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 Different Kind of Calendar

By David Hughes |

“When we submit our lives to what we read in Scripture, we find that we are not being led to…

Life Together in Christ by Ruth Haley Barton

Q&A with Ruth About New Book Life Together in Christ

By Transforming Center |

Why are community and spiritual transformation two of the most over-promised and under-delivered aspects of the church today? Ruth Haley Barton:…

With gratitude for pastors everywhere

With Gratitude for Pastors Everywhere

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“On the day I called, you answered me, you increased my strength of soul.”  Psalm 138:3 Several years ago I…

training partner Ironman

Who’s Your Training Partner?

By Rev. Dr. J. Taylor Haley |

I changed out of my dress slacks and button-down into spandex tri-shorts and my favorite red technical shirt as slowly…

The Courage to Dream: 
Celebrating the Vision of Martin Luther King, Jr.

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“The forces that threaten to negate life must be challenged by courage, which is the power of life to affirm…

Leadership as Intercession Part 3: Entering into the Suffering of God’s People

By Ruth Haley Barton |

The rest of our summer eReflections series can be found here: Part 1 and Part 2. “Do not be afraid to…

Part 2: eReflections Summer Series

Leadership as Intercession Part 2
: Present to God on Others’ Behalf

By Ruth Haley Barton |

Part 1 of our summer eReflection series can be found here. “I look at God, I look at you, and…

Leadership as Intercession Part 1: Key to Surviving and Thriving in Ministry

By Ruth Haley Barton |

Editor’s Note: Every summer we offer a special eReflections series that offers the opportunity to reflect on some aspect of…

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 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.
  • More