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

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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.…

Releasing Ourselves to God: A Leader’s Invitation to Solitude and Silence

By Ruth Haley Barton |

Editor’s note: The following article is adapted from Dallas Willard’s forward to Invitation to Solitude and Silence (Ruth Haley Barton,…

The Lenten Way: Following Christ in Death and in Life

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“Lent is a time of returning to God. It is a time to confess how we keep looking for joy,…

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…

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
  • 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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