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,…

Transforming Gift Creates Endowment Fund for Scholarships

By David Hughes |

When Anjuli Seth Nayak arrived for the first retreat of her Transforming Community, she was clearly a force to be…

Retreat: Invitation to a Counter-Cultural Practice

By Ruth Haley Barton |

 “I have lived too long where I am reachable.”–Rumi It is a wonderful thing to be invited—especially when the invitation…

man sitting on pew in old church

Retreat: The Gift and Necessity of Time Away with God

By Ruth Haley Barton |

 “If we don’t come apart for while, we will come apart after awhile.” –Dallas Willard Brad is a pastor whose…

Justice and the Inner Life

By Gary Haugen |

In October of 2004, I gave each of my colleagues at International Justice Mission two gifts: a blank leather journal…

Leadership Lessons from the Life of Moses

Part Four: Reenvisioning the Promised Land

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own.” —Bishop Ken…

Leadership Lessons from the Life of Moses

Part Three: The Conundrum of Calling

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“Calling is a much abused word today. In the church it can be little more than a pious euphemism for…

Leadership Lessons from the Life of Moses

Part Two: The Power of a Well-Timed Pause

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“Spiritual leadership springs forth in grace from our very desire for God’s presence. This does not take effort or striving. …

Leadership Lessons from the Life of Moses

Part One: Coming Home to Ourselves in God’s Presence

By Ruth Haley Barton |

“When I want to do good, evil is close at hand.”  ~the apostle Paul Moses was destined to be a…

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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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