Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley Barton

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

It was 10 years ago that Strengthening the Soul of your Leadership was published by InterVarsity Press. Last year we launched this podcast by the same name, and this year to celebrate the 10th anniversary InterVarsity released an expanded edition with a group experience and an assessment tool (check it out). Ruth and Steve will focus this podcast season on seeking God in the crucible of ministry. We kick off this episode by defining what the soul means and Ruth describes one of the clearest moments when she realized that she lost touch with her soul. Steve and Ruth discuss a biblical guide to help us pay attention to what is happening in our leadership and to own it. Along the way we discover why crucible is such a great word, and what and why a spiritual director is so important for a spiritual leader. Mentioned in this episode: Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership (Introduction and Chapters 1&2) Spiritual Directors  Spiritual Direction and Meditation, Thomas Merton The intro and outro music is “Kingdom Come” by Aaron Niequist

Last episode of Season 3. Are you still listening? Listening is a huge part of corporate leadership discernment. Ruth points out the role of listening in the discernment process in Act 15. Leaders are often poor listeners and there are some helpful practices around becoming better listeners and guidance for noticing without judging. Ruth and Steve discuss the exciting things that happen coming out of silence when people are discerning together. You will want to hear the description of how to recognize the Spirit's movement, and what happens when a “way forward” does not present itself. It is not over when we have discerned the will of God together – we have to do it! Ruth ends with a great encouragement for anyone who is overwhelmed by pursuing God’s will together.   Mentioned in this episode: Pursuing God’s Will Together: A Discernment Practice for Leadership Groups (Chapters 11 &12) Movements in Corporate Leadership Discernment (pdf)

This episode begins with a discussion of why sailing is such a beautiful metaphor for discernment. In this episode Ruth and Steve delve into what helps groups cross the threshold from decision-making to discernment. The prayer of indifference might be new, but it is deeply biblical and Ruth explains its role in discernment. How do you recognize God’s wisdom? Ruth shares a sign she looks for in perceiving God’s wisdom. How do we stop human striving from derailing the discernment process? This episode ends with some practical advise on helping people to transition from decision-making to discernment. Mentioned in this episode: Pursuing God’s Will Together: A Discernment Practice for Leadership Groups (Chapters 10) Movements in Corporate Leadership Discernment (pdf)

We are seven episodes in and we haven’t yet talked about the practice of discerning together. Everyone knows that it doesn’t go well when you paint a room and skip the prep work. Ruth shares why the prep work is so important to corporate leadership discernment. The running joke through this season crops up again as Ruth and Steve discuss the first step in the discernment process. Ruth and Steve end this episode talking about circumcision. I am not kidding. Mentioned in this episode: Pursuing God’s Will Together: A Discernment Practice for Leadership Groups (Chapter 9) Movements in Corporate Leadership Discernment (pdf)

The truth is, sadly, that many have lost faith that a community can be a safe place. How many leadership teams talk about love in the context of leadership? Ruth gives wonderful examples of the practices born out of the values important to the Transforming Center. Steve shares how it can all become derailed by our own fears, with Ruth advising on how to be an effective truth teller. The episode ends with the concept of covenant, getting clarity on its purpose and value. Learn why Ruth gets excited about covenants.   Mentioned in this episode: Pursuing God’s Will Together: A Discernment Practice for Leadership Groups (Chapters 7,8)

What is the first thing that goes when a leadership team gets busy? Does community mean two hours of checking in about how the kids and grandkids are doing? Ruth and Steve have a rich conversation about values and practices that helps us live together as a leadership community. The good news is that values are always present in a leadership group, so you don't start with a blank slate. We conclude episode 5 discussing a variety of practices and values that have impacted leadership communities Ruth and Steve have belonged to. Mentioned in this episode: Pursuing God’s Will Together: A Discernment Practice for Leadership Groups (Chapter 6)

What is corporate leadership discernment? Ruth kicks off this episode with defining each word and leads us through the movements of corporate leadership discernment. Discover why hikers and sailors value true north over magnetic north and why conviction is much different than understanding. Ruth and Steve answer the question: Do we all need to sing Kumbaya, My Lord? Steve and Ruth discuss some of the things you lose in corporate leadership discernment, and discuss why it is important to look at the culture of your leadership team. Maybe it is time to have a real and honest conversation about your culture. In fact, don’t bother trying to discern together until you have this conversation. Mentioned in this episode: Pursuing God’s Will Together: A Discernment Practice for Leadership Groups Chapter 4 & 5 Becoming a Community that Practices Corporate Leadership Discernment (pdf)

Magical thinking not allowed in this episode… ok not in any episode. Steve leads by pondering whether the western church needs to make a confession. In this episode, Ruth and Steve go deep on five foundations of discernment. Through these foundations they uncover some hard truths – leaders struggle with believing in the goodness of God and it is really hard to be human. Ruth shares a story of how discernment can be much faster than decision-making when you have leaders who are discerning. Lots to digest in episode 3. Mentioned in this episode: Pursuing God’s Will Together: A Discernment Practice for Leadership Groups

What is the best thing a leader brings to leadership? The answer is countercultural. Ruth makes a clear distinction between being healthy and transforming. Listen for an important question that needs to be asked first in leadership groups. A challenging question, but not hard to answer. Steve jumps in with an “asking for a friend” question that gets very practical for pastorsandleaders. Join us for episode 2 because there is no direct flight to becoming a community for discernment.   Mentioned in this episode:  Pursuing God’s Will Together: A Discernment Practice for Leadership Groups Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation Sacred RhythmsDVD Curriculum Season 1Strengthening the Soul of your LeadershipPodcast Chapter 2