Transforming Center

Transforming Center Strengthening the souls of pastors, Christian leaders, and the congregations and organizations they serve. A ministry founded by Ruth Haley Barton.

The Transforming Center desires to see churches and Christian organizations become communities of spiritual transformation—and that begins with transforming leaders. Thus we seek to strengthen the souls of pastors and leaders, equipping them to guide their churches and organizations to become spiritually transforming communities that discern and do the will of God.

Many Christian leaders have a well-formed theology of what they believe about God. But far less clarity about a theology...
02/19/2026

Many Christian leaders have a well-formed theology of what they believe about God. But far less clarity about a theology of spiritual formation—how those beliefs actually shape the way we live and lead together.

When transformation remains peripheral, so does renewal.

This spring, Theology That Shapes the Soul, led by Ruth Haley Barton, offers a six-week experience designed to ground leadership and mission in the biblical and theological foundations of spiritual transformation.

Designed for teams (minimum of two participants).

Get the details here: https://transformingcenter.ticketspice.com/transforming-center-theology-that-shapes-the-soul

12/11/2025

🎙️New Episode!🎙️This week, ​​Ruth and Marilyn discuss the concept of Blue Christmas services that acknowledge grief during the festive season and offer consolation to those experiencing loss. The episode also delves into the idea of dormancy, likening spiritual dormancy to the natural world’s winter phase, where growth happens unseen. The conversation highlights the importance of creating space for mourning, acknowledging our vulnerabilities, and the need for faith and guidance during these seasons of grief and apparent inertness.

12/04/2025

New podcast season! This year we are marking Advent with special guest Marilyn McEntyre () to discuss the themes in her book Midwinter Light: Meditations for the long season.

In this first episode, Ruth and Marilyn discuss the importance of recognizing and responding to the invitation for inward focus during this time and the subsequent freedom it can bring. We conclude with practical suggestions for embracing the quiet and contemplative aspects of the season and posing the following questions for reflection:  How are you perceiving or sensing the invitation inward?  As you sense or perceive that invitation, do you feel yourself resisting, or are you willing? And finally, do you have any sense at all of what you might be invited to freedom from and freedom to?

10/17/2025

🎙️New Episode!🎙️As we wrap up our season on Taming our Technologies: [Spiritual] Practices for a Digital Age, Ruth and Jay delve into the topic of technology’s impact on deep and creative work. They discuss the transformative impact of technology on creativity, productivity, and the ability to perform deep, meaningful work. Jay highlights the distinction between human creativity and artificial intelligence, and Ruth shares personal insights from her writing process, stressing the sacred and divine nature of creative endeavors. Thank you for journeying with us this season as we explored the realities of technology and its impact on various aspects of our lives.

10/09/2025

🎙️New Episode!🎙️In this episode, Ruth and returning guest Jay Kim explore the intersection of technology and community within the church. They discuss the nuances of digital and in-person church experiences, the impact of the pandemic on church attendance and engagement, and the idea that “digital informs and analog transforms.” As always, they end by offering questions to ponder this week as it pertains to technology and community.

10/03/2025

🎙️New Episode!🎙️This week, Ruth and Jay are joined by producer Colleen to discuss the challenges and strategies of parenting in the digital age. They discuss what they see as the pressing issues right now, how Jay and Colleen are navigating these pressures in their own families, and what Ruth experiences as a grandparent to young people. They also delve into practical advice for setting boundaries and expectations around technology use within families, explore the roles of empathy and community among parents, and consider the church’s potential in offering countercultural experiences. Over on Patreon the trio explores, practically, how to invite their families winsomely into a low-tech Sabbath practice.

Do you have a question for Ruth and author coming out of this podcast season? We’re recording a special episode for our...
04/14/2025

Do you have a question for Ruth and author coming out of this podcast season? We’re recording a special episode for our patrons with Ruth and Dr. Stone to answer your questions from the season on Wednesday and we’d love to hear your questions! Comment below or email [email protected] with what pot want them to talk about!

Have you registered for our upcoming FREE Online Oasis? This Wednesday, February 26, we will be hosting a free, virtual ...
02/24/2025

Have you registered for our upcoming FREE Online Oasis? This Wednesday, February 26, we will be hosting a free, virtual half hour event at 12pm CST. The purpose of this online event is to create time and space to prepare for entering into Lent as a season of transformation- as individuals and communities.

Will you be joining us? Go to transformingcenter.org to register!

As a leader, you’re always pouring out—guiding others, solving problems, carrying the weight of responsibility. But how ...
02/19/2025

As a leader, you’re always pouring out—guiding others, solving problems, carrying the weight of responsibility. But how are you caring for your own soul? Haven is an experience of Transforming Community that will gather both online and in-person. Click the link in our bio to visit the website and learn more!

We are working on our next installment of “Ask Ruth” for our patrons and we need YOUR questions! This episode will focus...
06/10/2024

We are working on our next installment of “Ask Ruth” for our patrons and we need YOUR questions! This episode will focus on questions that came out of the latest podcast season, “It Was the Worst of Times: How the Enneagram Can Help Us Navigate a Troubled World” AND we are very lucky to be joined by our guest this season, Enneagram teacher Erin Brute () What would you like to hear Ruth or Erin address about this topic? What are you still wondering or curious about? What questions were stirred up by Ruth’s conversations with Erin?
Comment below or email [email protected] to have your questions included! Please submit questions by end of day on Wednesday, June 12!

If you want to hear this episode become a patron! Join us at Patreon.com/transformingcenter.

We are working on our next installment of "Ask Ruth" for our patrons and we need YOUR questions! This episode will focus...
11/06/2023

We are working on our next installment of "Ask Ruth" for our patrons and we need YOUR questions! This episode will focus on questions that came out of the latest podcast season "Transforming Worship." What would you like to hear Ruth and Rory address about this topic? What are you still wondering or curious about? What questions were stirred up by Ruth's conversations about worship with our various guests?

Comment below or email [email protected] to have your questions included!

Want to hear the episode? Become a patron! Go to patreon.com/transformingcenter to join!

Address

400 W. ROOSEVELT Road, SUITE 100
Wheaton, IL
60187

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+16305888133

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