News & Insights

July 31, 2024

MEMBERSHIP
The value of In Trust Center membership 

Membership in the In Trust Center is valuable. It includes direct access to help through Resource Consulting, subscriptions to In Trust magazine, opportunities for Resource Grants, and the Wise Stewards Initiative. If you haven't done it already, now is the time to renew your membership. If you need more information, you can go to the website to learn more. You can also email our membership team here.

THE MAGAZINE
Governing unmuted, online, and in real life

Yes, the future is here. Yes, it includes mute buttons, virtual meetings, and digital portals – whether anyone likes it. The digital tools can help transform the work of board governance if used well. Trish Shea talked to experts about how boards and those in leadership can use digital tools to help their institutions govern wisely. Read how they can do that in: "It's More Than Unmuted." (For boards, this is a good piece to discuss for training.) Also in the Summer issue of In Trust:
  • A board's spiritual practice: For Colin Godwin, president of Carey Theological College in Vancouver, B.C., one of the important aspects of board work is the way the board gathers spiritually, whether in prayer or in considering its theological commitments. It's helpful for a board to consider these things. Read more about it in Godwin's reflection 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 sending us an email here.
Full issue: You can read the magazine on the In Trust Center website. 

 

QUOTABLE
"Wisdom" is the biblical term for this on-earth-as-it-is-in-heaven everyday living. Wisdom is the art of living skillfully in whatever actual conditions we find ourselves.
Eugene Peterson, in an introduction to Proverbs
THE PODCAST

Seeing shared governance's many facets

Shared governance can be a difficult topic for schools. The Rev. Heather Campain Hartung, Th.D., has experienced it as a faculty member, dean, a member of a theological school board, and now as a director of accreditation for ATS. In Episode 74 of the Good Governance podcast, she discusses how shared governance works and offers ways people can look at it and how it can help an institution. Other recent episodes include:

  • Overcoming a scarcity mindset: The Rev. Dr. Joanne Rodriguez, executive director of the Hispanic Theological Initiative, was honored with the 2024 Women in Leadership Trailblazer Award by the Association of Theological Schools. In this interview, she discusses lessons learned over the past quarter of a century and how leaders in theological education can overcome a scarcity mindset. Listen to Episode 73 here. 
  • Rooted in hope: After the recent Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative gathering, the Rev. Jo Ann Deasy, Ph.D., the ATS Director of Institutional Initiatives, and In Trust Center President Amy Kardash consider the big themes and the lessons schools are learning at the halfway point of the initiative. Listen to what schools are learning in Episode 72.
  • The "invisible balance sheet": In addition to the balance sheet that boards spend plenty of time considering, governance expert Rebekah Burch Basinger wants boards to consider the "invisible balance sheet" – the important things behind the numbers. Listen to Episode 67 here. 
You can find more episodes on the In Trust Center's website. 

UPCOMING WEBINAR
The power of strategic questions for boards

Board members are generally recruited for their leadership expertise, business acumen, and/or social and ecclesial networks. However, when institutional mission effectiveness and financial vitality are on the line – as is the situation of many theological schools these days – board members’ willingness to ask strategic questions may be a more useful qualifier for board service. Join Dr. Rebekah Burch Basinger, project director of the In Trust Center's Wise Stewards Initiative, as she makes a case for strategic questions and interrogation skills as necessary characteristics of boards that have been formed and informed for wise stewardship. Click here to register.  The webinar is at 1 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024

JOB OPENINGS
Louisville Seminary has two positions

Founded in 1853, Louisville Seminary offers an inclusive and diverse learning community, welcoming students from wide ecumenical backgrounds while maintaining its long, historic commitment to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). The seminary is advertising two openings:
• Director of Doctor of Ministry Program and Professor: This is a tenure-track position reporting to the vice president for academic affairs. The position includes leading the Doctor of Ministry program, envisioning expansion of the program, and teaching two to three courses a year. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis starting on Aug. 15, with applications due by Sept. 15. Learn more about the position here. 
• Alum Engagement Associate: Reporting to the vice president of advancement, this position will develop and manage a comprehensive alum and constituent relations program. The person in this role should increase alum giving participation and support, maintain, and strengthen positive relationships with students and alums that encourage long-term support of the seminary. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Learn more about the position here. 
 
 
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Upcoming Events

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

Who's Next? Succession Planning for Boards

ON DEMAND

Planning for board officer vacancies should start well in advance with an intentional, smooth, and carefully designed transition plan.

Seminaries are people too: Mindsets that make or break institutional change

ON DEMAND:

Theological schools are launching innovative projects to reshape education, but many struggle to achieve transformational change despite strong grant funding. Human nature, organizational culture, and governance practices often hinder progress. In this webinar, Drs. Aaron Einfeld and David Rowe provide tools to identify/overcome hidden barriers to change, offer practical steps for institutional leadership to move their institutions forward

I See That Hand

ON DEMAND

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.

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