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.

In response to the global need for cost reduction and improved efficiency in education, institutional leadership teams are exploring innovative approaches beyond traditional revenue solutions and cost-cutting measures. A promising alternative lies in adopting new business models with a strategic finance approach.

The board chair plays a pivotal role in guiding the board and serving as a trusted liaison for the executive leader. Given the significance of this role, it is imperative that the president and board members invest time in understanding the practices, relationships, and processes that define the position and articulate the role’s expectations.

Deferred maintenance, CBTE's potential, role of boards, and much more.

Collaborations, Shared Services, Shifting Regulatory Environment, and much more.

With support from an In Trust Resource Grant, Mission University successfully rebranded, opening new opportunities for students from myriad denominational backgrounds.

Learn how to communicate your institution's brand value to potential collaborators and how to build an integrated identity for a new entity formed by multiple institutions.

Series of video shorts exploring how theological school leadership can strengthen economic vitality and mission fulfillment.

Series of video shorts exploring how theological school leadership can strengthen economic vitality and mission fulfillment.

Series of video shorts exploring how theological school leadership can strengthen economic vitality and mission fulfillment.

Catholic Theological Union envisions innovative courses for setting “a new standard for excellence in synchronous online theological education with the broadest possible appeal.”

Strengthening and expanding the educational and operational outreach for Hispanic/Latinx populations

Bethany Theological Seminary’s Pathways for Tomorrow initiative prepares students to lead congregations through diversity and division.

BSK's Pathway's initiative offers a congregation-centered approach to theological education.

Holistic formation approach, emerging challenges, leadership, and much more.

From confusion to clarity: Strengthening your school's brand

Assessing organizational readiness for change and preparing multiple institutions for intensive cooperation.

By implementing targeted programs and support systems, institutions can better equip students for academic challenges, thereby strengthening overall institutional effectiveness.

Strategies for engaging faculty and staff in institutional change to enhance organizational capacity.

Pursuing large-scale grants that advance the mission and drive transformation.

Four key strategies for turning underused facilities and undervalued property into mission-sustaining resources

Data-driven strategies can strengthen theological schools.

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.

Seminaries are People Too: Mindsets that make or break institutional change

An In Trust Center Resource Grant offers member schools a chance to explore innovation at their institutions through a matching grant opportunity of up to $15,000. Listen to this 30-minute information session, including Q&A, as we provide details on eligibility requirements, funding priorities, application process. Previous grantees are eligible to apply as long as they are not within our current funding cycle.

Presenter Donna Alexander, President & CEO of Advoxum Global Strategies, offers best practices for navigating conflict and crisis. She examines the crucial elements of defining conflict and crisis, identifying, and prioritizing affected stakeholders, utilizing effective communication strategies, and ultimately, executing a plan of action.

Presenter Donna Alexander, President & CEO of Advoxum Global Strategies, offers best practices for navigating conflict and crisis. She examines the crucial elements of defining conflict and crisis, identifying, and prioritizing affected stakeholders, utilizing effective communication strategies, and ultimately, executing a plan of action.

Competency-based theological education (CBTE) is reshaping how future church leaders are formed – and it’s more than just skills training. In this episode, Dr. Susan Reese of Kairos University and Dr. Nathan Hitchcock, CBTE consultant, discuss how this approach emphasizes character, spiritual formation, and lived practice alongside academics. From mentoring and integration with local churches to assessing “heart” competencies like friendship, rest, and resilience, they also discuss issues like assessment and rigor, and offer reasons why schools may consider CBTE.

As the Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative reaches its midpoint, theological schools are navigating both promising innovations and growing tensions. In this episode, Matt Hufman speaks with Jo Ann Deasy of ATS and Amy Kardash of the In Trust Center about how schools are reassessing mission, sustainability, and alignment.

As the world of artificial intelligence advances in theological education, leaders can stay ahead and find ways forward. In this episode, the Rev. Tay Moss, who has been a leading voice on AI in the Church and theological education, considers how leaders and institutions can engage AI wisely – balancing innovation, ethics, and integrity.

What happens when federal education policy changes, roiling higher education, without specifically mentioning theological education? The Rev. Dr. David Rowe and Law Professor Peter Lake unpack the ripple effects of new regulations, executive orders, and court cases on theological schools. From accreditation challenges to spiritual care for students and the risk of mission drift, this conversation offers thoughtful frameworks for boards and presidents navigating chaos.

Could theological schools be missing a vital piece of ministry formation? Dr. Darryl Stephens joins the podcast to explore diaconal studies — a growing movement that prepares deacons for ministry beyond the pulpit and into the community. With insights from global models and a new open-access volume featuring 21 authors, Stephens invites schools to broaden their mission, extend their reach, and equip more leaders for today’s multifaceted church.

In a time of political shifts and regulatory uncertainty, the Good Governance podcast dives into how theological school leaders can respond with clarity and authenticity. Governance expert the Rev. Dr. David Rowe and law professor Peter Lake, a higher education policy expert, discuss navigating potential changes to federal education policy, including impacts on Title IV, Title IX, and accreditation. They offer practical guidance for boards and presidents — emphasizing mission alignment, shared governance, and measured leadership. This episode is essential listening for those guiding faith-based institutions through complex and fast-changing landscapes.

As theological schools consider how to prepare for the future, a Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative grant is offering institutions an opportunity for shared services. AdminWise Shared Services, a nonprofit started out of a Lilly Endowment grant, is now offering a slate of administrative functions to help theological schools.

Theological schools across North America are at a pivotal moment. In this episode, Rev. Frank Yamada, Ph.D., executive director of the Association of Theological Schools, and Amy Kardash, president of the In Trust Center for Theological Schools, discuss both the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of theological education.

Acadia Divinity College in Canada has been experimenting with AI and exploring the future of theological education and the church. The Rev. Anna Robbins, Ph.D., discusses what the school has done (including offering an AI-developed class) and describes AI's moment in history as akin to the printing press because of its transformative nature. She considers the mission of theological schools, the accessibility of AI, and how schools might preserve human connection and formation.

The Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Missouri, is using Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative grants to create innovative, bilingual, and online programs to try to equip a new generation of ministry leaders.

A congregational leader and strategist, the Rev. Tod Bolsinger, Ph.D., discusses the need for adaptive leadership in theological education. Bolsinger shares insights from his latest book series, including tackling the challenges of leading through change, handling internal resistance, and realigning missions in a post-pandemic world. Bolsinger discusses rethinking old models and learning from experimentation. He emphasizes that effective transformation isn’t about working harder but adapting wisely.

The Rev. Tay Moss, an Episcopalian priest, media producer, and educator, has produced an AI-drive webpage to help people explore the Anglican church – AskCathy.ai – and in this episode explores the potential of AI for theological schools and how they can use it to enhance student engagement and streamline access to information. As well, he discusses the potential for new pedagogy as well as the challenges that AI offers schools and provides some thoughts about how schools and leaders can start to think about engaging with AI.