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.

Dr. Kent Anderson, president of Providence University College and Theological Seminary in Canada, considers competency-based theological education and suggests that it's really not new but a return to ancient practices of education. The co-author with Greg Henson of the book Theological Education: Principles and Practices of a Competency-Based Approach, Anderson says mentoring and learning by doing can provide benefits in the field. He says institutional humility and a willingness to adapt will help theological schools. The book can be found on the publisher's page here. You can find an interview with Greg Henson here.

Hood Theological Seminary is using a Lilly Endowment Pathways for Tomorrow grant to educate students and alumni about financial planning, expand curriculum, and create anti-racism education. Hood's Dr. Karen Owens and John Everett discuss how they're working in the seminary, with alumni, and the community to accomplish the seminary's goals.

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.

The Rev. Dr. David McAllister-Wilson, president of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., has been at the school for more than 40 years. Reflecting on his time, he considers the future to be among the constituencies that he serves, and in this episode, he considers what the way forward looks like for theological education.

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.

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.

Cory Scheer, Ed.D., the founder and CEO of TrustCentric, discusses the current and very troubling condition of trust as a clarion call to action. But despite the dismal data showing pervasive organizational distrust, every organization has the opportunity to assess their current level of trust, learn and adopt a proven trust building framework, and then develop a meaningful and long-lasting plan of action.

Participation in the Wise Stewards Initiative empowers governing boards of theological schools to serve as agents of institutional change. Learn about the specific steps to enhance your journey.

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.

In Trust Center President Amy Kardash and the Rev. Dr. Frank Yamada, executive director of the Association of Theological Schools, open a new series, "Inside Theological Education," discussing current trends and what schools can understand about the field from them.

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.