{"id":19326,"date":"2025-02-28T10:48:18","date_gmt":"2025-02-28T16:48:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/transformingcenter.org\/?p=19326"},"modified":"2025-02-28T17:16:03","modified_gmt":"2025-02-28T23:16:03","slug":"lent-resources-for-spiritual-leaders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/transformingcenter.org\/2025\/02\/lent-resources-for-spiritual-leaders\/","title":{"rendered":"Lent Resources for Spiritual Leaders"},"content":{"rendered":"

Many of us as pastors and ministry leaders are at this very moment preparing to guide others into this most significant season of the church year. One of the great temptations of life in leadership is that we become so focused on leading others\u2014it is our job, after all!\u2014that we cease\u00a0entering into these seasons of transformation for ourselves. We put off paying attention to the places where God is calling us<\/em> to the rigors of self-examination and repentance.<\/p>\n

There is no doubt that Lent requires something of us. But there can be no feasting without fasting. Entering into the Lenten discipline of giving up something in order to create more space for prayer is the fast that prepares us to fully enjoy the Feast of the Resurrection. \u00a0My prayer is that part of your preparation would be to consider your own Lenten disciplines and bravely ask God, “How can I return to God with all my heart? Where have I gotten distracted or <\/span>become distant from God as my first love? <\/span>Have can I return to wholeness, to the version of myself that is most authentic, true and holy?<\/span>\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Let us approach Lent, then, as an opportunity, not a requirement. Let us approach it as a joyful season. \u00a0\u201cAfter all, it is meant to lead us into the church\u2019s Springtime, a time when out of the darkness of sin\u2019s winter, a repentant empowered people emerges.\u201d (Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter)<\/em><\/p>\n

Journey with us through Lent<\/h1>\n

\"Lent:Lent is just around the corner, and we are invited to enter this season as an opportunity to face more bravely the complexity of the human struggle for authentic transformation through greater surrender to God. If you missed our Lent Online Oasis, you can purchase the recording to receive guidance from Ruth on bringing more intention into your Lenten journey.<\/p>\n

Purchase the recording and receive weekly reflections written by Ruth Haley Barton.<\/strong><\/h5>\n

This digital resource, Lent: A Season of Returning,<\/em> by Ruth Haley Barton includes weekly reflections. Each week focuses on the disciplines associated with Lent including:
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