Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley Barton

S25 Ep 2 | Advent Week 2: An Invitation to Transformation in Seasons of Barrenness

6 snips

Dec 6, 2024

Dalene Strieff, a longtime member of the Transforming Center community, brings her rich experience in spiritual practices to the conversation. They delve into the themes of waiting and barrenness, reflecting on personal losses and the importance of silence in cultivating a deeper connection with God. The discussion highlights Zachariah and Elizabeth's story as an inspiring example of faithfulness amid challenges. Strieff shares insights on how communal practices can help navigate seasons of grief, emphasizing the transformative power of spiritual connection during tough times.

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ANECDOTE

Barrenness in Community

Jeff James felt barrenness after leaving his church of 15 years.
He found it difficult to feel at home in his new community, despite his expectations.

ANECDOTE

Grief and Barrenness

Dalene Strieff connects barrenness with grief, referencing the sadness she feels after her son's passing.
She admires Elizabeth's resilience in the face of long-term barrenness without becoming bitter.

INSIGHT

God Inhabiting Us

Enuma Okoro highlights incarnation as God bringing life to dead spaces.
Each time God brings life to seemingly dead spaces, we experience God inhabiting us.

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Charity, Jeff, and Colleen are joined for the second week of Advent by the OG of the OGs, as far as the Transforming Center is concerned, Dalene Strieff! The episode explores the themes of waiting, barrenness, and spiritual practices, particularly silence. The conversation touches on personal experiences of loss, grief, community, and spiritual growth, reflecting on the story of Zachariah and Elizabeth. The four discuss the importance of spiritual practices, like silence, in cultivating a deeper connection with God and community during challenging times. They reflect on how these practices can help in navigating personal and communal seasons of barrenness and division.

This season, as Advent falls on the heels of a contentious election season here in America and amidst the reality of war and violence around the world, we here at the Transforming Center wanted to approach the Advent podcast season with the awareness that many people are deeply in need of space and hope right now. TC staff member Charity McClure and ministry partners Jeff James and Colleen Powell will be walking listeners through Advent with the intention of broadening and deepening the practice and experience of silence as a way to hold that space. Using Enuma Okoro’s book 'Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent, which highlights the story of Elizabeth and Zachariah, for inspiration and wisdom, Charity and Jeff will be joined by guests as they explore themes of lament, barrenness, waiting, dependence on God, community, friendship, and hope.

Mentioned in this episode:

Silence and Other Surprising Invitations of Advent by Enuma Okoro (You can also purchase this resource through The Upper Room!)

Music Credit:

Kingdom Come by Aaron Niequist

All Who Are Thirsty from Advent Music in Solitude

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The Transforming Center exists to create space for God to strengthen leaders and transform communities. You are invited to join our next Transforming Community:® A Two-year Spiritual Formation Experience for Leaders. Delivered in nine quarterly retreats, this practice-based learning opportunity is grounded in the conviction that the best thing you bring to leadership is your own transforming self! Learn more and apply HERE.

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