Publishers Weekly
08/08/2022
This insightful volume by Barton (Invitation to Retreat)—founder of the Transforming Center, a Christian leadership ministry—extols the observance of sabbath. She suggests that sabbath-keeping “helps us arrange our lives to honor the rhythm of things—work and rest, fruitfulness and dormancy.” The author felt “too busy” to rest on the sabbath until a severe biking accident forced her to consider that “God was trying to tell me” to slow down. Freedom lies at the root of sabbath, she contends, detailing sabbath’s origins in Exodus when God tells the Israelites to observe a weekly day of rest as a sign that they had escaped Pharaoh’s “system of endless production.” Barton posits that the sabbath cultivates trust in God; as the Israelites had to learn that God would provide for them if they stopped working, modern Christians must trust God to “keep running the world without them.” Barton’s enlightening perspectives on Exodus ground the exegesis, and her criticism of church leaders for busying Sundays with “youth group activities, committee meetings, choir practices” offers a thoughtful take on how contemporary demands of church have superseded a commitment to sabbath. Weary Christians will find this a balm. (Oct.)
Tod Bolsinger
"For leaders who care as much about the state of their souls as the fruitfulness of their service, Ruth Haley Barton could be the most trusted advisor. Her wisdom, experience, and honesty shines through and offers an example of the challenge of developing a deeply rooted, healthy way of living and leading. Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest offers spiritual guidance for leaders who know deep in their bones that they need a way of being that is more intentional, reflective, practical, and restorative. Take a deep breath, be prepared for all that will be stirred up, and then bask in the teaching of this profoundly beautiful book."
Brenda Salter McNeil
"In the face of the demographic shifts and national divisions happening in our world today, many leaders are often frustrated, fatigued, and despondent, desperately searching for a different way forward. That is exactly what Ruth Haley Barton offers us in this groundbreaking, new book Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest. This is an invitation for leaders to take the next step into sabbath living that gives them life and longevity in ministry. It is also a prophetic wake-up call, leading us away from individualism into the communal practice of sabbath keeping as it was always meant to be. I highly recommend this book for all those who deeply desire to find a new way of life together in community that brings true healing and wholeness. I could not be more excited for this much-needed and timely book!"
Rory Noland
"Ruth Barton is that rare Christian leader who not only preaches about the sabbath, she practices it weekly. Her delight in the sabbath and her love for it are contagious. I dare you to read about Ruth's journey with the sabbath and not fall in love with it yourself. I guarantee this book will awaken a desire in you to set aside work and to rest in God for one day each week, not as an obligation but out of sheer delight. May you discover the joy of sabbath-keeping as a way of life."
Drew Jackson
"In Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest, Ruth Haley Barton invites us into a holy place—what Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel called 'a sanctuary in time.' Barton profoundly weaves together disparate strands of the practice of sabbath-keeping into a beautiful quilt that tells us a story about ourselves—we were meant for wholeness, not just individually, but communally. Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest shows us that this gift from God is not just indispensable for the life of faith but also in our discovery of what it means to be human. Barton has given us a treasure—a must-read for anyone longing for freedom from the tyranny of endless work and overproduction."
Nancy Beach
"This book will stir up a longing to receive one of God's greatest gifts to his children—the gift of Sabbath rest. Ruth Haley Barton has been a guide to so many leaders, including me, to make intentional and radical choices in order to live a sustainable life. A picture of such a life is painted here with the wisdom of Scripture and practical examples, in the stories of real people who deal with children, jobs, bills to pay, and the pervasive intrusion of technology. I came away believing a healthy rhythm is both possible and deeply desirable."
Glenn Packiam
"She's done it again. For many years now, Ruth Haley Barton has been a trustworthy guide—for the church at large and for leaders in particular—on deep formation and flourishing from the inside out. In this magnificent work, she turns her focus to sabbaths and sabbaticals. Shaped by Scripture, theology, and the wisdom borne from a life of practice, Barton knows when to challenge us, confronting our idols and addictions, and when to encourage us, giving us hope to believe that change and healing are possible. This is a foundational book fit for the challenges of today's world."
Todd Hunter
"I consider Ruth Haley Barton a treasured gift to the church! Ruth knows what she is talking about. Her mind, heart, and soul shine on the pages of Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest. Ruth is a rare, trustworthy guide for the person in need of deep rest."
D. Michael Lindsay
"In her new book Embracing Rhythms of Work and Rest, Ruth Haley Barton masterfully explores the sabbath tradition within our modern context and re-centers this practice on God. Sharing anecdotes from her own personal journey, Barton beautifully captures the joy of the sabbath we see in Scripture and provides a practical approach to reclaiming the gift of rest, not only in our own lives but in our communities as well."
Kelly M. Kapic
"Do you know it takes courage to rest? Ruth Haley Barton has written a gentle, compassionate, and life-giving book on the beauty and healing that can be found in sabbath rest. Learning from her wisdom and practical guidance, we can stop striving and start resting in our God's good presence and grace. Read this and receive not just the permission to rest from work but to learn the joy of resting in God."
