Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley Barton

Steve 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 Barton Steve Wiens Become a patron: Join a growing movement of transforming leaders. We have gotten fantastic feedback about the podcast, and we would like to create even more content. We need you! Become a patron and receive exclusive bonuses and our gratitude. Learn more. Music Credit: The intro and outro by Aaron Niequist.

Fixed 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, Scot Mcknight 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 would like to create even more content. We need you! Become a patron and receive exclusive bonuses and our gratitude. Learn more. Music Credit: The intro and outro by Aaron Niequist.

Human 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 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 would like to create even more content. We need you! Become a patron and receive exclusive bonuses and our gratitude.  Music Credit: The intro and outro by Aaron Niequist.

Are 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 patron:  Join a growing movement of transforming leaders. We have gotten fantastic feedback about the podcast, and we would like to create even more content. We need you! Become a patron and receive exclusive bonuses and our gratitude.  Music Credit: The intro and outro by Aaron Niequist.

Too 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 Wiens Become a patron:  Join a growing movement of transforming leaders. We have gotten fantastic feedback about the podcast, and we would like to create even more content. We need you! Become a patron and receive exclusive bonuses and our gratitude.  Music Credit: The intro and outro by Aaron Niequist.

Why 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 fantastic feedback about the podcast, and we would like to create even more content. We need you! Become a patron and receive exclusive bonuses and our gratitude. Learn more. Music Credit: The intro and outro by Aaron Niequist.

Why 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 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 have gotten fantastic feedback about the podcast, and we would like to create even more content. We need you! Become a patron and receive exclusive bonuses and our gratitude. Learn more on our Patreon.com page. Music Credit: The intro and outro by Aaron Niequist.

Why 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 Haley Barton Steve Wiens Become a patron:  Join a growing movement of transforming leaders. We have gotten fantastic feedback about the podcast, and we would like to create even more content. We need you! Become a patron and receive exclusive bonuses and our gratitude. Learn more on our Patreon.com page. Music Credit: The intro and outro by Aaron Niequist.

In this podcast, Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins discuss the transformative power of desiring God's presence above all things. They explore the story of Elijah and how it led him to the pure presence of God, finding rest and true identity. They also discuss Ruth's new book, Invitation to Retreat, and the practice of deep breathing to connect with God. Reflect on areas of life that need transformation and join a transforming community to embark on a journey of personal growth and self-discovery.