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.

Epiphany – There and Back Again: An Unexpected Journey

By Ruth Haley Barton |

Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14;  Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12 Epiphany (Cycle C) and guidance for using the lectionary “Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” – Mary Oliver…

photo of a night sky reflecting on a still late with a sliver of sunrise peaking through the horizon.

Advent Week 3: A Time for Courage

By Adele Ahlberg Calhoun |

Lectionary Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-20; Isaiah 12:2-6; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18 Advent Calendar (Cycle C) and guidance for using the lectionary In The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis…

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…

close up of 6 square and rectangular shaped stained glass windows

What Kind of Church Are You?

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“Eventually, someone looking for a church home will ask some variation of this question:  So what kind of church are…

tree

The Loneliness of Leadership

By Ruth Haley Barton |

Moses said to the Lord, “See, you have said to me, ‘Bring up this people’ but you have not let…

Clare Loughrige

Unfinished Business: Staying on the Journey

By Rev. Clare Loughrige |

Continuing the story of Transforming Community: The launch of Transforming Community 3 marked significant growth in the number of participants but also in…

A Good Gift: Experiencing Transformation in Community

By Scott Bolinder |

Continuing the story of Transforming Community: The launch of Transforming Community 3 marked significant growth in the number of participants but also 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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