Jane Rutter’s new book helps women affirm their true purpose
Catholic author Jane Rutter wants to help women to make God their lens and see the world through Christ.
That is the key to unlocking their most profound gifts, talents and possibilities.
“As Christian women, we are called to stand rooted in the Gospel; to stay connected to Christ within us, our true power base, our spiritual plane,” Mrs. Rutter, a member of Sacred Heart Parish in Columbia, wrote in her newly released book: Women of Spirit: Claiming Our Ultimate Power.
“Our ethics, standards and rules cannot be situational,” she continued; “rather, stay firm in every arena, consistent for all people with whom we encounter and relate.”
Drawing upon her own lived experience and extensive research, Mrs. Rutter makes a clear distinction between the temporal model of success, and the eternal model of spirituality.
“Why zero in on spirituality and religion?” she wrote. “Because as spiritual beings, we are made in God’s image. So much so that he lives within us. ... It is only by accepting ourselves as spirit-led and living by God’s commands that we achieve true greatness.”
In workbook format conducive to self-reflection or small-group discussion, she builds a countercultural case for the eternal model of spirituality being the only true way to peace and fulfillment.
“The Eternal Model of Spirituality gives hope,” she insisted. “Seeking God’s help to work less and love more. Learning to distinguish true, everlasting power from false, unsatisfying power.”
In the book, Mrs. Rutter draws a distinction between leadership and management and promotes a God-centered view of leadership that includes discerning God’s will through constant prayer, living in community with others, prayerfully listening, and serving God and one another.
With that power comes real fulfillment.
“I want the women who read Women of Spirit to understand their true value, to appreciate the inherent worth each of them has as a child of God,” she said. “I want that to become their foundation and help them direct their lives.”
She’s suggested that men read the book and then give it to the women they love.
“I did interview men as part of my research,” she noted. “But, the fact is, we’re different, we think differently, we react different, we relate differently. Our needs and focus are different.”
“Life to come”
Mrs. Rutter wrote the book in a candid, conversational, sometimes self-effacing tone.
“I want people to relate to Women of Spirit and get whatever they can out of it,” she said. “It’s like any book: You can read it now and then come back six months later and hopefully get something entirely new out of it.”
Her main perspective as a woman is to help women succeed.
“People don’t know they have the Spirit!” she said. “I think this book is about introducing them to being, as Henri Nouwen says, a beloved child of God.
“That’s what I really want women to see,” she stated. “You are not the sum of what you do and how far you get in life and what you wear and where you work and how much you make and what you look like. What matters is that you’re doing everything in recognition of, and in preparation for, the life to come.”
Mrs. Rutter served from 2001-2015 as director of Stewardship and Development for the Jefferson City diocese.
She previously founded Grants Link Inc., a grant writing and training company that was recognized as the Columbia Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year.
Her other books include Seasons of the Spirit: Reflections on Finding God in Daily Life, and The Self-Sustaining Nonprofit: Planning for Success.
Mrs. Rutter also writes a weekly column, “Continuing the Spiritual Journey,” which is published in several newspapers, including the print and online editions of The Catholic Missourian.
Raised in South America, she is bilingual and holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Columbia College and holds a certificate in pastoral ministry from the Diocese of Jefferson City.
She and her husband, David, have been married for 38 years. They have three adult children and seven grandchildren.
Her new book includes her own story of pursuing the Temporal Model of Success and winding up feeling tired and unfulfilled.
Working in several states as a grant writer, trainer and consultant gave her numerous opportunities to interview over 700 women and 300 men about what makes them feel powerful and weak in the workplace and in their personal lives.
That research gave her a pool of data to apply to her search for answers.
True to the book’s theme about living for the eternal, Mrs. Rutter emphasized that she wrote Women of Spirit with God’s prompting, not for personal aggrandizement.
“My goal is to bring women closer to Christ,” she said. “It’s not about me. I’m giving it up to God, and his job is to spread the message.”
“When following God’s path truly becomes ours, money, recognition and status are no longer goals we seek,” she noted. “We replace them with the desire to give of ourselves and to bring others to God’s glorious place.”
“So many of us don’t realize we have the Spirit within!” she said. “I hope Women of Spirit introduces them to being a beloved child of God.”
“I can relate”
Praise for Women of Spirit has been profuse and enthusiastic.
“In Women of Spirit, Jane Rutter weaves together her personal stories, quotes from Scripture and the Saints, and everyday wisdom about life, leadership and stewardship,” wrote fellow author Dr. Dan R. Ebener, a professor of organizational leadership and author of many books, including Blessings for Leaders.
“Women of Spirit is a powerful reminder that lasting success in the workplace flows from honoring and glorifying God,” stated Kathy Martin, a lay leader at Saddleback Church in San Diego.
“Fascinating!” wrote Peg Cameron Gill, journalist, copywriter, content creator and editor. “Even though I don’t believe in organized religion, I consider myself spiritual. As a long-time corporate employee, I can totally relate.”
Even Mrs. Rutter’s former pastor chimed in.
“Women of Spirit is worth your time,” said Father Daniel Merz, pastor of St. John Henry Newman Parish and former pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, both in Columbia.
“Jane uses research and the wisdom of the saints not to condemn the business world but to re-envision it with a Christian lens and draws on some specifically female approaches to ‘success’ and leadership,” Fr. Merz stated. “Women of Spirit is worth your time.”
The book is available through rutterreflections.com for $29.49 including shipping. Please include your mailing address in the comments box, or contact Mrs. Rutter at ejanerutter@gmail.com.
