Videos & Webinars
Strategic Shorts
Video Series for Building Institutional Capacity The Rev. David Rowe, Ph.D., Project Director for the Governance Initiative and…
Explore resources, policies, and best practices to strengthen board governance, ensuring clarity of roles, accountability, and mission-driven leadership in theological schools.
- In Trust Magazine Articles 309
- Documents 20
- News & Insights 14
- Videos & Webinars 14
- Podcast 9
The Guardian
Small can be large
It may seem counterintuitive, but boards can do small things to revitalize and change the culture…
On My Mind
On My Mind
The mobile provides a good analogy for the work of governance and is worth a look…
On Your Mind
On Your Mind | Letters to the Editor
I appreciated Heather Grennan Gary’s recent article on shared governance and the perspectives provided (“Shared Governance…
On My Mind
Smarter questions
The questions we fail to ask are the ones that will get us into trouble, writes…
On Your Mind
On Your Mind | Letters to the Editor
Your thoughts about shared governance.
On My Mind
What’s Working?
What’s happening in theological education? There are three ways that leaders of theological schools can draw…
Feature Articles
Shared Governance is Smooth Like Jazz
Whether you’re a jazz aficionado or not, chances are that when you hear a jazz combo…
The Guardian
A New Look at Boards
A new survey as part of the In Trust Center’s Governance Initiative provides a new look…
On My Mind
Answering the call
After more than 15 years with the In Trust Center, I continue to be inspired by…
The Guardian
The Census | Enrollment trends
An analysis of data shows three distinct periods of enrollment in ATS-accredited schools over the past…
The Star
Working on a building
The Pathways for Tomorrow gathering in November 2023 brought 370 people to discuss ideas, trends, and…
On My Mind
Means or Ends?
Today, theological education has embarked on a journey where structures and models may need to be…
Annual Report
Core Essential 3-President-Board Chair Partnership
Wise boards know the relationship between the school president and board chair is mission-critical.
Document
Core Essential 4-Balanced Budgets Fundraising Goals
Budget building is a challenging process, especially when finances are tight, and board members should balance…
Annual Report
Top 10 Questions When Merging
Consider these top 10 questions that trustees, presidents, and CFOs should ask each other and themselves…
Guide
4 Steps to Smooth Functioning Shared Governance
Shared governance has long been a part of theological education in North America but is often…
Guide
Storytelling
While financial control often seems like the key to influence, it’s storytelling that holds power. Boards…
Annual Report
Core Essential 4: The Board’s Role in Fundraising
There are two key components to a board's role in fundraising: Collective governance and individual involvement.
Guide
Executive Sessions
If your board is not holding an executive session during every board meeting, maybe it should.
Guide
Roadmap for Wise Stewards Journey
Governing boards can follow these steps to enhance their Wise Stewards journey for institutional change through…
News & Insights
Strategic Shorts: Large-scale Collaboration and Change of Control
This video explores the formal process of transferring control between institutional boards.
News & Insights
May 2023: Board Chair Newsletter
In Trust Center President Amy Kardash reflects on finding better ways to engage an institution's board.
News & Insights
Board Committees: Charter Templates
The charters for board committees serve several significant purposes in school governance. Key committees include the…
News & Insights
Board Chair Newsletter: The Blessings of Planning
The term "strategic planning" can strike fear into the heart of some leaders.
News & Insights
To embed or not
How should a board and senior leaders consider the prospect of embedding? Rev. Dr. Byron Klaus,…
News & Insights
Legal issues and theological schools
Theological school boards can – and should – spend time preparing policies and procedures that prepare…
News & Insights
Subject to church authority – another model for school governance
Most theological schools have boards that make the big decisions: to close, merge, or reorganize; to…
News & Insights
AGB report on the current state of shared governance
In North America, shared governance is a central component of higher education. Yet plenty of research…
Videos & Webinars
Boards on a Tight Rope: Navigating the Power Differential in Shared Governance
Webinar explores attitudes about power, types of power at play within shared governance, and strategies for…
Videos & Webinars
Redeeming Conflict One Tough Conversation at a Time
Conflict can either divide or strengthen institutions, offering a framework and practical strategies for constructive dialogue.
Videos & Webinars
Strategic Shorts: Building Institutional Capacity by Repurposing Property & Facilities
Four key strategies for turning underused facilities and undervalued property into mission-sustaining resources
Videos & Webinars
Executive Leadership Webinar
ATS research into executive leadership at theological schools is the focus of a free, hour-long webinar,…
Videos & Webinars
Who’s Next? Succession Planning for Boards
Planning for board officers vacancies should start well in advance with an intentional, smooth, and carefully…
Videos & Webinars
Conflict + Crisis: Navigating the Shoals Part 2
Presenter Donna Alexander, President & CEO of Advoxum Global Strategies, offers best practices for navigating conflict…
Videos & Webinars
Conflict + Crisis: Navigating the Shoals Part 1
Presenter Donna Alexander, President & CEO of Advoxum Global Strategies, offers best practices for navigating conflict…
Videos & Webinars
Finishing Well: When Leading Means Leaving
This webinar addresses how seminaries can own their destiny by being responsible and "finishing well" rather…
Podcast
Ep. 87: The burden of leadership in theological schools
What does it take to lead a theological institution today? Auburn Seminary is relaunching Auburn Studies,…
Podcast
Ep. 67 – Understanding the “invisible balance sheet”
Dr. Rebekah Burch Basinger considers the "invisible balance sheet" – things that institutions are responsible for…
Podcast
Ep. 66 – New pathways in theological education
Kairos University has worked to develop contextual, competency-based theological education, and now educates students across the…
Podcast
Ep. 51: The “trust gap” in theological education
There's a "trust gap" in the American workplace, according to Cory Scheer, Ed.D., the founder and…
Podcast
Ep. 48: Keeping the mission vibrant – Lancaster’s story
During his tenure as interim president of Lancaster Theological Seminary, Dr. David Rowe was challenged with…
Podcast
Ep. 43: Making CHANGE in theological education
Is there a way to help theological schools cut overhead costs and free up resources to…
Podcast
Ep. 41: What it takes to lead in unprecedented times
Rev. Dr. Frank Yamada, ATS executive director, discusses what leadership turnover means for theological education, and…
Podcast
Ep. 27: From good boards to great
Making boards good isn’t enough – they need to be great to help schools fulfill their…
Upcoming & Recent Webinars
The In Trust Center hosts learning community spaces throughout the year. Check out our upcoming and recent ones below.
Videos & Webinars
Strategic Shorts: Large-scale Collaboration and the Role of Boards
Focus on the critical role boards play in large-scale collaborations
Videos & Webinars
Strategic Shorts: Large-scale Collaboration and Difficult Personnel Decisions
How theological schools can navigate complex personnel decisions during large-scale collaborations.
Videos & Webinars
Large-scale Collaboration and Change of Control
The formal process of transferring control between institutional boards
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