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.…

From Desire to Discipline

By Ruth Haley Barton |

Editor’s Note: The Transforming Center takes very seriously its mission to equip leaders to guide their churches in becoming spiritually…

Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world and forfeit their soul?” —Jesus Recently, I made…

Solitude: A Place for Your Soul to Come Out

Solitude: A Place for Your Soul to Come Out

By Ruth Haley Barton |

Solitude may be one of the greatest challenges for Christian leaders because we have this sense that everyone is waiting for us to come in and do what we can do. Solitude offers leaders a concrete way that God can come and do what only God can do—in our lives personally and also in our ministries.

Discerning God’s Will Together: Discovering a Process of Leadership Discernment

By Ruth Haley Barton |

It was a conversation similar to many I have had with Christian leaders. A pastor from a large church was…

Epiphany: A New Kind of Journey

By Ruth Haley Barton |

Today is the day when the Christian church celebrates epiphany—the “showing forth” or “the revelation” of Christ in the world.…

The Gift of Waiting

By Ruth Haley Barton |

God comes like the sun in the morning—when it is time. We must assume an attitude of waiting, accepting the…

Gratitude for Ordinary People

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“And they shall name him Emmanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’” Matthew 1:23 As we emerge from Thanksgiving week…

Are You Dangerously Tired? Exploring the Symptoms and Sources of Spiritual Exhaustion in Ministry

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“Because we do not rest we lose our way. Poisoned by this hypnotic belief that good things come only through…

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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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