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.
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.
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.
Guide
Roadmap for Wise Stewards Journey
Governing boards can follow these steps to enhance their Wise Stewards journey for institutional change through one-on-one coaching, board self-assessment, peer learning, and immersion into governance habits for long-term effectiveness.
Podcast
Ep. 63 - Returning to the ancient ways
Dr. Kent Anderson, president of Providence University College and Theological Seminary in Canada, considers competency-based theological education as a return to ancient practices rather than a novel approach. He believes mentoring and hands-on learning can provide benefits in the field and emphasizes that institutional humility and a willingness to adapt are essential for the success of theological schools.
Podcast
Ep. 61 - Making theological education count
Greg Henson, president of Kairos University, has worked with competency-based educational approaches for years and used competency-based education to remake what was Sioux Falls Seminary. In this discussion, he covers a variety of aspects of the work and discusses the book he co-wrote with Kent Anderson, president of Providence University College and Theological Seminary.
Board Committees: Charter Templates
The charters for board committees serve several significant purposes in school governance. Key committees include the Executive, Finance, Governance, and Investment Committees. Creating effective charters requires clearly defining and specifying the roles they play within institutional governance.
Board Officer Description Templates
We are often asked by our members how to draft descriptions for board officer positions. In response, we have compiled a collection of downloadable documents that can be used as templates to aid boards in outlining the roles and responsibilities of specific positions (dated January 2024). Each template provides clear delineations of board officers’ positions.
Podcast
Ep. 59: The Leadership Crisis in Theological Education
Dr. David Gyertson has seen a variety of leadership transitions both in his own career and in his work as a consultant coaching boards and leaders in transition. As a leadership coach, he provides insights into what boards should do and how they should handle leadership transitions.