Podcast appearances and mentions of ruth haley barton

What we do is what we become. Christians replace cultural habits we've imbibed with spiritual habits we intentionally embrace. What if we thought of our spiritual community as a spiritual habit?The sermon today is titled "The Habit of Silence." It is the eleventh installment in our series "Follow Me", and the third in the sub-series "Spiritual Habits." The Scripture reading is from 1 Kings 19:1-18 (ESV). Originally preached at the West Side Church of Christ (Searcy, AR) on April 13, 2025. All lessons fit under one of 6 broad categories: Begin, Instill, Discover, Grow, Learn, and Serve. This sermon is filed under GROW: Spiritual Disciplines.Click here if you would like to watch the sermon or read a transcript.Podcast Notes (resources used or referenced):Ruth Haley Barton, Invitation to Solitude and Silence (IVP Books), 2004.Tim Keller Sermon, “The Still Small Voice,” Sep 26, 1999.Peter J. Leithart, 1 & 2 Kings, Brazos Theological Commentary on the Bible.Iain W. Provan, 1 & 2 Kings, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series.I'd love to connect with you!Watch sermons and find transcripts at nathanguy.com.Follow along each Sunday through YouTube livestream and find a study guide on the sermon notes page.Follow me @nathanpguy (facebook/instagram/twitter)Subscribe to my email newsletter on substack.

In the first episode of our weekly Lenten series, we invite you to take a moment to slow down, quiet your heart, and hear what God may be saying to you. Throughout the season of Lent, we'll be releasing weekly episodes focused on themes of reflection, prayer, and contemplation.On March 19, 2021 we were delighted to host Christian author, leader, and teacher, Ruth Haley Barton. Barton is founding President/CEO of the Transforming Center, a ministry dedicated to strengthening the souls of Christian leaders and the congregations and organizations they serve. Ruth is the author of numerous books and resources on the spiritual life, including Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership and Sacred Rhythms. She reflects regularly on spirituality and leadership in her blog, Beyond Words, and on her podcast Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership.We hope you enjoy this conversation around her book, Invitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God's Transforming Presence. Our attention, Barton believes, has become a commodity that we must protect if we are to avoid being swept away by our distracted age. She invites listeners to engage in these ancient biblical practices to find the rest for our souls that Jesus promises. In this Lenten season, we hope this will inspire you to pursue God's transforming presence in new ways and contemplatively sit in solitude and silence with the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Learn more about Ruth Haley Barton. Watch the full Online Conversation and read the transcript from March 19, 2021. Related reading:A Shocking Lack of Solitude, Cherie Harder Authors and books mentioned in the conversation:Blaise PascalJohn MiltonC.S. LewisRichard RohrDallas WillardHenry NouwenShop Class as Soulcraft, by Matthew B. CrawfordRabbi Abraham Joshua HeschelJulian of NorwichInvitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God's Transforming Presence, by Ruth Haley Barton Related Trinity Forum Readings:Confessions | A Trinity Forum Reading by St. Augustine, introduced by James K.A. Smith.Pilgrim at Tinker Creek | A Trinity Forum Reading by Annie Dillard, introduced by Tish Harrison Warren.Devotions | A Trinity Forum Reading by John Donne, introduced and paraphrased by Philip Yancey.The Long Loneliness | A Trinity Forum Reading by Dorothy Day, introduced by Anne and David Brooks.Wrestling with God | A Trinity Forum Reading by Simone Weil, introduced by Alonzo McDonald.The Pilgrim's Progress | A Trinity Forum Reading by John Bunyan, introduced by Alonzo McDonald.

Welcome to another episode of The Cutting Room Floor, where we further unpack Sunday's message, discuss practical applications, and hear some of what didn't make the final cut. Pastor Donny shares some final insights as we conclude our series in Ecclesiastes.Resources Mentioned in this episode:The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry - John Mark ComerSacred Rhythms - Ruth Haley Barton

It is no secret that law students and attorneys exist in a stressful environment. As Amy Levin recently wrote, "[l]aw student mental health is at an all-time low." The American Bar Association (ABA) has conducted a study that shows how this environment tends to contribute to high rates of mental health disorders and substance abuse. In an effort to face this challenge, LSM has launched the Wellness Program—focused on providing students resources and discussions to face this issue, together. Our first episode was with Ruth Haley Barton on Establishing Rhythms & Abiding in God (here). Our second was with Dr. Barbara L. Peacock on developing spiritual disciplines for soul care (here). On this episode, we are joined by Starr Tomczak to discuss her brand new book called Living Well: Inspired by the Story behind the Bible. Starr not only went to law school and had a succesful law practice as a corporate lawyer, but she also felt the calling to enter seminary and eventually write this book. She has a BA from Carleton College, a JD from New York University Law School, and an MDiv from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Check out her website here. Music Credit(s): Tokyo Music Walker & Rexlambo.

Crafting a rhythm of life isn't just about adding more to your schedule—it's about making intentional choices that shape who you're becoming. Inspired by Ruth Haley Barton's question, “How do I want to live so I can be who I want to be?” this episode explores the beauty of setting limits as a doorway to creativity, discernment, and rest. We'll discuss how a rhythm of life can act like a trellis, supporting your growth and flourishing. With insights from spiritual writers like Margaret Guenther and Evelyn Underhill, we'll uncover practical ways to create daily, weekly, and seasonal practices that feel life-giving and sustainable. Join me as we take one small, simple, and gracious step toward cultivating a life that aligns with God's invitations and your deepest desires.

This week, we continue our conversation on mental health and the various reasons why law students don't get the help they need. My guest is Amy Levin—someone who not only understands the legal profession, but has also spent much time in studying the social and psychiatric components of mental well-being. Amy has a new paper out soon entitled The Kid Aren't Alright, where she emphatically admonishes students to normalize seeking help. In our discussion, we focus on common stressors, which students struggle the most, why other professions seem to be doing better, and what are the various ways that law students can improve their own mental health. Amy is clinical professor of law at Loyola Marymount University. She is a graduate of the UCLA School of Law, Program in Public Interest Law and Policy, and the Department of Social Welfare, where she was an editor on the UCLA Law Review and earned membership in Order of the Coif. Amy also clerked for the Honorable Richard A. Paez of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Faculty bio. Cross & Gavel is a production of CHRISTIAN LEGAL SOCIETY. The episode was produced by Josh Deng, with music from Vexento. NOTE: In an effort to help normalize the conversation surrounding mental health, CLS launched the Wellness Program as part of Law Student Ministries. We hope to provide you not only training and support, but also forums where these topics can be discussed and destigmatized. Our first three conversations can be found here (w/ Dr. Tina Armstrong on healthy leadership), here (w/ Ruth Haley Barton on daily rhythms), and here (w/ Dr. Barbara L. Peacock on soul care).

It is no secret that law students and attorneys exist in a stressful environment. As Amy Levin recently wrote, "[l]aw student mental health is at an all-time low." The American Bar Association (ABA) has conducted a study that shows how this environment tends to contribute to high rates of mental health disorders and substance abuse. In an effort to face this challenge, LSM has launched the Wellness Program—focused on providing students resources and discussions to face this issue, together. Our first episode was with Ruth Haley Barton on Establishing Rhythms & Abiding in God (here). This week, we are joined by Dr. Barbara L. Peacock to talk about spiritual disciplines as soul care. Dr. Peacock is the author of the award-winning book Soul Care in African American Practice (book + workbook). Her newest book is Spiritual Practices for Soul Care 40 Ways to Deepen your Faith (buy). She is passionate about the disciplines of prayer, spiritual direction (soul care), lectio, and visio divina. In 2013 she founded Barbara L. Peacock Ministries. This ministry is committed to providing safe spaces for encounters with God. She founded Peacock Soul Care, whose mission is focused on nurturing souls, educating minds, and cultivating spirituality through soul care and spiritual experiences. Her personal website is here. Her ministry website is here. Music Credit(s): Tokyo Music Walker & Rexlambo.

Join today's guest host Kerry Smith as she interviews Jenni Keller. Jenni is a ministry leadership coach and consultant where she is an integration specialist that helps leaders align the good work they're already doing with the best practices, leadership systems and people practices they desire. Listen in as they discuss the vital role that emotional intelligence plays in our own leadership health and the health of the church, bringing both reasoning and emotion together to form a more whole approach to leading the church.   https://jennikeller.co/ Untangling Emotions by J. Alasdair Groves and Winston T. Smith  Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton

Join today's guest host Kerry Smith as she interviews Jenni Keller. Jenni is a ministry leadership coach and consultant where she is an integration specialist that helps leaders align the good work they're already doing with the best practices, leadership systems and people practices they desire. Listen in as they discuss the vital role that emotional intelligence plays in our own leadership health and the health of the church, bringing both reasoning and emotion together to form a more whole approach to leading the church.   https://jennikeller.co/ Untangling Emotions by J. Alasdair Groves and Winston T. Smith  Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton

In this episode of Craft & Character, Steve Carter talks with author, spiritual director, and founder of the Transforming Center, Ruth Haley Barton about the importance of spiritual formation for pastoral care. Ruth Haley Barton offers up so many moments of pure gold as she talks about the soul, the art of discernment, and how she came to discover the goodness with spiritual formation decades ago. This is an important episode for any pastor and leader. If you haven't read her work, please check out Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, Sacred Rhythms, Pursuing God's Will Together, or Life Together in Christ. BIO 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. EPISODE LINKS @transformingctr on Instagram www.ruthhaleybarton.com www.transformingcenter.org @steveryancarter @craft_character Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Jordan as he dives into the heart behind spiritual disciplines and their importance. He discusses the practices of Solitude, Study, Silence, and Prayer, drawing on insights from authors Dallas Willard, Henri Nouwen, and Ruth Haley Barton. On the next episode, he'll continue the conversation, exploring a few more practices. Have a question for the podcast? Submit your question HERE.

Listen as Kathy reads a poetic reflection called, "On Time" by Ruth Haley Barton, on the importance of slowing down and savoring life's moments. Consider this in your own practice of self care, or if you don't yet have your own, please feel free to use this as a starting point. Kathy: I just invite you now to think about the words of this poem and check in with your soul. It is called "On Time" and it's by Ruth Haley Barton: There have to be times in your life when you move slow. Times when you walk rather than run, settling into each step. There have to be times when you stop and gaze admiredly at loved ones, marveling that they have been given to you for this life. Times when hugs linger and kisses are real. When food and drink are savored with gratitude and humility, rather than gulp down on your way to something else. There have to be times when you read for the sheer pleasure of it, marveling at the beauty of words and endless creativity in putting them together. Times when you settle into the comforts of home and become human once again. There have to be times when you light a candle and find the tender place inside you that loves or sorrows or sings and you pray from that place. Times when you let yourself feel, when you allow the tears to come, rather than blinking them back because you don't have time to cry. There have to be times to sink into the soft body of yourself and love what you love simply because love itself is a grace. Times when you sit with gratitude for the good gifts of your life that get lost and forgotten in the rush of things. Times to celebrate and play, to roll down hills, to splash in water or make leaf piles, to spread paint on paper or walls or each other. There have to be times to sit and wait for the fullness of God that replenishes body, mind and soul. If you can even stand to be so full, there has to be time for the fullness of time or time is meaningless.

Summary Kevin and Kathy discuss the concept of 'soul care' and practices to nurture one's soul. Their discussion explores the importance of solitude, silence, and stillness as means to connect with one's inner self and find peace amidst the distractions and noise of daily life. Interspersed are helpful personal anecdotes, practical tips, and a poem that encourages slowing down and appreciating the present moment. Kevin Hi everyone, welcome back to another episode of Coping. We took off a few weeks ago, giving you all a vacation and we also took a vacation ourselves. Kathy Yes, and we thought it was a great time to begin a new series we're calling Summer Soul Care. I wonder, Kevin, what comes to your mind when you think about soul care? Kevin Well, I work in a hospital, and our department is called the spiritual care department. So I actually spend a lot of time thinking about spiritual care, soul care, and how to do that effectively, especially for those who are sick and in the hospital setting. So the first thing that comes to mind for me is something that's active, to make sure that when you care for either your own soul or somebody else's soul, it's an action that you do, a practice that you take, something that you offer that's tangible. Kathy Hmm. Yeah, that's a good and easy, practical way to think about it. And especially as we're thinking about our souls, we can link it to something that we'll be doing. So let's get started. Kathy So one of our favorite podcasters and authors, her name is Ruth Haley Barton. She writes this quote, I really love this thought provoking quote. She says, "losing your soul is sort of like losing a credit card. You think it's in your wallet or purse, so you don't give it much thought until one day you reach for it and you can't find it. Kathy The minute you realize it's gone, you start scrambling to find it, trying to remember when you lost it or last used it or at least had it in your possession. No matter what is going on in your life, you have to stop and look for it because otherwise there could be major damage done. Kathy Some of us know that we are losing bits and pieces of our souls every day and we are scared to death that we might be very close to going over an edge." So as a chaplain, how have you experienced this with those you serve? Kevin Yeah, this is something I help patients wrestle with on a daily basis. The reality is most people don't give a lot of thought to their spiritual life, to their souls. It's only when we are sick, when we are ill and in pain, that we look for strength and often look inward for that strength to be able to push through and to cope with whatever we're going through. Kevin And so what happens, like that analogy that's so vivid and so true about the credit card, if you haven't been investing into that fund, you don't have the funds to tap into on that card and that soul, then you find yourself not being able to use it when you need it most. Kevin And, you know, my belief is that we never lose our soul, we never go to a point where we don't have it. But if we're not investing in it, then it's certainly not going to be valuable to us when we perhaps need it most. And so when we encounter somebody who has deficient funds on their card or in their spiritual life, it's a chaplain's job to come alongside them and to help them tap into their strengths in their life, to help them connect to their faith practices, their rituals, the things that give their life meaning so that they could begin to cope with their illness and then find a pathway to healing that encompasses not just their physical body, but their emotional, spiritual mental selves as well. Kathy Yes, that sounds very practical and helpful. And like you said, it often doesn't happen until the body begins shutting down. A part of ourselves is not working, that we then begin to think about that. Kevin For sure that's exactly it. Whenever one part of ourselves feels deficient we tap into the other parts of ourselves to find what we're missing. I wonder for you as a coach where do you see this in the lives of your students? Kathy Well, I think they're like most people not thinking about their souls, like they don't have time to or they don't know what that looks like or what that means. And so if there's no awareness about soul care and practices, then you can't move forward. You can't, like you said, you won't have anything to show in those times where you need it the most. And so today we want to discuss the first three S's of soul care in hopes of beginning this discussion. Kathy So the first S is solitude. And we're going to define solitude as uninterrupted alone time in a distraction free environment. Uninterrupted alone time in a distraction free environment. It's kind of a joke where we think, what? Which environment is distraction-free these days? But what are your thoughts on solitude and how do you think that we can find this in the busyness of our world? Kevin Yeah, what you pointed out in that definition is what stood out to me is the distraction free environment. I can't think of an environment that is distraction free. Likewise, we fill our lives with a lot of positive distractions as well, friends, family, hobbies, things that we like to do. Kevin But solitude is that practice that we are intentionally letting go of those things that keep us busy, that keep us distracted from what's actually going on inside. And it becomes the way that we cope with our pain and our lives being the way that they are so hectic and crazy is by continually moving from one thing to the next to keep our mind busy so it's not flooded with those deeper, harder feelings that are conjuring inside. And so it's definitely a hard one. But something that comes to mind is the need to sacrifice something to find that solitude often will require saying no to things or to people and creating that intentional space for that solitude. Kathy And in our community, what we talk about that might be helpful is to actually schedule in times of solitude. One homework assignment – and our listeners can do this – this week is to schedule a soul date for themselves where they can enter into the solitude. I would say that doesn't have to be long. It can be 20 minutes. It doesn't have to be, oh, I don't have an entire day. It can be a short period of time. It could be 20 minutes. And the best thing about entering into solitude, the best benefit we have from solitude is that it allows us after we've been in solitude to be more present. Kevin And that leads us well into our next S of soul care, is silence. And so we define silence as abstaining from speaking, reading and noise in order to be quiet. Gosh, I'm thinking about how noisy my work is, how noisy the world is, the freeways are, the news is, my phone can be, gosh, Kathy, how do we find silence in this day and age? Kathy Another good question, the first thing I would say is I think everyone needs to stop and think about how they feel about silence. Does it make you nervous if things are too quiet? Are we okay with there being no noise or background music or background TV? We turn on all of these things to avoid the silence, so I think it's important to have a little conversation with ourselves to determine how we feel about the silence, and if we're giving ourselves permission to enter the silence, then silence practices will be beneficial to us. Kevin That's so true. And I think just from personal experience, learning to be comfortable with silence. For most people, I think they're adverse to being in silence because the silence isn't silent. When you're starting off trying to be silent, that's where all the noise comes up with your thoughts, your feelings, all of those fears and concerns, the worries, the to-do list, everything starts to rush in when you create that space and that silence. And so if you find yourself struggling to find that silence, even when you're being intentional about it, my encouragement is to keep trying. Kevin Keep creating that space for silence. You can keep a pad of paper next to you so that if thoughts and things that you need to remember flood in in those moments of silence, write them down and then move back to your silent place again. It's so important that we continue to practice silence, knowing that it's a hard thing to do and continue to go back to it again and again because after we move through all of that noise that floods in when we are silent, on the other side of that is that peaceful silence that I think that we're all craving. Kathy 100% true. And yeah, the notebook is a really good idea. And then if you like to be active when you're trying to enter the silence, this is one that I do often is you can go on a walk without any music. But what you can do is listen to the sounds that you hear on your walk. You can start counting them. You can start cataloging them. Really what you are doing is you are entering silence, even though it sounds like you're not because you're hearing noises, but you're allowing the natural sounds to enter in instead of what we typically have are the distracted noises of the world entering in. Kathy So if you're going on this walk, it's a very good way. Maybe it's like a bridge to entering silent places. This is like a really good way to do it as well. And the main benefit from entering into silence when you do these practices is that then we're actually attuning our ears to listen. Kevin And attuning our ears to listen to self, all of those things that we push down and we're moving away from, those difficult feelings and thoughts. But when we learn to listen to self, we then are better able to listen to others and what their experiences are and be present to them in their pain and their story. And that leads us into our last S for this episode. And our third S is stillness. How are we defining stillness? Kathy Stillness is defined as "to stop, cease, desist, and disconnect from the outside world". Kevin Man, these are getting harder and harder, aren't they? They seem to also be building on one another. How do we get to this third S of stillness? Kathy Well, there's I think something that's been the theme of our discussion today is that there needs to be a lot of intentionality around this practice. So believe it or not, you may or may not know about this feature on your phone. It's called Do Not Disturb. And guess what? We can turn it on. And one practice that you can do is to turn it on on your phone for an hour a day. Put on Do Not Disturb on your phone and allow the stillness to come in as you disconnect. Kathy It doesn't mean that you're just going to be still during that time, but you're disconnecting from that usual hustle, bustle, chaos, noise. You could do something else in the stillness. It's not that you have to sit still. Notice that's not what we said. But the major benefit from entering into stillness is that we can become better engaged after being still. Kathy So out of these three, solitude, silence, or stillness, which one do you think is easiest for you? Kevin Gosh. I've had a lot of practice with silence, learning to be silent, and to tune into that silence. So I think that that's probably the one that's easiest for me. It's the hardest to find, but when it's there, I feel very comfortable with it, if that makes sense. What about for you? Kathy Uh, the easiest, and again, these aren't easy, but they come more naturally if you keep practicing, um, I would say is solitude because I really now look forward to times when nobody is at home, like, um, I think it was an hour today of no one being here so that I can enter into the solitude. Kevin Right. And which one's difficult for you? Kathy I think stillness is still hard for me. I'm the one telling you to put on do not disturb. The reason is, is I am such a breaking news type of person that, and especially these days, we've had a lot of breaking news that has been very important to our world that I don't want to miss out. It's the FOMO, that's terrible. But like, you're gonna miss out on hearing something or a text message or someone was trying to call you, but in the days when we didn't have technology, we all just waited. Kathy I lived during that time period. It was totally fine that we didn't find out for three hours about the breaking news or whatever it was, nothing happened. And it was actually all better because then we were all more, we weren't on this 24 hours a day, seven days a week, nonstop, chaotic, stressful rollercoaster of what we all are living on right now. Kevin And so to end our podcast today, we'd like to invite everybody to take a moment to do their own soul check-in. And so I'm going to hand it over to Kathy, who will lead us through that. Kathy Yes, I just invite you now to think about the words of this poem and check in with your soul. It is called "On Time" and it's by Ruth Haley Barton. There have to be times in your life when you move slow. Times when you walk rather than run, settling into each step. There have to be times when you stop and gaze admiredly at loved ones, marveling that they have been given to you for this life. Times when hugs linger and kisses are real. When food and drink are savored with gratitude and humility, rather than gulp down on your way to something else. There have to be times when you read for the sheer pleasure of it, marveling at the beauty of words and endless creativity in putting them together. Times when you settle into the comforts of home and become human once again. There have to be times when you light a candle and find the tender place inside you that loves or sorrows or sings and you pray from that place. Times when you let yourself feel, when you allow the tears to come rather than blinking them back because you don't have time to cry. There have to be times to sink into the soft body of yourself and love what you love simply because love itself is a grace. Times when you sit with gratitude for the good gifts of your life that get lost and forgotten in the rush of things. Times to celebrate and play, to roll down hills, to splash in water or make leaf piles, to spread paint on paper or walls or each other. There have to be times to sit and wait for the fullness of God that replenishes body, mind and soul. If you can even stand to be so full, there has to be time for the fullness of time or time is meaningless.

In this heartfelt episode, I open up about a deeply personal journey—my decision to take a sabbatical from my business later this year. Join me as I share why I've chosen to step away, how I've been preparing both spiritually and logistically, and the challenges that come with such a bold move. You'll hear about my reflections around turning 63, the inspiration from Ruth Haley Barton's work, and my desire to model rest and renewal in the entrepreneurial space. Plus, I'll be updating you on my progress monthly, inviting you to journey alongside me as I prepare for this transformative time.Time Stamps: 00:00 Uncommon for business leaders to take sabbaticals.05:34 Embracing work and rest for balanced living.08:11 Entrepreneur taking sabbatical for personal and professional growth.10:30 Podcast invites on sabbatical preparation journey.14:22 Scheduled sabbatical from November 4 to January 6.18:05 Preparing for sabbatical, including European cruise.23:36 Trusting in uncertainty, finding courage in faith.25:14 Coveting prayers, building business, rest, journey together.Resources Mentioned in this Episode:Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest - Book by Ruth Haley BartonPracticing the Way book by John Mark ComerThe Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark ComerThomas Merton Prayer Transforming Center Podcast on Sabbath and Sabbaticalhttps://transformingcenter.org/strengthening-the-soul-of-your-leadership-podcast/season-eighteen/FREE RESOURCES:Take the FREE Intro to Needs & Values AssessmentReady to discover what uniquely matters to YOU? CLICK HERE to take our FREE Intro to the Needs & Values Assessment.FREE Download: 4 Steps to Simplify Your CalendarReady to uncover more time on your calendar? This FREE download will help you remove what doesn't matter, so you have space for what does. Click here to get this FREE resource!Get to know the story behind the REALIFE Process® through our film, Rested Success!CLICK HERE to watch the 15-minute documentary film where you'll hear Teresa's story, how the REALIFE Process® began and developed, plus how our Certified Facilitators are using the Process in the work that they do.OTHER RESOURCES:Check out our YouTube Channel!Prefer to watch AND listen? Check out our YouTube channel for the podcast episode on video! Make sure to subscribe so you get all the latest updates.My Book LinkMy new book, Do What Matters, is available NOW! Banish busyness and discover a new way of being productive around what truly matters. Learn more at DoWhatMattersBook.com.LifeMapping ToolsWould you life to discover  Life Mapping tools to help you recognize and respond to God in your Story. Check out these tools here https://www.onelifemaps.com/JOIN OUR COMMUNITY & CONNECT WITH ME:Become part of the FREE REALIFE Process® Community! Connect with Teresa and other podcast listeners, plus find additional content to help you discover your best REALIFE.Connect with your host, Teresa McCloy, on:Facebook - The REALIFE Process® with Teresa McCloyInstagram - teresa.mccloyLinkedIn - teresamccloyAbout Teresa McCloy:Teresa McCloy is the founder and creator of the REALIFE Process®. The REALIFE Process® is dedicated to equipping others and providing community, training, tools and resources,in order to cultivate bothpersonal and professional development and growth. Teresa's mission is to see individuals and groups grow in self awareness, develop sustainable rhythms, and increase their influence and impact at the intersection of faith and work in their everyday life story.

In this BONUS episode of "Rhythms that Restore," host Cherisse and her guest Allison Bradsher, Cherisse's Spiritual Director, discuss the importance of Discovering Stability through Anchoring ourselves. Learning the "practice of subrtaction" and learning to "create a container" that can be filled only with the presence of the Lord.  Allison shares her story & journey into contemplative practices and the role of the Holy Spirit in spiritual direction and practice of retreat. They explore metaphors for finding clarity in God's presence and the need for a sustainable pace in life. The episode covers the offerings of The Retreat House Memphis, including an upcoming Pentecost retreat on May 19th, and concludes with a prayer and an invitation to engage with the podcast's community.   Welcome and Introduction (00:00:02) Cherisse introduces the podcast with Psalm 27:7-8 and sets the tone for the episode, inviting listeners to join in on the conversation. Reading from Psalm 27 (00:01:24) Cherisse reads and reflects on Psalm 27:7-8, emphasizing the importance of seeking God's face and finding comfort in His presence. The God Who Sees (00:02:33) Cherisse shares a reflection on the name "El Roi" meaning "the God who sees," emphasizing God's care and presence in our lives. Introduction of Guest, Allison (00:05:02) Cherisse introduces Allison, a spiritual director, and shares her personal connection and experiences with her. Allison's Introduction (00:05:41) Allison shares her role as a spiritual director and the importance of hospitality and welcome in her life. Contemplative Practices Journey (00:07:58) Allison discusses her spiritual journey and how she was drawn to contemplative practices, specifically the impact of silence on her spiritual growth. Spiritual Direction and Counseling (00:13:34) Allison explains the differences between spiritual direction and counseling, highlighting the prayerful and listening aspect of spiritual direction. Practicing the Presence of God (00:15:46) Cherisse and Allison discuss the importance of being still and creating space for God's presence, using the analogy of settling sediment in water. Embracing a Natural Pace (00:19:26) Allison shares the importance of finding one's natural pace in life and the impact of bringing a peaceful presence into daily activities. Checking in with Pace (00:21:51) Allison discusses the importance of checking in with thoughts, emotions, and body to notice pace and avoid overwhelm. Guardrails for Pace (00:23:15) Cherisse introduces the concept of setting guardrails to run at one's own pace and avoid falling off track. The Role of the Holy Spirit (00:24:54) Allison explains how the Holy Spirit communicates with us through scripture and encourages attuning to the Spirit's presence. Surrendering to the Holy Spirit (00:26:32) Allison discusses the challenge of surrendering personal plans to align with the powerful and beautiful plans of the Holy Spirit. Opportunities for Connection (00:29:45) Allison shares local and remote opportunities for connecting with spiritual practices and offerings at The retreat house Memphis. Final Thoughts and Prayer (00:32:02) Allison emphasizes the invitation to offer presence to God and closes with a prayer for settling and stillness. Closing Remarks (00:35:13) Allison concludes the episode, inviting feedback and sharing ways to stay connected and support the podcast. ---------------------------------------------- "Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: A resource that provides information on various spiritual disciplines for the spiritual life."  "Silent Retreats: A practice of setting aside time for silence and solitude to create space for God to speak and impress."  "Counseling: A practice of seeking professional help to process and address personal and emotional challenges." "Spiritual Direction: A prayerful listening space where a spiritual director helps individuals attune to the presence of God and explore their spiritual journey."  "Spiritual Disciplines Handbook" "Practicing the Presence of Jesus: Engaging in practices that allow individuals to be present with Jesus and listen to His voice." "Lectio Divina: A practice that helps to attune to the Holy Spirit and notice God's movements in daily life." - 00:25:20 "Pentecost Retreat: A retreat related to Pentecost, a day where the Holy Spirit was given." "Spiritual Direction: A practice that can be done in person, over the phone, or on Zoom." "Content Conversations: One-hour webinars to learn, take notes, and ask questions about spiritual formation and spiritual direction."  "Macrina Whitaker's Prayer: A prayer from Macrina Whitaker." ---------------------------------------------------------------- Connect with Allison Bradsher at "The Retreat House Memphis" for Spritual Direction Instagram: @TheRetreatHouseMemphis               Website: www.bfrlocal.com  Email: Allison@bfrlocal.com  ----------------------------------------------------- Join our "Rythms that Restore" Community: Click below and pull up a chair with us and walk through life IN COMMUNITY and beside others who are learning and putting these new Rhythms in place. Click: https://www.facebook.com/groups/339272845793051/ -------------------------------------- Follow "Rhythms that Restore Podcast" on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhythmsthatrestorepodcast?igsh=Z3lmY2UzcXZzMTlq&utm_source=qr -------------------------------------------- Tune In- Subscribe, Rate, and Share: If you found value in this episode, be be sure to subscribe, rate, and share with "Rhythms that Restore" Podcast with a friend who can be encouraged through the message. Help us share this incredible transformative message of Gods word through the beautiful act of "ceasing to strive" and learning to "simply BE". ------------------------------------ Connect more with me on Instagram, Facebook and Email: Email Me: cherissehixson@hotmail.com  Facebook: Cherisse Mathias Hixson  DM on Instagram: @cherissehixson01 &  @rhythmsthatrestorepodcast 

[00:00:00] Carl LaBarbera: I met a guy, Dick Berry, who was a professional in the Policy Governance arena. And once I took his class, I was convinced that this was what I needed to do board work. And the reason for that is because primarily my own work in aerospace industry, knowing that systems and procedures are essential to do any kind of job that's going to be effective. [00:00:26] Carl LaBarbera: And when Policy Governance was presented that's the kind of system that I was seeing. And so, a complete, scientific system with procedures and thinking about all the elements of governance was something I needed. [00:00:42] Tommy Thomas:  My guest today is Carl LaBarbera. I met Carl several years ago at his home in Southern California.  He was gracious to give me a couple of hours that afternoon, and we've maintained some loose contact with each other since then.  One of the areas of expertise he has is that of Policy Governance, and I've known that, from the afternoon I met him, so as I was thinking about more guests we could have in the area of board service, Carl was one of the ones I wanted to have, so thank you, Carl, for joining us this afternoon. [00:01:14] Carl LaBarbera: Thank you, Tommy. It's my pleasure to be here and look forward to our conversation. [00:01:19] Tommy Thomas: Before we dig too deep into Policy Governance, how did you get interested in or involved in nonprofit board service? [00:01:29] Carl LaBarbera: That goes back 40 years. So, it's interesting. I don't know how far back you want me to go. [00:01:37] Carl LaBarbera: I can go back to my childhood because my dad had a company in inner city LA which is a very difficult area. [00:01:48] Tommy Thomas: Back then, especially, [00:01:49] Carl LaBarbera:   When I was a very young child, I was 11 years old when the Watts Riots occurred. And my mother and I were driving into the business in South LA. [00:01:59] Carl LaBarbera: And the Watts Riots were underway. And my mom swears that a black woman flagged off attackers.  She was in front of us, and we were able to drive into the business, but we had no idea. The news was not like it is today.  We literally drove into it. So that obviously left a big impression on me as a kid. [00:02:22] Carl LaBarbera: And I've had a heart for the inner city ever since. And we continued, actually, my brother and I took over the business that my dad had started and in 1957 after the war and in continued in that Watts area, but then we were bought out by the freeway and moved just slightly south of there in an area in Linwood, which is still South LA [00:02:48] Carl LaBarbera:  So that connection of having a business in that community and actually knowing the neighbors in that community, in the Watts community, which was primarily African American gave me that heart. And then I was listening to Focus on The Family. I would wake up in the morning, six o'clock in the morning, with Focus on The Family on the radio. [00:03:09] Carl LaBarbera: And Dr. Dobson was talking with Keith Phillips, who is the founder of World Impact, and talking about Watts. And I thought to myself, wow, that's literally across the street. And so, I made a journey to introduce myself to World Impact. At the time it was a Canadian director who was leading that Watts ministry. [00:03:33] Carl LaBarbera: And we got to become good friends in our company partnered with World Impact to help the missionaries in the Watts community and help them in any way we can to support them in their ministry. [00:03:45] Tommy Thomas: Wow. That goes back a long way. [00:03:49] Carl LaBarbera: We're talking 1990s. Yeah. At the time I met him, it was late eighties or early nineties. [00:03:55] Tommy Thomas: Did you have any kind of mentorship relative to board service? Did you have a model or a role model? [00:04:03] Carl LaBarbera: I think, my interest in board work really began with our own company. That was the work that I love to do, having a 30,000-foot perspective, being able to work at that high level, conceptual level seeing all the pieces in an organization the teamwork necessary to make an organization successful. [00:04:25] Carl LaBarbera: I got a hunger for that level of leadership in our own company, but where I was introduced to Policy Governance was at the Christian Management Association. So, I was a member of the association, which was called the Christian Management Association. Now it's called Christian Leadership Alliance. [00:04:44] Carl LaBarbera: And I met a guy, Dick Berry, who was a professional in the Policy Governance arena. And once I took his class, I was convinced that this was what I needed to do board work. And the reason for that is because primarily my own work in the aerospace industry, knowing that systems and procedures are essential to do any kind of job that's going to be effective. [00:05:11] Carl LaBarbera: And when Policy Governance was presented that's the kind of system that I was seeing. And so, a complete, scientific system with procedures and thinking about all the elements of governance was something I needed. And then of course, serving with a friend from church who was an urban ministry leader when he started his nonprofit Urban Youth Workers Institute and asked me to join his board and chair his board, John Carver. [00:05:44] Carl LaBarbera: It was like, what do I use to run a board? Because there's really nothing other than best practice information as to how you actually chair and run a board, how you lead a board. And so that's why policy governance just rung a bell for me, and I knew it was something I had to learn and be very good at. ++++++++++++++++++++ [00:06:05] Tommy Thomas:  Get up at 50,000, 100,000 feet and look down. What's the primary purpose of the nonprofit board? One role of the Board is dealing with the risk factor.  Mitigating or at least evaluate risk to determine what's acceptable and what's not acceptable. [00:06:12] Carl LaBarbera: Yeah, there is one, one primary purpose with two parts actually. And I can just simplify that to say get the mission done and stay out of trouble. So, there's two elements. And what we say, what we call mission, and we call ENDS is what benefit for what people at what worth. [00:06:33] Carl LaBarbera: So those three elements make up the mission or the ENDS. And then there's the risk factor. So, a board is there to mitigate risk or at least evaluate risk and to determine what's acceptable and what's not acceptable but that's the keeping the organization out of trouble part, right? [00:06:51] Carl LaBarbera: So, get the mission done, stay out of trouble. That's their primary purpose. And, but let me add that all that's done on behalf of someone. Especially in nonprofits, in a corporation, right? You are beholden to the shareholders. A board works on behalf of the shareholders. There are no shareholders in the nonprofit world, but what Carver was smart enough to know is that we're, the board is beholden to some, they don't own the organization, the CEO, the staff, they don't own the organization, who owns the organization? [00:07:25] Carl LaBarbera: In the church, we say Jesus owns it. Of course, he owns it all, but Jesus owns the organization, which is cool because he left us a whole book of values that we know that we are beholden to, that we need to comply with. But secondarily, there are owners or what we call care holders or stakeholders on the organization. [00:07:49] Carl LaBarbera: I could talk about the global church as owning a nonprofit. So, we need to be aware of the values of the global church. We could talk about those that the organization impacts. Not the beneficiaries so much, but the communities that would have an interest in the organization. So, when we determine who the owners are, the moral owners, we call them, who is interested in seeing this organization succeed, who is interested in the benefits that this nonprofit will bring. [00:08:24] Carl LaBarbera: And those are the people that we are beholden to, not in a democratic way, not like we're looking for them to give us majority rule direction, but in a way like a doctor or a lawyer would work in the best interest of their ownership. So, the client comes to the doctor. Obviously, the client knows something about their ailment, but the doctor knows more, they're an informed agent. [00:08:50] Carl LaBarbera: Or Robert Greenleaf would say a trustee. So, a trustee, their job is to follow the direction of the trust that is given to them. And that trust is the trust that the ownership holds. And so, the board is to determine what are those values and determine what is in the best interest of those stakeholders. [00:09:12] Carl LaBarbera:  That derives a whole set of policies, which then give direction to the organization. The role of the Board Chair is that of Chief Governance Officer – making sure that the Board accomplishes what is says it is going to do. [00:09:21] Tommy Thomas: Under this model, what's the primary role of the Board Chair? [00:09:25] Carl LaBarbera: The Board Chair is called the C.G.O. So Chief Governing Officer.  So, the Chief Governing Officer, the primary role really is to assure that the board accomplishes what it says it's going to do. In a sense, the chairman is a manager of the board itself to assure that whatever they said they were going to do, because they have a role, they have a job description, and to assure that they get that job done. But I'd also say that the chair is the interface or maybe the primary interface with the CEO. It's very important that chairman has a really solid relationship with the CEO, that there's a clear understanding that there's complete communication on both sides in order for that chairman to do his job well. [00:10:16] Tommy Thomas: Give me some words and phrases that maybe would describe the skillset that this chair needs to do his or her job well. [00:10:25] Carl LaBarbera: Yeah, that really starts with character. Especially in a Christian organization, but any nonprofit really, but it's the character. So that's essential. I think essential elements are wisdom over a lot of experience, preferably humility is very important. I think a humble leader, a servant leader. So, I love Robert Greenleaf and all his writing on servant leadership, and I'm deeply indebted to Robert Greenleaf and his description of what a servant leader does. So that chairman really needs to be that servant leader like Jesus commanded. If you want to be a leader in the kingdom, you have to be the least of all. So that chairman serves the board, and they serve the CEO and they serve the organization. [00:11:13] Tommy Thomas: I know this would vary, but just from your experience, how often does the chair meet with the CEO to maintain this relationship and this esprit de corps? [00:11:25] Carl LaBarbera: World Impact is a good example. And Alvin Sanders, the CEO, and I have a standing meeting once a week on a Monday morning. And we try to communicate with one another on a regular basis just to have that regular flow of communication, what's going on in your world. What's going on from my perspective. And, of course, planning together what the agenda is going to be for the year and for the next meeting. All those things are critical and talking through what issues are important for the CEO to comply with the board policy manual. The board has created, in helping that process.  A lot of times I need to help educate the CEO in the process of Policy Governance. Because there are not a lot of Policy Governance experts out there. And yeah, you don't see that a lot. So, part of it is educating as well. [00:12:19] Tommy Thomas: When you get a new board member what's the best way to onboard this person? [00:12:25] Carl LaBarbera: Yeah. The first thing we do is provide the documents that we've created. So, it's really important for a new board member to understand the process, certainly. So, what is this process called Policy Governance? It's very different from what most people experience. I think I know beyond several boards that many board members want to show up and display their wisdom and their good decision-making skills. And that's really not, that's not what the board is all about. We want that, certainly, but the board needs to understand the process. The beauty of Policy Governance is that all of the things that need to be known are in a policy, a board policy manual, and that manual is less than 30 pages, and it covers all four aspects of what we would call the policy circle regarding CEO role the board role, the chairman role the interaction between the board and the CEO what the mission is and what the limitations are, the things that we can't do as an organization, even if they worked, things illegal or unbiblical. A good Board Policy Manual provides invaluable information for new Board members.  This manual is usually less than 30 pages. So that board policy manual really provides invaluable information to anyone coming on board gives them all the information they need. They're not going to get it all in the first read through, but all the information is there, and they can study that. And the other thing we do is, obviously we want them to know what the bylaws are and what the expectations are in terms of meetings, etc. So, it's really just a quick update getting board members up to date on where we've been, where we're going, and how we operate. [00:14:14] Tommy Thomas: Let me ask you to get you to respond to this quote about a board service. Somebody said, “You need a director on a board who will be a pleasant irritant, someone who will force people to think a little differently. That's what a good board does.” [00:14:29] Carl LaBarbera: I love that because one of the things I strive for is called healthy, I call it healthy conflict. There's probably a better word than conflict, healthy discussion, which means we really want honest feedback from all our board members. So having that, and we definitely have those. A good irritant is someone who really is just thinking through. They're thinking from their perspective, and they're offering their perspective, and we need to hear it. Even if it's opposed to the direction that, we think we need to go, we need to know who was it that talked about Ruth Haley Barton. She talked about working together, finding God's will together. And you really need in teams, and I think it's any team, but including a board team, you need to know what the no people are saying. If someone's really objecting to where we're going, it's pertinent on us to determine what God is saying to that person. Why are they adamantly opposed? And if we don't take the time to figure that out, then we're neglecting our duty. As a board, so not again, obviously, you don't always achieve consensus, but I've been in situations on boards where we have worked it through taking some time and ultimately say there are two people that maybe don't agree, but they relent and say, we will submit to the wisdom of the board. And of course, one of the principles of Policy Governance is that we speak with one voice. After all the discussion and we finally get to the end of the day and we vote and some have to acknowledge that we don't agree, but we are going to speak with one voice when we're done with our work.  So that's critical. ++++++++++++++++++++++ [00:16:23] Tommy Thomas: Your thoughts on bringing younger people in their thirties and forties onto a nonprofit board? [00:16:30] Carl LaBarbera: Yeah, I would love to see that.  And I would love to see young people have that interest. My experience has been that young people aren't the younger generation, millennials, maybe is my experience aren't as interested in what they might consider business-like work. So, say in a church setting, right? Or even in a Christian ministry setting, this is a business job in which I really have a problem with that because I'm a firm believer that God owns it all that he works through business and churches and our ministry happens in all realms of life, right? But that kind of perspective is, yeah, I don't want to be involved in that kind of business process, but every time I've seen young people engage in the process, it is so helpful. So, I would be a big fan. Where do we find them? I have seen them in the governance organization governed for impact, which I'm a fellow with, and we have seen their young people take a real interest in governance. And when they do, then it's highly valuable. We need their perspective, right? This is where the world's going. [00:17:49] Tommy Thomas: For sure. [00:17:51] Carl LaBarbera: Yeah. We need millennial perspective. We need Z perspective. Yeah, I value that. I wish we could get more of it. [00:17:59] Tommy Thomas: I run into this a lot in my work and has to do with the past CEO being a member of the board when, when you bring a new CEO on, your thoughts just from so many years of experience that you've had any observations there. It can be very difficult when a retiring CEO, especially a founder wants to remain as an emeritus Board Member.  That can restrict the ability of the new CEO to make mistakes and/or go in a different direction if that's what the organization needs. [00:18:14] Carl LaBarbera: Yeah, that's tough. I've seen that in churches. I've seen it, I've seen it in other nonprofits. It's just, it's very difficult because when a CEO, who's especially a founder, CEO or a founding pastor and wants to be an emeritus board member or emeritus leader, even that really restricts the ability of that new CEO to be free to make mistakes and go in a different direction to bring their unique skill set because each leader has a unique skill set and they should be allowed to use that. And so I just, I see it often doesn't work out very well. And you hear the phrase that you don't want to be the next guy. You want to be the guy after the next guy. Because oftentimes that first guy is still hanging around and influencing where it's going. And that could be debilitating. [00:19:06] Tommy Thomas: This is probably in your Policy Governance manual but tell us about CEO evaluation. [00:19:13] Carl LaBarbera: That's an ongoing process. So, it is not a once-a-year process, although we do a summarized once-a-year process, but in the board policy manual the policies pertain particularly to the CEO or the executive director or the lead pastor. Those things that are called the Ends. So those are what benefits for what people at what worth. And then there are the executive limitations. And there are quite a few of those limitations, as I said before, that are not allowed, even if they work, because they're illegal or biblical or other reasons. And so, we constantly have a calendar of monitoring. So there's a very specific process of monitoring those limitations, how that CEO is complying with the limitations, and how they're complying with the accomplishment of the mission or the end. And so that's done, I think the Ends probably are mostly done on a biannual basis, but the executive limitations as I said, on a calendar, they're done every meeting.  We're evaluating some aspects of that CEO's performance. [00:20:30] Tommy Thomas: So, under Policy Governance, do you use closed session or executive session a lot? Or is that not a part of the M.O. [00:20:40] Carl LaBarbera: Yeah, no, not a lot at all. These are, there's nothing that is considered, not transparent unless there's something to do with, specific HR issues or something where it would be a problem legally, but otherwise now I believe in transparency. I believe this, everything we do at the board level should be transparent. I know as I chaired or on the executive committee at our church, everything we do there should be transparent to our membership. But it's, we do have, I know at World Impact, there is a session at the end of the year where we look at all the policy governance elements that either were complied or not complied with, but then we also get a little more personal and try to talk about their spiritual life, their personal life how, the communication with the board. So those are, those get to be touchy conversations, but necessary because that's part of the board's job is really to assure it's one of three responsibilities the board can't delegate. And that is to assure the success of the CEO and thus the organization. [00:21:57] Tommy Thomas: On strategic planning, from your perspective, how deep should the board get into that, or is that something that the CEO and his or her cabinet brings to the board? [00:22:08] Carl LaBarbera:  I'd like to think of strategic planning as a continuum of planning, right? When we do the ENDS work, the ENDS, again, are the high-level mission. It's what benefit, what people, at what worth. That is, that's the highest level of the strategic planning process. The board can get more specific about that policy of ENDS or mission, but then they stop. The job of the board is to stop communicating at the point which they're willing to allow any reasonable interpretation of that mission, right? It's hard work to determine that. So, trying to determine what it is that the board has to say to a CEO about the mission, but then allow freedom for him to have any reasonable interpretation or any strategic plan that can accomplish those ENDS.  That's the delicate part of developing that particular set of policies. It takes a lot of wisdom, prayer, and determination. You don't want to say too much because if the board is saying too much and prescribing too much, then that is not allowing our professional CEO to do their job well. ++++++++++++++++ [00:23:30] Tommy Thomas: Let's go to something that happened in mine and your era. People younger than us may not remember this, but certainly we do - the Enron scandal. And although they weren't a nonprofit, I'm sure there are things a nonprofit board can learn from that. But one of the writers that did some analysis there, his perspective was that probably the board didn't ask the tough questions that they needed to ask.  How do you get that done in a nonprofit? [00:23:58] Carl LaBarbera: Absolutely. And the way we get it done is through the policy manual. In the manual itself, in those executive limitations, we're asking the hard questions up front. There are limitations regarding financials. There are limitations regarding asset protection. There are limitations regarding staff. There are limitations regarding the relationship with the CEO to the board and all these things, safety issues. So that is the role of the board, is to think through. And Carver was genius about this in a scientific way. He thought through a dozen different categories of risk that the board needs to think about ahead of time. And of course, you're not going to think about all risks that can happen, especially today. It's so hard to figure out what's going to come at you at a pretty hard and rapid pace, but for the most part, to think in general, in a systematic way, what are all the risks that an organization might encounter? And to think about that in a systematic way and do it ahead of time and have those boundaries in place, which then provides the CEO freedom to do anything else. The beauty of policy governance is it lays out the boundaries of acceptability, like a football field and says, you have to stay within these parameters, within these limits, within the rules that we've outlined. You could do anything else to achieve your end if they haven't already been stated. So it's empowering to the CEO. It gives freedom to the CEO. It gives them freedom to make mistakes. But does provide those boundaries, which is clear communication between the board and the CEO. [00:25:45] Tommy Thomas: Go back to the Board Chair for a minute.  So you got but the two or three questions that I like to ask that, that I think the answers are good and one of them is, you get all the high power, which you want people that have got experience in making tough decisions dealing with complexity, dealing with risk But sometimes it's difficult for the, for those people to take the CEO hat off when they walk into the boardroom and become a member of the whole. Have you experienced that in recruiting board members and how have you effectively coached them into good board service? [00:26:19] Carl LaBarbera: So, are you asking, I just want to be clear, you're asking about those who have been or are CEOs that now become a part of the board, that kind of leader? [00:26:29] Tommy Thomas: Yeah, they're probably still the CEO in their organization and they've got an expertise that you need on the board. [00:26:34] Carl LaBarbera: Yeah, exactly. Now that is a difficulty because, CEOs by nature are built to want to do strategy and make decisions and get things done. That is not the job of the board. And so, they really have to, and that's one of those characteristics of a good board members, you need to really set aside maybe your own leadership gifts to allow yourself to be a part of this team who is now going to operate from a 30,000 foot perspective, not at the operational level. Under Policy Governance, the Board's role is governance – not management.  That is a critical element of governance. Because that's not where we work. We are governance is not management. That is a critical element of governance. It is not management. We shouldn't be doing management work. We have professional CEOs that we've hired. We feel that the board members should be as professional as the CEO. Why shouldn't they be as trained and have as much expertise about their job that the CEO has about hs or her job and but to do that job and not someone else's right that there's another training element that high level leaders just need to be trained that this, you are not operating the organization. We are governing the organization. And that's a big difference. You're taking your leadership.  Your directive often becomes a trustee, which is a different role. [00:28:03] Tommy Thomas: You mentioned the CLA for people who might be members. There are people that might be Christian organizations. What about your standard, other kind of nonprofit? Where might they get this kind of training? Are there seminars or Policy Governance training that one could attend or sign up for? [00:28:23] Carl LaBarbera: Absolutely. I belong to the Govern for Impact Association.  They have an annual conference, and they have sessions throughout the year as well. And it's been a great place for me to really learn the process. It's a complex process and it should be.  They have classes, they have seminars, they have this conference once a year. There is training, future board members and chairmen, chair, chairwomen, chairpersons to do this work. And the interesting thing, this organization, started originally with the Carvers and those who are Carver-trained and but now has become this international organization, literally. And actually has been participating in in Europe to develop ISO standards. I was in the aerospace industry, everything we did, especially for government and military work had to be done to international standards or Boeing standards or Lockheed's or McDonnell Douglas standards. So now Policy Governance has been embedded in an ISO standard for governance, what we're hoping to see is that will trickle down and that will become expected of boards to adhere to a set of, international best standards. Policy Governance will be included, and will be a framework for that. [00:29:49] Tommy Thomas: What advice are you giving somebody who comes to you and said they've been approached by an organization to serve on their board? What questions are you telling them to ask? [00:30:00] Carl LaBarbera: Yeah, that's a good question. Yeah, I guess I would warn them or ask them. They should know everything about that organization and how it operates that they can. And one of those things would be to see if there is Policy Governance in place. Just obviously, if you want to read the bylaws, to read those governing documents that will affect their role because the worst thing that can happen is someone get on a board and have to spend so much time and tedium and making decisions that are management decisions. When I first began serving with our church, there was an old process developed over many years where you had elders who each one represented an area of ministry in the church, and then they would come together as an elder board as a governing board. And then each 1 would be reporting out from their area of ministry which could be a dozen different ministries. And so, you have 20 people on a board and you are spending hours and hours listening and thinking about things that you really shouldn't be thinking about. That is not your job. And so, I definitely would not want to be a part of that board. And I would advise others not to be a part of that board. If the organization is not clear about that. The board's role in their job. I wouldn't advise being a part of that board. [00:31:34] Tommy Thomas: Thank you for joining us today. If you are a first-time listener, I hope you will subscribe and become a regular. You can find links to all the episodes on our website: www.jobfitmatters.com/podcast. Tommy Thomas: If there are topics you'd like for me to explore my email address is tthomas@jobfitmatters.com.  Word of mouth has been identified as the most valuable form of marketing. Surveys tell us that consumers believe recommendations from friends and family over all other forms of advertising. Tommy Thomas: If you've heard something today that's worth passing on, please share it with others. You're already helping me make something special for the next generation of nonprofit leaders. I'll be back next week with a new episode. Until then, stay the course on our journey to help make the nonprofit sector more effective and sustainable.   Links & Resources JobfitMatters Website Next Gen Nonprofit Leadership with Tommy Thomas The Perfect Search – What every board needs to know about hiring their next CEO Christian Leadership Alliance Govern for Impact Robert K. Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership Ruth Haley Barton World Impact   Connect tthomas@jobfitmatters.com Follow Tommy on LinkedIn   Listen to Next Gen Nonprofit Leadership with Tommy Thomas on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts

In this podcast episode, host Cherisse from "Rhythms that Restore" discusses the concept of strategic withdrawal - a military term. But likening it to turtles who must bask in the sun for survival. She emphasizes the need for humans to retreat and find stillness to restore themselves, addressing the societal pressures that lead to exhaustion and the performance mentality. Cherisse talks about the importance of setting boundaries, healing from unhealed wounds, and resolving toxic relationships. She offers practical advice for incorporating a "retreat rhythm" into their own life, such as scheduling downtime and creating their own a silent retreat time, urging listeners to listen to their authentic desires and find restoration. The welcome (00:00:02) Cherisse welcomes the audience and sets the tone for the episode. Gratitude and authenticity (00:01:17) Cherisse expresses gratitude and emphasizes her authenticity, encouraging listeners to embrace their imperfections. Deep breath and pause (00:03:35) Encouragement to take a deep breath and pause, setting the intention for the episode's focus. Reading from Isaiah (00:05:51) Cherisse reads from Isaiah 30, setting the stage for the topic of "invitation to retreat." Visual of wilderness (00:10:21) Cherisse shares a personal visual metaphor of feeling exhausted and being guided through a wilderness, reflecting on her journey. Strategic withdrawal (00:14:06) Discussion of the concept of strategic withdrawal and its relevance to personal retreat and healing. Recognizing wounds (00:16:32) Exploration of the impact of unhealed wounds and the importance of strategic withdrawal for healing and growth. Choice to fight or retreat (00:18:50) Reflection on the choice to stand firm or withdraw, emphasizing the importance of equipping oneself for life's battles. Wisdom whispers (00:21:20) Emphasis on the gentle guidance of wisdom and the need to pull back, rest, and set new strategies for personal growth. The importance of strategic withdrawal (00:22:33) Discussing the need for strategic withdrawal to restore the body and soul, using the example of turtles basking in the sun. Recognizing the need for rest and retreat (00:23:37) Exploring the societal pressure to constantly be available and the importance of recognizing the need for rest and retreat for healing and restoration. Challenges of living in a distracted society (00:25:05) Addressing the cultural norms around grieving and healing, highlighting the challenges of living in a constantly distracted society. Operating out of an inordinate sense of ought and should (00:27:07) Examining the exhaustion stemming from operating under the pressure of "oughts" and "shoulds" and the impact on personal capacity and boundaries. Struggling to receive help and setting boundaries (00:28:26) Discussing the difficulty in receiving help, the struggle to set boundaries, and the impact of living as a performer rather than an authentic self. The impact of deriving self-worth from performance (00:33:46) Exploring the impact of deriving self-worth from performance and the struggle to pause, listen, and pay attention to authentic desires. The need for boundaries and rest (00:40:45) Highlighting the importance of setting boundaries around availability and service to avoid burnout, along with the need for rest and retreat. Addressing unhealed wounds and toxic relationships (00:43:54) Discussing the burden of unhealed wounds, unresolved tension, and toxic relationships, and the impact on overall well-being. Release and Let Go (00:44:57) Discussion on the practice of releasing emotions and letting go of the need to control everything. Healthy Boundaries (00:45:55) Importance of setting healthy boundaries around time and space for personal capacity and well-being. Choice to Lean In (00:47:17) Reflecting on the choice to either avoid dealing with emotions or lean into God's rest and mercy. Closing Remarks (00:48:43) Encouragement to embrace God's mercy and rest, and a reminder to stay connected for future episodes. "Book: "Invitation to Retreat" by Ruth Haley Barton": "00:00:28" "Podcasting Course": "00:10:21" "Scripture: Isaiah 30": "00:05:51" "Quote: "I have lived too long where I am reachable" by Rumi": "00:15:20" "Ephesians 6:12": "00:20:17" "Wisdom Whispers": "00:21:20" "Book: "The Body Keeps the Score" by Bessell Van De Kolk MD": "00:31:41" "Practice of Retreat at The Retreat House Memphis  Follow the podcast and leave a 5 Star review. Then share this episode with a friend who could be encouraged from todays message.  Email me at cherissehixson@hotmail.com if you have any questions or want to know more Lets connect on www.instagram.com/cherissehixson01    

in this podcast episode, Cherisse discusses the transformative experience of her first silent retreat and the lessons from "Invitation to Retreat" by Ruth Haley Barton. Initially resistant to stillness, she learns the value of silence and solitude for restoring one's spirit. Cherisse explores the concept of prioritizing life's "big rocks" and the countercultural call to retreat for self-care and spiritual replenishment. She shares personal stories and invites listeners to embrace the peace offered by Jesus, emphasizing the importance of rest and reflection in a busy world. Introduction (00:00:02) Cherisse introduces the podcast and its purpose, inviting listeners to join her on a journey of restoration. Gratitude and Recap (00:00:27) Cherisse expresses gratitude for listeners and recaps previous episodes, highlighting key moments and guest appearances. Silent Retreat Invitation (00:02:27) Cherisse shares her experience of being invited to a silent retreat by a friend and the initial challenges she faced. Struggle with Silence (00:06:46) Cherisse describes her internal struggle with embracing silence and stillness during the silent retreat. Discovering Inner Longings (00:11:09) Cherisse reflects on her longing for retreats and the deeper questions it raised about her own heart and life. Impact of Busyness (00:13:21) Cherisse discusses the impact of busyness and compulsive behaviors on her well-being and spiritual journey. Prioritizing Rest and Replenishment (00:16:03) Cherisse explores the importance of prioritizing rest, self-care, and replenishment in the context of spiritual life. Invitation to Retreat (00:19:20) Cherisse delves into the significance of Jesus' invitation to retreat and the value of creating space for quiet and solitude. Silence and Solitude (00:21:54) Cherisse discusses the impact of silence and solitude on her relationship with God and the importance of intentional time alone with Him. Intentional Time with God (00:23:56) Cherisse compares intentional time with friends to intentional time with God, emphasizing the depth of conversation and relationship building. Invitation to Wilderness (00:26:03) Cherisse explores the significance of Jesus inviting us to the wilderness as a place of rest, intimacy, and restoration. Rest and Sabbath (00:29:19) Cherisse emphasizes the importance of prioritizing rest and taking a Sabbath, drawing from the example set by God and Jesus. Reflection and Surrender (00:31:42) Cherisse leaves the audience with questions about recognizing God's stirring in their hearts and surrendering to His invitation to rest. Resources and Retreats (00:32:38) Cherisse recommends a book and retreat experiences for those interested in exploring the themes discussed in the episode. Closing Thoughts (00:33:45) Cherisse concludes the episode with a reminder of God's willingness to meet us with an open heart. "Invitation to Retreat" by Ruth Haley Barton" "00:02:27" Enneagram: "00:09:03" Quote by Dallas Willard: "00:13:21" Concept of "Big Rocks" by the Pastor: "00:16:03" Spiritual Retreat and Self-Care: "00:19:20" God's Economy vs. Our Economy: "00:20:46" The Retreat House Memphis on Instagram. Follow the podcast and leave a 5 Star review. Then share this episode with a friend who can be encouraged from todays message.  Lets connect on www.instagram.com/cherissehixson or email me at cherissehixson@hotmail.com 

This is the third and final episode in our mini-series on Sabbath. Austin Catalano has been with Gina the last two episodes - and she's here once again! Austin has become convinced that all disciples of Jesus should consider the instruction of the Lord for His people to take a weekly (and literal 24 hour) Sabbath. This is something she has been doing now for some time, and she has been very honest with us about how reluctant she was to do this - and how hard it was at first. Like all of us, she's busy - busy being a wife and mom, a school leader, and a house church leader. On this episode, she gives us some helpful insight into how to not only press-in to sabbath ourselves, but how to as disciple-makers encourage and lead others in this practice as well.www.3dmovements.com"Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest" by Ruth Haley Barton"Invitation to Retreat" by Ruth Haley Barton

In this episode of "Rhythms that Restore," Cherisse recounts her experience hosting a rest retreat for her friends, inspired by Joanna Gaines. She emphasizes the importance of rest and connection, creating a safe space for women to share their feelings and faith stories. The retreat featured worship songs, vulnerability, and testimonies, reflecting on the balance of solitude, community, and ministry. Cherisse concludes with Psalm 23, inviting listeners to explore their own rest retreats and offering resources for silent retreats, reinforcing the value of finding peace in God's presence.   Scripture: Matthew 11:28 - 00:00:02 Book: "Invitation to Retreat" by Ruth Haley Barton - 00:08:26 Book: "How to Know a Person" by David Brooks - 00:12:42 Magazine: Magnolia Magazine - 00:15:51 Location: The Country Place in Moscow - 00:19:14 Words on Notecards - 00:22:05 Worship Songs - 00:23:01 Abba, We Belong to You - 00:24:52 Without Wavering by Alexandra Hoover - 00:30:01 The Retreat House Memphis - 00:32:06 Psalm 23 - 00:34:54   Follow the podcast and leave a review and share with a friend who could benefit from todays message.  Email me at cherissehixson@hotmail.com and share your feedback from todays episode. Lets connect on www.instagram.com/cherissehixson 

In this week's episode of the For Everyday Leaders Podcast, Brandon and Alex sit down with Dave Choutka. In this conversation, Dave shares his story in a refreshing and transparent way of how to navigate extended seasons of challenges and obstacles.  Dave is the Executive Director of Lead 222 and the author of the book, Walking Through the Valleys.  Dave is passionate about helping others in life's valleys which led him to write Walking Through The Valleys which focuses on his story of navigating through eight years of difficult valleys in life and ministry. Show Notes: Walking Through Valleys Book: https://www.amazon.com/Walking-Through-Valleys-only-through/dp/B0CKGX4MN9 Lead 222: https://www.lead222.com/ Dave's website https://www.davechoutka.com/ Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton: https://www.amazon.com/Strengthening-Soul-Your-Leadership-Transforming/dp/083084645X/ref=asc_df_083084645X/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312137955333&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2079669950176605254&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016086&hvtargid=pla-493606575255&psc=1&mcid=231eb560425832aeacbbe2461fffa949&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=60258871617&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=312137955333&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2079669950176605254&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016086&hvtargid=pla-493606575255&gclid=CjwKCAjwh4-wBhB3EiwAeJsppIqTUwznq8oPkNvY5a3rLXHkOHt2SYameIiZzXulosLVTEBr1FRsSBoCYzkQAvD_BwE

This week we talk about the Rodeo and Holy Week. We talk about an article written by Ruth Haley Barton at transformingcenter.org. We also discuss how we can use the image of the crucifix as a visual cue for reflection. Holy Week—is all of us going through the rhythm of death, burial, and resurrection. It is not a rhythm that any of us would willingly choose or even know how to choose; it is usually thrust upon us. Even Jesus admitted to having mixed feelings about the inevitability of it all. Now my soul is troubled.  And what should I say— “Father, save me from this hour?”  No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour. (John 12:27)

This is the second episode in our three-part series on Sabbath featuring discussions between our host, Gina Mueller, and Austin Catalano. Austin is a wife, mother, school leader and house church leader who has embraced taking a weekly 24-hour Sabbath. She's back on this episode to continue talking about how important it is to rest by pressing-in to the God-given gift of Sabbath so that disciples can move toward living a more balanced Jesus-Shaped Life.www.3dmovements.com"Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest" by Ruth Haley Barton"Invitation to Retreat" by Ruth Haley Barton

This episode begins a 3-part series on the Sabbath where Gina and Austin Catalano talk about how important it is to rest and press-in to the God-given gift of Sabbath so that we can live a balanced Jesus-Shaped Life. Austin is a familiar voice on this podcast, and she's back to talk about the importance of Sabbath - mainly because she's studied it at length and because she fought against the concept of Sabbath keeping for a long time like most of us probably do! She is a wife, mother, school leader, house church leader, and Sabbath keeper, and she has so much to offer us as we think about our own work/rest rhythm and the importance of taking advantage of the gift of Sabbath that God offers us.www.3dmovements.com"Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest" by Ruth Haley Barton"Invitation to Retreat" by Ruth Haley Barton

Spiritual director and author, Ruth Haley Barton says “we are in need of a sacramental approach to life, in which the body is understood to be sacred because it is the place where God's Spirit has chosen to dwell. Given this, all aspects of life in the body can become places where we meet and know God in unique ways.” As we pay attention to what is going on internally, in our body, it is possible to also become more aware of God's presence with us in our body and in our experiences. Taken from Ruth's book Sacred Rhythms, today's spiritual practice is a simple way of praying, talking to God, when we may not have the words to express what we are feeling. I hope you'll join in. I'd recommend listening to today's episode when you have time to be still and uninterrupted. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Ruth Haley Barton's website. Today's material taken largely from Sacred Rhythms. Prayer Movements: First, hold your hands in your lap, palms open to the sky. As you do this, bring to mind one element of your life, such as your family, your work, or yourself. You don't need to put words around it, just allow your thoughts to flow into your consciousness. Allow yourself to think about any joys you are celebrating, any concerns or desires you have, any problems that need resolving. For the 2nd movement, lift your hands slightly and hold these thoughts in God's presence. For the 3rd movement, raise your hands all the way up and move them apart to surrender your prayer to God. When you are done, return your hands to your lap, again with palms open, and just rest in the awareness that you've released your prayer into God's capable hands. Music written and recorded by Caleb Lieurance --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/quietonpurpose/support

As the year begins, allow yourself and your team the power to take hold of your pace and passion for work. Brenda Jank, Founder and CEO of Run Hard, Rest Well, joins Matt Burke and Abby Miller from the Center for Congregations to talk about how to help clergy and congregational leaders find rhythms of rest in order to lead well. Compelling, practical, and eye-opening, this episode will help to create a work life balance that is life-giving, transformative, and powered by God. Resources Run Hard, Rest Well (organization) Increasing Wholeness: Jewish Wisdom and Guided Meditations to Strengthen and Calm Body, Heart, Mind and Soul (book) Flourish by Martin Seligman (book) Ruth Haley Barton (website, author) Check out her podcast and the books Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, Sacred Rhythms and Invitation to Solitude and Silence. Kirk Byron Jones (website, author) Check out his books Addicted to Hurry and Fulfilled

The farther I run away from the place where God dwells, the less I'm able to hear the voice that calls me the beloved. And the less I hear that voice, the more entangled I become in the manipulations and power games of the world.     Henri Noun   In this episode I'll share a few of the questions that I'm pondering as I look back at 2023 with an honest perspective and look forward to 2024 with hope and expectancy. Now, I realize not everyone likes this type of introspection, but I think it may be different this time than the typical questions of ‘how can I be better?'. Come along, have a listen and let me know what you think!   The real issue in self examination is not that I'm inviting God to know me, since He already does, but I'm inviting God to help me, know me.  Ruth Haley Barton

Does having a “Rule of Life” mean that you're not living by faith? Author Ruth Haley Barton doesn't think so.

The Christian life is a life of freedom, but having a “Rule of Life” helps us find the pathway to living a life that is...

Welcome back to the "Doing What Matters" podcast with your host, Teresa McCloy! In this episode, Teresa delves into the topic of finding stillness amidst the chaos of life and the benefits it brings. As a believer, entrepreneur, and recovering workaholic, Teresa understands the desire to live a more meaningful and restful life. Join her on this journey as she shares practical tools, inspiring stories, and expert insights to help us stay on the path to what truly matters. Teresa begins the episode by sharing a personal reflection on the importance of stillness. Inspired by a story from her mentor, Ruth Haley Barton, Teresa's "jar of river water" symbolizes the need for stillness in our lives. She discusses the challenge of finding calm in chaos and why it is crucial for our well-being. Teresa also addresses the misconception that stillness means doing nothing, explaining that it is about quieting our minds, finding inner peace, and being present in the moment. In exploring the benefits of stillness, Teresa emphasizes how it serves as a counterbalance to the external rush and demand that overwhelms our brain, body, and emotions. She explains that stillness provides an opportunity to pause, reflect, and reconnect with our inner wisdom and discernment. Teresa highlights the importance of self-compassion and deep breathing techniques in finding clarity and gaining perspective. As a believer, she references the scripture that invites us to be still and know God. Listen and join Teresa on this insightful episode of the "Doing What Matters" podcast as she guides us on the path to practicing the benefits of stillness and living from a place of rest, not rush.   [00:00:07] Living from rest, not rush podcast journey. [00:03:43] Resonated with story of finding calm, chaos. [00:08:03] Engagement in stillness practices reduces overwhelm. [00:10:43] Importance of stillness and its deeper benefits. [00:13:47] Regulate emotions with stillness in office chair. [00:19:35] Discover impact, connect, bring calm, stillness. Build community, launch content. Extraordinary moment in the stillness. [00:21:32] Back next week, living from rest, doing what matters   IMPORTANT LINKS: https://www.therealifeprocess.com/   Coach Certification Link https://www.therealifeprocess.com/   Become a REALIFE Process® Certified Coach!   FREE Download: 4 Steps to Simplify Your Calendar Ready to uncover more time on your calendar? This FREE download will help you remove what doesn't matter, so you have space for what does. Click here to get this FREE resource!   Take the FREE Intro to Needs & Values Assessment Ready to discover what uniquely matters to YOU? CLICK HERE to take our FREE Intro to the Needs & Values Assessment.   Get to know the story behind the REALIFE Process® through our film, Rested Success! CLICK HERE to watch the 15-minute documentary film where you'll hear Teresa's story, how the REALIFE Process® began and developed, plus how our Certified Facilitators are using the Process in the work that they do.   My book, Do What Matters, is now available! My book, Do What Matters, is available NOW! Banish busyness and discover a new way of being productive around what truly matters. Learn more at DoWhatMattersBook.com.   Join the Community! Become part of the FREE REALIFE Process® Community! Connect with Teresa and other podcast listeners, plus find additional content to help you discover your best REALIFE.   Check out our YouTube Channel! Prefer to watch AND listen? Check out our YouTube channel for the podcast episode on video! Make sure to subscribe so you get all the latest updates.   Connect with your host, Teresa McCloy, on: Facebook - The REALIFE Process® with Teresa McCloy Instagram - teresa.mccloy LinkedIn - teresamccloy About Teresa McCloy: Teresa McCloy is the creator of the REALIFE Process® and an ACC Certified Leadership & Life Coach through the International Coaching Federation. She partners with her clients as a coach, consultant, and professional speaker to discover how to do what matters in their life and business. Teresa is the author of Do What Matters: Live from Rest, Not Rush, Using the REALIFE Process®  

It is no secret that law students and attorneys exist in a stressful environment. The American Bar Association (ABA) has conducted a study that shows how this environment tends to contribute to high rates of mental health disorders and substance abuse. In an effort to face this challenge, LSM is proud to launch the Wellness Program—focused on providing students resources and discussions to face this issue, together. For our inaugural event, the Wellness Program is privileged to host a very special guest—Ruth Haley Barton. Her topic will focus on pursuing wellness through established rhythms and an abiding relationship with God. Ruth has spent over 20 years as a student, a practitioner, and a leader in the area of Christian spirituality and spiritual formation. She served on the staff of several churches before founding the Transforming Center, a ministry dedicated to creating space for God to strengthen the souls of leaders, equipping them to lead transforming communities. Her website here. She is the author of numerous books, including Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest, Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership, and Invitation to Solitude and Silence (purchase here). Music Credit(s): Tokyo Music Walker & Rexlambo.

We can see the process of discernment as having a choice between A and B, and doing everything we can to figure out which one is the right choice and which is the wrong choice. And while discernment can include seeking guidance in a specific situation, but it's much broader than that. In this episode, we talk with with Sara Walsh, Uncharted's Director of Intercession and Care, and we're asking questions like: what actually is discernment, and how does Scripture tell us to pursue it? What does it mean to practice discernment, and how do we do it in community? RESOURCES: Pursuing God's Will Together by Ruth Haley Barton: https://bookshop.org/book/9780830835669 Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton: https://bookshop.org/book/9780830846450 practicingtheway.org

How can spiritual practices help you create a foundation of rest and growth? In this podcast episode, I'm sharing a book that has been one of the most impactful that I've ever read–Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation, by Ruth Haley Barton.   I'll talk about: Why this book came at such a pivotal time in my life The practices from the book that continue to form the foundation of my rhythms, behaviors, and routines Why spiritual formation books are my favorite to read and how they have impacted me How the practices in this book influenced the creation of the REALIFE Process®   If you're in a season of feeling sped up, the genre of spiritual formation books can invite you to internal growth instead of external work. I hope you'll pick up this book, and I believe it will impact you as much as it did me.   Mentioned In This Episode: Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation, by Ruth Haley Barton Other books I mentioned by Ruth: Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest and Invitation to Retreat CLICK HERE to learn more about The Transforming Center   Join us for an in-person training event for oneLife Maps! If you've experienced the power of ‘Listen to My Life' for yourself and are ready to guide others through the maps, this one-day training is for you! Join us in Effingham, IL, on Thursday, September 21 for this event with Sharon Swing, Co-Creator of Listen to My Life™ and Lindsay Sterchi, Executive Director of OneLife Maps™. CLICK HERE to learn more and register!   Become a REALIFE Process® Certified Coach! Ready to grow your impact and increase your revenue? Check out how to be certified as a REALIFE Process Coach™ in just six weeks! Through coaching and training, you'll discover the power of the REALIFE Process® for yourself AND learn how to use it with your clients. CLICK HERE to learn more.   Get to know the story behind the REALIFE Process® through our film, Rested Success! CLICK HERE to watch the 15-minute documentary film where you'll hear Teresa's story, how the REALIFE Process® began and developed, plus how our Certified Facilitators are using the Process in the work that they do.   Take the Needs & Values Assessment Ready to discover what uniquely matters to YOU? CLICK HERE to learn about our Signature Needs & Values Assessment, which includes a one-to-one review call with REALIFE Process® Coach Erica Vinson!   My new book, Do What Matters, is now available! My new book, Do What Matters, is available NOW! Banish busyness and discover a new way of being productive around what truly matters. Learn more at DoWhatMattersBook.com.   FREE Download: 4 Steps to Simplify Your Calendar Ready to uncover more time on your calendar? This FREE download will help you remove what doesn't matter, so you have space for what does. Click here to get this FREE resource!   Join the Community! Become part of the FREE REALIFE Process® Community! Connect with Teresa and other podcast listeners, plus find additional content to help you discover your best REALIFE.   Check out our YouTube Channel! Prefer to watch AND listen? Check out our YouTube channel for the podcast episode on video! Make sure to subscribe so you get all the latest updates. Connect with your host, Teresa McCloy, on: Facebook - The REALIFE Process® with Teresa McCloy Instagram - teresa.mccloy LinkedIn - teresamccloy   About Teresa McCloy: Teresa McCloy is the creator of the REALIFE Process® and an ACC Certified Leadership & Life Coach through the International Coaching Federation. She partners with her clients as a coach, consultant, and professional speaker to discover how to do what matters in their life and business. Teresa is the author of Do What Matters: Live from Rest, Not Rush, Using the REALIFE Process®

This is a replay of a previous episode of The Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership podcast. While we take a small hiatus from normal programming to attend to the work of The Transforming Center as well as a special Digital Film Capture project we invite you to revisit some of our previous seasons. Please enjoy this episode from Season 10: Invitation to a Journey   Please visit our website to learn more about the work of The Transforming Center and our Digital Capture project! We begin this episode by redeeming the word “disciplines" by offering up the word “practices” and looking at disciplines through the lens of desire and about opening ourselves up to God, reminding us that we are not in charge of our spiritual journey. Ruth Haley Barton and Steve Weins discuss four practices: prayer, spiritual readings, lectio divina, and liturgy. They sound familiar, but be prepared for some refreshing ideas on how to use them to open yourself up to God. SUBSCRIBE ON ITUNES You can also access podcast on Google Play or Stitcher. Listen to other episodes from Season 10 | Access past podcast seasons Mentioned in this podcast: Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation, M. Robert Mulholland Become a patron: Join a growing movement of transforming leaders. We've received fantastic feedback about the podcast, and we would like to create even more episodes. We need you! Become a patron this summer! Music Credit: I am New by Joel Hanson. Kingdom Come by Aaron Niequist

Pastor Dave continues his look at 1 Kings. This is actually a replay from December of 2021 when Dave was going through Ruth Haley Barton's An Invitation to Silence & Solitude. Take time today to reflect on Elijah's story and the purpose of God emptying us in 1 Kings 19 and Philippians 2:5-11.

This year, I am doing a monthly episode where I share a book recommendation with you, because I love to read, and I bet you do, too!  This month, it's Invitation to Retreat, by Ruth Haley Barton. And it fits in perfectly with some of our topics this summer as we take a closer look at spiritual practices that help us stay close to God, even when life is hard or heavy.  Just a couple of weeks ago, we talked a little bit about journaling—specifically, how to journal in front of others. And next week, we're going to talk about sleep as a spiritual practice. “Sleep?” you ask. Yep. Sleep. I can't wait to share about that one with you.  For now, let's dive into why I recommend the book Invitation to Retreat to you—and learn a little more about Christian retreats in the process. Kari   RELATED EPISODES & RESOURCES: ·       Episode 56: How to Create a Personal Spiritual Retreat (And Reflections on My Own) ·       Episode 94: Entering the Silence and Stillness with God: A Conversation with Blogger and Writer Celia Miller ·       Episode 118: Tips for Journaling in Front of Others ·       Podcast: Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership ·       Transforming Center: Find more resources, including retreats and spiritual directors ______ >> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 Ways to Encounter God on the Pages of Your Journal http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop >> Journal Gently: An 8-week program designed to help you process grief and trauma with God http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently >> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection

James Bryan Smith has a Things Above conversation with Ruth Haley Barton. In this episode, James and Ruth discuss her book, “Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest: From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again” In her book, Ruth offers hard-won wisdom and practical steps for developing rhythms of work and rest that bring life—to us […] The post Conversation with Ruth Haley Barton appeared first on Apprentice Institute.

Rev. Greg Pimlott joins Shellie and Matt to talk about leader self-care, renewal leaves and raising funding. He shares from his 2019 experience of creating a self-funded renewal leave. Topics include warning signs of burnout, overcoming barriers to renewal leave and how to raise funds. Resources Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership by Ruth Haley Barton (book) Center for Pastoral Excellence (organization) Clergy Renewal Program (program of Center for Pastoral Excellence) Run Hard Rest Well (organization) Sabbatical Guide (organization) Reach out to Rev. Pimlott here

In the first two chapters of An Unhurried Life, I share a bit about my first experience with solitude and silence in a group retreat setting. That was in January 1990. It's hard to believe that was 33 years ago. I have often shared how transformative the regular rhythm of retreat has been in my life, my marriage, and my leadership over the years. Today, I'm so happy to be talking with Ruth Haley Barton about her book Invitation to Retreat. It's such a wise, practical resource to help us cultivate the regular practice of spiritual retreat. I can highly recommend it! Ruth Haley Barton (Doctor of Divinity, Northern Seminary) is founding president and 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.Ruth is the author of numerous books and resources on the spiritual life, including Invitation to Solitude and Silence, and Pursuing God's Will Together.  Connect with Alan on LinkedIn.

Welcome back to Part 2 of my conversation with guest, Sarah Pascual. If you missed the last episode, I encourage you to go back and check it out! In today's episode, Sarah and I review a book that we both recently read together, called Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest, by Ruth Haley Barton. This […]

When you slow down the pace of your life what's catching up with you? On the third Sunday of Lent, Christopher Mack slows down to listen to the woman at the well and how her encounter with Jesus invites us to rest and wonder. [John 4]   Reflection Where might you listen for your embodied life's need for rest? How might the light of day be illuminating uncomfortable realities of bias in our community? Is there anything you need from Jesus? In mutuality what might Jesus need from us? Resources Book: Crossing the Unknown Sea: Work as a Pilgrimage of Identity by David Whyte Book: Belonging: 5 Keys to Unlock Your Potential as a Disciple by Karoline M. Lewis Book: Invitation to Retreat: The Gift and Necessity of Time Away with God by Ruth Haley Barton

Ruth Haley Barton is the Founder and Chief Essence Officer of the Transforming Center and the author of Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest.There is so much to do as pastors and leaders.  And if I'm going to get everything done, there's very little time to rest.  Or if I do take some time to rest, work and responsibility are just gonna sneak their way into that time of rest, anyway.In this episode, Ruth Haley Barton and I ask:  How am I called and invited to practice this gift of Sabbath?  And how will a Sabbath practice impact, not only my personal life, but also my life of ministry leadership? THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Ruth Haley Barton is the Founder and Chief Essence Officer of the Transforming Center and the author of Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest.As a child, Ruth Haley Barton's family practiced Sabbath in a very legalistic way, but stopped practicing the Sabbath as a young adult.  Ruth began practicing the Sabbath in her forties.Sabbath involves stopping, resisting, and delighting.Ruth Haley Barton says there is an edginess to Sabbath in that it is designed in part to release us from whatever oppresses us.Sabbath involves doing the kinds of things that bring us delight.Sabbath is not the same thing as solitude and silence.  Sabbath is a communal practice.Ruth Haley Barton explains how she navigated implementing the Sabbath when her kids were teenagers.Churches need to consider whether they encourage people—including their clergy—to practice the Sabbath.It is helpful for a church staff to take Sabbath together.If pastors would rest for twenty-four hours once a week, they would bring a healthier quality of leadership to their churches.Ruth Haley Barton points out that the Sabbath gives us an opportunity to trust God with what is bothering us.Ruth Haley Barton offers some suggestions for how we can begin to dip our toes into a regular Sabbath practice.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Books mentioned:Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest, by Ruth Haley BartonTransforming CenterChurch Leadership InstituteRelated episode:Ep. 70: The Subversiveness of Sabbath, with A.J. SwobodaLearn how to lead your church into ministry that matters. Check out my online course, Engaging God's Mission.

In today's conversation, Ruth Haley Barton is here to talk about silence and solitude, ordering your true desires, why the sabbath isn't simply a "day off," and why there are no emergencies with God. Ruth Haley Barton is the founder of the Transforming Center, a ministry dedicated to strengthening the souls of pastors, Christian leaders, and the congregations and organizations they serve. A sought-after teacher, retreat leader, and trained spiritual director, Ruth is the author of numerous books and articles on spiritual life. I hope you've enjoyed the spiritual formation series thus far. If you've missed an episode, go back and listen to episode 326 with Richard Foster and episode 327 with Jamie Winship. We've spent time talking about why we need to slow down, why humility is the preeminent virtue in life, why transformation requires surrender, and so much more. And as I said last week, if you want a visual recap of the series, follow me on Instagram @00ChrisCook. Every week, I post a visual carousel of key thoughts and quotes from each guest. Partner Spotlight: But first, before we head into today's featured conversation, today's episode is brought to you by LMNT. LMNT is an electrolyte drink mix with everything you need and nothing you don't. It is the perfect combination of sodium, magnesium, and potassium, three things we all need for optimal health. So, I'd love for you to try it, too. Go to DrinkLMNT.com/WINTODAY to get a free sample pack with your purchase. Try it totally risk-free. They'll give you your money back if you don't like the product, no questions asked. Dive Deeper: If you enjoy this episode with Ruth, I'm sure you'll also enjoy the following: 327: [Formed.] Jamie Winship on Why Spiritual Formation is a Filter, Why Transformation Requires Surrender, and The Questions God Asks 326: [Formed.] Richard Foster on Time-Tested Principles of Spiritual Formation, Why We Need to Slow Down, The Enemies of Noise and Hurry, and Why Humility is the Preeminent Virtue, and His 40-Year Friendship with Dallas Willard ++++++ Episode Links: Ruth's Website | Get Ruth's new book on Amazon! Subscribe to #WinTodayShow on YouTube. Join the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome using #WinTodayShow. Get the "Win the Week" email newsletter here. ************************** This week's show partners: Get LMNT and a free gift with your purchase here! Save 25% on the Abide Sleep and Pray Meditation app. Text WIN to 22433 **************************

Bishop Todd Hunter dialogues with new friend Ruth Haley Barton about her latest book, Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest: From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again. Ruth shares the importance of sabbath and spiritual formation for the Christian leader, as well as practical ways to engage them in your busy life. Ruth's unique voice as [...]

In today's conversation, we're stepping into our month-long series on spiritual formation. And joining us today is Richard Foster, author of the iconic book, Celebration of Discipline. We'll be talking with Richard and his colleague, Brenda Quinn, about his time-tested principles for spiritual formation, why we need to slow down in life, how to mitigate noise and hurry, and why humility is the preeminent virtue. I really hope you'll stay locked in for this entire series, because next week, Jamie Winship is back, followed by Ruth Haley Barton, Anthony Skinner, John Bevere, Chris Hodges, and more. Dive Deeper: If you enjoy this episode with Richard, I'm sure you'll also enjoy the following: 279: Jon Tyson on Dismantling “Project Self” and How to Transform a Generation 282: Jamie Winship on Getting Unstuck, The Lie of Being Alone, Radical Individualism, and Why Pain is Good ++++++ Episode Links: Richard's Website | Buy "Celebration of Discipline" on Amazon! | Buy Richard's newest book on Amazon! Subscribe to #WinTodayShow on YouTube. Join the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome using #WinTodayShow. Get the "Win the Week" email newsletter here. ************************** This week's show partners: Get LMNT and a free gift with your purchase here! Save 25% on the Abide Sleep and Pray Meditation app. Text WIN to 22433 **************************

This week, Chris Palmer, a New Testament Scholar who specializes in Greek studies, joins us to talk about spiritual formation, trusting God in mystery, why the marriage of Word and Spirit is so vital, and how to study the Scriptures effectively. I wanted to begin the new year by aiming our hearts toward spiritual growth, and I trust our conversation today will do that. Also of note, starting January 25 and continuing through February on the podcast, we're doing a series called "Formed," which is all on spiritual formation, featuring Richard Foster, Ruth Haley Barton, Jamie Winship, John Bevere, and more. Partner Spotlight: LMNT is an electrolyte drink mix with everything you need and nothing you don't. It is the perfect combination of sodium, magnesium, and potassium, three things we all need for optimal health. So, I'd love for you to try it, too. Go to DrinkLMNT.com/WINTODAY to get a free gift with your purchase. Try it totally risk-free. If you don't like it, they'll give you your money back, no questions asked. Dive Deeper: If you enjoy this episode with Chris, I'm sure you'll also enjoy the following: 318: Tyler Staton on Where Prayer Becomes Real and Reviving Prayer in a Culture Where Everyone's Just “Spiritual” 260: Self-Defeating Behavior, Living a Lie, and the Path to Inner Peace (feat. John Mark Comer) ++++++ Episode Links: Chris's Website | Instagram | Twitter | Buy Chris's newest book, on Amazon! Subscribe to #WinTodayShow on YouTube. Join the conversation wherever hashtags are welcome using #WinTodayShow. Get the "Win the Week" email newsletter here. ************************** This week's show partner: Get LMNT and a free gift here! **************************

“The Sabbath is the greatest gift from God outside of Jesus Himself.” - Dr. Ruth Haley BartonThe practice of the Sabbath has received quite a lot of attention in recent years and if you're interested in learning more, today's conversation will be a perfect compliment to your journey.On this edition of the podcast, Michael welcomes Dr. Ruth Haley Barton to the conversation. Ruth is an author, spiritual director, teacher, and founder of Transforming Center in Wheaton, Illinois.In October, Ruth's book, “Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest: From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again” was released to ground us in God's intentions in giving us the gift of the Sabbath, providing practical steps for embedding sabbath rhythms in our lives. And as a result of today's conversation, we hope you learn how to think about Sabbath as a gift and that Sabbath helps us live in our true identity. HELPFUL RESOURCES:RTS_164James Bryan Smith “Good and Beautiful God”RTS_237Gem Fadling "Hold That Thought"RTS_238Alan Fadling"An Unhurried Life"RTS_239Dr. Janelle Hallman "Fostering Wholeness"Contact Restoring the Soul:- Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS- Like us on Facebook- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.comThanks for listening!

Elon Musk announced his takeover of Twitter by carrying a porcelain sink into the headquarters. Will his plan to loosen restrictions on social media help our hurt the country? Archeologist have discovered a new way to verify events in the Old Testament, but Phil wonders if anyone really cares. And is it ever loving for Christians to mock their opponents? The gang examines six rules for Christian mockery from the 17th century and why they may not apply today. Then, spiritual director Ruth Haley Barton explains how she came to see sabbath as a gift rather than an obligation. Her new book, “Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest,” looks at why we struggle to practice sabbath rest, the challenge of technology, and how to make sabbath a lifestyle and not just a weekly discipline. Plus, the saving power of worm spit. Patreon Bonus: Christian Asks...How do we build unity around the cross? - https://www.patreon.com/posts/74098797/ Shop Holy Post merch - https://www.holypost.com/shop News Segment 0:00 - Intro 5:08 - Worm spit 9:12 - Elon Musk and Twitter 18:57 - Geomagnetic fields and Biblical narratives 29:46 - Rules for Christian mockery 45:21 - Sponsor: Biola University's Talbot School of Theology Visit www.biola.edu/talbot for more information and to apply today. Interview with Ruth Haley Barton “Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest: From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again” - https://amzn.to/3FSkMgP Ruth Haley Barton - https://www.ruthhaleybarton.com 46:33 - Interview intro 49:09 - Spiritual formation 52:59 - Value of sabbath 56:34 - Guilt around sabbath 1:00:47 - More than a day of rest 1:04:46 - Sabbath as delight 1:07:00 - Challenges of technology 1:17:55 - A communal practice 1:24:24 - Credits Links from news segment: “Worm spit could be a secret cure to the world's plastic problem” (Inverse) - https://www.inverse.com/innovation/worm-saliva-plastic-pollution “TAU, HU Scientific Breakthrough: Geomagnetic Fields Reveal Truth of Biblical Narratives” (Jewish Press) - https://www.jewishpress.com/news/israel/tau-hu-scientific-breakthrough-geomagnetic-fields-reveal-truth-of-biblical-narratives/2022/10/25/ “Can you laugh at your enemies and love them? Rules for Christian mockery” (The Christian Post) - https://www.christianpost.com/voices/can-you-laugh-at-your-enemies-and-love-them.html Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Today I'm glad to welcome Ruth Haley Barton to the podcast to talk about an important and often misunderstood spiritual practice: sabbath. Ruth has spent over 20 years as a student, a practitioner and a leader in the area of Christian spirituality and spiritual formation. She served on the staff of several churches before founding the Transforming Center, a ministry dedicated to creating space for God to strengthen the souls of leaders, equipping them to lead transforming communities. Ruth has written several books that have been transformational in my own life, and her most recent release is called Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest: From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again which is what I can't wait to talk with her about today. Listen in. Links + Resources From This Episode: Ruth's podcast: Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest: From Sabbath to Sabbatical and Back Again Order The Next Right Thing Guided Journal Grab a copy of my book The Next Right Thing  Find me on Instagram @emilypfreeman Download a transcript of this, and every, episode at emilypfreeman.com.

Welcome to the Go + Tell Gals Podcast! This season on the podcast, we want to answer the questions you're already asking. This episode, we answer: how do women with a full life practice sabbath? Jess sits down with GATG team member, Caroline, to answer this question. While this conversation is just the tip of the iceberg, Jess and Caroline share the whys and why-nots of practicing sabbath, and provide some beginner how-tos on obeying sabbath in our everyday lives. We're talking heart postures, celebrating the abundance of God and the sweetness of sabbath. While it will look different for each woman practicing, we are excited to be on this journey of intentionally practicing sabbath together. If you've wondered about best ways to honor sabbath, you are not alone, and we're ready to move His kingdom forward together through rest. He is mighty in you. We'll see you next week! Don't miss: Buy or get the audiobook for The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer, practical advice on how to unplug and step away from the culture of hurry we're engulfed in. A chance to read a couple books by Ruth Haley Barton that center on rest - Sacred Rhythms, Invitation to Retreat and Solitude of Silence. Want to win a one-hour free coaching call with Jess this month? Leave a review wherever you are listening, fill out this form, and we will reach out to the winner at the end of the month! Our Fall into Freedom Guide! If you are looking to start this Fall off with reflection, intention, and strategy then this guide is for you! Dig in deeper in the Go + Tell Gals Community! We talk about topics shared on the podcast, we share about our products and exclusive discounts, and really - we just connect women on mission with one another. Join here!