Shows
Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonS28 Ep 4 | Advent Week 4: Soul Work in WinterIn this final episode of the Advent season Ruth and Marilyn discuss the unique spiritual invitations and soul work of the winter season. They touch on the inward journey of self-examination, processing grief, and embracing the transformation in life's dormancy. They conclude with a deep discussion on themes of letting go, living in the present, and the spiritual significance of endings and new beginnings. The episode also features a poignant poem by Robert Hayden and an Advent-themed prayer by Ted Loder.
Questions for Reflection:
How would you name or characterize the season that y...
2025-12-2237 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonS28 Ep 3 | Advent Week 3: Beyond SafetyIn this week’s episode, Ruth and Marilyn discuss the themes of winter and vulnerability. They explore the metaphorical storms of winter, praying beyond safety, and infinite longing. The conversation also touches on the challenges posed by climate change, the significance of collective humility, and the importance of grappling with complex, real-world issues within church communities. Marilyn concludes by reading her poem 'After the Fire,' reflecting on loss, renewal, and the essential nature of vulnerability in the spiritual journey.
Questions for Reflection:
How do we open up to moving beyond safety?
How d...
2025-12-1552 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonS28 Ep 2 | Advent Week 2: Blue ChristmasThis week, Ruth and Marilyn discuss the concept of Blue Christmas services that acknowledge grief during the festive season and offer consolation to those experiencing loss. The episode also delves into the idea of dormancy, likening spiritual dormancy to the natural world's winter phase, where growth happens unseen. The conversation highlights the importance of creating space for mourning, acknowledging our vulnerabilities, and the need for faith and guidance during these seasons of grief and apparent inertness.
Questions for Reflection:
Where do you feel that you need to mourn? Have you had the guidance that you've needed...
2025-12-0848 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonS28 Ep 1| Advent Week 1: Invited InwardIn this season of the Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast, Ruth invites listeners to embark on a unique journey during Advent 2025. Departing from traditional liturgical approaches, we will focus on the overlap between the seasons of Advent and winter, inspired by Marilyn McIntyre's book 'Midwinter Light: Meditations for the Long Season.' Ruth will be joined all through Advent by Marilyn McIntyre, herself. Together they will explore themes such as inner reflection, the significance of silence, and the profound connections between spirituality and the physical season of winter.
This week, Ruth and Marilyn discuss the i...
2025-12-0144 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonS27 Ep 5 | Creative Work: Partnering with God in an Age of DistractionAs we wrap up our season on Taming our Technologies: [Spiritual] Practices for a Digital Age, Ruth and Jay delve into the topic of technology’s impact on deep and creative work. They discuss the transformative impact of technology on creativity, productivity, and the ability to perform deep, meaningful work. Jay highlights the distinction between human creativity and artificial intelligence, and Ruth shares personal insights from her writing process, stressing the sacred and divine nature of creative endeavors. Thank you for journeying with us this season as we explored the realities of technology and its impact on various aspects of...
2025-10-1545 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonS27 Ep 4 | Beyond Relevance to Transcendence in CommunityIn this episode, Ruth and returning guest Jay Kim explore the intersection of technology and community within the church. They discuss the nuances of digital and in-person church experiences, the impact of the pandemic on church attendance and engagement, and the idea that “digital informs and analog transforms.” As always, they end by offering questions to ponder this week as it pertains to technology and community.
Questions to ponder this week:
What is the one barrier that keeps you from getting up and going and being with a church community? And then when you ident...
2025-10-0852 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonS27 Ep 2 | Paying Attention to What’s Getting our AttentionIn this episode, Ruth and Jay dive into the impact of digital technology on our attention spans and mental health. They reflect on personal experiences of technology's pervasive influence and discuss the importance of reclaiming attention through spiritual practices. The conversation explores the implications of multitasking and the mental disorders associated with technology use, as well as how to steward one's attention as a valuable gift from God.
Questions to ponder this week:
What practices will help me claim and reclaim my own sense of agency over my attention?
What technologies ar...
2025-09-2454 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonS24 Ep 7 | The Work of Justice: Restoring what has Been Lost, Repairing What has been BrokenIn this episode, Ruth delves into the future of Christian spirituality as it pertains to the role of justice. Joined by her long-time friend and expert in reconciliation studies, Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil, the discussion centers on the growing movement of the Holy Spirit towards deeper justice work, specifically racial justice. Dr. McNeil discusses her new book 'Empowered to Repair', which explores the biblical figure Nehemiah as a model for reparative actions that go beyond the warm fuzziness of relational reconciliation to concrete outcomes that reflect true justice. The conversation also addresses resistance within Christian communities towards reparations and...
2024-10-1645 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonS22 Ep7: Walking With Jesus in His Suffering During Holy WeekIn this special episode, Ruth wraps up our season on suffering and the formation of hope and ushers us into the last few days of Holy Week. Holy Week allows us to practice true unity with Jesus, the “at-one-ment” she and Curt talked about this season. What does Jesus’ suffering mean for us- for our lives and our own suffering? How does it help us to make sense of our own stories? We’ve spent all season discussing how suffering can lead to true and durable hope, and how we can walk with Jesus in His suffering as a way of d...
2024-03-2822 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonS22 Ep 6: A Hope That Does Not DisappointThis week concludes our conversations with Curt Thompson, MD. Ruth and Curt examine what makes for a safe community. Why is it important to experience places of tension, hurt, and repair in the community? They also discuss the meaning of a hope that does not disappoint or put to shame. And as we turn our attention to Holy Week, they wonder: What is a psychologically healthy way to understand the concept of taking up the cross? Over on Patreon, Curt leads us in a practice to help us vulnerably give ourselves away to others in a safe and psychologically...
2024-03-2756 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonBONUS: Preparing for Lent | Fashioning Your Own DesertLent is upon us again. In this special bonus episode, Ruth shares her remarks from our recent live, virtual event designed to help us prepare for Lent. Lent is for everyone, but it has a special application for spiritual leaders, providing a needed opportunity to “fashion our own wilderness” (Henri Nouwen) and return to God with all our hearts. On this Ash Wednesday, we invite you to take some time to prepare your heart and mind to enter the Lenten season.
Our next podcast season begins next week. Psychiatrist, speaker, and author Dr. Curt Thompson joins...
2024-02-1431 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonREPLAY: Season 6: Episode 4 | Finding Your Rhythm on RetreatThis is a replay of a previous episode of The Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast. While we take a small hiatus from normal programming to attend to the work of The Transforming Center as well as a special Digital Film Capture project we invite you to revisit some of our previous seasons. Please enjoy this episode from Season 6: Invitation to Retreat.
Please visit our website to learn more about the work of The Transforming Center and our Digital Capture project!
Human beings are made with rhythms and f...
2023-06-1325 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 15: Easter Monday | Practicing ResurrectionWe couldn’t leave you hanging in the darkness of Good Friday, so to wrap up season 15 of the podcast we are concluding with a conversation about Easter and the Resurrection. Ruth and Steve discuss the story of Mary and the empty tomb and what it reveals about the new order Jesus wants to bring. They marvel at the ways that Jesus cares for each of the disciples exactly as they need it most. Ruth encourages us to ask, what do we need from Jesus at this point? Are we willing to ask for it, or can we recognize th...
2022-04-1818 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 15: Holy Week | Following Jesus All the WayRuth and Steve guide us into Holy Week with the reminder of the importance of keeping vigil and a discussion on the temptation to fall asleep. In what ways do we turn our gaze away from that which is difficult to see? What does it mean to keep vigil with Jesus and how is it an expression of our intimacy with Him? This conversation will prepare us for Holy Week and the work of walking with Jesus until the end.
It’s not too late to join us for a VIRTUAL Stations of the Cross ser...
2022-04-1316 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 15: Lent Week 6 | Living Between Two PassionsWe have arrived at Palm Sunday and this week Ruth and Steve discuss the disorienting swing the people create between hailing Jesus as King and calling for his crucifixion in a matter of days. It brought us to wonder, in what ways do we create our own agendas to put on Jesus, and how do we fall into the temptation to make Jesus the King we want him to be rather than allow ourselves to be challenged by the King he actually is? As we move into Holy Week, this conversation will challenge us to consider the ways we...
2022-04-0626 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 15: Lent Week 5 | Out With the Old, In With the NewWe seem to be turning a corner during this week of Lent! Ruth and Steve discuss the lectionary readings for the fifth Sunday of Lent and the call to prepare ourselves for whatever new things God desires to do in us. This requires us to resist the temptation to cling to the past. In this conversation Ruth and Steve also ask us to consider how to discern when it’s time to put things behind us, how we perceive the new thing God is doing and lean into it, and what it means to move into divine forgetfulness when th...
2022-03-3040 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 15: Lent Week 4 | The Power of ConfessionThis week’s temptation may bring us to the hardest, deepest places of Lent. We are talking about the temptation to be silent about our sin and the power of the practice of confession. Why are leaders especially tempted to hide our wrongdoings, and how can we use confession carefully, lovingly and honestly in our lives? Ruth and Steve use the story of the prodigal son and Psalm 32 to have an honest conversation about the importance and challenge of confession.
Lectionary Readings for the fourth Sunday of Lent, Cycle C:
Joshua 5:9-12 • Psalm 32 • 2 Corinthian...
2022-03-2351 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 15: Lent Week 3 | Seeking God While He May Be FoundThis week Ruth and Steve address the temptation to invest in that which does not satisfy. So many of us leaders find ourselves turning towards escapist behaviors in our exhaustion and grief. How do we discern between what is distracting and what is satisfying? How can we abstain in order to give time to that which is most life-giving? How do we cultivate our freedom and choose our hearts' deepest desire through fasting? Ruth and Steve discuss all this and more in this episode.
Lectionary Readings for the third Sunday of Lent, Cycle C:
2022-03-1634 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 15: Lent Week 2 | Consenting to God’s Will Deep WithinWhat is it about leaders that we seem to struggle so much with the temptation to take matters into our own hands and “help” God out when we distrust His plans or when we are impatient with His timing? And what is our transformational moment when we realize we’ve been pushing our own agenda and trying to take back control? This week Ruth and Steve discuss this temptation to impose our own will onto God’s will and the opportunity Lent provides to practice letting go of our own plans and surrendering to God’s will deep within.
...
2022-03-0933 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 15: Lent Week 1 | Fashioning Our Own WildernessJoin us for Season 15, Lent for Leaders: With God in the Wilderness. Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins will journey through Lent with a spirit of self-examination and desire for intimacy with God. Each episode will highlight a particular temptation found in one of the passages from Cycle C of the Revised Common Lectionary for Lent that is relevant for leaders today and Ruth and Steve will provide practices to combat those temptations.
In week one, Ruth and Steve examine the temptation of Jesus in Luke 4. How do we see these temptations to be relevant, sp...
2022-03-0231 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonLent 2022 Teaser | Lent for Leaders: With God in the WildernessOur next podcast season begins next week! Season 15 will help us walk through Lent together. Steve Weins is back with Ruth and together the two will tackle this time that invites us to self-examination and intimacy with God. In this teaser episode, Ruth and Steve will share their hearts for this season of the podcast and their hope that these conversations will help you face your own temptations and provide practices that will create space to be strengthened in the wilderness with God.
Season 15 begins Wednesday, March 2. Episodes will drop each Wednesday, reading into the fo...
2022-02-2314 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonBONUS: A Conversation with Aaron Niequist about Fixed Hour Prayer and Transforming Community 18Please enjoy this bonus episode, a conversation between Ruth Haley Barton and Aaron Niequist, recorded at the Becoming A Transforming Church retreat. Ruth and Aaron discuss Aaron's experience as both a participant and worship leader of Transforming Communities and the ways in which worship and fixed hour of prayer contributed to his journey in community.
If you feel drawn by God to get on a new kind of journey we hope you would consider Transforming Community 18. We are still accepting applications. TC18 begins February 20-22, 2022.
Find more information about Transforming Community 18 HERE.
2022-01-2016 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 14: Advent Week 4 | Saying Yes to GodThis season we invite you to walk through Advent by engaging with the lectionary Scripture readings and listening for what God might want to say through them. In each episode, Ruth and members of the Transforming Center staff will read and reflect on the themes of Cycle C of the Revised Common Lectionary for Advent together.
In this conversation, we discussed the prayers for and of indifference and how we are personally wrestling with them, particularly as we engage with the story of Mary and Elizabeth this week. Ruth uses another one of Drew Jackson’s p...
2021-12-1344 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 14: Advent Week 2 | Necessary PreparationsThis season we invite you to walk through Advent by engaging with the lectionary Scripture readings and listening for what God might want to say through them. In each episode, Ruth and members of the Transforming Center staff will read and reflect on the themes of Cycle C of the Revised Common Lectionary for Advent together.
In this conversation, we discuss what it looks like to “prepare” for Advent, particularly with regard to the “rough edges” that need to be smoothed to make way for the coming of Jesus and Ruth concludes with a poem called “T...
2021-11-2931 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 14: Advent Week 1 | The Darkness of WaitingThis season we invite you to walk through Advent by engaging with the lectionary Scripture readings and listening for what God might want to say through them. In each episode, Ruth and members of the Transforming Center staff will read and reflect on the themes of Cycle C of the Revised Common Lectionary for Advent together.
In this conversation, we wondered what it looked like to “lift your soul to God” in the midst of so many difficult realities, how we bring our anger and despair to God, and Ruth’s practice of watching for the lig...
2021-11-2239 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 12: Episode 7 | Principles of the Deeper LifeRuth and Steve conclude this season with some practical advice and discussing a persistent practice for leaders. How do we detach ourselves from all that is not God to attach ourselves to all that is God? A powerful conclusion for leaders who long to be in God for the world. We are grateful for Bob Mulholland's deeply theological and practical spiritual formation resource and encourage you to read this Transforming Resource. Pick up a copy of the Deeper Journey at your local bookstore or you can purchase in our new online store.
Support the podcast now and immediately receive o...
2021-03-3129 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 12: Episode 6 | Putting on the New NaturePutting off the vices of the old self is only half the equation. We are to put off the old nature and put on the new nature. A great conversation flows around rest and sabbath, forbearance, and forgiveness. A helpful conversation for leaders today.
Support the podcast now and immediately receive our Lent bonus
Podcast patrons at any level will receive our brand new revised digital download of Ruth Haley Barton's Lent: A Season of Returning. It includes all the scriptures and space to journal your own thoughts and prayers. Become a patron today and support our p...
2021-03-2436 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 12: Episode 5 | Abandoning the False SelfWe have been deep in theological waters in this season. In this episode we are going to look at abandoning our false self through the lens of the Enneagram. This is not going to be a deep dive, but it is aligned with what the purpose of the enneagram – a tool to help us recognizing our own besetting sin.
Support the podcast now and immediately receive our Lent bonus
Podcast patrons at any level will receive our brand new revised digital download of Ruth Haley Barton's Lent: A Season of Returning. It includes all the scriptures and spac...
2021-03-1756 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 12: Episode 4 | Hidden With Christ in God: The False Self and the Christ SelfEpisode 4 starts with some very good news if you are feeling trapped by your false self. This episode raises up some theological questions and Robert Mulholland's perspective as a New Testament theologian. Good news for those who are struggling with being stuck. Maybe God is knocking. A rich episode that will challenge and encourage you, and a practice to help become more open to the activity and presence of God in your life.
Support the podcast now and immediately receive our Lent bonus
Podcast patrons at any level will receive our brand new revised digital...
2021-03-1034 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 12: Episode 3 | The Idol in the Box: The Religious False SelfRuth names it – this is the most convicting part of the book for any of us who are Christians – especially for Christian leaders. Steve and Ruth have different reasons it is difficult to acknowledge their religious false self. If anyone thought we were done with the attributes of the false self in the last episode be warned – Mulholland brings up the list again. There is no doubt, our religious false is very dangerous and it is alive and well in all of us. Ruth ends with sharing Mulholland's penetrating questions that conclude chapter 3.
Support the podcast now and imme...
2021-03-0333 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 12: Episode 2 | Into the Jungle: The False SelfRuth and Steve begin the second episode defining terms – expanding on Mulholland's definition of the false self. A lot of what is happenings in churches is superficial tinkering, and the reality is that not everyone in the church is on the same journey. The Bible doesn't call it the narrow way for nothing. Steve and Ruth work their way through the basic attributes of the false self. The episode ends with a discussion of the role of community in wrestling with the false self because one is often choosing between good and good and Ruth's reminder of the role of th...
2021-02-2444 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 12: Episode 1 | Deeper Journey: The Spirituality of Discovering Your True SelfWe are excited to be back with our first season of 2021. Ruth launches the season by connecting Robert Mulholland's book, The Deeper Journey with the season of Lent and discussing the Examen and leadership. Is the goal of the Christian life to become like Christ? Listen to the first episode to find out the surprising answer. If you would like to read along with this podcast season you can purchase Robert Mulholland's book, The Deeper Journey, at your favorite place to buy books or visit our online store https://transformingcenter.christianbook.com/deeper-journey-spirituality-discovering-true-self/m-mulholland/9780830846184/pd/846184?event=Home-Pages|1015322
S...
2021-02-1728 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonThird Sunday of Advent, Year B: Keepin' it RealJoin Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins are definitely keepin' it real. Listen and discover what is so far in the rear view mirror for Ruth. Based on this year's Advent Reflections (Cycle B), this podcast season is designed to help leaders (and everyone) carve out time to make Advent a season of transformation. If you would like to make listening to the scriptures each day a spiritual practice for this season, there is a link below. The podcast conversation begins at 7:15.
Scriptures only for Advent Cycle B Third Sunday of Advent
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2020-12-0731 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 10: Episode 10 | Social SpiritualityThere is a tension between personal holiness and social holiness. This last episode is a helpful conclusion to the season and serves to protect us from dangers on the spiritual journey, and sadly, once again Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins have to deal with the issue of control. There are some radical demands of a vital relationship with God. Wow.
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Mentioned in this podcast:
Invitation to a...
2020-08-2625 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 10: Episode 9 | Corporate SpiritualityWhat is the body of Christ? If you think it is only the church little “c” you will want to listen to this episode. Frustrated with your local church? Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins have some bad news for you and it will likely surprise you. Join them for an expanding conversation about corporate spirituality.
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Mentioned in this podcast:
Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Sp...
2020-08-1934 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 10: Episode 8 | The Nature and Dynamics of Spiritual DisciplinesWe jump into the deep weeds in episode 8 and begin with a paradox and Romans 8:10. Note there is a dead body in this episode, and neither Ruth Haley Barton or Steve Weins want to talk about it. In Mulholland's work, he talks about silence, solitude and prayer as postures and not just practices – inviting us into a deeper journey where only God can do the work. Very inviting and very challenging.
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2020-08-1227 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 10: Episode 7 | The Classic Spiritual DisciplinesWe begin this episode by redeeming the word “disciplines" by offering up the word “practices” and looking at disciplines through the lens of desire and about opening ourselves up to God, reminding us that we are not in charge of our spiritual journey. Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins discuss four practices: prayer, spiritual readings, lectio divina, and liturgy. They sound familiar, but be prepared for some refreshing ideas on how to use them to open yourself up to God.
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2020-08-0540 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 10: Episode 6 | The Classic Christian PilgrimageIn this episode, Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins move to looking at the four classic Christian stages of spiritual journey – awakening, purgation, illumination, union. Mulholland makes a valuable contribution to our understanding with five aspects of purgation. Steve and Ruth discuss current events and why we shouldn't shy away from the sin of omission in regards to systematic racial injustice and the role the church has played it in.
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2020-07-2933 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 10: Episode 5 | Holistic Spirituality, Part 2Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins continue their discussion of holistic spirituality, and they finish their discussion of the personality types. You will want to catch Part 1 to fill out the discussion.
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Mentioned in this podcast:
Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation, M. Robert Mulholland
Become a patron: Join a growing movement of transforming leaders. We’ve received fantastic feedback about th...
2020-07-2227 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 10: Episode 4 | Holistic Spirituality, Part 1What is Holistic Spirituality? How does one nurture the whole person along with answering this question: What does love require of me? Because insisting on "being myself” is really not holistic spirituality. Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Wiens discuss both the positive and negative expressions of each of the Myers-Briggs personality types.
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This season we are walking through Invitation to a Journey, part of the Transforming Resources co...
2020-07-1529 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 10: Episode 3 | Creation Gifts on the Spiritual JourneyListen in to learn what creation gifts are and how they relate to our spiritual journey. Make no mistake, this journey is not about self actualization. Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Wiens discuss why Mulholland uses Myers-Briggs. A relevant conversation in a time when the Enneagram is overhyped.
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Listen to other episodes from Season 10 | Access past podcast seasons
This season we are walking through Invitation to a Journey, part of the Transforming Resources collection published by InterVarsity Press. We...
2020-07-0839 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 10: Episode 2 | The Road Map of Spiritual Formation, Part 2Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Wiens continue their conversation about the road map of spiritual formation and discuss what it means to be transformed into the image of Christ. Confirmed to the image of Christ does not mean we are trying to copy Christ, because when we try to copy someone we are not being changed. This is something far deeper. A wonderful rich conversation about holiness as wholeness. If you feel shame, you want to listen to this episode. We conclude with the idea of what "for the sake of others” means.
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2020-07-0136 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 10: Episode 1 | The Road Map of Spiritual Formation, Part 1When the student is ready the teacher appears. Ruth begins by sharing the story of her friendship with Bob Mulholland and how the Transforming Center has come to stewards some of his works. As always, we start with definitions and Bob’s definition in Ruth's estimation is the greatest and full of grace! Self compassion and patience is needed for this journey as we are products of a culture that is all about instant gratification. Spiritual formation is the great reversal. It requires more of us than anything that we can do in the world. Join Ruth Haley Barton and he...
2020-06-2439 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 9: Episode 10 | Spiritual Transformation For the Sake of OthersWhat is spiritual transformation—really? How can we move from the false self to the true self in Christ? Is it possible to talk about sin without being judgmental? What is the relationship between personal spiritual formation and our mission in the world? Listen in as Robert Mulholland and Ruth Haley Barton discuss these questions and share stories of their own journeys of transformation in Christ. This is a recording from 2015 and was the last time Ruth spent with Bob before his death from cancer. We are closing this season for now, but intend to do more "Ruth and Fri...
2020-05-2708 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 9: Episode 8 | Spiritual Transformation and Practice-based FaithRuth is joined by Aaron Niequest long-time friend (alumn of TC9) who has also served as worship leader in some Transforming Community® communities. Ruth and Aaron have a rich discussion about practice based faith and worship. Since they both were raised in the Plymouth Brethren tradition, they share what they believe is the best contribution this heritage had on their spiritual formation. In discussing the role of belief in our spiritual transformation, they raise the question: Is what you believe making you a better person?
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2020-05-0648 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 9: Episode 7 | Spiritual Transformation and Family Systems (Part 2)Church leaders seldom crash and burn because they fail at preaching or ministering. Christian leaders often burn out because they don’t know how to manage themselves and what they’re experiencing. In the second episode of a two-part conversation we lay the groundwork for understanding how human relationships work and our part in those relationships referencing the eight concepts of family systems theory developed by Murray Bowen. Ruth is joined by a new friend R. Robert Creech (PhD, Baylor University), an experienced pastor and seminary teacher. Robert is the director of pastoral ministries at George W. Truett Theological Seminary, B...
2020-04-2940 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 9: Episode 6 | Spiritual Transformation and Family Systems (Part 1)Church leaders seldom crash and burn because they fail at preaching or ministering. Christian leaders often burn out because they don’t know how to manage themselves and what they’re experiencing. In the first episode of a two-part conversation we lay the groundwork for understanding how human relationships work and our part in those relationships referencing the eight concepts of family systems theory developed by Murray Bowen. Ruth is joined by a new friend R. Robert Creech (PhD, Baylor University), an experienced pastor and seminary teacher to discuss the first three concepts. Robert is the director of pastoral ministries at George...
2020-04-2240 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 9: BONUS EPISODE FOR GOOD FRIDAY | Experiencing the Stations of the CrossA custom of our Christian tradition is to keep vigil with Christ at different times and in different ways during Holy Week. One of the places from which we draw this custom is Jesus’ request to his disciples to keep watch while he prayed and agonized in the Garden of Gethsemane. We also know that there were those few—including Mary Magdalene, Jesus’ mother Mary, and the apostle John—who stayed near the cross and kept watch as Jesus suffered and died. Despite the horror of what was taking place, those most intimate with Jesus stayed with him to the end.
2020-04-081h 11Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 9: BONUS EPISODE | Listening and Responding to God Amidst the COVID-19 CrisisThe enormous response to Ruth's blog post last week led to Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Wiens, pastor of Genesis Covenant Church, recording a bonus podcast episode for pastors and Christian leaders addressing the corona virus pandemic.
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Mentioned in this podcast:
That the Works of God Might be Revealed, Ruth Haley Barton
Pursuing God’s will Together, Ruth Haley Barton (for more on John 9 story)
Exploring Further:
Transforming Community
Ruth Haley Barton...
2020-03-3138 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 9: Episode 5 | Transformation and Sexuality with Steve Wiens
A great conversation with long-time friend Steve Wiens, pastor of Genesis Covenant Church, about sexuality and gender that will surprisingly leave you encouraged. Ruth defines spirituality, sexuality, sex, gender and asks the question: How can we redeem our sexuality? We need to do the work of #metoo #churchtoo, but there is hope on the other side. Dallas Willard brings it home… “the opposite of lust is ______?
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Mentioned in this podcast:
The Holy Longing: The Search for a Christian Spirituality Ronald Rolheiser
Sh...
2020-03-251h 07Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 9: Episode 4 | Spiritual Transformation and Money with David Wills and Todd HarperA conversation for those who have money and those who feel they don’t have enough money. Our relationship with money reveals what we are placing our trust in. Sadly even in most Christian families there is a disconnect between our spiritual life and money. In episode 4 Ruth is joined by Todd Harper, President of Generous Giving and David Wills, President Emeritus of National Christian Foundation, friends and alumni of the Transforming Community experience for a revealing discussion about transformation and money.
Mentioned in this podcast:
The Soul of Money: Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Life Lynne...
2020-03-1847 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 9: Episode 3 | The Struggle to Give Our Death Away with Ron RolheiserThe third-part of Ruth's conversation with author Fr. Ronald Rolheiser is a thought provoking discussion of the third stage of discipleship – giving our deaths away. How can we give something deep in our passivity like Jesus did in his passion? A fascinating dialogue about dying and the spiritual journey. Ruth shares with us what her mother taught her in her death.
This conversation is drawn from his profound and thought-provoking book, Sacred Fire: A Vision for a Deeper Human and Christian Maturity. We pray these three episodes will serve you well as you begin your Lenten journey.
SUB...
2020-03-1136 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 9: Episode 2 | The Struggle to Give Our Lives Away with Ron RolheiserIn the second-part of Ruth's conversation with author Fr. Ronald Rolheiser Ruth discusses the temptations and invitations of the second stage of discipleship – those giving their lives away. The stage where most of us find ourselves! The choice in this stage is between bitterness and gratitude. This episode is great reminder to take pleasure in your life and to remember that anger takes you away from gratitude.
This conversation is drawn from his profound and thought-provoking book, Sacred Fire: A Vision for a Deeper Human and Christian Maturity. We pray these three episodes will serve you well as you beg...
2020-03-0429 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 9: Episode 1 | The Struggle to Get our Lives Together with Ron RolheiserWe are launching season 9 and keeping things fresh. This season is titled Ruth and Friends: “Conversations on Spiritual Transformation and…” In each episode Ruth invites leaders with diverse callings and expertise to dialogue and explore how spiritual transformation intersects with some of the most significant topics of this time.
We begin the season by offering a three-part conversation with author Fr. Ronald Rolheiser discussing the three stages of discipleship. This conversation is drawn from his profound and thought-provoking book, Sacred Fire: A Vision for a Deeper Human and Christian Maturity. In episode 1 Ruth and Ron discuss the temptation...
2020-02-2535 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 8: Episode 5 | Christmastide: From Waiting to WonderJoin us for this series of Advent and Christmastide reflections. The seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by entering into these seasons we experience the deeper dynamics and rhythms of the spiritual life by walking closely with Jesus and learning from him as we go. In this season of the Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast, we are privileged to prepare and walk through the season of Advent together.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Advent Reflections - Cycle A
Revised...
2019-11-2736 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 8: Episode 4 | Fourth Sunday of Advent: Joseph and the Walk of FaithJoin us for this series of Advent and Christmastide reflections. The seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by entering into these seasons we experience the deeper dynamics and rhythms of the spiritual life by walking closely with Jesus and learning from him as we go. In this season of the Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast, we are privileged to prepare and walk through the season of Advent together.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Advent Reflections - Cycle A
2019-11-2725 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 8: Episode 3 | Third Sunday of Advent: Gifts in the WildernessJoin us for this series of Advent and Christmastide reflections. The seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by entering into these seasons we experience the deeper dynamics and rhythms of the spiritual life by walking closely with Jesus and learning from him as we go. In this season of the Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast, we are privileged to prepare and walk through the season of Advent together.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Advent Reflections - Cycle A
Revised...
2019-11-2729 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 7: Week 7 | Holy Week: Liturgy of the PassionThe seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by entering into these seasons we experience the deeper dynamics and rhythms of the spiritual life by walking closely with Jesus and learning from him as we go. In this season of the Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadershippodcast, we are privileged to prepare and walk through the season of Lent together.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Revised Common Lectionary
Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver, Mary-Oliver
An Invitation to Wa...
2019-04-1525 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 7: Week 5 | Suffering: Dying that we Might LiveThe seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by entering into these seasons we experience the deeper dynamics and rhythms of the spiritual life by walking closely with Jesus and learning from him as we go. In this season of the Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast, we are privileged to prepare and walk through the season of Lent together.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Revised Common Lectionary
Lent: A Season of Returning, Ruth Haley Barton
A Cry for Mercy: P...
2019-04-0120 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 7: Week 4 | Confession: Coming Home to GodThe seasons of the church year are meant to teach us something about the spiritual life we need to learn. In fact, by entering into these seasons we experience the deeper dynamics and rhythms of the spiritual life by walking closely with Jesus and learning from him as we go. In this season of the Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast, we are privileged to prepare and walk through the season of Lent together.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Revised Common Lectionary
Lent: A Season of Returning, Ruth Haley Barton
Invitation to a...
2019-03-2526 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 6: Episode 12 | In Returning and Rest You Shall Be SavedRuth begins by sharing just how important the rhythm of retreat has been for her life. What is the one thing that must be present in a retreat center. Ruth shares about the lifting power of retreat and why you don’t pull up the plant to see if the roots are growing. Now it is time to show up on retreat and let God show up. We end with God's invitation to us in Isaiah 30.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Invitation to Retreat,Ruth Haley Barton
Transforming Community
Exploring Further:
Mus...
2019-02-0620 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 6: Episode 11 | Remember the SignsHow do we return from retreat? In this episode we get some much needed counsel and a little help from Aslan. Ruth gives very practical advice on how to return home after a retreat. Are you a blurter? Some warning about sharing your retreat experience.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Invitation to Retreat, Ruth Haley Barton
Transforming Community
Exploring Further:
Music in Solitude
Ruth Haley Barton
Steve Wiens
Become a patron: Join a growing movement of transforming leaders. We have gotten fantastic feedback about the podcast, and we...
2019-01-3023 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 6: Episode 10 | Spiritual FreedomIs it really possible? We begin by dealing with Steve’s resistance to the chapter title. Steve might or might not be having an existential crisis. Are you the responsible one? Maybe you can start with considering where you do have freedom. What are disordered and ordered attachments and how does it relate to spiritual freedom? Ruth concludes by sharing a beautiful poem she carries with her by David Whyte.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Invitation to Retreat,Ruth Haley Barton
Transforming Community
Exploring Further:
Music in Solitude
Ruth Haley Barton
Ste...
2019-01-2323 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 6: Episode 9 | Invitation to RecalibrateOften time on retreat there is sadness that takes one by surprise. Who do I want to be and how do I want to live so I can be who I want to be are important questions for recalibrating on retreat. What is the question Jesus wants to be with us on retreat? Jesus wants to interact with us about the questions we have. A full episode full of great invitations. You will want to create space to do the practice at the end of the episode.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Invitation to Retreat, Ruth Haley Bart...
2019-01-1622 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 6: Episode 8 | Space for DiscernmentIf you have gotten this far and are still wondering if a retreat is a necessary practice, we knock it out of the park with discussing Jesus’ pattern of retreat. Jesus utilizes retreat for discernment even though he knew everything. Ruth shares three categories of discernment that can be practiced on retreat. Settle the crazy down! Don’t miss the great discussion Ruth and Steve have about discernment as a relationship instead of as a transaction.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Invitation to Retreat,Ruth Haley Barton
Transforming Community
Exploring Further:
Music in So...
2019-01-0926 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 6: Episode 7 | Relinquishing False Self PatternsWe start with defining what is meant by false self patterns and where it fits into our spiritual journey. Ruth shares her perspective on the current popularity of the Enneagram right now. Just noticing is an important part of the journey of relinquishing. The good news is there are spiritual practices for each number on the enneagram and there are specific ways you can approach retreat based on your enneagram number. We end with some helpful advice on how to approach the enneagram to help you utilize it for your transformation.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Invitation...
2019-01-0229 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 6: Episode 6 | Letting Go of Your GripSteve has control issues even if surrender is one of the major movements of the spiritual life. Retreat is a powerful tool to practice surrender. Could your absence from those you love while on retreat be a ministry? Ruth discusses the ministry of absence. Ruth also shares a personal story about her daughter, and how being away on retreat was an opportunity for God to care for those she loved.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Invitation to Retreat, Ruth Haley Barton
Transforming Community
Exploring Further:
Music in Solitude
Ruth Haley...
2018-12-2623 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 6: Episode 5 | Sweet Hours of PrayerFixed hour of prayer. It is as simple as praying at fixed hours of the day. It is about reorienting ourselves to God. Ruth shares the four prayer movements that are used in the Transforming Community experience at the Transforming Center. Whether this is new or you have written this practice off as too rote, you're invited to pray these prayers as if you really mean them.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Invitation to Retreat, Ruth Haley Barton
Transforming Community
Iona Abby Worship Book
Praying with the Church: Following Jesus Daily, Hourly, Today...
2018-12-1925 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 6: Episode 4 | Finding Your Rhythm on RetreatHuman beings are made with rhythms and for rhythms. A beautiful conversation ensues about the beauty of rhythms, and how to find and recognize rhythms. In the Christian tradition tears are always a gift. Ruth provides a great encouragement to let the tears come. We end this episode with Ruth sharing a personal story of how the rhythm of retreat opened up space for God to speak to her.
Go deeper with this content and purchase Ruth's newest book, Invitation to Retreat: The Gift and Necessity of Time Away with God.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Invitation...
2018-12-1224 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 6: Episode 3 | The Sources of our ExhaustionAre you living out of external expectations instead of God’s calling on your life? Learn more about common sources of exhaustion. Could it be that our desire to serve is more about staying in control? Ruth names some of her own sources of exhaustion. Go deeper with this content and purchase Ruth's newest book, Invitation to Retreat:The Gift and Necessity of Time Away with God.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Invitation to Retreat, Ruth Haley Barton
Transforming Community
Exploring Further:
Music in Solitude Ruth Haley Barton Steve Wiens
Become a...
2018-12-0523 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 6: Episode 2 | Just Flop DownToo busy? When is the best time to go on retreat? Join Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Wiens for episode 2, and don’t forget your pillow. A great discussion about how technology has caused many of us to feel we can never do enough to feel like we've done enough. Listen and discover how to let go and go on a retreat. Ruth final word in this episode is about guilt.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Invitation to Retreat, Ruth Haley Barton
Transforming Community
Exploring Further:
Music in Solitude Ruth Haley Barton Steve Wie...
2018-11-2823 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 6: Episode 1 | Strategic WithdrawalWhy did Ruth write another book? How does it relate to Invitation to Solitude and Silence? We start with a delicious word – invitation. Ruth moves in to define our terms and discuss how retreat has been compromised in our culture. Ruth and Steve even discuss who should go on retreat. Lets reclaim the word retreat!
Mentioned in this podcast:
Invitation to Retreat, Ruth Haley Barton
Transforming Community
Exploring Further:
Music in Solitude Ruth Haley Barton Steve Wiens
Become a patron: Join a growing movement of transforming leaders. We have gotten fan...
2018-11-2122 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 5: Episode 12 | For the Sake of OthersWhy does Ruth end a book on silence and solitude with a chapter on for sake of others? Listen to find out. Ruth describes her own journey of moving out of silence and solitude and how it transformed her interaction with teenagers. A great discussion of words and why silence and solitude are important for both introverts and extroverts, along with a strong encouragement to not make this practice legalistic. As we close this season, Ruth leaves us with a practice to help us connect with God from the place of our deepest desire.
Mentioned in this p...
2018-11-1429 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 5: Episode 11 | Receiving GuidanceWhy does Elijah say the same things again? We expect Elijah’s experience of God’s presence to transform him, but there is a comforting interpretation of this passage. The good news: we don’t have to beg God for guidance. He is our shepherd and wants to guide. A great conversation ensues around how silence and solitude connects to receiving guidance. We conclude with a practice that leads us into guidance.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Invitation to Solitude and Silence, Ruth Haley Barton
Transforming Community
Exploring Further:
Music in Solitude
Ruth Ha...
2018-11-0726 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 5: Episode 10 | Pure PresenceWe begin this episode with a quick review of the story of Elijah. There is a payoff to waiting, and not running away. God is becoming Elijah’s ultimate orienting reality. Entering a silence that is not empty but full of God’s presence. Good news, God is a much better parent than we ever could be. We introduce Ruth’s newest book and how it connects to silence and solitude. The practice in this episode will guide you into being honest before God.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Invitation to Solitude and Silence, Ruth Haley Barton
Tran...
2018-10-3129 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 5: Episode 8 | EmptinessIt takes stamina to stay in silence and solitude. Why does God meet us in such vast emptiness? Ruth has a thought. There is great encouragement in Elijah’s journey and how long it took. Emptiness can be very lonely, yet you don’t have to go alone. It is good to have some human support and we discuss the ministry of presence. Our practice starts with acknowledging we have places of emptiness.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Invitation to Solitude and Silence, Ruth Haley Barton
Transforming Community
Exploring Further:
Music in Solitude
...
2018-10-1726 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 5: Episode 7 | Rest for the SoulWe have made it to the cave with Elijah and he is telling the whole truth. The good news is God can handle anything. Ruth shares about being in solitude and silence with gratitude and how restful and energizing it can be. What if we feel like God didn’t show up? Ruth has some advice. Faithfulness to these practices will bear fruit because the work is happening underneath.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Invitation to Solitude and Silence, Ruth Haley Barton
Transforming Community
Exploring Further:
Music in Solitude
Ruth Haley Barton
St...
2018-10-1031 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 5: Episode 6 | Rest for the MindWe are moving through this story slowly and it is good. At this point God asks Elijah a question. Allowing the mind rest into the heart is a helpful way to describe letting the mind rest without discounting the contribution of the mind. Ruth shares a personal example of resting and trusting God. We end this episode by resting with our questions in God’s presence.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Invitation to Solitude and Silence, Ruth Haley Barton
Transforming Community
Exploring Further:
Music in Solitude
Ruth Haley Barton
Steve Wiens
2018-10-0328 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 5: Episode 5 | Rest for the BodyWhat is not to like about the fact that God instructed Elijah to take not one but two naps? Why do we treat our body so poorly? Ruth and Steve discuss a powerful psalm to better understand the dynamic of silence and solitude. They also discuss how the daily examen can help us get in touch with our bodies. We are developing a rhythm of practice in this season; this episode will help you get in touch with your body.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Invitation to Solitude and Silence, Ruth Haley Barton
Transforming Community
...
2018-09-2630 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 5: Episode 4 | Dangerously TiredWe pick up with the story of Elijah, and why it is important that he rested first. We talk about how to recognize being dangerously tired, with Ruth sharing some concrete examples. How does one surrender to exhaustion. We get into describing what sane rhythms look like, and we close by practicing again.
Mentioned in this podcast:
Invitation to Solitude and Silence, Ruth Haley Barton
Transforming Community
Exploring Further:
Music in Solitude
Ruth Haley Barton
Steve Wiens
Become a patron: Join a growing movement of transforming leaders. We ha...
2018-09-1930 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 5: Episode 3 | ResistanceOur lives are not in danger like Elijahs, but we all have to face resistance. If you feel the push pull, then this is likely a signal God is at work. How do we push through our fear? What if we are afraid God will not show up? It is good to know our own baggage. The best part is that God will meet you even if you have a lot of resistance. Ruth shares her experience with people who seem most resistant to silence and solitude. We end again with a practice.
Mentioned in this podcast:...
2018-09-1226 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 5: Episode 2 | BeginningsLearning to be present with God alone – where do we begin? How do we get to the point where we recognize that what needs done in our lives only God can do? We define our terms in this episode – what is silence and what is solitude? Steve is already overachieving, Ruth encourages people to begin with a much smaller amount of time in silence and solitude
Mentioned in this podcast:
Invitation to Solitude and Silence, Ruth Haley Barton
The Way of the Heart, Henri Nouwen
Exploring Further:
Music in Solitude
Ruth Hale...
2018-09-0524 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 5: Episode 1 | Beyond WordsIn Season 5: Invitation to Solitude and Silence, Steve Wiens and Ruth Haley Barton will walk through Ruth's book by the same name. Join us for a rich conversation, and grab a copy of the book to take a deeper dive into solitude and silence. This season finds us walking with Elijah in the wilderness with a bounty on his head right after Mount Carmel and the best altar call ever. Ruth's book, Invitation to Solitude and Silence, was written 14 years ago – a lot has changed and not necessarily for the better. Distraction is an even bigger problem in our mo...
2018-08-2925 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonBONUS EPISODE: A Conversation with Ruth Haley Barton and Aaron NiequistBefore we kick off a new season next Wednesday, Ruth Haley Barton sat down with Aaron Niequist and discussed a variety of topics from their shared background to their journey to a practiced-based faith. In a time where there is much to be discouraged about about in the Church, this conversation will give you hope.
Note: The idea Ruth attributes to Richard Rohr regarding “being on the inside of the outside” is more accurately stated in his own words as “being on the outside of the inside" or “the edge of the inside.”
Mentioned in the Podcast:
2018-08-2336 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 3: Episode 1 | The Heart of Spiritual LeadershipIt is 2018 and we are excited to be back with Ruth Haley Barton and Transforming Center friend and Transforming Community (TC6) alum, Steve Wiens. In this episode Ruth and Steve dive right into the topic of pursuing God’s will together, and Ruth begins by defining the heart of spiritual leadership. Is discerning together just for the big things? Why is Jesus always healing blind people? What happens when leaders stop paying attention? What are the four types of blindness we easily fall into? These are just a few of the questions Ruth and Steve discuss. The episode ends with some...
2018-01-3128 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 2: Episode 9 | You are Witnesses of these ThingsAs we conclude season two, the disciples on the Emmaus Road are so excited about what has happened in and through their encounter with Jesus on the Emmaus Road that they jump up from dinner and turn right around to go back to Jerusalem to share what has happened with the other disciples. The trauma of all they had been through has been redeemed and their spiritual journey now leads them to discern the mission Jesus has for them. Ruth and Steve discuss the creative tension in the spiritual life between mission and formation. Steve offers us an advice f...
2017-09-1332 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 2: Episode 6 | The Nature of the Spiritual JourneyJesus listened long enough to the disciples on the Emmaus Road to offer a spiritual perspective on the hardest experiences of life. In this conversation, Ruth and Steve discuss the role of suffering in the Christian journey and how we need to normalize suffering so we can claim its fruitful role in the spiritual life. Ruth highlights the stages of the spiritual journey and how transforming communities need to have resources to meet people at all of these stages.
In this podcast:
The Divine Conspiracy: Rediscovering Our Hidden Life in God by Dallas Willard
I...
2017-08-2330 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 2: Episode 5 | Men and Women in CommunityIf you read the Emmaus Road conversation carefully in Luke 24, you will notice that part of the story the disciples told Jesus was that “the women of our group astounded us” with news of the Resurrection on that first Easter morning. Ruth unpacks the countercultural approach Jesus took to the role of women and men in Jesus’ life and ministry. Ruth and Steve speak candidly about how discrimination on the basis of gender happens even in settings that affirm the equality of men and women. They also acknowledge the sparks that can be present when women and men are togeth...
2017-08-1633 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 2: Episode 4 | Gathering on the Basis of Shared DesireIn their conversation on the Emmaus Road, Jesus created a safe space for the disciples to share their deepest desire. Getting in touch with our deepest desire is like peeling an onion—there are many layers, and getting to the center might leave you in a pool of tears. Listen to a great conversation about how to cultivate communities where people are safe enough with each other to name their deepest desires. In doing so, people can then support each other in arranging their lives for what they say they truly want. This is a great episode for leaders wh...
2017-08-0930 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 2: Episode 2 | Welcoming the StrangerJesus wants to be in your juicy conversations. Just think about it—the Emmaus Road encounter would not have happened had the disciples not welcomed “the stranger” on their journey home. Welcoming the other’s experience and story are integral to the idea of welcoming the stranger. In episode 2, Ruth shares a story of how welcoming the other created a transforming community experience. What will you miss when you don’t welcome the stranger? The polarization of our culture is so acute, that the practice of learning how to recognize and welcome the stranger is more crucial than ever. Let’s make...
2017-07-2629 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 2: Episode 1 | Choosing to Walk TogetherLife Together in Christ: Cultivating Communities for Spiritual Transformation
Many of us are carrying a lot of baggage regarding Christian community. Ruth has often commented that it is one of the most over-promised, under-delivered aspects of the Christian life—which means that Christians who have been deeply involved in church are often the most cynical and disillusioned. In Season 2 of the Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast, Ruth and Steve will discuss how to cultivate communities where people regularly and routinely experience spiritual transformation. In episode 1, Ruth shares how God led her to the story of the...
2017-07-1931 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 1: Episode 8 | For the Sake of OthersAre you a missional or a formational organization? Steve and Ruth take on this dualism. As usual, the conversation begins with looking at Scripture, showing the cause and effect relationship between our formation and the ability to discern the will of God. Ruth finally gets around to defining spiritual transformation and puts a stake in the ground – mission cannot be discerned and cannot be sustained without spiritual transformation. International Justice Mission gets a shout out for their commitment to connecting spiritual transformation and mission. Do you believe you can either have a healthy life or you can live your li...
2017-05-1028 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 1: Episode 7 | The Art and Practice of Spiritual DiscernmentDiscernment is not a subjective woo-woo experience! Ruth begins episode 7 by explaining why discernment is an art AND a practice. This discussion highlights the unlikely place discernment begins, and why it is important to remember God’s wisdom is often very different than human wisdom. Steve shares his own story of discerning together with other leaders and the surprising win that resulted for his team — transformation. Circling back to an earlier episode on spiritual direction, Ruth gets clear on the role of spiritual direction in the life of a spiritual leader. Facing a big decision? Listen to episode 7 of Seas...
2017-05-0336 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 1: Episode 6 | Transformation Through Self-Knowledge and Self-ExaminationThis podcast kicks off with a discussion of the ancient practice of the Examen. In case you are wondering, self-examination is so much more than just asking God to show us our sin. In this rich discussion straight out of Psalm 139, Ruth provides a clear definition of true self and false self and deals with the unsettling truth that most leaders are hired for their false-self strategies. Along with touching on the Enneagram, Ruth shares her own story of wondering if she was falling off the spiritual path only to discovering that this was in fact the spiritual journey...
2017-04-2634 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 1: Episode 5 | Honoring the Body as a Spiritual PracticeRuth draws from Elijah’s story to shed light on the role of the body in the spiritual life. This episode explores the connection between our bodies and our spiritual lives. Discover the joy of living in your body as a gift from God. Ruth and Steve discuss different practices for honoring God in our bodies, including learning how to live within limits. There is so much joy, life, and energy when we connect our spiritual lives with life in our bodies! Listen with your whole body to Episode 5 of Season 1: Sacred Rhythms in the Life of the Leader.
...
2017-04-1929 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 1: Episode 4 | Engaging the Scriptures for TransformationWhat happens to a leader’s soul when s/he only engages Scripture for ministry? Steve asks for a friend. ;) What can a pastor or leader do when they are no longer encountering God in Scripture? Join us for an enlightening discussion about the practice of finding yourself in the Biblical story — especially difficult for leaders who want to “make it happen.” Ruth affirms the importance of moving from information to transformation in our approach to Scripture, and emphasizes how important it is for pastors to create space for God to surprise them through Scripture. All this and more in episo...
2017-04-1233 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 1: Episode 3 | Prayer - Deepening Our Intimacy With GodHow does Ruth respond when a pastor admits they don’t know how to pray anymore? You will be surprised. This episode is for those who feel stuck in their prayer even though prayer is part of their job description. Ruth describes transitions in the life of prayer with a rich discussion of intimacy that isn’t about sex — or at least mostly not about sex. :) Ruth shares a liberating way to pray for someone when they ask, “Please pray for me.” Best of all, Ruth ends this episode by guiding you through a prayer practice. Don’t miss Episode 3 of...
2017-04-0540 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonBonus Episode | Lent : Returning to God with All Your HeartRuth Haley Barton and Steve Wiens begin the discussion of Lent by talking about the seasons of the church calendar. Each season has unique invitations and keep us connected with Jesus’ spiritual journey while he was on earth. Lent invites us into aspects of transformation that we might not choose on our own, or even know how to choose. They also discuss some of the unique challenges for leaders during the season of Lent. Whether you have never participated in Lent or wish to re-engage Lent in a fresh way, you will learn something new in this bonus episode of...
2017-03-1024 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 1: Episode 2 | A Leader's Journey into Silence and SolitudeDo you sleep with your phone? You won’t believe who has your number! Ruth and Steve talk about the challenge of technology for leaders who desire to practice silence and solitude. They discuss the unique difficulties leaders face as they enter into solitude and silence. And you will hear more about Ruth’s own journey into solitude and silence. Are you ready to give more control to God? Listen to episode 2 in Season 1: Sacred Rhythms in the Life of the Leader.
Mentioned in the podcast:
Invitation to Solitude of Silence, Ruth Haley Barton
Tran...
2017-03-1031 minStrengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley BartonSeason 1: Episode 1 | Invitation to Retreat/Dangerously TiredJoin us on the journey of transforming leadership! What do pastors and ministry leaders tell Ruth when they know they are safe? In the very first episode of the Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast, Ruth and Steve discusses what it looks like for leaders to be dangerously tired. Are you holding a beach ball under water? Ruth shares her first experience of noticing she was dangerously tired, which became her invitation to step away from ministry and church for a time to just be with God and God alone. Discover why desire is not a bad word, and wh...
2017-03-1029 min