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.

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 than mere catharsis; when practiced fully, it can be a…

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 them, went the star they had seen at it’s rising,…

Lent: An Invitation to Return to God

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“Yet even now, says the Lord, repent and return to me with all your heart.” Joel 2:13 Today is Ash…

Make a Joyful Silence

By Ruth Haley Barton |

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

women sitting contemplatively next to a bench, facing water reflecting golden sunlight.

Spiritual Transformation: Hype or Hope?

By David Hughes |

Why are you so downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I…

morning sun shining into dark room. Light gently illuminating face of woman pensively looking out window.

Discernment: Finding God in All Things

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“Discernment in its fullness takes a practiced heart, fine-tuned to hear the word of God and the single-mindedness to follow…

Advent: Training in Waiting

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“No one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who works for those…

silhouette of a group of people in front of a blue night sky

Beyond Teamwork: Spiritual Community at the Leadership Level

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“Christian community is founded solely on Jesus Christ and in fact, it already exists in Christ. It is not an…

The Conundrum of Calling

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“Calls are essentially questions. They aren’t questions you necessarily need to answer outright; they are questions to which you need…

When Leaders Lose Their Souls

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“For what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more…

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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