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Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry
"I'm tired of helping others enjoy God—I just want to enjoy God for myself." With this painful admission, Ruth Haley Barton invites us to an honest exploration of what happens when spiritual leaders lose track of their souls. Weaving together contemporary illustrations with penetrating insight from the life of Moses, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership explores topics such as
responding to the dynamics of callingfacing the loneliness of leadershipleading from your authentic selfcultivating spiritual communityreenvisioning the promised landdiscerning God's will togetherEach chapter includes a spiritual practice to ensure your soul gets the nourishment it needs. Forging and maintaining a life-giving connection with God is the best choice you can make for yourself and for those you lead. This expanded edition includes the popular "How Is It with Your Soul?” assessment for leaders and a flexible six- or twelve-week guided experience for groups.
responding to the dynamics of callingfacing the loneliness of leadershipleading from your authentic selfcultivating spiritual communityreenvisioning the promised landdiscerning God's will togetherEach chapter includes a spiritual practice to ensure your soul gets the nourishment it needs. Forging and maintaining a life-giving connection with God is the best choice you can make for yourself and for those you lead. This expanded edition includes the popular "How Is It with Your Soul?” assessment for leaders and a flexible six- or twelve-week guided experience for groups.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2008
810 people are currently reading
2858 people want to read
About the author
Ruth Haley Barton
48 books274 followersRuth Haley Barton (Doctor of Divinity, Northern Seminary) is founding president/CEO of the Transforming Center, a ministry dedicated to strengthening the souls of pastors and Christian leaders, and the congregations and organizations they serve. For over twenty years, she has ministered to the soul care needs of pastors and leaders based upon her conviction that the best thing we bring to leadership is our own transforming selves. Trained at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation and the Institute for Pastoral Studies Loyola University Chicago, Ruth is a seasoned retreat leader and spiritual director. A sought-after speaker and preacher, she has served on the pastoral staff of several churches and teaches frequently at seminaries and graduate schools. Ruth is the author of numerous books and resources on the spiritual life, including Invitation to Solitude and Silence, Sacred Rhythms, Longing for More, Pursuing God's Will Together, and Life Together in Christ. She continues to share her thoughts and perspectives on soulful leadership through an online resource called eReflections as well as a podcast entitled Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 350 reviews
April 14, 2020
3.5
Silence, solitude, self-differentiation, spiritual rhythm and habits, sabbath, and discernment. The book is helpful to feature good content from others (Friedman, Nouwen, Bonhoeffer) and invites people into good practices.
However, the focus on a single person tries to force concepts into the story of Moses that aren't there. Several stories on Moses and others draw conclusions that are, at best, stretching the limits of what is permissible. It is a pet peeve of mine when authors put quotation marks around the words of God, and Barton "quotes" the Holy Spirit.
Removing about 30% of the content would actually aid this book in increasing its clarity and credibility. I would recommend sticking to stronger biblical and theological scholarship as well as psychology and neuroscience. This is where Curt Thompson's Anatomy of the Soul would be a better option.
Last comment: the focus on Moses overshadows Jesus. I wish this book were more on Christian formation rather than spiritual formation. Christian formation invites us into God's in-breaking kingdom inaugurated by Jesus. This is where stronger biblical and theological integration (from someone like Ray Anderson) would be helpful.
Silence, solitude, self-differentiation, spiritual rhythm and habits, sabbath, and discernment. The book is helpful to feature good content from others (Friedman, Nouwen, Bonhoeffer) and invites people into good practices.
However, the focus on a single person tries to force concepts into the story of Moses that aren't there. Several stories on Moses and others draw conclusions that are, at best, stretching the limits of what is permissible. It is a pet peeve of mine when authors put quotation marks around the words of God, and Barton "quotes" the Holy Spirit.
Removing about 30% of the content would actually aid this book in increasing its clarity and credibility. I would recommend sticking to stronger biblical and theological scholarship as well as psychology and neuroscience. This is where Curt Thompson's Anatomy of the Soul would be a better option.
Last comment: the focus on Moses overshadows Jesus. I wish this book were more on Christian formation rather than spiritual formation. Christian formation invites us into God's in-breaking kingdom inaugurated by Jesus. This is where stronger biblical and theological integration (from someone like Ray Anderson) would be helpful.
January 14, 2021
2.5- right in the middle.
I have rather strong mixed emotions regarding this book. The principles are excellent and applicable. The practices at the end of the chapters are helpful. Her ability to name and relate to the struggles that leaders in full time ministry uniquely face is so helpful. I suspect she is a wonderful guide in spiritual formation for those she leads.
Yet I was confused regarding her interpretation of scripture. Her approach is to look at Moses' life (since he was a leader) for principles to apply. This is a wise approach given Moses' significant leadership which was lead by God. I'm even ok that this approach is obviously not the author's overall intention in the Exodus story. Secondary applications of a text are still very valuable. A great example is Moses' interaction with his father-in-law and the incredibly valuable leadership lesson we can all learn.
My difficulty came largely in the first half of the book, where the principles she was teaching don't seem in any way to be explicit or implicit in Moses' story. Pulling leadership lessons at this point of the story - even good ones - seems to be a classic example of practicing eisegesis rather than exegesis. Instead, she simply could have found another primary text in scripture that covered these good, valid points.
Maybe I'm wrong(I am many times!) and after further study of the Exodus I can more clearly see where she's coming from. I may read another of her works to see if I can better understand her approach to scripture. For now, I'd more readily recommend authors such as Pete Scazzero (Emotionally Healthy Leader), Dallas Willard(anything?), Marva Dawn(The Sense of the Call), Wayne Cordeiro(Leading on Empty) and Henri Nouwen(In the Name of Jesus) - who also offer excellent books on spiritual formation that pertain directly to leaders.
I have rather strong mixed emotions regarding this book. The principles are excellent and applicable. The practices at the end of the chapters are helpful. Her ability to name and relate to the struggles that leaders in full time ministry uniquely face is so helpful. I suspect she is a wonderful guide in spiritual formation for those she leads.
Yet I was confused regarding her interpretation of scripture. Her approach is to look at Moses' life (since he was a leader) for principles to apply. This is a wise approach given Moses' significant leadership which was lead by God. I'm even ok that this approach is obviously not the author's overall intention in the Exodus story. Secondary applications of a text are still very valuable. A great example is Moses' interaction with his father-in-law and the incredibly valuable leadership lesson we can all learn.
My difficulty came largely in the first half of the book, where the principles she was teaching don't seem in any way to be explicit or implicit in Moses' story. Pulling leadership lessons at this point of the story - even good ones - seems to be a classic example of practicing eisegesis rather than exegesis. Instead, she simply could have found another primary text in scripture that covered these good, valid points.
Maybe I'm wrong(I am many times!) and after further study of the Exodus I can more clearly see where she's coming from. I may read another of her works to see if I can better understand her approach to scripture. For now, I'd more readily recommend authors such as Pete Scazzero (Emotionally Healthy Leader), Dallas Willard(anything?), Marva Dawn(The Sense of the Call), Wayne Cordeiro(Leading on Empty) and Henri Nouwen(In the Name of Jesus) - who also offer excellent books on spiritual formation that pertain directly to leaders.
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January 8, 2025394 days later!!
blessed by this book. I enjoyed that it followed Moses' life chapter by chapter, as Moses is someone I have always sort of felt (maybe presumptuously) that I understand and relate to. I have a common criticism towards many Christian books/sermons/resources that I also extend here: I think Barton could have talked about Jesus more :,) as Jesus was also a leader: in fact The leader that Moses' life and ministry foreshadowed. although I guess I understand why she didn't.
Barton's very mystical and visionary way of thinking and perceiving leadership, particularly her own leadership, at times struck me as maybe overly ingenuous, although I have my own biases and things that I need to reflect on related to that. I also thought it was interesting that she implicitly guides readers to pray prayers written by people like Leonard Cohen and Rilke: to me, this indicates perhaps a pluralistic attitude, which I am wary of in all Christians but I think can be especially dangerous if combined with over-idealism And a de-emphasis on Christ's centrality (although I would not go so far as to make an outright claim that Barton possesses this).
but this will be a valuable resource as I move throughout the year. I think in particular her straightforward guides to intercessory prayer and to discernment in group leadership communities will be invaluable, as well as the leaders' assessment at the end of the book! I think many of her ideas will likely find its way into my conversations and stuff as well as we look towards the CCF election season. mmmm and there were also some very timely reminders of the importance of carving out space for silence and solitude, and especially especially the timing with which I read the chapter on "loneliness and leadership" was very apt, as I'd recently lived thru something extremely similar to what she describes Moses and MLK going thru in that chapter. so that was cool. a blessing! thank You, God, and thank you Barton :)
blessed by this book. I enjoyed that it followed Moses' life chapter by chapter, as Moses is someone I have always sort of felt (maybe presumptuously) that I understand and relate to. I have a common criticism towards many Christian books/sermons/resources that I also extend here: I think Barton could have talked about Jesus more :,) as Jesus was also a leader: in fact The leader that Moses' life and ministry foreshadowed. although I guess I understand why she didn't.
Barton's very mystical and visionary way of thinking and perceiving leadership, particularly her own leadership, at times struck me as maybe overly ingenuous, although I have my own biases and things that I need to reflect on related to that. I also thought it was interesting that she implicitly guides readers to pray prayers written by people like Leonard Cohen and Rilke: to me, this indicates perhaps a pluralistic attitude, which I am wary of in all Christians but I think can be especially dangerous if combined with over-idealism And a de-emphasis on Christ's centrality (although I would not go so far as to make an outright claim that Barton possesses this).
but this will be a valuable resource as I move throughout the year. I think in particular her straightforward guides to intercessory prayer and to discernment in group leadership communities will be invaluable, as well as the leaders' assessment at the end of the book! I think many of her ideas will likely find its way into my conversations and stuff as well as we look towards the CCF election season. mmmm and there were also some very timely reminders of the importance of carving out space for silence and solitude, and especially especially the timing with which I read the chapter on "loneliness and leadership" was very apt, as I'd recently lived thru something extremely similar to what she describes Moses and MLK going thru in that chapter. so that was cool. a blessing! thank You, God, and thank you Barton :)
April 19, 2023
This book proposes a model of spiritual leadership that depends not on talent or organisational acumen but on seeking a personal relationship with God in solitude, silence, and prayer. The book argues that the kind of leadership that can truly participate in transforming others into holiness derives from a life that is increasingly sensitive and tender to the leading of the Holy Spirit in the leader's own life and walk. The book then moves in stages, roughly chronological on a trajectory of maturation, from conversion and calling to the relinquishment of a call in death, with many practical steps between. I am wholly persuaded.
November 14, 2023
The first time I attempted to read this, I had way too much going on in my life to really absorb much of it...or so I thought. Now, I arguably have more on my plate, but it seemed much more relatable this time around. Barton has so much wisdom to share, and although I think she stretches Moses' story a bit beyond what we can deduce from Scripture, there were so many nuggets that I drew from this book. I likely will revisit it again in the future.
June 17, 2025
If I could give 10 stars I would. This has to be a top 3 leadership book for me all time. In part, because it met me where I was at in season. Also, it is profound because it is honest and has the rare quality of succinctly capturing actual experience. It is deep, from the soul, and speaks to the soul. I can't recommend it enough. This is the second book of Barton's I've read and both "stick", which is not overly common for all I read.
October 27, 2025
Loved studying the life and leadership of Moses. He wasn’t perfect and yet at the end of his life he knew God face to face. The principles in this book are ones to help you know God face to face in the disciplines of leadership.
April 8, 2024
Ruth does a great job at providing important leadership principles for those in full time ministry. Her book goes into great detail with stories and examples of the leadership principles she teaches.
My one complaint is her use of Moses’ story. Though I agree with Moses being a great example of a leader, I disagree with her reading into Moses’ life for every leadership example she makes. Some points she makes are true with Moses story, but some tweak Moses story in order to fit in with her leadership principle.
My one complaint is her use of Moses’ story. Though I agree with Moses being a great example of a leader, I disagree with her reading into Moses’ life for every leadership example she makes. Some points she makes are true with Moses story, but some tweak Moses story in order to fit in with her leadership principle.
October 24, 2023
I started reading this book to prepare for my job working at a Christian summer camp this year. It was the first major leadership role I stepped into where there were real stakes involved (youth's lives!). I was out of my comfort zone, but I used this book to help guide me in this new chapter of my life. From being someone who was unsure of how to lead and questioning my abilities that first night, I used the advice from this very book to fuel my leadership to a place where I was confident, but not in myself - I was strengthened by God. What I was able to achieve this summer is no doubt fully owed to God. I'd have so little free time each day at camp, and I remember getting into bed at midnight in my bunk, dead tired knowing I'll have to wake up 7 hours later, but still turning on my flashlight and quietly reading, praying, having a time of silence and solitude, and ultimately resting my eyes with spiritual rejuvenation and peace.
This book taught me the importance of silence and solitude. Ruth gives you practical things that you can do after each chapter along with beautifully written prayers. So much value in actually doing those activities she recommends. The book also follows Moses and his journey from a murderer to one of the greatest leaders and God's friend. Ruth writes in a way that you can relate to, you can feel the words, and if you are a leader yourself, you'd be surprised that she's captured your thoughts, feelings, failures, & dreams on these pages. After reading, I'm focused on what is important - to seek God in the crucible of ministry. I'm not perfect, heck I'm one of the worst to ever live, but God is good and he is faithful. Totally recommend this book. I will definitely have to read this book again in the next couple years.
This book taught me the importance of silence and solitude. Ruth gives you practical things that you can do after each chapter along with beautifully written prayers. So much value in actually doing those activities she recommends. The book also follows Moses and his journey from a murderer to one of the greatest leaders and God's friend. Ruth writes in a way that you can relate to, you can feel the words, and if you are a leader yourself, you'd be surprised that she's captured your thoughts, feelings, failures, & dreams on these pages. After reading, I'm focused on what is important - to seek God in the crucible of ministry. I'm not perfect, heck I'm one of the worst to ever live, but God is good and he is faithful. Totally recommend this book. I will definitely have to read this book again in the next couple years.
May 25, 2022
A great book that dives into spiritual leadership through reflection on Moses’s life and leadership. Barton advocates for solitude and tuning into the heart of God in discerning His will and pursuing Him through the crucibles of leadership.
April 20, 2018
It took me too long to get around to Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry. I am a Ruth Haley Barton fan and I've read several of her books: Invitation to Solitude and Silence (IVP 2004), Sacred Rhythms (IVP 2006), Life Together in Christ (IVP 2014). While there are tons of authors who explore the realm of spiritual disciplines and spiritual formation, Barton has a special gift for combining an evangelical sensibility with contemplative spirituality. She is a spiritual director and the founder and president of the Transforming Center, an organization dedicated to strengthening the souls of pastors, Christian leaders, and congregations and the organizations they serve.
So being a Barton fan, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership (SSYL) had already been on my 'to read' list for several years, when a couple of years ago, a pastoral job I had imploded, and I was left reeling. Several friends and colleagues recommended this book and I made plans to read it. Though I never, until now, made it past my several false starts. I think I wasn't in the right psycho-social-space to wrestle with this stuff. Now in its second edition, SSYL frames the soul-formation of a leader with the life of Moses as her reference point (a page taken from Gregory of Nyssa's The Life of Moses?). Moses was a Hebrew raised in the house Pharoah, and his first attempt at leadership resulted in murder and coverup. The fear of being found out drives Moses to the wilderness. There, solitude begins to work on Moses's Soul as he confronts his struggles with identity (who is he, learns to pay attention, and wrestles with vocation. When Moses emerges from the wilderness, there are other lessons he needs to learn about leading others, the gifts of the round-about-wilderness way, intercession, isolation, and sabotage, delegating, leadership community and detachment.
Barton is guided by the conviction, "what lies beneath the surface—of the ocean of our lives—really matters (39). Where we encounter and wrestle with what is swirling on our insides, is in submitting to the rhythms of silence and solitude. She writes:
God's call to us is to find a way to do what Moses did—to leave our life in the complany of others at least for a time, to let go of all of our attempts to fix whatever needs fixing "out there," to leave whatever hope we had of leading people somewhere, and to believe that what needs to be done in the deep interior places of our life is the most important work to be done right now. In fact, to try to press on without paying attention to whatever it is that is bubbling up from way down deep is the most dangerous thing we could do. (40).
So, each chapter weaves examples from Moses, from Barton's own life, leadership and ministry, and examples from the lives of others who have thought to lead attentive of their inner life. Notable examples include Gary Haugen of IJM, who also wrote the forward, and Martin Luther King's wrestling with the dangers of being a Civil Rights leader, and his detachment from seeing his work come to fruition ("I've been to the mountaintop, I've seen the promised land. . . I may not get there with you").
The emphasis throughout is on practicing the sort of spirituality exhibited in the life of Moses. So each chapter closes with a practice designed to help us press into God and reflect on the character of our leadership. Often this is a moment in solitude. Listening to our breath, reflecting and listening in the quietness to what God may be whispering to our soul. A time to stop and attend to what is in us.
My exegetical, seminary-trained self, is occasionally critical with the way Barton uses episodes from Moses' life as illustrative of spiritual practices, whether or not that is what the narrative is about. Moses didn't run into the wilderness to pursue a life of silence and solitude and devote himself to prayer. He ran for his life because he was scared. He didn't go there to do inner work. Did the angel of the Lord cause the burning bush to burn and not be consumed because Moses was now ready to turn aside and pay attention? (60-61, chapter 4) This seems more pre-text than text. I wondered as I read if Moses story provides a canvas on which Barton simply paints the picture of spiritual formation she wishes to describe.
Yet, just as often, I found her insights into the story opened it up to me in ways that I had not previously considered. For example, Moses named his son Gershom because he had "been an alien in a foreign land" (Exodus 2:22). Barton reflects, "this is a profound admission. It had taken a very long time, but finally, Moses was able to acknowledge what was underneath the behavior that had gotten him where he was. He was finally able to admit that all his life he had struggled with his identity and he was mad as hell about it" (47). The sense of identity dislocation and his feeling like an imposter makes sense of the young Moses' life. Not only is this fruitful for understanding my own struggles with identity in leadership, but it changed the way I read Exodus 1-3. Similarly, the way Barton inhabits Moses angst and disappointment of seeing a promised land he would never enter was instructive and illuminative.
While this is the second edition, I didn't notice any substantive changes in the main text of the book. SSYL remain the same, word for word, by my reading anyway, what it was in the 2008 edition. But included in this edition is a flexible group discussion guide (for a weekly group or meeting with a spiritual mentor) and an assessment tool for gauging the state of our souls as leaders.
Despite noting my occasional exegetical wariness, I can't recommend this book enough. Barton names the issues that have swirled inside of me as I've pursued (and failed at) my pastoral calling (e.g. struggles with identity, clarifying calling, living within and recognizing my limitations, delegating, paying attention to God, etc). This would be an excellent book to read together as a leadership team or as guide for a lead-team retreat. I give this an enthusiastic 5 stars! -★★★★★
Notice of material connection: I received a copy of this book from IVP in exchange for my honest review
So being a Barton fan, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership (SSYL) had already been on my 'to read' list for several years, when a couple of years ago, a pastoral job I had imploded, and I was left reeling. Several friends and colleagues recommended this book and I made plans to read it. Though I never, until now, made it past my several false starts. I think I wasn't in the right psycho-social-space to wrestle with this stuff. Now in its second edition, SSYL frames the soul-formation of a leader with the life of Moses as her reference point (a page taken from Gregory of Nyssa's The Life of Moses?). Moses was a Hebrew raised in the house Pharoah, and his first attempt at leadership resulted in murder and coverup. The fear of being found out drives Moses to the wilderness. There, solitude begins to work on Moses's Soul as he confronts his struggles with identity (who is he, learns to pay attention, and wrestles with vocation. When Moses emerges from the wilderness, there are other lessons he needs to learn about leading others, the gifts of the round-about-wilderness way, intercession, isolation, and sabotage, delegating, leadership community and detachment.
Barton is guided by the conviction, "what lies beneath the surface—of the ocean of our lives—really matters (39). Where we encounter and wrestle with what is swirling on our insides, is in submitting to the rhythms of silence and solitude. She writes:
God's call to us is to find a way to do what Moses did—to leave our life in the complany of others at least for a time, to let go of all of our attempts to fix whatever needs fixing "out there," to leave whatever hope we had of leading people somewhere, and to believe that what needs to be done in the deep interior places of our life is the most important work to be done right now. In fact, to try to press on without paying attention to whatever it is that is bubbling up from way down deep is the most dangerous thing we could do. (40).
So, each chapter weaves examples from Moses, from Barton's own life, leadership and ministry, and examples from the lives of others who have thought to lead attentive of their inner life. Notable examples include Gary Haugen of IJM, who also wrote the forward, and Martin Luther King's wrestling with the dangers of being a Civil Rights leader, and his detachment from seeing his work come to fruition ("I've been to the mountaintop, I've seen the promised land. . . I may not get there with you").
The emphasis throughout is on practicing the sort of spirituality exhibited in the life of Moses. So each chapter closes with a practice designed to help us press into God and reflect on the character of our leadership. Often this is a moment in solitude. Listening to our breath, reflecting and listening in the quietness to what God may be whispering to our soul. A time to stop and attend to what is in us.
My exegetical, seminary-trained self, is occasionally critical with the way Barton uses episodes from Moses' life as illustrative of spiritual practices, whether or not that is what the narrative is about. Moses didn't run into the wilderness to pursue a life of silence and solitude and devote himself to prayer. He ran for his life because he was scared. He didn't go there to do inner work. Did the angel of the Lord cause the burning bush to burn and not be consumed because Moses was now ready to turn aside and pay attention? (60-61, chapter 4) This seems more pre-text than text. I wondered as I read if Moses story provides a canvas on which Barton simply paints the picture of spiritual formation she wishes to describe.
Yet, just as often, I found her insights into the story opened it up to me in ways that I had not previously considered. For example, Moses named his son Gershom because he had "been an alien in a foreign land" (Exodus 2:22). Barton reflects, "this is a profound admission. It had taken a very long time, but finally, Moses was able to acknowledge what was underneath the behavior that had gotten him where he was. He was finally able to admit that all his life he had struggled with his identity and he was mad as hell about it" (47). The sense of identity dislocation and his feeling like an imposter makes sense of the young Moses' life. Not only is this fruitful for understanding my own struggles with identity in leadership, but it changed the way I read Exodus 1-3. Similarly, the way Barton inhabits Moses angst and disappointment of seeing a promised land he would never enter was instructive and illuminative.
While this is the second edition, I didn't notice any substantive changes in the main text of the book. SSYL remain the same, word for word, by my reading anyway, what it was in the 2008 edition. But included in this edition is a flexible group discussion guide (for a weekly group or meeting with a spiritual mentor) and an assessment tool for gauging the state of our souls as leaders.
Despite noting my occasional exegetical wariness, I can't recommend this book enough. Barton names the issues that have swirled inside of me as I've pursued (and failed at) my pastoral calling (e.g. struggles with identity, clarifying calling, living within and recognizing my limitations, delegating, paying attention to God, etc). This would be an excellent book to read together as a leadership team or as guide for a lead-team retreat. I give this an enthusiastic 5 stars! -★★★★★
Notice of material connection: I received a copy of this book from IVP in exchange for my honest review
September 1, 2024
Read this with a mentor and was really impacted by the discussion surrounding it! I always approach leadership books a little cynically, but this book did a good job of challenging spiritual leadership and what it means to truly lead from the presence of God.
I have been discouraged by how hard it is to remain in Christ when in ministry, and this book tackles that problem head on. It calls for a style of leadership that is slower and more grounded in the sovereignty of God than what I have seen in any leadership setting. Will definitely be thinking about this one for a while.
I have been discouraged by how hard it is to remain in Christ when in ministry, and this book tackles that problem head on. It calls for a style of leadership that is slower and more grounded in the sovereignty of God than what I have seen in any leadership setting. Will definitely be thinking about this one for a while.
July 5, 2023
This was not only a fresh look at the life of Moses, but a beautiful lens for a leader. I really appreciate Ruth Haley Barton’s labor to remind us to minister from our soul. And I believe I could read the last chapter once a month for a year without mining all the gems God has for me!
June 15, 2024
I did not expect to feel so seen and so called out by this book! Such an encouragement for those of us who are visionary leaders — who get too caught up in what we know *could* be and so we lose sight of stewarding what’s right now. It was also helpful for reframing leadership after burnout and how to prevent it from happening again, and how to build health into our discipleship.
March 10, 2024
Highly recommend for anyone working or leading in ministry! RHB gives language to the experience of a ministry leader by beautifully linking the biblical example of Moses’ life, her own personal experience in leadership, poetry and prayers, and practical steps in a way that both convicts and comforts the reader. This will be a book that I will come back to again.
October 25, 2022
I needed to read this exactly right now. Grateful.
September 2, 2024
Read for a learning cohort. Really appreciated the spirit in which this is written.
January 20, 2020
We have all heard the stories of pastors who burn out famously through immorality, or who simply grow cynical and bitter. We know Christian leadership ought not lead to that, but so often it does.
Ruth Haley Barton writes her book to address why leaders so often lose their souls. More importantly, she draws from the story of Moses to direct us how to nourish our souls and draw closer to the Lord as we lead.
Honestly, I did not expect to like this book. I thought it would challenge me, but I kept waiting to roll my eyes and at syrupy or unrealistic hyper-spiritual ideals. My eyes never rolled. Every chapter is steeped in practical, real world challenges confronted by biblical principals. She actually summarizes the entire book on one page near the end. I will type it out here, both so I will remember it better and to tempt you to read it:
Because we are experiencing ourselves to be deeply loved by God, we begin to recognize an inner freedom that is beyond what we ever thought possible. . .
Rather than lead from the unconscious patterns of my false self, I am leading from a self being transformed by my encounters with God...
Rather than leading from frenetic busyness, I am leading at a measured pace...
Rather than leading from a place of exhaustion, I am discovering rhythms of work and rest, silence and word...
Rather than being subject to other people's expectations and my inner compulsions, I am operating out of a deep sense of God's call on my life.
Rather than leading from a simplistic view of the spiritual life, I have an inside out understanding of the shape of the spiritual journey...
Rather than arguing and fighting and defending myself from every criticism, I am carrying the people I lead into God's presence and interceding on their behalf.
Rather than being derailed by isolation, I am opening my loneliness to God. . .
Rather than leading from a place of intellectual striving, I am discovering with a few others how to open the gift of discernment so we can do God's will together.
I recommend you buy this book, read and discuss it with friends, cohorts, elders or your community group. It is not a book to read quickly, but one to be meditated upon and put into practice. I give it my highest recommendation.
Ruth Haley Barton writes her book to address why leaders so often lose their souls. More importantly, she draws from the story of Moses to direct us how to nourish our souls and draw closer to the Lord as we lead.
Honestly, I did not expect to like this book. I thought it would challenge me, but I kept waiting to roll my eyes and at syrupy or unrealistic hyper-spiritual ideals. My eyes never rolled. Every chapter is steeped in practical, real world challenges confronted by biblical principals. She actually summarizes the entire book on one page near the end. I will type it out here, both so I will remember it better and to tempt you to read it:
Because we are experiencing ourselves to be deeply loved by God, we begin to recognize an inner freedom that is beyond what we ever thought possible. . .
Rather than lead from the unconscious patterns of my false self, I am leading from a self being transformed by my encounters with God...
Rather than leading from frenetic busyness, I am leading at a measured pace...
Rather than leading from a place of exhaustion, I am discovering rhythms of work and rest, silence and word...
Rather than being subject to other people's expectations and my inner compulsions, I am operating out of a deep sense of God's call on my life.
Rather than leading from a simplistic view of the spiritual life, I have an inside out understanding of the shape of the spiritual journey...
Rather than arguing and fighting and defending myself from every criticism, I am carrying the people I lead into God's presence and interceding on their behalf.
Rather than being derailed by isolation, I am opening my loneliness to God. . .
Rather than leading from a place of intellectual striving, I am discovering with a few others how to open the gift of discernment so we can do God's will together.
I recommend you buy this book, read and discuss it with friends, cohorts, elders or your community group. It is not a book to read quickly, but one to be meditated upon and put into practice. I give it my highest recommendation.
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November 15, 2023Strengthening the Soul as a Foundation for Leadership
Ruth Haley Barton. Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership. Downers Grove, IL. InterVarsity Press. 208. 251 Pages.
Author
Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership was written by Ruth Haley Barton. Her website introduces her as “Author. Spiritual Director. Teacher. Founder of Transforming Center” (ruthhaleybarton.com). She has written nine books on the topic of relationship with God. Notably, she founded the Transforming Center, a retreat center for Christian leaders (transformingcenter.org). Barton decided to write this book after experiencing and encountering in other leaders a deficit of soulful connection to God while leading as a Christian in a high capacity.
Thesis
The thesis, or summary statement of the point of the book is that Christian leaders must attend to their own soul’s relationship with God as a prerequisite to ministering to others (13-20). Barton provides a biblical, thoughtful, and practical guide for the over-busy leader to begin attending to their soul. As a direct result of caring for one’s soul, Barton says, one’s leadership is strengthened.
Structure
The structure of the book traces the leadership journey of Moses, a particularly influential biblical leader for Barton personally. The book has thirteen chapters which, broadly, move from inward transformation to outward practice. Seven chapters deal directly with the inner life of a leader; three focus on leading others; and, interestingly, three are concerned with loneliness and community. The book is arranged to guide the reader through a variety of relevant leadership issues.
Each chapter, generally, opens with a discussion of Moses’ leadership journey, followed by discussion, and ending with a practical practice the reader can take to grow their soul in that area.
Review
This is a quality book which I recommend to any Christian, whether or not you are in a position of leadership. If you want to grow closer to God, this is a recommended resource. Of course, this book will be most effective if you are the direct target audience: a Christian leader in a Christian context who ministers to others as a primary goal of your work.
Barton begins the book with “This is a book about the soul––your soul, my soul and the soul of our leadership” (13). She defines soul as “the part of you that is most real.” In this way, “soul” is not limited to the spiritual aspect of a person, but rather refers to all of them in their true being. One of my professors once said something to the effect that the modern English-speaking world has recently (in a literary sense – in the past few hundred years) replaced the world “soul” with the word “self.” As the western world moves into a post-spirituality culture it has relabeled “soul care” as “self care.” We no longer read books about how to care for our souls (which are, in fact, our entire beings), but rather we read “self-help” books. Barton draws us back to the true meaning of being – the soul. She especially does not make the compromise that the “self” movement in western thought has, that is, that each person is an island. Rather, Barton argues, the way to true meaning and growth in one’s soul (self) is through relationship, primarily and firstly with God, and then with others as our life in God spills into the rest of our world.
One phrase Barton uses consistently throughout the book is “crucible of ministry.” This refers to the difficulties of leadership in ministry, but points towards their shaping nature. The difficulty of leadership is not something Barton aims to help a leader ignore, reduce, or avoid; rather, leadership in ministry is an experience in which a leader is encouraged to lean into, to push through the fire to become the thing God is shaping them to be. Do not look to this book to help you “cope” or “escape” the difficulties of your leadership. As they say, “the only way out is through.” You must press into relationship with God, as Moses did, to lead faithfully.
The strengths of this book lie first in its biblical grounding. The longevity of this book is secured because it is essentially built upon the foundation of Scripture. You may read the story of Moses’ leadership and decide for yourself if what Barton is saying is accurate, and I encourage you to. Consider studying the life of Moses for yourself with an eye toward leadership before picking up this book. A second significant strength of this text is its writing style, which is clearly prose but carries over Barton’s focus on beauty she exhibits in her poetry. Each chapter is well written and has a clear focus. Each chapter ends with practical take-aways, which turn this book from a journey into a resource which can be pulled off one’s shelf and quickly referenced.
The weakness of the book, I think, is its lack of specific focus, or its too-wide breadth. Each of the thirteen chapters is valuable in its own right. Taken together, there is certainly something to be said for it being worth more than the sum of its chapters, but not much. This book holistically addresses the soul of a leader. Be prepared to cover a lot of ground, with takeaways being in many areas of life. If you are looking to attend to one specific aspect of your leadership, this is not the book for you. Perhaps choose a single chapter to focus on for a season before moving on to the next chapter.
This book is most appropriate for Christian leaders, and especially those Christian leaders who feel off-balance, tired, or busy.
Remember
Some principles or practices I will take away from the book and plan to use in my personal life and ministry are each practice at the end of each chapter which all begin with sitting quietly with God and then taking note of various internal and external realities.
Returning readers will find especially helpful the Appendix: How Is It with Your Soul – An Assessment for Leaders. I might suggest adding this set of questions to your regular practice of examen, or beginning a practice of examen by answering and recording the answers to these questions on a regular basis to cultivate an awareness of the state of your soul.
Ruth Haley Barton. Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership. Downers Grove, IL. InterVarsity Press. 208. 251 Pages.
Author
Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership was written by Ruth Haley Barton. Her website introduces her as “Author. Spiritual Director. Teacher. Founder of Transforming Center” (ruthhaleybarton.com). She has written nine books on the topic of relationship with God. Notably, she founded the Transforming Center, a retreat center for Christian leaders (transformingcenter.org). Barton decided to write this book after experiencing and encountering in other leaders a deficit of soulful connection to God while leading as a Christian in a high capacity.
Thesis
The thesis, or summary statement of the point of the book is that Christian leaders must attend to their own soul’s relationship with God as a prerequisite to ministering to others (13-20). Barton provides a biblical, thoughtful, and practical guide for the over-busy leader to begin attending to their soul. As a direct result of caring for one’s soul, Barton says, one’s leadership is strengthened.
Structure
The structure of the book traces the leadership journey of Moses, a particularly influential biblical leader for Barton personally. The book has thirteen chapters which, broadly, move from inward transformation to outward practice. Seven chapters deal directly with the inner life of a leader; three focus on leading others; and, interestingly, three are concerned with loneliness and community. The book is arranged to guide the reader through a variety of relevant leadership issues.
Each chapter, generally, opens with a discussion of Moses’ leadership journey, followed by discussion, and ending with a practical practice the reader can take to grow their soul in that area.
Review
This is a quality book which I recommend to any Christian, whether or not you are in a position of leadership. If you want to grow closer to God, this is a recommended resource. Of course, this book will be most effective if you are the direct target audience: a Christian leader in a Christian context who ministers to others as a primary goal of your work.
Barton begins the book with “This is a book about the soul––your soul, my soul and the soul of our leadership” (13). She defines soul as “the part of you that is most real.” In this way, “soul” is not limited to the spiritual aspect of a person, but rather refers to all of them in their true being. One of my professors once said something to the effect that the modern English-speaking world has recently (in a literary sense – in the past few hundred years) replaced the world “soul” with the word “self.” As the western world moves into a post-spirituality culture it has relabeled “soul care” as “self care.” We no longer read books about how to care for our souls (which are, in fact, our entire beings), but rather we read “self-help” books. Barton draws us back to the true meaning of being – the soul. She especially does not make the compromise that the “self” movement in western thought has, that is, that each person is an island. Rather, Barton argues, the way to true meaning and growth in one’s soul (self) is through relationship, primarily and firstly with God, and then with others as our life in God spills into the rest of our world.
One phrase Barton uses consistently throughout the book is “crucible of ministry.” This refers to the difficulties of leadership in ministry, but points towards their shaping nature. The difficulty of leadership is not something Barton aims to help a leader ignore, reduce, or avoid; rather, leadership in ministry is an experience in which a leader is encouraged to lean into, to push through the fire to become the thing God is shaping them to be. Do not look to this book to help you “cope” or “escape” the difficulties of your leadership. As they say, “the only way out is through.” You must press into relationship with God, as Moses did, to lead faithfully.
The strengths of this book lie first in its biblical grounding. The longevity of this book is secured because it is essentially built upon the foundation of Scripture. You may read the story of Moses’ leadership and decide for yourself if what Barton is saying is accurate, and I encourage you to. Consider studying the life of Moses for yourself with an eye toward leadership before picking up this book. A second significant strength of this text is its writing style, which is clearly prose but carries over Barton’s focus on beauty she exhibits in her poetry. Each chapter is well written and has a clear focus. Each chapter ends with practical take-aways, which turn this book from a journey into a resource which can be pulled off one’s shelf and quickly referenced.
The weakness of the book, I think, is its lack of specific focus, or its too-wide breadth. Each of the thirteen chapters is valuable in its own right. Taken together, there is certainly something to be said for it being worth more than the sum of its chapters, but not much. This book holistically addresses the soul of a leader. Be prepared to cover a lot of ground, with takeaways being in many areas of life. If you are looking to attend to one specific aspect of your leadership, this is not the book for you. Perhaps choose a single chapter to focus on for a season before moving on to the next chapter.
This book is most appropriate for Christian leaders, and especially those Christian leaders who feel off-balance, tired, or busy.
Remember
Some principles or practices I will take away from the book and plan to use in my personal life and ministry are each practice at the end of each chapter which all begin with sitting quietly with God and then taking note of various internal and external realities.
Returning readers will find especially helpful the Appendix: How Is It with Your Soul – An Assessment for Leaders. I might suggest adding this set of questions to your regular practice of examen, or beginning a practice of examen by answering and recording the answers to these questions on a regular basis to cultivate an awareness of the state of your soul.
September 30, 2021
She knows the things that we on church staff only admit to each other about church and ministry, and she expertly directs to deep life giving things of Jesus.
I loved what she had to say about how we as staff can see the conflict, the staff meetings, all the crap of working with people and this blocks our worship. It has also taught us how to be resourceful and savvy in order to create success but all the while possibly killing our soul.
Barton just knows and will say things such as Calling is just pious people trying to justify whatever they feel like doing. I was like heck yeah I think that too sometimes. She said church can just be a narcissistic bureaucracy. I also agreed that I feel like many churches are about building their charismatic leaders kingdom rather than gods. Just a bunch of those moments.
Anyway, she then always gets to the But Jesus. But prayer. But quiet strength in God…
Those things are really what matter, fight for those and maybe you’ll save your soul and make a difference in the the issues you see and experience within church.
I loved what she had to say about how we as staff can see the conflict, the staff meetings, all the crap of working with people and this blocks our worship. It has also taught us how to be resourceful and savvy in order to create success but all the while possibly killing our soul.
Barton just knows and will say things such as Calling is just pious people trying to justify whatever they feel like doing. I was like heck yeah I think that too sometimes. She said church can just be a narcissistic bureaucracy. I also agreed that I feel like many churches are about building their charismatic leaders kingdom rather than gods. Just a bunch of those moments.
Anyway, she then always gets to the But Jesus. But prayer. But quiet strength in God…
Those things are really what matter, fight for those and maybe you’ll save your soul and make a difference in the the issues you see and experience within church.
April 26, 2022
The book has some good points to make. Lots of good practical advice how sitting and being with God in his presence. But at times it was a little weird and felt a little too “spiritual.” It advocates for personal responsibility in leadership but at times abandons responsibility to be more “spiritual.”
June 1, 2014
Excellent read! She dives into the life of Moses and extracts lessons of leadership and spiritual formation. I read this book very slowly ( a chapter a week) and feel compelled to re-read it because of her insights and my desire to get that much more out of it. Highly recommend it!
July 10, 2018
Encased in a body that you recognize in the mirror, your soul is the “you” that’s always been there peering back from your reflection. It’s the part of you that infuses all the roles you play (parent, spouse, friend, leader, employee), and it’s what makes those roles uniquely yours. Your soul is the place where you and God meet–or where the empty spot resides when you are sensing God’s absence and wishing things could be different.
Chances are if you live in the crucible of ministry, you’ve given some thought to your soul-ish self, and maybe you’ve even felt the danger of losing touch with your real self in the course of a day’s work. Jesus is the One who introduces the idea that a soul is something we can misplace:
“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:26)
This is more than just an academic concern, for the spiritual leader leads from the soul, but it’s easy to lose track of one’s own soul in the care and feeding of the souls of others. Ruth Haley Barton felt the insidious slippage in her own ministry and gathered lessons from the life of Moses as a lifeline back to herself and a vibrant relationship with God. Her gleanings have been re-released in the expanded edition of Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry (Transforming Resources).
The training of Moses’ soul for leadership did not begin on the day he and 600,000 former slaves departed from Egypt, or even in the harrowing days of appearing before Pharaoh. Moses’ journey began much earlier when he fled his familiar surroundings, took himself out of the action, and landed in Midian to escape the murder charges he would have faced back in his home town. The forging of a life-giving connection with God was a lifelong process for Moses, and it will be also for present-day leaders who are willing to ask the probing question, “How is it with your soul?” and to live their way into a meaningful answer.
Leaders Are Refined by the Word of God in Solitude and Silence.
Barton describes Moses’ childhood as “convoluted” (36) and his unrefined, pre-Midian leadership style as “reactive and out of control.” (38) Fleeing was Moses’ first step into a solitude in which God used the days and years to “deepen [his] wounds into wisdom.” (58) God employed the burning bush to get Moses’ attention, modeling the necessity of “turning aside to look.” (58) In the silence and solitude, God spoke, and it was the Word of God that gave direction.
Today, as we take His Word with us into our silence, He will reveal insights we would miss in a hurried and distracted reading. Just as Moses caught sight of the bush out of the corner of his eye on an ordinary day and had the good sense to turn toward it, our own great sightings of God are likely to come because we’ve taken the time to turn in His direction and then to hear His Word when it comes.
Your Calling May Emerge from the Uniqueness of Your Life Story
Moses was initially derailed by his anger, but, ultimately, it was this passion for his people and his strong sense of justice that allowed him to transcend the person he had been on his way to becoming a leader God could use. Rather than fighting against or undoing your authentic self, you may find that, like Moses, in your leadership role you become even more of what God created you to be.
A Leader Learns Wisdom and Restraint by Waiting
Lesson by excruciating lesson, Moses learned to wait for God’s next word. Barton refers to the spiritual disciplines with the engaging term “spiritual rhythms,” noting how each is balanced by an opposite: work and rest; silence and word; engagement and retreat; stillness and action. The stressors of leadership drew Moses deeper into relationship with God. When a leader has learned to wait for God in the darkness, she is on her way to learning the wisdom of restraint that waits for God’s next directive when the way is not clear.
Wise Leaders Operate within Limits
As satisfying as it is to feel indispensable, it’s an expensive luxury. Moses’ father-in-law set him straight on this, advising him in the wisdom of delegation and exposing his responsibility to train other spiritual leaders. If you are experiencing irritability, restlessness, compulsive overworking, emotional numbness, escapist behaviors, or are feeling disconnected from your soul and unable to tend to normal human needs, examine your life for signs that you are exceeding your own limits.
Sustenance for Ministry is Found in Prayer
Just as Moses stood between God and his fractious people, so the praying leader lifts the concerns of others before God, and contrary to popular Christian culture, this intercessory ministry is the greatest gift we bring to our fellow believers. Barton offers helpful insights that address my own tendency to pray prescriptively, as if it were my duty to advise God of all the possible outcomes, and then to help Him in choosing the best one. As we pray, we are reminded over and over again of our own inadequacy to be for our much- loved colleagues in ministry all that the Lord can be for them.
Leadership Is Often Characterized by Loneliness
Because a leader often sees what others do not see and is called to persevere in the face of criticism and discouragement, the life of a leader is characterized by seasons of loneliness. Moses found companionship in God, and refused to take one step in the direction of the Promised Land without the presence of God. Sustained for the long haul of leadership by a vision of God’s goodness, Moses found too that the loneliness of leadership keeps the leader always seeking.
Whether leadership for you involves guiding a half dozen women in a friend’s living room or standing at the helm of a multinational non-profit, for the believer, leadership is spiritual, and it is soulful work. God invites leaders into the crucible of ministry as a soul-strengthening experience, and then He meets us there in the deep and tender places. True spiritual leadership originates in a soul that is making its home in Christ.
Many thanks to Intervarsity Press for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which, of course, is offered freely and with honesty.
Chances are if you live in the crucible of ministry, you’ve given some thought to your soul-ish self, and maybe you’ve even felt the danger of losing touch with your real self in the course of a day’s work. Jesus is the One who introduces the idea that a soul is something we can misplace:
“And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” (Matthew 16:26)
This is more than just an academic concern, for the spiritual leader leads from the soul, but it’s easy to lose track of one’s own soul in the care and feeding of the souls of others. Ruth Haley Barton felt the insidious slippage in her own ministry and gathered lessons from the life of Moses as a lifeline back to herself and a vibrant relationship with God. Her gleanings have been re-released in the expanded edition of Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry (Transforming Resources).
The training of Moses’ soul for leadership did not begin on the day he and 600,000 former slaves departed from Egypt, or even in the harrowing days of appearing before Pharaoh. Moses’ journey began much earlier when he fled his familiar surroundings, took himself out of the action, and landed in Midian to escape the murder charges he would have faced back in his home town. The forging of a life-giving connection with God was a lifelong process for Moses, and it will be also for present-day leaders who are willing to ask the probing question, “How is it with your soul?” and to live their way into a meaningful answer.
Leaders Are Refined by the Word of God in Solitude and Silence.
Barton describes Moses’ childhood as “convoluted” (36) and his unrefined, pre-Midian leadership style as “reactive and out of control.” (38) Fleeing was Moses’ first step into a solitude in which God used the days and years to “deepen [his] wounds into wisdom.” (58) God employed the burning bush to get Moses’ attention, modeling the necessity of “turning aside to look.” (58) In the silence and solitude, God spoke, and it was the Word of God that gave direction.
Today, as we take His Word with us into our silence, He will reveal insights we would miss in a hurried and distracted reading. Just as Moses caught sight of the bush out of the corner of his eye on an ordinary day and had the good sense to turn toward it, our own great sightings of God are likely to come because we’ve taken the time to turn in His direction and then to hear His Word when it comes.
Your Calling May Emerge from the Uniqueness of Your Life Story
Moses was initially derailed by his anger, but, ultimately, it was this passion for his people and his strong sense of justice that allowed him to transcend the person he had been on his way to becoming a leader God could use. Rather than fighting against or undoing your authentic self, you may find that, like Moses, in your leadership role you become even more of what God created you to be.
A Leader Learns Wisdom and Restraint by Waiting
Lesson by excruciating lesson, Moses learned to wait for God’s next word. Barton refers to the spiritual disciplines with the engaging term “spiritual rhythms,” noting how each is balanced by an opposite: work and rest; silence and word; engagement and retreat; stillness and action. The stressors of leadership drew Moses deeper into relationship with God. When a leader has learned to wait for God in the darkness, she is on her way to learning the wisdom of restraint that waits for God’s next directive when the way is not clear.
Wise Leaders Operate within Limits
As satisfying as it is to feel indispensable, it’s an expensive luxury. Moses’ father-in-law set him straight on this, advising him in the wisdom of delegation and exposing his responsibility to train other spiritual leaders. If you are experiencing irritability, restlessness, compulsive overworking, emotional numbness, escapist behaviors, or are feeling disconnected from your soul and unable to tend to normal human needs, examine your life for signs that you are exceeding your own limits.
Sustenance for Ministry is Found in Prayer
Just as Moses stood between God and his fractious people, so the praying leader lifts the concerns of others before God, and contrary to popular Christian culture, this intercessory ministry is the greatest gift we bring to our fellow believers. Barton offers helpful insights that address my own tendency to pray prescriptively, as if it were my duty to advise God of all the possible outcomes, and then to help Him in choosing the best one. As we pray, we are reminded over and over again of our own inadequacy to be for our much- loved colleagues in ministry all that the Lord can be for them.
Leadership Is Often Characterized by Loneliness
Because a leader often sees what others do not see and is called to persevere in the face of criticism and discouragement, the life of a leader is characterized by seasons of loneliness. Moses found companionship in God, and refused to take one step in the direction of the Promised Land without the presence of God. Sustained for the long haul of leadership by a vision of God’s goodness, Moses found too that the loneliness of leadership keeps the leader always seeking.
Whether leadership for you involves guiding a half dozen women in a friend’s living room or standing at the helm of a multinational non-profit, for the believer, leadership is spiritual, and it is soulful work. God invites leaders into the crucible of ministry as a soul-strengthening experience, and then He meets us there in the deep and tender places. True spiritual leadership originates in a soul that is making its home in Christ.
Many thanks to Intervarsity Press for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which, of course, is offered freely and with honesty.
April 25, 2024
This is he kind of book that what you put in, is what you take out .
It's not just for leaders in an official way, but for everyone, cause we all have our circle of influence.
It challenged me to rediscover the power of solitude, the power of slowing down and creating space for God to speak and work on us .
We are so used to running all the time and even when we are praying we are the ones doing all the talking.
But Moses knew God and he talked to God - a lot- but even more than that - He listened to God.
It's so powerful what happens when we slow down and when you let God be God and just trusting him that even if you stop ticking boxes from your endless to do list, for 10 min or a day, you will be ok, the Earth will keep spinning .
Def recommend - ideally to study with a group of friends, so you can be accountable and take its practices more seriously.
It's not just for leaders in an official way, but for everyone, cause we all have our circle of influence.
It challenged me to rediscover the power of solitude, the power of slowing down and creating space for God to speak and work on us .
We are so used to running all the time and even when we are praying we are the ones doing all the talking.
But Moses knew God and he talked to God - a lot- but even more than that - He listened to God.
It's so powerful what happens when we slow down and when you let God be God and just trusting him that even if you stop ticking boxes from your endless to do list, for 10 min or a day, you will be ok, the Earth will keep spinning .
Def recommend - ideally to study with a group of friends, so you can be accountable and take its practices more seriously.
December 22, 2024
What does it mean to be a leader with strength of soul? Ruth Haley Barton speaks from a place of humility, integrity, and painful experience. This book walks through the life of Moses as a parable for leaders — guiding leaders through facing their ego, patterns of defensiveness, frenetic busyness, etc. Barton compelling shares a vision for how a genuine walk with God can change a leader’s experience forever (and the way they show up as a leader).
With poetry and open-ended discussion questions, as well as insights offered from Scripture and Barton’s journey, this book doesn’t have quick fixes and is not corny. There is depth here. I have been chewing on this book for over a year, and I could revisit this one a few times throughout my lifetime.
With poetry and open-ended discussion questions, as well as insights offered from Scripture and Barton’s journey, this book doesn’t have quick fixes and is not corny. There is depth here. I have been chewing on this book for over a year, and I could revisit this one a few times throughout my lifetime.
April 9, 2020
This was a required reading for my leadership group, Rock Solid, That I was partaking. The book was beautiful written. it had really good points. Our goals should align with gods call for us and making sure that we are there for everyone no matter who they are. One of the biggest point from the book is that we need to do the actions before we preach to people and that can be whatever subject we preach about, is not only spiritual, but other important factors in life like fitness, financial, social and environment. Another great point was sabbath, we are humans and we need to be able to rest our body.
April 14, 2020
I enjoyed reading this book. I liked the use of Moses' life and ministry and long with Barton's personal journey throughout the development of the faith journey. The reflection and practice questions at the end provide helpful guides as one seeks to engage in a spiritual retreat with God. While some of the insights were not new to this reader (but a solid refresher), other insights and practices were and very helpful. This could be very helpful especially if one keeps a journal as they go through the practices provided.
July 4, 2022
Thoughtful, reflective guidance on leading as a Christian without losing your soul. Ruth Haley Barton uses the life of Moses to examine both the challenges of leadership and the intimacy with God that every godly leader must cultivate. As with all Barton's books it is meant to be read slowly with exercises at the end of every chapter to help you think through each principle. The final chapter on discernment it especially helpful for anyone who has had to sort through the options thatlayopen before an organization or ministry.
July 28, 2018
Barton encourages spiritual leaders to lead out of who they are from God's presence, their true authentic self (soul) rather than a false, broken self. She discusses practices of solitude, listening to God, discernment, isolation, intercession, and other points while using Moses' life for a template to discuss principles of leadership. This is an excellent book, very thought provoking. Would be great for discussion and any pastors, ministry leaders, church administrators, and even people in the workforce who desire to lead well.
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