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.

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The Future of Christian Spirituality: Part 3 | A Spirituality that is Practice-Oriented and Practice-Based

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“We do not know God by thinking, but by encountering.” –John of the Cross As my director and I transitioned into a new kind of relationship I was still thinking…

Becoming More

The Future of Christian Spirituality: Part 2 | The Charism and Practice of Spiritual Direction

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“A spiritual director is one who helps another recognize and follow the inspirations of grace in his life, in order to arrive at the end to which God is leading…

Rocky lake floor seen through still water with quiet reflection of sunset.

A Powerful Model for Leadership Transformation: A Two-Year Experience of Spiritual Formation for Leaders

By Transforming Center |

Wheaton, IL–First there were 12. Then 25, then 38—and now 70. Those numbers testify to the quiet-but-steady growth of a…

Practicing Lent: Preparing for Holy Week

By Ruth Haley Barton |

Editor’s note: In this article, guest author Peter Giersch reflects on some of the oldest traditions of the Church for…

Practicing Lent: Rain at Winter’s End

By Ruth Haley Barton |

?Look, a little cloud no bigger than a person’s hand is rising out of the sea!?? ~I Kings 18:44 I…

Practicing Lent: Receiving Forgiveness

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“While the truth that we cannot escape God’s all-seeing eye may weigh us down at times, it is finally the…

Practicing Lent: True Confessions

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“The things we cannot accept in ourselves we project upon others. If I do not admit my shadow side, I…

Practicing Lent: Cleaning Our Messy House

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.” Psalm 51: 10…

Glory to God in the Highest: A Prayer on Christmas Day

By Ruth Haley Barton |

Glory to God in the Highest! A Prayer on Christmas Day O Lord, open my lips. And my mouth shall…

Advent 4: The Courage to Say Yes

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“We are all meant to be mothers of God, for God is always needing to be born.” Meister Eckhart In…

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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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