Pursuing God's Will Together

A Discernment Practice for Leadership Groups

By: Ruth Haley Barton

Narrated by: Ruth Haley Barton

Logos Book of the Year

Meetings can sap our energy, rupture community and thoroughly demoralize us. They can go on forever with no resolution. Or they can rush along without consensus just to "get through the agenda." What if there was another way?

Church boards and other Christian leadership teams have long relied on models adapted from the business world. Ruth Haley Barton, president of the Transforming Center, helps teams transition to a much more suitable model—the spiritual community that discerns God's will together.

In these pages you will discover personal and group practices that will lead you into a new way of experiencing community and listening to God together.

©2024 InterVarsity Press (P)2024 InterVarsity Press

Wisdom for Church Boards

This is the third or fourth book I’ve read by Ruth Haley Barton. As the others, this was pure gold. Our church Board utilizes one of the recommended practices - moving forward with decisions only unanimously - and we intend to adopt the rest of the processes Haley Barton recommends.

Indispensable guidance for leadership groups

I haven’t read all of Ruth’s books, but this is the best of those I have read. Each chapter is packed with wisdom. I found myself reading slowly, taking notes, and pausing to think of ways to incorporate the material into the ministry I lead. I plan to use several suggestions for community discernment at our upcoming board retreat this summer. I am excited and hopeful for how it will shape the way we pray, think and talk as a leadership group. I can’t recommend this book enough. Do yourself a favor and buy it today.

Great posture, framework, and invite

Great posture, framework, and invite into what God is up to you for key seasons in your church. I love the emphasis on spiritual depth as a person and as a people together. This will help shape your life and decisions in ministry in legendary ways. Enjoy!

Discernment is not easy but worth it.

Very well organized. I appreciated the longer portion on the need before presenting the application. The use of a fictitious church was very helpful and well woven throughout the book. After thirty years of Robert's Rules of Orders I can definitely use a better way forward. Now, I am convicted to listen and let the LORD lead.