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.

Cynthia

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

By Transforming Center |

My name is Cynthia Paquette 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…

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.…

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…

The Transforming Leader: Giving the Best I’ve Got

By Ruth Haley Barton |

Spiritual transformation has become quite the buzzword in Christian circles today. The good news is that it speaks to our…

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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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