There is no doubt that Lent requires something of us. But there can be no feasting without fasting. Entering into the Lenten discipline of giving up something in order to create more space for prayer is the fast that prepares us to fully enjoy the Feast of the Resurrection.  My prayer is that part of your preparation would be to consider your own Lenten disciplines and bravely ask God, “How can I return to God with all my heart? Where have I gotten distracted or become distant from God as my first love? Have can I return to wholeness, to the version of myself that is most authentic, true and holy?”

Let us approach Lent, then, as an opportunity, not a requirement. Let us approach it as a joyful season.  “After all, it is meant to lead us into the church’s Springtime, a time when out of the darkness of sin’s winter, a repentant empowered people emerges.” (Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter)

Journey with us through Lent

Lent is just around the corner, and we are invited to enter this season as an opportunity to face more bravely the complexity of the human struggle for authentic transformation through greater surrender to God. If you missed our Lent Online Oasis, you can purchase the recording to receive guidance from Ruth on bringing more intention into your Lenten journey.

Purchase the recording and receive weekly reflections written by Ruth Haley Barton.

This digital resource, Lent: A Season of Returning, by Ruth Haley Barton includes weekly reflections. Each week focuses on the disciplines associated with Lent including:

• Solitude/Retreat
• Self–Denial
• Repentance
• Confession
• Walking with Christ in his suffering

Purchase recording and weekly guidance

New podcast season

To further support your journey, we are launching a new season of the Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast entitled, “Tarry with Me Awhile: Learnings from the Black Church.” We will use Dr. Selina Stone’s book, Tarry Awhile: Wisdom from Black Spirituality for People of Faith, as a guide.

Black spirituality has much to offer us in understanding the practice of tarrying as a Lenten practice. Together we will seek a deeper understanding of waiting on God in the liminal space—where the resurrection feels far off, and our deaths and suffering are present.

The first episode drops on March 5. Listen to weekly episodes for wherever you listen to podcasts.

Podcast Patrons receive bonus episodes highlighting the spiritual disciplines associated with Lent.

Support the podcast and receive bonus episodes

Read more: Lent Resources for Spiritual Leaders

There is no doubt that Lent requires something of us. But there can be no feasting without fasting. Entering into the Lenten discipline of giving up something in order to create more space for prayer is the fast that prepares us to fully enjoy the Feast of the Resurrection.  My prayer and my plea is that part of your preparation would be to consider your own Lenten disciplines and bravely ask God, “Where in my life do I need to acknowledge my humanness and renounce my sinfulness? What are the disciplines that will help me return to God with all my heart?”

Let us approach Lent, then, as an opportunity, not a requirement. Let us approach it as a joyful season.  “After all, it is meant to lead us into the church’s Springtime, a time when out of the darkness of sin’s winter, a repentant empowered people emerges.” (Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter)

Journey with us Through Lent

Lent is just around the corner, and we are invited to enter this season as an opportunity to face more bravely the complexity of the human struggle for authentic transformation through greater surrender to God. To support this journey, we are launching a new season of the Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast entitled, “Lent for Leaders: With God in the Wilderness.” Steve Weins returns with Ruth for conversations around self-examination bringing expertise and insight into various aspects of the transformational process. We will face different aspects of the human struggle honestly and bravely, seeking God’s help to transcend the false and live into the True.

On Good Friday, we will also be hosting a virtual Stations of the Cross prayer service with Ruth Haley Barton and the Transforming Center team. More details coming soon. Lastly, visit our online store for exclusive Transforming Resources for Lent for yourself and your congregations.

Ruth’s Top Five Book Recommendations for Lent

Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter—Penetrating readings from a variety of spiritual writers offers breadth and depth of insight on the themes of this season.  

Small Surrenders:  A Lenten Journey by Emilie Griffin—Short, simple reflections encourage us to move beyond the surface question, What are you giving up for Lent?, and to embrace small surrenders—“a series of large and small conversions, inner revolutions, that lead to our transformation in Christ.” 

The Way of the Heart by Henri Nouwen—In his inimitable style, Henri Nouwen teaches us very practical ways to “fashion our own wilderness”—one of the great themes of Lent.  

Show Me the Way:  Readings for Each Day of Lent by Henri Nouwen—With simple and utterly human expressions of longing and need, Nouwen helps us in a special way to cry out for God’s mercy as we enter into this holy season.  Especially if you are new to the practice of observing Lent, this is the guide book for you!

Eastertide: Prayers for Lent through Easter by Phyllis Tickle—Whatever disciplines we do or don’t choose for Lent, at the very least we need a way to pray. Taken from her larger work, The Divine Hours, this small, paperback volume provides fixed hour prayers to carry you prayerfully through the season of Lent. Don’t leave home without it!

Read more: Practicing Lent for Spiritual Leaders

A diversity of voices is required to help church leaders meet the demands of ministry today

In addition to providing access to the teachings of leading seminary professors, important and relevant content comes from thought-leaders outside the seminary walls, including the neglected contributions of female and minority scholars and thinkers.

Seminary Now fills this gap using technology to make training accessible to those who desire to lead the church in a changing environment.

Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership course now available to stream

In this course designed by Ruth Haley Barton and delivered in a teaching format, you will learn about some of the major themes from Ruth’s book by the same title. Watch the trailer below:

Save when you sign up now: exclusive launch discount

Visit SeminaryNow.com for a free preview of the new course offerings. Since the Transforming Center is a Seminary Now partner, you can receive a 15% discount on your subscription. Simply enter TC15 in the “Discounts Code” section when you check out. Or check out the group pricing for your staff and lay leaders.

Subscribe Now and Save 15% with Code

The world-class content on this platform will be of great value to you in your ministry, especially during this time of widespread quarantine. Join SeminaryNow.com today, and share using the buttons on the left with those who would be interested in this new resource.

Read more: Transforming Center Partners with Seminary Now, an On-Demand Streaming Platform Providing Biblical Training Courses

The Lenten resources below will guide you and your congregation in experiencing Lent as a season of transformation.  Join with Christians near and far in following the common themes contained within the church calendar.  Even if following a common lectionary through the seasons of the church year is not a part of your tradition, these resources are a great way to begin introducing this opportunity to your congregation.

Guide your congregation in experiencing Lent as a Season of Transformation

Beyond mere information Transforming Resources® are designed to provide step-by-step guidance for engaging the practices, experiences, and relationships that foster greater intimacy with God and deeper levels of spiritual transformation.

Our Lent and Easter resources are accessible — so whole communities, small groups, spiritual friends, and individuals can take the Lenten journey together and move into Eastertide.

Lenten Reflections

A beautiful 20-page booklet with reflections for each week of Lent

Receive free music when you order a 10-pack
Listen to a sample

 

 

 

 

 

 

FEATURES:

• Ash Wednesday reflection introduces Lent as a season of transformation
• Scripture readings for each week with guidance for using the Revised Common Lectionary
• Reflections that describe spiritual practices for the Lenten season
• Compelling prayers and reflection questions with space to journal

as low as $2.75 for large communities

Sacred Rhythms Curriculum

This 6-week DVD curriculum is ideal for the six weeks of Lent

Use the Lenten season to explore these six spiritual disciplines:
Desire and Prayer • Solitude and Silence • Lectio Divina • Honoring the Body • Examen • Rule of Life

Watch the trailer and learn more

Stations of the Cross Prayer Guide

This artful 36-page prayer book is ideal for use on Good Friday

A custom of our Christian tradition is to keep vigil with Christ during the events of Holy Week. This 36-page prayer guide by Ruth Haley Barton offers practical guidance, beautiful art, and compelling prayers that will help you walk with Christ on his journey to the cross, learning from him as you go.

FEATURES:

• Spiritual direction for keeping vigil on Good Friday and/or Fridays during Lent
• Compelling combination of art, prayers, and Scripture readings for all fourteen stations

as low as $2.75 for large communities

Stations of the Cross Prayer Service for use on Good Friday

We license our Stations of the Cross Prayer Guide as a printable prayer service. You can also license a set of Powerpoint slides that includes art for each station to create a complete prayer service.

After Easter invite your small groups to travel the Emmaus road and experience transformation in community

Life Together in Christ: Experiencing Transformation in Community

Reflecting on the story of the two disciples who meet Christ on the Emmaus Road, Life Together in Christ by Ruth Haley Barton includes substantive teaching, spiritual direction and practical guidance for small groups of spiritual companions who are ready to encounter Christ in transforming ways—on the road of real life.

FEATURES:

• Casts a compelling vision for the role of community in our spiritual transformation
• Designed for groups to read and experience together, with practical guidance included in each chapter
• Questions for personal reflection throughout

Visit the book site and learn more

Read more: A Leader’s Guide to Planning for Lent and Easter

Based on the vision of Transforming Resources, these books will strengthen the souls of pastors, Christian leaders, and the congregations and organizations they serve. Beyond mere information, each book is designed to provide step-by-step guidance for engaging the practices that foster greater intimacy with God and deeper levels of spiritual transformation. 

Available Spring 2016

M. Robert Mulholland has guided tens of thousands of readers into spiritual formation practices for more than twenty years through Invitation to a Journey. Ruth Haley Barton, award-winning author and founder of the Transforming Center, has added a new introduction, discussion questions and sharing opportunities to this respected resource.

In the new expanded edition of Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation, you will find spiritual practices that are intended to be a means of God’s grace – concrete ways of opening to God’s transforming work in your life in very personal ways. 

Available May 2016

The new expanded edition of The Deeper Journey: The Spirituality of Discovering Your True Self exposes the false selves you may be tempted to hide behind and helps you discover the true self that comes from being hidden with Christ in God. This expanded edition includes a study guide for individual reflection or group discussion.

Mulholland’s legacy of teaching and forming spiritual leaders has been a blessing to so many Transforming Community alumni. These expanded editions make them even more useful resources.

Robert Mulholland aided the Transforming Center in strengthening the souls of Christian leaders through his books and teaching in Transforming Community Retreat 8 . His role as a teacher, friend, and spiritual mentor played an integral part in the Transforming Community and will continue to help change lives through these expanded resources.  He will also continue to teach in the Transforming Community through video recordings of this unpublished teaching.

“Bob was a theologian. His definition of spiritual formation is so clear and his approach to describing the process of spiritual formation is highly integrative of personal spiritual disciplines with the communal aspects of our faith. At every turn in his teaching and writing, he demonstrated that the process of being conformed to the image of Christ is always a means of opening to God’s grace for the abundance of our own lives AND it is always for the sake of others.” – Ruth Haley Barton

Continue exploring the impact of Dr. M. Robert Mulholland, Jr.:

Learn more about the new M. Robert Mulholland Scholarship Fund.

Read Ruth’s message from Mulholland’s memorial service.

Purchase Spiritual Transformation for the Sake of Others DVD curriculum with Robert Mulholland and Ruth Haley Barton

Donate towards the M. Robert Mulholland Scholarship Fund.

Read more: Transforming Center and IVP Partner to Carry on Legacy of M. Robert Mulholland Jr.

This compelling 65-minute dialogue is presented in twelve brief segments:

1. Invitation to a Journey: Defining Spiritual Formation (6 min.)
2. Real Change: From Information to Transformation (4 min.)
3. Holistic Spirituality: Addressing the Whole Person (4 min.)
4. Holistic Spirituality: Nurturing the Shadow Side (4 min.)
5. Let’s Talk about Sin: The Habitual Failures of the Spiritual Journey (4 min.)
6. Joining Head and Heart: From Theology to Formation and Back Again (8 min.)
7. Shaped by the Word: The Role of Scripture in Spiritual Transformation (9 min.)
8. The Deeper Journey: From the False Self to the True Self (5 min.)
9. For the Sake of Others: In God for the World (5 min.)
10. To Present Everyone Mature in Christ: The Nature of Spiritual Leadership (3 min.)
11. Equipping the Saints for the Work of Ministry: Encouragement for Pastors (9 min.)
12. In Sickness and in Health: Relying on God in the Journey with Cancer (4 min.)

Listen in as Robert Mulholland and Ruth Haley Barton discuss questions and share stories of their own journeys of transformation in Christ.

 Available now at the Transforming Resources Online Store

Read more: NEW DVD with Dr. M. Robert Mulholland and Ruth Haley Barton

Why are community and spiritual transformation two of the most over-promised and under-delivered aspects of the church today?

Ruth Haley Barton: When I hear people speak in glowing terms about their vision for community, I have my doubts. When they tell me about painful things that have happened to them in community, I am never surprised. How many of us have joined a church or some other kind of spiritually-minded group in hopes of experiencing real care, connection and belonging, only to be disappointed? How often have we sat through inspiring sermons about what is possible when Christians gather together in mutually edifying relationships, only to recognize how cynical we have become after many failed attempts? Whether it’s an overtly religious group or not, there is something about human beings trying to get together and function together over the long haul that is just plain difficult.

I have made the disheartening discovery that it is possible to hang around other Christians a lot, meet regularly for worship, study our Bibles, join a church and even call ourselves a community but not change at all in ways that count. Talk about an inconvenient truth!

What is spiritual transformation?

Ruth: Spiritual transformation is the process by which Christ is formed in us—for the glory of God, for the abundance of our own lives and for the sake of others; it results in an increasing capacity to discern and do the will of God.

How does spiritual transformation take place?

Ruth: Spiritual transformation takes place incrementally over time, with others, in the context of disciplines and practices that open us to God. In general, while we are still on this earth, our transformation will happen by degrees (2 Corinthians 3:18), and we need each other in order to grow (1 Corinthians 12).

Even though we cannot transform ourselves, we can create the conditions in which spiritual transformation takes place. That is where spiritual disciplines come in. Spiritual disciplines are concrete activities we can engage in for the purpose of making ourselves available to God for the work that only God can do. Some of those disciplines take place as we are alone with God in solitude. Others take place in community with other Christ-followers—which is the topic of this book. And still others take place in the world beyond the community as we share our faith, serve the poor, show compassion, work for justice and seek reconciliation. These disciplines or practices are what Paul was referring to when he appealed to the Christians in Rome to “present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1). He was simply talking about finding ways to surrender to God in every aspect of life—not just in theory but in reality. Participating intentionally and meaningfully in transforming community is one of those ways.

Why is it important to bring community and spiritual transformation together?

Ruth: It is the lack of spiritual transformation within individuals and systems that causes communities to falter and sometimes implode or explode. And it is the lack of community—a privatized approach to transformation that fails to see other people as necessary instruments of God’s grace—that limits the work of transformation in our lives. If we can bring these two dynamics together in transforming community, a spontaneous combustion will begin to take place.

How does Life Together in Christ bring the aspects of community and transformation together?

Ruth: Becoming a transforming community involves having real guidance in the attitudes, practices and behaviors that open us to the transforming presence of Christ in our midst. And that’s where a book like this comes in. Life Together in Christ is an interactive guide for small groups of people who are ready to get personal and practical about experiencing transformation together.

How do groups begin to take this step toward real spiritual transformation together in community?

Ruth: To start, reflect together on the opening illustrations and comments on “the most over-promised, under-delivered” aspects of the church today. Do you agree? Disagree? What have your past experiences of community and spiritual transformation been? How have these experiences affected you?

Do you ever let yourself imagine what it might be like to be part of a transforming community? What would you give to experience that, or does it not matter to you right now? Is there any way in which you have given up?

How do you respond to the statement that “spiritual transformation is central to the message of the gospel and therefore central to the mission of the church”? Do you agree? Disagree? How does this motivate you (or not) to participate in a transforming community?

View the table of contents, read endorsements and download an excerpt by visiting lifetogetherinchrist.com

Purchase A signed copy in The Transforming Resources online store

• Order from Amazon by clicking here.

• Order for your Kindle by clicking here.

• Order from InterVarsity Press

©Ruth Haley Barton, 2014. Ruth Haley Barton (Doctor of Divinity, Northern Baptist Seminary) is founder of the Transforming Center.  A teacher, spiritual director and retreat leader, she is the author of numerous books and resources on the spiritual life including Pursuing God’s Will Together, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, Sacred Rhythms, and Invitation to Solitude and Silence.

Read more: Q&A with Ruth About New Book Life Together in Christ

Stations of the Cross Prayer Guide is included in our Lenten Resource, Lent: A Season of Returning, and is a reverent guide for individuals, families, and congregations alike. These thirty pages of prayer are illustrated with fourteen compelling and historical artistic renderings of Jesus’ last hours so that, as much as possible, we can experience Christ’s road to the cross as the long and arduous journey that it was.

Purchase prayer guide

Visit our store to access all of our Transforming Resources for Lent.

©Ruth Haley Barton. 2014. Not to be reproduced without permission. 

Ruth Haley Barton (Doctor of Divinity, Northern Seminary) is founder of the Transforming Center. A teacher, spiritual director, and retreat leader, she is the author of numerous books and resources on the spiritual life including Pursuing God’s Will Together, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, Sacred Rhythms, and Invitation to Solitude and Silence.

Read more: An Invitation to Walk With Christ on Good Friday

I am encouraged by this this wonderful resource and hope my explanations–which don’t capture the faith and passion and excitement and common sense of all this—somehow help folks realize how useful this book can be.  I hope you consider ordering it, maybe even sharing it with leaders in your own congregation or fellowship group.  We commend it to you with great joy and with great expectation.  This, friends, can rock your church or organization.  We can, in discerning God’s ways, be more fruitful and faithful.  And that can change the world.

View the whole review by visiting their blog.

The book has its own site. Learn more about the book at www.pursuinggodswilltogether.com

Read more: First Review of Pursuing God’s Will Together

Check back here on the Transforming Center blog or follow us on twitter @TranformCnt. We will soon be publishing the table of contents and book introduction.

“Pursuing God’s Will Together is a much needed corrective to our head-strong individualism today. It drills down deep into the rock-bed practicalities for any community seeking to discern the will of God together. I recommend it highly.”
Richard J. Foster, author of numerous books including Celebration of Discipline and Sanctuary of the Soul

“This book needs a warning label: ‘Content may be disruptive to your understanding of Christian life, leadership and community.’ Ruth Haley Barton has provided every Christian with an invaluable resource for discerning and fulfilling the purposes of God. In a world where Christians and Christian leadership and communities have largely succumbed to secular processes for decision making, Barton brings a clear, challenging and compelling call for a radical alternative. This book is not the product of a ‘theorist,’ but the mature distillation of Barton’s own journey into a life hid with Christ in God for the sake of others. This is a must-read for every Christian leader and leadership group, and a primer for every Christian.”
M. Robert Mulholland, Jr., professor emeritus, Asbury Theological Seminary, and author of Invitation to a Journey and The Deeper Journey

“Ruth Haley Barton knows only too well that discerning God’s will requires a personal commitment to transformation as well as an openness to engage in a group process. In Pursuing God’s Will Together, she shows us in a systematic way how it’s done. Every Christian leader will benefit from such a practical approach to such an ancient practice.”
Albert Haase, O.F.M., author of This Sacred Moment

“Ruth Haley Barton has identified an important issue in spiritual leadership and in how we make decisions, revealing where our integrity as leaders lies. Do we really believe that God has something to say, by his Holy Spirit, in terms of what direction we take? Ruth does a great job of describing practices that can help teams become more adept at hearing God’s voice in the practical areas of leading and serving.”
Doug Nuenke, U.S. director, The Navigators

“It’s impossible to overstate how needed, valuable, timely and timeless this book is. It is as wise as Methuselah and as practical as a slingshot. Ruth has rendered a massive service to church leaders everywhere, and to all the churches they lead. Herein lies the remedy for the sad but common malady we see today: otherwise godly men and women pursuing God’s kingdom with worldly navigational equipment. I plan to buy a case load of Pursuing God’s Will Together upon its release and make it mandatory reading for all of our leaders. It can hardly come soon enough.”
Mark Buchanan, pastor, New Life Community Baptist Church, author of Spiritual Rhythm and Your Church Is Too Safe

“In Pursuing God’s Will Together [Ruth Haley Barton] weaves her own wisdom with others in bringing forth a beautiful tapestry of spirituality in community.”
Chuck Olsen, founder, Worshipful-Work, and author of Transforming Church Boards and Discerning God’s Will Together

“I like this book. It is wise, thoughtful, gracious, and a little bit disturbing – just like its author. If you are like me, you believe in the guidance of the Holy Spirit, but you want to be wise and not presumptuous about knowing God´s will for your group. This book is a real gift to folks like us. It provides us with much more than simply a plan of action. You can use it yourself, but also it will be quite useful to you with your fellow decision makers, so that discerning God´s will together becomes an experience in spiritual growth for the whole team.”
John Yates, Rector, The Falls Church

“Pursuing God’s Will Together is a powerfully convicting and timely book for those of us who are fully aware that we are incapable of effective leadership apart from God’s wisdom and direction. How to discern God’s purposes individually and as a dynamic team is the genius of this compellingly creative call to kingdom movement. Ruth Haley Barton presents us with a proven–if at times painful–practice that can ultimately take our finite efforts to where our infinite God wants them to go.”
Harold B. Smith, President and CEO, Christianity Today International

“While there has been a revival of interest in spiritual disciplines for some time, there is precious little available about how to practice them in community. More specifically, there is almost nothing about helping Christian leaders discern God´s presence and activities together. That is, until now. With Pursuing God´s Will Together, Ruth Haley Barton–a recognized leader in spiritual formation–fills this need admirably. This is an important, unique book that will be sure to transform Christian corporate leadership from a pure business model to a more spiritually integrated approach. I highly recommend it.”
JP Moreland, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and author of The God Question

“Fabulous! I look forward to giving copies to our staff and elders. Ruth provides a practical, powerful road map so we can discern the most important question as a leadership: “What is God´s will for us on a particular issue?”
Pete Scazzero, Pastor, New Life Fellowship Church, author of Emotionally Healthy Spirituality and The Emotionally Healthy Church

Read more: Warning: Content may be disruptive to your understanding of Christian life, leadership and community