If your board is not holding an executive session during every board meeting, maybe it should.

The board chair plays a pivotal role in guiding the board and serving as a trusted liaison for the executive leader. Given the significance of this role, it is imperative that the president and board members invest time in understanding the practices, relationships, and processes that define the position and articulate the role’s expectations.

Seminary governance expert Bob Landrebe presents a guide on the complexities of shared governance for theological school leaders.

In Trust Center President Amy Kardash discusses "Balcony Time"

In Trust Center President Amy Kardash addresses the need for board education and available resources to educate board members.

In Trust Center President Amy Kardash reflects on avoiding missing trends and issues that affect our mission.

Lilly Endowment's new funding announcement, the issue of power and much more.

New educational paths, Wise Stewards initiative, handling change in leadership, and much more.

Effective governance is paramount to the success and sustainability of any institution. Central to this governance structure are the roles and responsibilities of board officers, who serve as stewards of the institution’s mission, resources, and strategic direction. Recognizing the critical significance of these roles, the In Trust Center has drafted comprehensive officer descriptions tailored to guide institutional boards in fulfilling their duties effectively.

The term "strategic planning" can strike fear into the heart of some leaders.

Wise Advice on Fundraising, Change is good, and much more.

The process of strategic planning requires strategic thinking .

Here are a few resources to help your institution define and discuss shared governance and ensure that everyone has a clear role in stewarding the institution.

Theological school boards can - and should - spend time preparing policies and procedures that prepare for potential legal actions. Find out more here.

In January of this year, theBaptist Theological Seminary at Richmond (BTSR) closed its doors for good. Mike Clingenpeel, a BTSR board member, wrote an article for the school's website reflecting on the closure, and his article was reprinted in the Summer 2019 issue of In Trust. Clingenpeel's honest reflections offerrare insight into the painful realities of closing a seminary.

The In Trust Center is pleased to announce a new webinar series focused on change management models. These webinars are presented by rpk GROUP, a national leader in helping institutions create sustainable business models that reflect both mission and market. This series includes two webinars. Webinar 1 provides a change management framework to include best practice for leading change initiatives and common pitfalls to avoid. This session will include a consideration of institutional readiness for change, especially around the use of a strategic finance lens.

Join the discussion about how to plan well in advance of an anticipated change.

A two-part conversation as you consider your own sustainability plan.

JoinRick Staisloff for a discussion about strategic partnerships.

Join us for a series of conversations with leadership consultant, David Gyertson, about leadership transitions.

Join Chris Meinzer as he discusses questions about financial challenges and opportunities facing seminaries and theological schools in North America.

The wisdom, professional expertise, and life experiences of the folks seated around your board table are worth their weight in gold to your school and its mission. Without clearly stated expectations of board members and ongoing education and encouragement to match, there isa chance you areleaving riches untapped.

Dr. Bryon Klaus, faculty coach for the In Trust Center Wise Stewards Initiative provides information on what board members needs to know about theological school finances. This presentation was offered as part of the Governance Between the Times seminar of the Wise Stewards Initiative.

Lynette M. Brown-Sow, president of L.M. Brown Management Group LCC, provides information on dashboards and strategic indicators. This presentation was offered as part of the Governance Between the Times seminar of the Wise Stewards Initiative.

The sudden departure of a key leader can threaten your school's mission. But it can also be an opportunity for growth if you have nurtured a culture of leadership continuity.

Learn about the most significant contributing factors that lead to financial stress in theological schools.

Culture affects performance, engagement, retention, and satisfaction,all of which reflect on the student experience. Learn how to assess culture at your institution.

Is there a way to help theological schools cut overhead costs and free up resources to focus on mission? That’s the goal of the CHANGE (Configuring Higher Education Administration for Next Generation Excellence) Initiative, one of the projects funded in Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative. Listen how Dr. David Boshart, president of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, and Dr. Jeff Williams, the project director of the CHANGE Initiative, provide an overview of how a nonprofit organization can provide business offerings to schools, increasing quality of services while allowing schools the space to innovate.

Price Harding, chair of the executive search firm, CarterBaldwin, discusses the essentials of hiring a leader with In Trust Center president Amy Kardash.

Dr. David Gyertson, a former university president, consultant, and recruiter, discusses the intri-cacies of presidential transitions, highlighting both the pitfalls to avoid and the opportunities to seize for effective leadership changes.

In the second installment of the Consultant Series, Rev. Dr. William (Bill) Nelsen, senior consultant with The Registry, discusses interim leadership and how boards can best prepare for an interim leader in their institution.

Rebekah Burch Basinger, Ed.D., an expert in theological education governance and fundraising, discusses how leaders in theological education should think about the idea of “dirty money.”

In this episode, two leading authorities in theological education discuss an inside perspective on the dynamics between an interim president and board members, with key insights for other interim leaders and the valuable role they play in the institution. 

In the fourth installment of the In Trust Center’s Wise Stewards podcast series, Drs. Rod Wilson and Byron Klaus, Faculty Coaches for the Wise Stewards Initiative and experienced governance consultants, discuss the significant impact of the president and board chair relationship. Special insights include mutual respect, shared purpose, effective communication, willingness to compromise, and the importance of encouragement within this crucial relationship.