Leadership Consultation and Discernment
“When Ruth led us in a retreat on leadership discernment, we not only gained invaluable insight into the process but God revealed himself to us in a way that none of us ever expected. As Ruth guided us to practice what we were learning along the way, God led us to a unanimous decision around a real church issue on which there was great division. We all marvelled at what he did and were given great hope of how we can come together to become indifferent to everything but his will.
We have now made a commitment to journey with Ruth and the Transforming Center in their Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: An Invitation to Transforming Community. There is tremendous hunger among our leadership for more of what we have tasted."
– Senior Pastor, Tempe, Arizona
“The elders at Crossroads realized that we could not ask our staff to lead people to a place spiritually that they were not experiencing themselves. We had also observed many ministry flameouts and failures, and often heard that spiritual disciplines had lapsed and lagged in the months preceding the fall.
So, we took a bold step and began a two-year commitment with Ruth – that included time with us on our staff retreats dedicated to spiritual formation, as well as regular training/teaching once a month for about two years.
We viewed the allocation of time and resources as an investment in the spiritual well being of our staff, and through them, to our congregation. Without a doubt, we are at a different and better place today, as a spiritual leadership community, and as individuals. We have learned much about ourselves and about God. Though we still strive and struggle, we are living into the reality that God is more interested in us than our accomplishments. He does not care nearly as much about what we are doing, as who we are becoming.”
– Glen Schneiders, Lead Pastor, Crossroads Christian Church, Lexington, Kentucky
“In January of 2003 our staff community started a two year experience-based learning process Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: An Invitation to Transforming Community that has raised the value of spiritual formation in our staff community to a whole new level. This has been a very challenging, but an exciting journey as we learn to tend to the deeper longings and needs of our own soul.
For me personally, the past two years have transformed the way I see myself, my community, my identity in ministry, but most importantly my intimacy with God. I am learning to engage in the spiritual practices in a way that truly brings life to my soul. I am at a much healthier place to lead.
One of the unique elements of this process has been the gift of working directly with Ruth Barton. Ruth has given her heart and soul in leading and caring for our staff. She has become part of our community even though she ministers to us from a distance. She does not come with an agenda but a real desire to discern God’s will in this process. I have learned so much from her about spiritual listening and discernment. Ruth has imparted not only her words but her life to us. I know that I will never be the same as a result of ministry of The Transforming Center."
– Lynn Buckles, Director of Spiritual Development and Community Life, Crossroads Christian Church, Lexington, Kentucky
