News & Insights

In Trust is the common name of the Association of Boards in Theological Education, a nonprofit organization that promotes the well-being of graduate-level theological schools in North America. We believe that the healthiest theological schools have a strong system of governance. In theological education, as elsewhere in higher education, governance is shared by three groups -- the board of directors or trustees, the faculty acting in their corporate capacity, and the office of the president (including the president's cabinet or executive staff). In many theological schools, a denomination, religious order, or other church body also has a formal or informal role in the institution's governance.

In Trust includes two program areas:

Editorial: In Trust magazine has been published quarterly for 20 years. You can read the latest issue online here. Our Web site includes online-only resources. And our e-newsletter is issued once every two months.

Governance services: In Trust's Governance Mentors visit theological school campuses in the United States and Canada to help boards grow in their governance expertise. They often help boards interpret the results of In Trust's governance assessment instruments for boards -- like the Financial Health Checkup, the Institutional Health Checklist, or the Board Performance Audit. In addition, In Trust offers a Presidential Evaluation, which helps boards to strengthen and support the president's work.

In Trust has no denominational affiliation. Our board and staff represent a variety of Christian faith traditions, including Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, mainline Protestant, and evangelical Protestant. 

In Trust's office is in Wilmington, Delaware. The acting president is G. Douglass Lewis, Ph.D. Biographies of all our staff are here.

Donations are tax-deductible in the United States and Canada.

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Upcoming Events

The In Trust Center hosts learning community spaces throughout the year. Check out our upcoming events below.

Boards on a Tightrope: Navigating the Power Differential in Shared Governance

UPCOMING EVENT: Wed., Oct. 15, 2025, 1 pm (ET)

Join Wise Stewards Project Director Rebekah Basinger, Ed.D., for an exploration of attitudes about power, types of power at play within shared governance, and strategies for mediating power-based tensions in institutional governance.

Partnerships that Improve Institutional Sustainability and Quality

ON DEMAND

Webinar explores considerations for institutions pursuing strategic partnerships.

Redeeming Conflict One Tough Conversation at a Time

ON DEMAND

Dr. Ann Garrido, Assoc. Professor, Homiletics, Aquinas Institute of Theology, discusses how to choose to manage conflicts.

Can’t Find What You’re Looking For?

In Trust Center provides Resource Consulting to our members at no charge. Contact us today and let us guide you to the most helpful resources for your situation.

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