Nationally acclaimed resource on spiritual formation, Ruth Haley Barton, will be the guest of Hardin-Simmons University’s Logsdon School of Theology and Abilene Christian University’s College of Biblical Studies for an evening lecture on “Longing for God” at Logsdon Chapel, on the HSU campus, Feb 22, at 7:00 p.m.

Educated at Wheaton College and Northern Seminary (Lombard, IL), Barton is co-founder and president of The Transforming Center, a ministry dedicated to caring for the souls of pastors and the congregations they serve. She is a teacher, spiritual director, and retreat leader trained through the Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation (Washington D.C.) and The Pathways Center for Spiritual Leadership (Nashville, TN).

Ruth Haley Barton

In addition to teaching, guiding, and consulting with leadership groups in the areas of spiritual formation, community building, and discernment, she is the author of numerous articles and books including: Sacred Rhythms: Arranging Our Lives for Spiritual Transformation (InterVarsity Press), Invitation to Solitude and Silence: Experiencing God’s Transforming Presence (InterVarsity Press), An Ordinary Day with Jesus: Experiencing the Reality of god in Your Everyday Life (co-author, Willow Creek Resources), Equal to the Task: Men and Women in Partnership (InterVarsity Press), and Ruth: Relationships that Bring Life (a Fisherman Bible student, Shaw).

Dr. Doug Foster, professor and associate dean of the graduate school of Theology at ACU’s College of Biblical Studies, served on the steering committee that is bringing Barton to Abilene, “My acquaintance with Ruth Haley Barton began a year ago when I read her most recent book, Sacred Rhythms: arranging Our Lives for Spiritual transformation. It had a massive effect on me and my self-understanding. She identified in startling ways the deep longing for God I, and all of us, have but don’t recognize it or even mask because we are afraid of such powerful desires. Working through the disciplines Barton writes about and models with a small group of seminary students, is proving to be an amazing journey.”

Dr. Ronnie Prevost, Professor of Church Ministry at HSU’s Logsdon School of Theology and Seminary is equally excited, “Spiritual growth requires more than just rote memory, ritual, and lip service. How, then can Christians find a deeper relationship with God? This is a question of increasing importance to churches and seminaries as well as individual Christians. Ruth Haley Barton is a well-respected and widely-known resource on spirituality and spiritual formation. We appreciate ACU’s partnering with Logsdon to bring her to Abilene to share with us regarding this important question.”

The public is invited to join Barton as she offers insights into how pastors can establish a rhythm that will sustain them in ministry, how a congregation can provide a safe experience of community, and thoughts on personal spiritual direction that will help all to uncover God’s intimate working in their lives.