Best Book of Spiritual Formation, from Byron Borger, Hearts and Minds BookstoreHave you joined a church or small group in hopes of experiencing real life change, only to be disappointed?Have you sat through inspiring sermons about what is possible when Christians gather together in mutually edifying relationships, only to recognize how cynical you have become after many failed attempts?Community may be one of the most over-promised, under-delivered aspects of the Christian life today. Individuals remain selfish and stuck in their ways. Communities become spiritually lifeless or even fall apart because we don't know how to experience transformation together.Transforming community does not come primarily from listening to inspiring preaching or adding another church program. It emerges as we embrace a shared commitment to the attitudes, practices and behaviors that open us to Christ in our midst. And that's where Life Together in Christ comes in. Reflecting on the story of the two disciples who meet Christ on the Emmaus Road, Ruth Haley Barton offers this interactive guide for small groups of spiritual companions who are ready to encounter Christ in transforming waysright where they are on the road of real life.

Ruth Haley Barton (DD, Northern Seminary) is founding president of the Transforming Center, a spiritual formation ministry to pastors and Christian leaders. A trained spiritual director (Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation), teacher and retreat leader, she has served on the pastoral staff of several churches, including Willow Creek Community Church. A sought-after teacher, preacher and consultant to leadership teams, she is currently adjunct professor of spiritual transformation at Northern Seminary.Educated at Wheaton College, Northern Seminary and Loyola University Chicago Institute for Pastoral Studies, Ruth is the author of numerous books and resources on the spiritual life, including Invitation to Solitude and Silence, Sacred Rhythms, Longing for More and Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership. She is also the author of an online resource titled eReflections, spiritual guidance via e-mail. She contributes regularly to Conversations: A Forum for Authentic Transformation.

Introduction: An Inconvenient Truth
1. Between the Now and Not Yet: Choosing to Walk Together
2. And Jesus Himself Came Near: Welcoming the Stranger
3. And They Stood Still Looking Sad: Choosing to Listen Rather than Fix
4. But We had Hoped . . . Gathering on the Basis of Shared Desire
5. The Women of Our Group have Astounded Us: Men and Women in Community
6. Was it Not Necessary that the Messiah Should Suffer? The Nature of the Spiritual Journey
7. He Explained to Them the Scriptures: Finding Our Story in His Story
8. Were Not Our Hearts Burning Within Us? Discerning the Presence of Christ
9. Then They Told What had Happened on the Road: You are Witnesses of These Things
Appendix A
Appendix B