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…

Daybreak

Advent 1: The Importance of Waking Up

By Ruth Haley Barton |

Lectionary readings for Dec 01, 2013. Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Rom 13:11-14; Matt 24:36-44 Click for complete Advent calendar (Cycle A) and…

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…

Sabbath in the fall

Sabbath in Late Fall

By Ruth Haley Barton |

For everything there is a season… Sometimes on the Sabbath all you can do is settle into the soft body…

You Say You Don’t Have Time for Retreat? Think Again!

By Ruth Haley Barton |

When there is no time to do it, that’s when you most need to unclutter the calendar and go apart…

beach path

Part 5: Leading in Rhythm: Discerning and Doing the Will of God

By Ruth Haley Barton |

If you are joining us for Part 5, you might want to also access other eReflections in this series, Leading…

transforming light

Part 4 Leading in Rhythm: Three Moves in Self-Examination

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“A leader is a person who must take special responsibility for what’s going on inside him- or herself, inside his…

Sunlight breaking through clouds

Part 3 Leading in Rhythm: Solitude and Community

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“Let him who cannot be alone beware of community. He will only do harm to himself and to the community…But…

Pursuing God's Will Together

Pursuing God’s Will Together: Review from the Journal of Spiritual Formation and Soul Care

By Transforming Center |

Kent Carlson, Co-Senior Pastor of Oak Hills Church (Folsom, CA), reviews Pursuing God’s Will Together: A Discernment Practice for Leadership Groups,…

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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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