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.

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…

Praying together for our election

By Transforming Center |

PREPARATION During this election season, we encourage you to find a time to pray with friends and family, people from your church or small group, and maybe even your neighbors.…

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…

red and yellow flower growing next to a rusty beam

Finding Freedom Through Sabbath Resistance

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“If you aren’t resting, you are a slave to something.” – Adele Calhoun We tend to think of sabbath as…

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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