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.

We have moved Ruth Haley Barton’s Beyond Words to Substack

New writing from Ruth will now be on Substack. This move allows us to bring our blog, podcast, and community together in one simple place — making it easier for you to stay connected and support our work.

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Cynthia

Cynthia’s Story: The impact of a Transforming Community in the life of a pastor

By Transforming Center |

My name is Cynthia and I am an ordained United Methodist pastor. Transforming Community came at the right time for me. I was looking for a spiritual director when I…

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.…

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…

Transforming Community + Sioux Falls Seminary

Earn academic credit through our partnership with Sioux Falls Seminary

By Transforming Center |

Earn academic credit while participating in a Transforming Community® We are pleased to announce that the Transforming Center has formed…

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…

FREE RESOURCE

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
  • 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.
  • More

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