January 2026
The newsletter for chairs of theological school boards, Vol. 4, No. 5
| For people of faith, faithfulness should seem like a given, but what does it mean to live out that faithfulness as an institutional leader? That’s a complicated question in a fast-moving and changing environment. In the latest episode of the Good Governance podcast, we explore what it means to not only lead faithfully but also to lead well in these times. My colleague, Matt Hufman, engages me and Frank Yamada, the executive director of ATS, in a discussion about the trends in the field, including executive turnover, boards’ fiduciary responsibility, artificial intelligence, and ways to navigate the times. The conversation also touches on how schools are finding creative ways to move forward through the very real pressures they’re facing. You can listen to the episode here, and you’ll find several links to other resources. This episode would be a good one to share with your colleagues and use as a point of conversation and prime a conversation with some questions, such as:What trends are we seeing that others in the field are also facing, and what can we learn from their experience?How are we, as a board, supporting our executive leader to provide stability for both the leader and the institution?Where might we make space – in time, budget, or attention – to try creative approaches for the future?In addition to the podcast resources, our team would be glad to connect you with people and tools that can help. Simply reply to this email or contact us at resources@intrust.org. As well, I invite you to consider three other opportunities designed to help boards and institutions move forward: Wise Stewards Initiative: A fully funded cohort-based learning experience for boards and the executive leader, including guided assessment and a governance coach. Learn more here. Board development grants: Grants of up to $10,000 to support action-oriented board development tied to your strategic priorities. They’re designed to be a catalyst to propel you forward. The next grant round opens on Feb. 2. You can find out more here. Resource Grants: Matching grants of up to $15,000 to help you pursue an innovative response to a challenge or an opportunity. Find out more here. We’re grateful for the faithful work you do in theological education, and we’d love to hear what issues you see emerging as most important in 2026. Thank you for your leadership and service. In gratitude, Amy Kardash President |
