Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership with Ruth Haley Barton
Religion & Spirituality:Christianity
Advent is upon us again. This season, we’ve invited artist, author, and speaker Scott Erickson to join us. Transforming Center team member Charity McClure is also on the microphone. Together with Ruth, the three will discuss how an honest Advent leads to honest hope. Using images from his book, Honest Advent, they will explore issues of vulnerability, humanity, and uncertainty, all while wondering where is God in these things?
In today’s episode, Ruth and Charity introduce us to Scott. He shares why he wrote Honest Advent, what he was trying to convey with the images in the book and what he means by this idea of “Honest Advent.” They all discuss what longing and waiting look like in this church season, why it’s important to honestly hold both, and how the hope that God might still be doing something deeper, bigger, and truer than we can see keeps them present to what could be.
See the image discussed in today’s episode HERE.
Scott Erickson is an artist, author, performance speaker, and creative curate who mixes autobiography, mythology, and aesthetics to create art and moments that speak to our deepest experiences. He is the writer and performer of two one man shows, “We Are Not Troubled Guests” and his current show, "Say Yes: A Liturgy of Not Giving Up On Yourself”. He is the co-author of Prayer: Forty Days of Practice and May It Be So, the author of Honest Advent and Say Yes , a Spiritual Director and a professional dishwasher for his food blogging wife. Scott lives in Vancouver, WA and is most loved by his wife Holly and his children Anders, Elsa, and Jones.
Charity McClure has served the Transforming Center in several capacities over the past 10 years, most recently as Director of Strategy and Communications. During this time her work has deepened her own longing, not only for a way of life that works, but a way of life that creates space for beauty, purpose and meaningful connection with those around her. Charity is a tentative writer, an optimistic traveler and a committed bruncher. She lives in Glen Ellyn, IL with her husband Kyle and our three children Finn, Rhys and Elin.
Mentioned in the Episode:
Honest Advent by Scott Erickson
This season will not follow the lectionary readings as closely as seasons past. Scripture for Advent 2023 can be found HERE. If you’d like to listen to our previous season on Cycle B you can go back to Season 11 of the podcast, Advent Reflections (Cycle B).
Music Credit:
Kingdom Come by Aaron Niequist
There is Room from Advent Music in Solitude
Support the podcast! This season patrons at all levels will have access to unedited video replays of the episodes and at the $10/month level you will also receive guided Visio Divina practices to accompany the artwork discussed in the episodes. Become a patron today by visiting our Patreon page!
The Transforming Center exists to create space for God to strengthen leaders and transform communities. You are invited to join our next Transforming Community:® A Two-year Spiritual Formation Experience for Leaders. Delivered in nine quarterly retreats, this practice-based learning opportunity is grounded in the conviction that the best thing you bring to leadership is your own transforming self! We are now accepting applications for Transforming Community 20! Use the code Podcast20 to receive $50 off your application fee. Learn more and apply HERE.
Season 18: Episode 5 | What about the Congregation? How Everyone Benefits from a Pastor’s Sabbatical
Season 18: Episode 4 | Are You Willing to Quit Your Job: Sabbatical for the Rest of Us
Season 18: Episode 3 | Boundaries: Protecting What is Precious
Season 18: Episode 2 | More Than a Vacation: Planning for a Meaningful Sabbatical
Season 18: Episode 1 | When Sabbath Isn’t Enough: Embracing the Gift of Sabbatical
Bonus: Advent 2022 Year A
Season 17: Episode 11 | Sabbath Journey: Do Something Before You Do Everything
Season 17: Episode 10 | Fruit and Frustration: Creating a Culture Where Everyone Can Rest
Season 17: Episode 9 | Getting Honest About the Challenges of Sabbath Community
Season 17: Episode 8 | Sabbath Leaders Cultivating Sabbath Communities
Season 17: Episode 7 | Sabbath Rhythms During Seasons of Singleness and Care-giving
Season 17: Episode 6 | Sharing Sabbath Presence Within Our Families
Season 17: Episode 5 | The Power of Unplugging
Season 17: Episode 4 | Shabbat: Conversation with a Jewish Rabbi
Season 17: Episode 3 | Sabbath as Resistance
Season 17: Episode 2 | The Poetry of Sabbath
Season 17: Episode 1 | Awakening to God’s Gift of Sabbath
BONUS: A Conversation with Glenn Packiam on Being a Resilient Pastor, Challenges Facing the Church, and Cultivating A Spiritual Life
BONUS: Ask Ruth #5 Excerpt
Season 16: Episode 9 | Transforming Leadership: Spiritual Resources for the Journey
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