Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley Barton

In 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 modern day. In this episode, we answer the question about what we would do if we are not scrolling in line at Chipotle. We end by beginning – beginning to practice solitude and silence. Mentioned in this podcast: Invitation to Solitude and Silence 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 Partreon.com page.  Music Credit: The intro and outro by Aaron Niequist.

Before 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: The Eternal Current: How a Practice-Based Faith Can Save Us from Drowning, Aaron Niequist Invitation to Retreat: The Gift and Necessity of Time Away with God, Ruth Haley Barton Everything Belongs, Richard Rohr Transforming Community  Music Credit: The intro and outro by Aaron Niequist.

This episode begins with a discussion of the kind of lonineless that is probably the hardest for a spiritual leader – when we feel God is against us. Moses' story in Exodus 33 has a lot to teach us. If you have ever doubted God’s goodness to you because of the personal cost of ministry to yourself or maybe those close to you, you'll want to listen to the conclusion to Season 4 and discover what really is the promised land. A touching word from Ruth about ending well and what legacy means for the spiritual leader who finds freedom.   Mentioned in this episode: Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership (Chapters 10&13) The intro and outro music is “Kingdom Come” by Aaron Niequist

Episode 8 highlights God’s faithfulness in meeting us in the loneliness of our leadership and how that leads to discerning together. We do an overview of corporate leadership discernment (All of Season 3 is devoted to the topic) and end with the conclusion to the story Ruth began in Episode 4 of this season. Ruth shares about God’s activity in the Transforming Center and the role corporate leadership discernment played in it hiring our Chief Operations Officer, Rob Kastens. A great testimony of mutual discernment and a great hope that we really can trust God. Mentioned in this episode: Pursuing God’s Will Together Season 3 Pursuing God’s Will Together Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership

Leadership opens leaders up to a whole world of pain. Moses is such a great leader because he always brings the difficulties people brought to God. You don’t hear much about the role of intercession in leadership circles. A rich discussion of differentiation and its importance in leadership ensues. Ruth shares how she makes intercession something that is not a heavy burden. Mentioned in this episode: Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership (Chapter 9)

The story of Moses and Jethro brings us right into the topic of sane rhythms in the life of the leader. What are the signs we are dangerously tired? What is the role of technology in all that! You won’t believe what Ruth does not have on her iPhone. Everyone is dealing with pace of life issues, and Ruth has some concrete advice on how to find a way of life that works. Ruth and Steve review a variety of spiritual rhythms that are especially helpful for leaders. This episode concludes with a discussion about the rhythm of sabbath. Mentioned in this episode: Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership (Chapters 7&8) Podcast Season One

In this episode Ruth and Steve start looking at the implications of the leadership journey, and how to guide others on their spiritual journey. Ruth makes a distinction between first half of life leaders and second half of life leader – looking at suffering and experiencing an internal death which leads to inner authority. Great encouragement for the younger leader and the older leader – about waiting and knowing when it is time to leave. Mentioned in this episode: Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership (Chapter 6)

This episode begins a bit differently. Instead of starting with the biblical story (Moses) Steve dives in and turns the table on Ruth, asking her about her own calling and what it looks like right now. Steve and Ruth talk about the fatal question, and a great discussion proceeds out of understanding the difference between calling and vocation. Things heat up when Ruth and Steve discuss anger especially relevant in our current culture, and we end by looking at how to be in touch with our own limits as a leader. Mentioned in this episode: Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership (Chapter 5)

Don’t wait till you're headed into a collision to recognize the need to pay attention. Ruth shares a funny, but sobering example. In this episode Ruth and Steve discuss practices to help leaders pay attention to their life in leadership, and you will find encouragement in Steve's faith building experience of learning to page attention to the spirit’s leading. Get an inside look at the Transforming Center and the Spirit's leading where a lot of people where paying attention. Mentioned in this episode: Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership (Chapter 4)

Ruth and Steve jump right into the story of Moses and we learn why he is such a great guide for those who are in leadership. Ruth and Steve explore some of the common family of origin issues that tend to negatively affect a leader’s life. And Ruth will guide you in finding your own place of conversion, providing hope for leaders in and out of ministry context. Learn why solitude is a key discipline for the extroverted and introverted leader. Put down your gun. We conclude by the call to lay down your arms. Mentioned in this episode: Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership (Chapter 3) The intro and outro music is “Kingdom Come” by Aaron Niequist