THE MAGAZINE

Flexible, tailored collaboration partners

Eden Theological Seminary’s initiative, “Navigating the Shift,” funded by a $5 million Lilly Endowment Inc. grant, is pioneering a collaborative, network-based model for theological education. Led by President the Rev. Deborah Krause, Ph.D., and Vice President for Institutional Advancement the Rev. Mary Schaller Blaufuss, Ph.D., the initiative builds partnerships with seminaries, colleges, and United Church of Christ bodies to expand access, share resources, and reimagine ministerial formation. Key efforts include course sharing, faculty exchanges, ministry cohorts, and accelerated degree pathways. While challenges around class capacity and logistics have emerged, leaders like Academic Dean Christopher Grundy are adapting through flexible agreements and shared learning. The project embodies Eden’s commitment to progressive theology, innovation, and joining God’s work in the world. Read the full story in the Summer issue of In Trust magazine here.

What do you think? Email us here with your thoughts.

Also, in the Summer 2025 issue of In Trust:

• The Shifting Sand of Regulation: In two episodes of the Good Governance podcast, Matt Hufman, vice president of communications for In Trust Center, speaks with legal and governance experts Peter Lake and the Rev. David Rowe, Ph.D., about the complex and often unintended effects of new federal policies on theological higher education, highlighting concerns around regulatory fallout, institutional leadership, student well-being, and the sector’s long-term vitality. They emphasize the need for clarity in leadership roles, proactive governance, and spiritual and moral guidance amid shifting political and educational landscapes. Read the full story here.
• Letters from Canada: In an article by Patricia Paddey, Canadian theological educators reflect on the significant impact of federal limits on international student visas, which are straining enrollment, finances, and mission-driven global engagement. As caution grows around academic travel to the U.S., leaders are rethinking theological education's priorities — balancing quality, accessibility, and affordability in an increasingly complex and uncertain world. Read the full article here.
• Did you get your magazine?: If you've moved or don't receive In Trust magazine (a magazine subscription comes with your membership to the In Trust Center for Theological Schools), you can update your information or ask to be placed on the magazine list by emailing us.

Full issue: You can read the magazine on the In Trust Center website.

IN TRUST NEWS

New CFO hired for In Trust Center

Join us in welcoming Elizabeth Bennett, CPA, CFE, as our new vice president for operations and chief financial officer. Starting in September, Elizabeth will bring her extensive experience in higher education, nonprofit finance, and strategic operations to the In Trust Center, where she will lead our finance and operations teams. Elizabeth has served in key financial leadership roles, including CFO, controller, and auditor, and is a peer reviewer and commissioner with ATS and a peer reviewer with the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Previously, she spent nearly a decade at Lancaster Theological Seminary, where she served as CFO and helped guide its merger with Moravian University. Read the her full story here.

PODCAST

Episode 94: Lessons to learn from the Pathways Initiative

As theological schools reach the midpoint of Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Pathways for Tomorrow initiative, launched in 2021, the conversation around innovation, mission, and sustainability is evolving.

In this episode, host Matt Hufman speaks with Rev. Jo Ann Deasy, Ph.D., director of institutional initiatives at the Association of Theological Schools(ATS), and Amy Kardash, president of the In Trust Center, to reflect on what’s emerging from this transformative initiative. What’s clear is this: schools that are thriving aren’t just launching projects — they’re learning communities, rooted in mission and driven by responsiveness. The Pathways Initiative is not just funding innovation; it’s prompting deep institutional reflection. Listen to Ep. 94: Lessons to Learn from the Pathways Initiative here.

Other recent episodes include: 

• Staying Ahead of the Evolving World of AI in Theological Education. What does it take to be human in an AI-driven world? That question – and so many others – is at the heart of this podcast with the Rev. Tay Moss, a leading voice on the use of AI in theological education, ministry, and learning environments. The discussion focuses on whether students and educators should use AI. However, the reality is clear: nearly everyone is using AI in some form. The real question, according to Moss, is how do we use AI meaningfully and responsibly. Listen to Ep. 93: Staying Ahead of the Evolving World of AI in Theological Education here.
• Faith, Law, and the Future: Governance in a Shifting Regulatory Environment. How can theological schools navigate rapid policy shifts and uncertain regulatory waters? Governance expert the Rev. David Rowe, Ph.D., and higher education law expert Peter Lake address the current challenges facing theological education leaders. From immigration policy to accreditation reform, they explore how institutions can prepare for – and respond to – changing expectations without losing sight of mission. This episode is a must-listen for presidents, board members, and anyone concerned with long-term vitality of theological education. Listen to Ep. 92: Faith, law, and the future: Governance in a shifting regulatory environment here.

VIDEOS

Strategic Shorts

3 questions, 2 experts, 1 timely conversation

Large-scale Collaboration and Integrating Cultures: Discover what it takes to lead successful institutional collaborations with host the Rev. David Rowe, Ph.D., and guest experts Valerie Olson, senior associate dean of student success at the University of Miami, and Chris Trout, founder and principal of Donlon Consulting. Drawing on real-world experiences, they explore how to manage complexity, build trust, and integrate organizational cultures. This is a must-watch for leaders considering or managing institutional partnerships. Watch the video here.

Large-scale Collaboration and Change of Control: Rebekah Burch Basinger, Ed.D., Wise Stewards Project Director, and Peter Lake, higher education law expert, share insights on the formal process of transferring control between institutional boards, highlighting the challenges and risks of large-scale collaborations. The conversation emphasizes the need for intentional planning, clear leadership, and proactive board engagement. They offer practical recommendations, including regular reviews of institutional facts and assets, to help ensure that the institution's mission and story are preserved through any potential change of control. Watch the video here.
 

WEBINAR

Boards on a Tight Rope: Navigating the Power Differential in Shared Governance

Wednesday, October 15, 2025, 1 pm (ET)
Facilitator: Rebekah Basinger, Ed.D., Wise Stewards Project Manager

The power dynamics within shared governance are unmistakable – boards are continually reminded that the proverbial bucks stops with them. Yet long before final decisions are made, many individuals and groups speak into, hold responsibility for, or make decisions about most issues addressed by the board, including the big ones. It's no surprise that board members often feel as though they're walking on a tightrope.

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. Register here.