Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley Barton

Ruth 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. SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES You can also access podcast on Google Play or Stitcher. 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 encourage you to get a copy of the book, and now more than ever is a great way to support a local book store, or you can buy it directly from the publishers website. IVP is even offering Invitation to A Journey at 30% off — Visit them at Ivpress.com and use code: SOUL30. Offer expires on July 15, 2020. ——————————————— Mentioned in this podcast: Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation, M. Robert Mulholland The Gift of Being Yourself: The Sacred Call to Self-Discovery by David Benner Mr Rogers Documentary: Won't You Be My Neighbor? A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019) Become a patron: Join a growing movement of transforming leaders. We’ve received fantastic feedback about the podcast, and we would like to create even more episodes. We need you! Become a patron this summer and receive our free Fixed- Hour Prayers for Families with guidance for how to get started and ideas for engaging children when you become a patron at any level. Music Credit: I am New by Joel Hanson. Kingdom Come by Aaron Niequist

When 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 her conversation partner, Steve Wiens, as we begin a new journey. SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES You can also access podcast on Google Play or Stitcher. 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 encourage you to get a copy of the book, and now more than ever is a great way to support a local book store, or you can buy it directly from the publishers website. IVP is even offering Invitation to A Journey at 30% off — Visit them at Ivpress.com and use code: SOUL30. Offer expires on July 15, 2020. ——————————————— 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 the podcast, and we would like to create even more episodes. We need you! Become a patron this summer and receive our free Fixed- Hour Prayers for Families with guidance for how to get started and ideas for engaging children when you become a patron at any level. Music Credit: I am New by Joel Hanson. Kingdom Come by Aaron Niequist

This season we are walking through Invitation to a Journey, part of the Transforming Resources collection published by InterVarsity Press. We encourage you to get a copy of the book, and now more than ever is a great way to support a local book store, or you can buy it directly from the publishers website. IVP is even offering Invitation to A Journey at 30% off — Visit them at Ivpress.com and use code: SOUL30. Offer expires on July 15, 2020. Access past podcast seasons 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 the podcast, and we would like to create even more episodes. We need you! Become a patron this summer and receive our free Fixed- Hour Prayers for Families with guidance for how to get started and ideas for engaging children when you become a patron at any level. Music Credit: New Way to Live written by Joel Hanson. I am New written by Joel Hanson and Jason Gray. Kingdom Come by Aaron Niequist. SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES You can also access podcast on Google Play or Stitcher.

What 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 Friends" in the future. Don't miss the announcement of what in store for Season 10 of the Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast.  SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES You can also access podcast on Google Play or Stitcher. Listen to other episodes from Season 9 Access past podcast seasons Mentioned in this podcast: Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation, Robert Mulholland Exploring Further: Transforming Community Ruth Haley Barton Read Ruth's tribute to M. Robert  Mulholland Become a patron: Join a growing movement of transforming leaders. We’ve received fantastic feedback about the podcast, and we would like to create even more episodes. We need you! Become a patron during Lent and receive our Lent: A Season of Returning! Music Credit: New Way to Live written by Joel Hanson. I am New written by Joel Hanson and Jason Gray.

What happens when you record a podcast and the lawn service is working very hard outside your window? Find out on today’s podcast! We will also discuss the integration of psychology and spirituality – an important topic for spiritual leaders. Leaders can fall into the trap of over spiritualizing in order to avoid doing the hard psychological work of facing real brokenness. Ruth invites her friend Bob Watson, a licensed clinical psychologist, for a fascinating discussion. As part of their own self leadership leaders need to not just look at the spiritual aspects of their lives, but also attend to their mental health. Control, pain, drivenness, and shame are just some of the topics covered. The episode concludes with helpful guidance on how a leader can know when the thing that we are dealing with should be attended to psychologically with therapy--as part of their journey towards wholeness in Christ. Dr. Robert Watson, PsyD, LP holds an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College and a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. Bob is licensed as a clinical psychologist in the states of Michigan and Illinois. Bob considers himself privileged to play a part in healing the “noble wounds” of those in ministry, and serves as the director of counseling at Alongside, a Christian retreat center offering professional counseling and shared community designed to help leaders and their families emerge from burnout or breakdown . Learn more Alongside by visiting their site. In addition, Bob maintains a counseling practice in Hoffman Estates, IL. SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES You can also access podcast on Google Play or Stitcher. Listen to other episodes from Season 9 Access past podcast seasons Mentioned in this podcast: Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation, Robert Mulholland The Divine Conspiracy, Dallas Willard The Awakened Heart: Opening Yourself to the Love You Need, Gerald G. May M.D. Will and Spirit: A Contemplative Psychology Gerald G. May M.D. Exploring Further: Transforming Community Ruth Haley Barton Become a patron: Join a growing movement of transforming leaders. We’ve received fantastic feedback about the podcast, and we would like to create even more episodes. We need you! Become a patron during Lent and receive our Lent: A Season of Returning! Music Credit: New Way to Live written by Joel Hanson. I am New written by Joel Hanson and Jason Gray.

Ruth 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? SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES You can also access podcast on Google Play or Stitcher. Listen to other episodes from Season 9 Access past podcast seasons Mentioned in this podcast: The Eternal Current: How a Practice-Based Faith Can Save Us from Drowning, Aaron Niequist The Divine Conspiracy, Dallas Willard Exploring Further: Transforming Community Ruth Haley Barton Become a patron: Join a growing movement of transforming leaders. We’ve received fantastic feedback about the podcast, and we would like to create even more episodes. We need you! Become a patron during Lent and receive our Lent: A Season of Returning! Music Credit: New Way to Live written by Joel Hanson. I am New written by Joel Hanson and Jason Gray.

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, Baylor University, in Waco, Texas and is the author of several books. SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES You can also access podcast on Google Play or Stitcher. Listen to other episodes from Season 9 Access past podcast seasons Mentioned in this podcast: Family Systems and Congregational Life: A Map for Ministry, R. Robert Creech The Leader's Journey: Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation, Jim Herrington , Trisha Taylor, and R. Robert Creech Extraordinary Relationships: A New Way of Thinking About Human Interactions, Roberta M. Gilbert Exploring Further: Transforming Community Ruth Haley Barton Become a patron: Join a growing movement of transforming leaders. We’ve received fantastic feedback about the podcast, and we would like to create even more episodes. We need you! Become a patron during Lent and receive our Lent: A Season of Returning! Music Credit: New Way to Live written by Joel Hanson. I am New written by Joel Hanson and Jason Gray.

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 W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University, in Waco, Texas and is the author of several books.   SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES You can also access podcast on Google Play or Stitcher. Listen to other episodes from Season 9 Access past podcast seasons Mentioned in this podcast: Family Systems and Congregational Life: A Map for Ministry, R. Robert Creech The Leader's Journey: Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation, Jim Herrington , Trisha Taylor, and R. Robert Creech Extraordinary Relationships: A New Way of Thinking About Human Interactions, Roberta M. Gilbert Exploring Further: Transforming Community Ruth Haley Barton Become a patron: Join a growing movement of transforming leaders. We’ve received fantastic feedback about the podcast, and we would like to create even more episodes. We need you! Become a patron during Lent and receive our Lent: A Season of Returning! Music Credit: New Way to Live written by Joel Hanson. I am New written by Joel Hanson and Jason Gray.

A 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. Walking and praying through the stations of the cross is one way we can keep vigil with Christ during these holy days. Traditionally, there are fourteen Stations of the Cross—most of them taken directly from Scripture, along with a few that have been passed down in Christian tradition. This episode is based on An Invitation to Walk with Christ: Stations of the Cross Prayer Guide by Ruth Haley Barton. Special thanks to Steve Wiens for the production of the bonus episode. Enhance your experience and pray along with us…  SOME IDEAS TO HELP YOU PREPARE:  Plan for the service to take about an hour and fifteen minutes, including a 15 minute meditation on the practice of praying the stations of the cross, along with a few simple instructions.  Review the comments below to gain a sense of who you are praying with;  add your own name if you wish, letting us know where you will be praying. It is a strength and an encouragement to know we are praying with so many from around the world. Consider creating a simple “altar” with a cross, a candle you can light before beginning the service,  and any other symbol you that might be meaningful to you and your family. If you would like to participate in the prayers and responses, receive a downloadable Order of Service (text only) when you make a donation of any amount.* In order to avoid awkwardness, make a decision ahead of time with your group about whether or not you will join in the singing of the hymns. Lyrics are included and we have intentionally chosen versions that are simple and easy to follow. The service will conclude in an open-ended way with the extinguishing of the candle. Decide ahead of time who will do this and how your group will conclude. For example, you could agree that all will leave silently in order to spend time alone in quiet and even journaling about Jesus has said to them at each station. Or it could be that there was one station individuals want to return to and linger with for awhile. *Due to the fact that our online store is currently closed, we are offering these resources for a donation to cover our costs. SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES You can also access podcast on Google Play or Stitcher. Exploring Further: Transforming Resources; Lent Resources Transforming Community Ruth Haley Barton Become a patron: Join a growing movement of transforming leaders. We’ve received fantastic feedback about the podcast, and we would like to create even more episodes. We need you!  Music Credit: Lead me to Calvary performed by Don Moen, from the album Hymns of Hope Were you There, performed by The Vigil Project (featuring Andrea Thomas), from the album  Vigil, Series 1 When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, performed by Sandra McCracken, from the album She Reads Truth: Hymns New Way to Live written by Joel Hanson. I am New written by Joel Hanson and Jason Gray.   ©Ruth Haley Barton, 2020. Adapted from An Invitation to Walk with Christ: Stations of the Cross Prayer Guide.

The 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. SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES You can also access podcast on Google Play or Stitcher. 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 Become a patron: Join a growing movement of transforming leaders. We’ve received fantastic feedback about the podcast, and we would like to create even more episodes. We need you! Become a patron during Lent and receive our Lent: A Season of Returning! Music Credit: New Way to Live written by Joel Hanson. I am New written by Joel Hanson and Jason Gray. Join us for a virtual Good Friday prayer service Join us as we keep vigil with Christ on Good Friday. We will post a recording of our Stations of the Cross Prayer Service here on Wednesday April 8, 2020 and on the Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast. As much as possible, plan to pray between 12:00 -3:00 in your time zone. Learn more about how to participate and ways to enhance your experience and pray along with us.