Videos & Webinars
I See That Hand
Board members are typically recruited for their leadership, business acumen, and networks. Dr. Rebekah Basinger, project director of the In Trust Center’s Wise Stewards Initiative, will discuss how strategic questioning and interrogation skills are essential for effective board stewardship.
Videos & Webinars
Seminaries Are People Too
Seminaries are People Too: Mindsets that make or break institutional change
Podcast
Ep. 77: What a president needs to know
The Rev. Nancy Claire Pittman, Ph.D., is retiring as president of Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after a long career in both the church and theological education. She reflects on the changes at Phillips and the transformation that has taken place there, including how the school uses the city as a place to learn. She also considers what she wished she knew about shared governance, working with a board, and the role of president.
Podcast
Ep. 75: Future-proofing theological schools?
Rick Staisloff, a consultant with a long history in higher education, explores how theological institutions can thrive amid change by embracing strategic partnerships and shared services. He stresses the importance of aligning with student needs and maintaining a mission-driven approach while calling this a historic time that demands courage.
Guide
Executive Sessions
If your board is not holding an executive session during every board meeting, maybe it should.
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 designed transition plan.
Podcast
Ep. 74: The many facets of shared governance
The Rev. Heather Hartung, Ph.D., has been a student, minister, faculty member, dean, and member of a theological school board. She now serves as a director of accreditation with the Association of Theological Schools. In this episode of the podcast, she discusses how boards and leaders of theological schools can approach shared governance from various perspectives.
Podcast
Ep. 72: Rooted in Hope - How the Pathways project is growing
The Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative was designed by Lilly Endowment Inc. to create ways for theological schools in North America to train and support ministers for Christian churches. The Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Deasy, director of institutional initiatives of the Association of Theological Schools, and Amy Kardash, president of the In Trust Center for Theological Schools, discuss key findings and themes. ATS and the In Trust Center are co-coordinating the initiative.
Podcast
Ep. 71: Governance and the practice of holiness
Can the work of governance - even board meetings - be holy? Award-winning writer and author Karen Stiller, herself a board member, thinks so. Her new book even addresses it.
Podcast
Ep. 68 - Engaging the immigrant church
At China Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), leaders are looking at ways to engage leaders and congregants of immigrant churches. They've done so with new programming aimed at helping congregations, including a Center for Public Theology. Drs. Frank and Anita Liu, leaders at CESNA, explain how they're doing that with a Pathways for Tomorrow grant from Lilly Endowment Inc.
Podcast
Ep. 67 - Understanding the "invisible balance sheet"
Dr. Rebekah Burch Basinger considers the "invisible balance sheet" - things that institutions are responsible for that may not be on the actual balance sheet. With candor and years of experience, Basinger offers insight on how a board might consider the welfare of an entire institution.
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 world using their approach. Greg Henson, the president of Kairos University, and Nate Helling, the CFO and vice president of operations, talk about their work and how a Pathways for Tomorrow grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. is helping.