Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley Barton

It takes stamina to stay in silence and solitude. Why does God meet us in such vast emptiness? Ruth has a thought. There is great encouragement in Elijah’s journey and how long it took. Emptiness can be very lonely, yet you don’t have to go alone. It is good to have some human support and we discuss the ministry of presence. Our practice starts with acknowledging we have places of emptiness.

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Music Credit: The intro and outro by Aaron Niequist.

We have made it to the cave with Elijah and he is telling the whole truth. The good news is God can handle anything. Ruth shares about being in solitude and silence with gratitude and how restful and energizing it can be. What if we feel like God didn’t show up? Ruth has some advice. Faithfulness to these practices will bear fruit because the work is happening underneath.

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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.

We are moving through this story slowly and it is good. At this point God asks Elijah a question. Allowing the mind rest into the heart is a helpful way to describe letting the mind rest without discounting the contribution of the mind. Ruth shares a personal example of resting and trusting God. We end this episode by resting with our questions in God’s presence.  

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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.

What is not to like about the fact that God instructed Elijah to take not one but two naps? Why do we treat our body so poorly? Ruth and Steve discuss a powerful psalm to better understand the dynamic of silence and solitude. They also discuss how the daily examen can help us get in touch with our bodies. We are developing a rhythm of practice in this season; this episode will help you get in touch with your body.  

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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.

We pick up with the story of Elijah, and why it is important that he rested first. We talk about how to recognize being dangerously tired, with Ruth sharing some concrete examples. How does one surrender to exhaustion. We get into describing what sane rhythms look like, and we close by practicing again. 

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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.

Our lives are not in danger like Elijahs, but we all have to face resistance. If you feel the push pull, then this is likely a signal God is at work.  How do we push through our fear? What if we are afraid God will not show up? It is good to know our own baggage. The best part is that God will meet you even if you have a lot of resistance. Ruth shares her experience with people who seem most resistant to silence and solitude. We end again with a practice. 

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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.

Learning to be present with God alone – where do we begin? How do we get to the point where we recognize that what needs done in our lives only God can do? We define our terms in this episode – what is silence and what is solitude? Steve is already overachieving, Ruth encourages people to begin with a much smaller amount of time in silence and solitude

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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 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.

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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.”  

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.

Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership (Chapters 10&13)

The intro and outro music is “Kingdom Come” by Aaron Niequist