What is Pathways for Tomorrow?
The Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc., includes three phases to help theological schools in North America as they work to prepare pastoral leaders for Christian congregations. In the first phase, the Endowment awarded up to $50,000 to 234 schools. In the second phase, the Endowment awarded 106 schools accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) grants, ranging from $500,000 to $1 million. In the third phase, 16 schools were awarded grants ranging from $5 million to $8 million.
The In Trust Center was awarded a grant from the Lilly Endowment to fund coordination work with the ATS. Our goal is to support the resource needs of grantees throughout the life of the initiative. Together, ATS and the In Trust Center partner to provide resources and research and create and foster learning communities to help encourage innovation and collaboration.
Visit the ATS Website or Contact the Director
Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative
Explore the links below to learn more about Pathways for Tomorrow grants supporting individual schools, as well as large-scale collaborative efforts that extend learning and impact across institutions.
Connecting to Essential Resources
Through programs, services, and transformative initiatives, the In Trust Center serves as a vital partner and valuable resource for our members and affiliates to fulfill their missions – to impact communities, churches, and the world.
In this video, the In Trust Center President, Amy Kardash, discusses the work of the Center and outlines how it will help the Pathways initiative (January 2022).
Learn About our Mission & Vision
Resources
As a resourcing organization, we strive to strengthen theological schools by connecting their leaders to essential resources for mission vitality, including using myriad mediums to convey the Pathways initiative. The following list outlines a few examples.
- In Trust Magazine Articles 20
- News & Insights 84
- Videos & Webinars 28
- Podcast 25
Feature Articles
Inspired by their language of faith
A Pathways for Tomorrow grant is bringing three California schools together to offer students a way…
Feature Articles
Lessons (being) learned
Since its start, the Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative has spurred innovation and brought energy into the…
Feature Articles
Flexible, tailored collaboration partners
Eden Theological Seminary has created a network of schools that will provide students a wide range…
Feature Articles
The new town square
Union Theological School and several others in New York are forging a new way forward thanks…
Feature Articles
What’s the future? And is it all artificial?
Artificial intelligence is found throughout society and now, thanks to things like ChatGPT and Gemini, it’s…
Feature Articles
Choose Your Path
Pacific School of Religion is bringing Silicon Valley together with theological education and a stackable curriculum…
Feature Articles
Rites of Passage
Western Theological Seminary is seeing renewed energy and expanded fundraising happening around its Pathways project.
Feature Articles
A Transformative Path
Latinos comprise nearly one-half of Catholic parishioners in the United States today, a dramatic cultural shift…
The Star
Crafting Narratives, Shaping Futures
The In Trust Center’s website has a page of stories and links about Pathways for Tomorrow…
Feature Articles
Rites of Passage
Two schools in the Methodist tradition are teaming up to find ways to help students and…
News & Insights
Practicing Collaboration: Indigenous Collaboration
In this conversation, Dr. Julie Lytle, director of distributive and lifelong learning initiatives at Bexley Seabury…
News & Insights
Practicing Collaboration: Unexpected Collaborators
Mundelein Seminary has cultivated a remarkable network of collaborators—one far more diverse than many might expect….
News & Insights
Practicing Collaboration
In this ten-part recorded series, leaders within theological education share practical insights drawn from their lived…
News & Insights
Practicing Collaboration: A Collaborative Vision for Global Theological Education
In this conversation, Dr. Jo de-Blois, chief global engagement officer, and Dr. Adriaan Neele, president of…
News & Insights
Practicing Collaboration: A Collaborative Vision for Nazarene Theological Education
In this video, Dr. Jeren Rowell, president of Nazarene Theological Seminary, and Dr. Brent Peterson, dean…
News & Insights
Practicing Collaboration: Expanding Vocational Paths for Undergraduate Students
Dr. Jeff Carter, president of Bethany Theological Seminary, discusses the Brethren Higher Education Consortium and explores…
Videos & Webinars
Practicing Collaboration: Indigenous Collaboration
In this conversation, Dr. Julie Lytle, director of distributive and lifelong learning initiatives at Bexley Seabury…
Videos & Webinars
Practicing Collaboration: Unexpected Collaborators
Mundelein Seminary has cultivated a remarkable network of collaborators—one far more diverse than many might expect….
Videos & Webinars
Practicing Collaboration
In this ten-part recorded series, leaders within theological education share practical insights drawn from their lived…
Videos & Webinars
Practicing Collaboration: A Collaborative Vision for Global Theological Education
In this conversation, Dr. Jo de-Blois, chief global engagement officer, and Dr. Adriaan Neele, president of…
Videos & Webinars
Practicing Collaboration: A Collaborative Vision for Nazarene Theological Education
In this video, Dr. Jeren Rowell, president of Nazarene Theological Seminary, and Dr. Brent Peterson, dean…
Videos & Webinars
Practicing Collaboration: Expanding Vocational Paths for Undergraduate Students
Dr. Jeff Carter, president of Bethany Theological Seminary, discusses the Brethren Higher Education Consortium and explores…
Podcast
Ep. 98: Creating a virtual neighborhood through an innovative approach to distributed learning
Host Matt Hufman speaks with Rev. Dr. David Vásquez-Levy, president of Pacific School of Religion (PSR),…
Podcast
Ep 94: Lessons to learn from Pathways initiative
As the Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative reaches its midpoint, theological schools are navigating both promising innovations…
Podcast
Ep. 88 – A shared future: Rethinking seminary administration
As theological schools consider how to prepare for the future, a Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative grant…
Podcast
Ep. 85 – The State of theological education in 2025
Theological schools across North America are at a pivotal moment. In this episode, Rev. Frank Yamada,…
Podcast
Ep. 83: A misalignment in theological schools – and a way forward
Research by scholars at the Association of Theological Schools suggests a misalignment between how students in…
Podcast
Ep. 82: Lilly Endowment’s expanded Pathways Initiative
Lilly Endowment Inc.’s expanded Pathways for Tomorrow initiative will offer up to $325 million to help…
The Power of Storytelling
Effective storytelling influences your school’s brand and mission. By sharing the strategies and narratives surrounding the goals, expectations, and achievements stemming from the Pathways grant award, you can craft a success story.
In this video, Telling Your Story, Matt Hufman, VP for Communications at the In Trust Center, presents a framework designed to assist theological school communicators to effectively share their narratives. This video can serve as a valuable resource for awardees of the Pathway initiative (March 2022).
Pathway Award Recipients Share Their Stories
Spreading the news and sharing information and resources are components of the Pathways initiative, which are designed to help other schools learn. The following are just a few of the many stories prepared by award recipients, who provide insights, lessons learned, successes, and future expectations. Click on the school name to read the school’s full story.
Search by School Name
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Assemblies of God Theological Seminary at Evangel University
AGTS Pathways for Underserved Student Groups
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B.H. Carroll Theological Seminary, East Texas Baptist University
Hispanic Theological Education Program
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Barry University and the Southeast Pastoral Institute
Meeting Hispanic Ministry Challenges through the Master of Pastoral Ministry for Hispanics
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Berkeley School of Theology
Making Theological Education Accessible, Affordable, and Accelerated
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Briercrest College and Seminary
Vocational Canada: Multivocational Ministers Project
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Columbia Theological Seminary
Pastoral Leadership for the Church of Many Cultures
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Duke University Divinity School
Expanding and Enhancing Pathways for Pastoral Formation
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Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary
Cultivating Diverse Leadership in California's Central Valley
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George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University
Program for the Future Church
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Grace Mission University Graduate School
4-part Initiative: education, multicultural leadership, digital library, IT resources
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Hood Theological Seminary
Expanding Reach in Anti-Racism, Financial Literacy Online Education
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Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology
The 4:12 Pathway for Pastoral Leadership
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International Theological Seminary
The World Next Door: Increasing Capacity to Prepare Pastors for Immigrant and Ethnic Churches
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Kairos University
Blazing Trails: Empowering Collaborative Systems of Theological Education
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Lexington Theological Seminary
Strengthening Theological Education for Underserved Students
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Loyola Marymount University, Department of Theological Studies
Transforming Catholic Leadership in Southern California
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Loyola University Chicago, Institute of Pastoral Studies
Miguel Pro S.J. Pastoral Protagonism Initiative
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Lutheran Theological Seminary, Saskatoon
Our Classroom is Western Canada: We meet there in mission.
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McAfee School of Theology of Mercer University
Re-imagining Tomorrow Initiative
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Methodist Theological Seminary in Ohio
Connecting Pathways: A Multi-faceted Approach to Strengthen and Sustain Current and Future Faith Leaders
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Princeton Theological Seminary
The Isaiah Partnership: Pastors Leading Innovation
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Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology
Specialized Formation for a Universal Church
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St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary
Online Education to Equip and Encourage
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Union Theological Seminary
Taking off the Roof: Cultivating Collaboration and Ministerial Ingenuity
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United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities
Leadership Center for Social Justice
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Vancouver School of Theology
Theological Field Education at VST: Leaders for a New Day
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Western Theological Seminary
Serving and Connecting Pastors at the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination
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Other Initiatives
Discover exciting grant-funded opportunities designed to empower theological schools and their leaders to grow, innovate, and lead with greater impact.
Wise Stewards Initiative
An initiative dedicated to board growth and development via individualized coaching, assessment, and cohort learning.
Governance Initiative
A multi-year award to explore the face of governance, wisest practices and models, and how to best offer support.