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Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry [Hardcover]

Ruth Haley Barton , Leighton Ford
4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)

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Book Description

June 16, 2008
"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, explores topics such as


Each 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 for those you lead.

Frequently Bought Together

Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry + Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation + Invitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God's Transforming Presence
Price for all three: $43.04

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Product Details

  • Hardcover: 231 pages
  • Publisher: IVP Books (June 16, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 083083513X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0830835133
  • Product Dimensions: 1 x 6 x 8.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,431 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"For those of us who lead, there are many fine books to hone our skills. But too few excavate our souls. Too few tell us stark truths, and serve up strong tonic, and give us hope and courage in the face of our calling's hardships and loneliness and moments of sheer tedium. Too few teach us how to seek and find God in the maze of committee work and the darkness of criticism and the heartbreak of betrayal. This book does all that, and well. Ruth Haley Barton has kept company with Moses, a 'pragmatic' and 'visionary' leader who found that, unless God went with him, there was no place worth going. Ruth's insights will at the very least strengthen the soul of your leadership. For some, it may make the difference in whether you finish the race at all." (Mark Buchanan, author of The Rest of God and pastor of New Life Community Church, Duncan, British Columbia)

"In the same spirit in which Henri Nouwen wrote The Return of the Prodigal Son, Ruth Haley Barton has captured the soul of Moses and has revealed him to us as a seeker of truth, wisdom and vulnerability." (Glandion W. Carney, Chaplain of the Christian Legal Society)

"A weary, waiting world cries out for God-shaped leaders who would serve more than be served, who would find power by laying down power, who would lose their lives for others. In her reflections on the life of Moses, God's radically human and holy friend, Ruth Haley Barton has given us not only a portrait of what sacrificial and redemptive leadership looks like, but has provided practice for getting there. This is a book to read alone and together. It will encourage and empower us to seek God more deeply, to listen for and embody our innate callings, to stay faithful to our solitary and even lonely journeys in community, and to love God for the long haul." (N. Gordon Cosby, cofounder, The Church of the Saviour, Washington D.C.)

"In a landscape littered with leadership books that tinker at the margins of what really matters, Ruth Haley Barton offers us practical guidance to the core of life-changing leadership: spiritual authenticity and health. Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership lays bare the ancient truth that great leadership comes from the inside out, and provides a helpful road map for examining and seeking God's transformation of that largely unexamined inner core from which true leadership proceeds. This is a powerful resource for me and my own leadership team." (Gary Haugen, president, International Justice Mission, and author of Good News About Injustice)

"[This] book has become for me a companion on the way. . . . The author's style is warm and accessible. I like her insights into the inner life of the leader. . . . I am deeply grateful for the helpful practices she describes and recommends. But what draws me even more is that Ruth writes with realness and integrity out of her own intimate experience of the inner journey of a leader. . . . Reading this book will surely help you to be attentive to the God who is the strength of your soul, and the heart of your leadership." (From the foreword by Leighton Ford, founder of the Arrow Leadership program and author of The Attentive Life)

About the Author

Ruth Haley Barton is a spiritual director, teacher, author and retreat leader trained at the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation (Washington, D.C.). She is cofounder and president of The Transforming Center, a ministry to pastors and Christian leaders.

Educated at Wheaton College and Northern Seminary, Barton has served at several churches, including Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois. Her books include Invitation to Solitude and Silence, Sacred Rhythms, Longing for More (all InterVarsity Press), An Ordinary Day with Jesus: Experiencing the Reality of God in Your Everyday Life (with John Ortberg, Willow Creek Resources), Ruth: Relationships That Bring Life (Shaw) and a series of articles called The Transforming Leader in Christian Management Report.


Product Details

  • Hardcover: 231 pages
  • Publisher: IVP Books (June 16, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 083083513X
  • ISBN-13: 978-0830835133
  • Product Dimensions: 1 x 6 x 8.5 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,431 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Ruth Haley Barton (Doctor of Divinity, Northern Baptist Theological Seminary) is founder of the Transforming Center, a ministry dedicated to strengthening the souls of pastors, Christian leaders and the congregations and organizations they serve. [www.thetransformingcenter.org] A sought-after teacher, retreat leader and trained spiritual director, Ruth is the author of numerous books and articles on the spiritual life.

Educated at Northern Seminary, the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation and Loyola University Chicago Institute for Pastoral Studies, she has served on the pastoral staff of several churches including Willow Creek Community Church and is Professor of Spiritual Transformation at Northern Seminary.


Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
(20)
4.9 out of 5 stars
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While I read every book I review, I typically read fast and slow down only to underline good stuff. John W. Pearson  |  3 reviewers made a similar statement
Very inspirational, very thought provoking. L. Wallenius  |  2 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshment for the Leader's Soul August 30, 2008
Format:Hardcover
"Strengthening the soul of our leadership is an invitation that begins, continues and ends with seeking God in the crucible of ministry." These words from the final chapter summarize the central theme of the book. The chapters leading up to it paint a compelling picture of the fruitfulness and joy of leading from a healthy soul that is focused on God, and the risks of soul-less leadership in ministry.

Barton follows the story of Moses and talks about her own journey, including struggles and victories. At times she challenges the reader to take stock and at other times she offers practical advice for refilling our souls. And at the end of each chapter, she offers a "practice" that will help readers to reflect on and apply the teaching they've just read.

I'm not one to read with a highlighter in hand, but within the first few pages I found myself thinking, "Oh, that's good," and marking a couple of sentences for future references. I kept going back to the highlighter as Barton kept taking me to places deep in my spirit. At times Barton's words were a needed wake-up call and at other times they were a source of refreshment. I'm thankful for both, and I'm sure that you will be as well.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Soul Whackers December 22, 2009
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
The sidebars and the prayers in this book are soul whackers. Like Henri Nouwen's elbow-to-the-gut: "The great illusion of leadership is to think that man can be led out of the desert by someone who has never been there."

Sometimes you're fortunate enough to chew through a book with soul-probing insights and illuminating "Ah ha!" moments. Then there are times when the content is not so soul-shattering, but the writing is poetic and almost symphonic. Amazingly, this 221-page gem is both. It whacked my soul. It raised my sights. I appreciate my God and Savior more today than I did last week.

Bill Hybels often preaches, "Speed of the leader, speed of the team." Perhaps you've had those times like this author, Ruth Haley Barton, who sighed, "I'm tired of helping others enjoy God; I just want to enjoy God for myself." If your leadership life needs not just a boost, but a divine encounter with our Holy God, read this book. Slowly.

"Strengthening the soul of your leadership is an invitation to enter more deeply into the process of spiritual transformation and to choose to lead from that place," writes Barton. "It is an opportunity to forge a connection between our souls and our leadership rather than experiencing them as separate arenas of our lives."

She rightly observes, "The market is glutted with books on leadership, and many contain contradictory messages." She takes leaders down a very slow path of spiritual leadership--focusing on sustenance for their own souls. "Then, rather than offering the cold stone of past devotionals, regurgitated apologetics or someone else's musings about the spiritual life [or might I add the latest email devotional], we will have bread to offer from the oven of our intimacy with God.
... Read more ›
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Needed Aspect of Spiritual Leadership November 22, 2009
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
"Strengthening the soul of our leadership is an invitation that begins, continues and ends with seeking God in the crucible of ministry. It is an invitation to stay connected with our own soul - that very private place where God's Spirit and my spirit dwell together in union - and to lead from that place" (210). Barton acknowledges that spiritual leadership is similar to any other kind of leadership in that it is susceptible to the failings of burnout and the weakness of human nature. Without the proper care for themselves and their relationships with Christ, pastoral and ministry leaders can fail in their task of being spiritual leaders. Instead of leading spiritually, they may lead from their own strengths, weaknesses, understanding, wisdom, and draw from their own resources. This will result in tragedy in their lives and in the lives of those who follow them as spiritual leaders.

Barton calls spiritual leaders to engage in a process of spiritual discipline that will allow them to reconnect with the divine presence in their lives and then be able to lead from that connection, with benefits for themselves and those they lead. Using the story of Moses, Barton sketches a process of encountering God through the practice of certain spiritual disciplines, such as solitude, silence, awareness of God's activity, Sabbath rest, and intercessory prayer. Along the way Barton addresses topics such as understanding one's calling, understanding one's own spiritual journey so as to help others on theirs, building healthy ministry teams of interdependent people, and how those teams can exercise the gift of discernment so they can do God's will together.
... Read more ›
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars What every leader ought to read! March 5, 2009
Format:Hardcover
I have recommended this book to several friends. This is a book that gets to the heart of the difficulties and struggles that leaders face. But it also offers a path to finding God's strength through it all.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars Don't judge a book by its cover... July 17, 2009
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was a little bit skeptical when I first heard the name of this book and saw the cover...but this book is another great example of why NOT to judge a book by its cover. I'm just a few chapters from being done and I am continually impressed by the depth of insight and the practical take away.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars For any person who serves others
A thoughtful, practical, insightful challenge to anyone who has felt the weight of loving God and loving people. Barton gets it and gives it back out!
Published 23 days ago by Cindy Gaskins
5.0 out of 5 stars Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry
A must read for every Christian leader who has no desire to gain the whole world and yet lose his own soul.
Published 2 months ago by Jeannette
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
For ministry leaders, this is an invaluable resource. This book came along for me at an appointed time. I read it together with a group of ministry leaders. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Pastor GR
5.0 out of 5 stars Heart and Soul
No other leadership book I have ever read even comes close to touching me so deeply. Though other books have been somewhat intellectually inspiring or pragmatic in their advice for... Read more
Published 3 months ago by stephenv
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful insights
This book is life giving with the comfort, inspiration, and wisdom it provides to any leadership role within ministry or service
Published 4 months ago by Beth Rohrer
5.0 out of 5 stars Learning from Moses
Through hearing how Moses faced the anger deep within himself I am facing the fear and anger deep within me. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Laura K. Emerick
5.0 out of 5 stars A must read!
Every Christian leader should read this. Too many leaders start off in ministry depending on God, and then get too busy with ministry to nourish their own souls. Read more
Published 6 months ago by apples n pears
4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book emphasizing what should be considered "the...
An excellent book, the only reason for four stars instead of five is that it is a touch redundant on a few points. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Gary Seevers
5.0 out of 5 stars Life changing
This book has been a life changing read for both my husband and myself. The digital version, however, has major formatting problems which I reported immediately upon receiving it. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Ruthie
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I have read in the last ten years!
We are all leaders to someone. The principles in this book are so awesome. When I finished it, I went on to read everything till the last page because I just didn't want the... Read more
Published 16 months ago by carolyn comstock
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