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.

We have moved Ruth Haley Barton’s Beyond Words to Substack

New writing from Ruth will now be on Substack. This move allows us to bring our blog, podcast, and community together in one simple place — making it easier for you to stay connected and support our work.

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Cynthia

Cynthia’s Story: The impact of a Transforming Community in the life of a pastor

By Transforming Center |

My name is Cynthia and I am an ordained United Methodist pastor. Transforming Community came at the right time for me. I was looking for a spiritual director when I…

sunrise with two people silhouetted on a hill in the distance

It is the Lord!

By Transforming Center |

Happy Easter Monday, friends! Once again, Ruth invites us to celebrate the risen Jesus through five powerful post-resurrection encounters. We’ve reflected on these stories before, yet they continue to speak.…

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…

Advent 3: The Messenger and the Message

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“The house of my soul is too narrow for Thee to come in; let it be enlarged by Thee. It…

Advent 2: Necessary Preparations

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“The word of God came to John in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming…

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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
  • 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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