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…

Becoming More

The Future of Christian Spirituality: A Protestant’s Journey Toward a More Unified Faith

By Ruth Haley Barton |

New leadership is needed for new times, but it will not come from finding more wiley ways to manipulate the…

Lee Ann Thornton Memorial Fund

By Transforming Center |

Lee Ann Waters Thornton, of Austin, Texas, died Thursday November 9, 2023 after a courageous seven-year battle with endometrial cancer.…

close up photo of painting with blue background, large black and orange brushstrokes with smaller red brush strokes.

A Prayer for the Holy Land

By Ruth Haley Barton |

The Spirit helps us in our weakness…for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very…

How Shall I Pray? Spiritual Guidance For When Words Fail

By Ruth Haley Barton |

When words fail, let silence be your prayer. Lean into the ministry of the Holy Spirit, trusting that even when…

A Spirituality of Racial Justice

Part 2: Lament that Leads to Justice: Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr.’s Transforming Leadership

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“Where do we go from here—chaos or community?”  Martin Luther King, Jr. Lament is a spiritual practice that is more…

Group of people looking up at a starry night sky

Epiphany: When the Star Beckons

By Ruth Haley Barton |

Lectionary Readings for Epiphany: Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14; Ephesians 3:1-12; Matthew 2:1-12 “They set out; and there ahead of…

Graphic illustration of a winding path heading towards a mountain chain with stars above in the night sky.

You are Made for More

By Ruth Haley Barton |

We’re made for more. And yet, the road between where we are and where we want to go can feel…

Advent: Waiting for the Light

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“God comes to us like the sun in the morning—when it is time.”—Carlo Carretto, The God Who Comes My favorite…

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.
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