • Reflections written for spiritual leaders delivered over 4 weeks each Saturday morning
  • Includes guidance to listen to what your soul wants to say to God and what God wants to say to your soul
  • Every reflection includes a recording by Ruth that goes deeper into topic.
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