MAGAZINE
Inspired by their language of faith
Three California schools are collaborating on an original curriculum entirely in Spanish, from certificates to doctoral degrees.
Three Southern California institutions — Azusa Pacific Seminary, Latin American Bible Institute (LABI), and Life Pacific University — are collaborating through a Lilly Endowment Pathways grant to create a fully Spanish-language theological education pathway for Hispanic pastors, from certificates to doctoral degrees. Led by Dr. Moises Lopez, the program addresses the growing demand for culturally relevant ministerial training in the rapidly expanding Hispanic church community. Rather than translating existing curricula, the partners are building original, accessible programs that integrate mentoring and mental health support. Despite challenges, the initiative is already expanding educational opportunities and strengthening pathways for Hispanic church leaders across the U.S. Read the full article, Inspired by their language of faith, here.
What do you think? Email us here with your thoughts.
Also, in the Autumn 2025 issue of In Trust:
- From Head and Hands to Heart. Competency-based theological education (CBTE) is transforming how ministers are equipped by focusing on demonstrated proficiency rather than classroom hours. In a recent Good Governance podcast, Susan Reese, Ed.D., professor of spiritual formation at Kairos University, and Nathan Hitchcock, Ph.D., a CBTE consultant, shared that CBTE goes beyond skills training to emphasize character formation and collaboration between seminaries and churches. It integrates academic learning with spiritual, relational, and practical development, using a distributed model of faculty, pastors, and mentors. As schools adopt CBTE, faculty roles are shifting toward mentoring, and the broader field is embracing a spirit of cooperation rather than competition. Read the article here. Listen to the podcast here.
- Small Can Be Large. Rebekah Burch Basinger, Wise Stewards program manager, emphasizes that while board self-assessment is often met with resistance, it is a vital practice for theological school boards who want to lead wisely and steward their mission well. She argues that surveys offer a useful starting point by revealing both strengths and blind spots, but the real value comes when boards turn those insights into focused learning and action. Basinger urges boards to “start small” by addressing just a few priority issues, share the work through committees, and build simple, ongoing habits of evaluation. Celebrating progress, she notes, reinforces that self-assessment is not busywork but a powerful tool for growth, accountability, and effective governance. 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 Autumn 2025 issue of the magazine on the website here.
PODCAST
Ep. 98: Creating a virtual neighborhood through an innovative approach to distributed learning
Host Matt Hufman speaks with Rev. Dr. David Vásquez-Levy, president of Pacific School of Religion (PSR), and Byron Chung, vice president of institutional growth at PSR, about Kwaray, a digital platform born from a Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow initiative.
Drawing on PSR’s tech-informed, hybrid approach to theological education, Kwaray is designed as a white-label, community-centered ecosystem where schools, churches, and faith organizations can offer training, enrichment, and short, stackable, non-degree programs. Built with both LMS and CRM functions, it helps institutions guide learners along pathways of formation while tracking engagement and credentials. For presidents and boards, Kwaray offers a way to reach new audiences, collaborate with peer institutions, and experiment with more sustainable financial and educational models. Listen to Ep. 98: Creating a virtual neighborhood through an innovative approach to distributed learning here.
Read the In Trust article (Winter 2025) here.
Learn more about Kwaray here.
Other recent episodes include:
- Co-Creating the Church of Tomorrow. Catholic Theological Union in Chicago is shaping a vibrant approach to theological education to help shape the Catholic Church. Dr. Karen Ross discusses how the Pathways for Tomorrow initiative has helped create a living-learning community that empowers young adults — especially from marginalized backgrounds — to co-create the Church of tomorrow. Through scholarships, housing, and leadership opportunities, CTU is forming a new generation of lay leaders whose ministries extend beyond traditional church roles into social justice, education, and community life. Learn about CTU’s program on its website here. Listen to Ep. 97: Co-creating the Church of Tomorrow here.
- Navigating new realities: Policy shifts and theological education. What do shifting policies in Washington mean for theological schools and the fast-changing landscape of higher education? Expert voices, Peter Lake (law professor and higher education policy specialist) and Rev. Dr. David Rowe (experienced president and consultant in higher ed and theological education) sat down with host Matt Hufman to discuss the implications of student loan and endowment tax changes; cultural and curricular pressures from federal policy; the evolving role of religious liberty in higher education; and how leaders can stay rooted in mission while adapting to new realities. Listen to Ep. 96: Navigating new realities: policy shifts and theological education here.
VIDEOS
Practicing Innovation Video Series
Real Stories, Practical Insights.
Innovation Over Time. In this recording, Dr. Jeff Carter, president of Bethany Theological Seminary, reflects on innovation as a long-term journey. Rather than seeking rapid fixes, this conversation highlights the importance of building trust, sustained commitment to the mission, patient leadership, and adaptive iteration in the formation of institutions that remain faithful to their mission over time. Watch the video here.
Integrated Innovation: In this recording, Dr. Brent Sleasman, president of Winebrenner Theological Seminary, discusses the integrated nature of innovation, where practices, structures, and values cohere. Rather than isolating innovation to new programs, this conversation emphasizes the need to reconfigure entire ecosystems by aligning all parts of the organization to foster fresh expressions of theological education. Watch the video here.
RESOURCE GRANTS
New Cycle of Resource Grants to begin 2026
The In Trust Center offers Resource Grants, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc., to accredited ITC members (click here to view the list of eligible schools). These matching grants, with a dollar-for-dollar contribution of up to $15,000, are intended to help address or fund a solution to a particular innovative challenge or opportunity within an institution. The hope is that through a Resource Grant, your school is enabled to engage an outside resource, allowing you to further your school’s mission. If you are an eligible member and interested in applying for a Resource Grant, our next grant cycle will begin in March 2026.
Explore the recipient stories to see how their projects sparked insight, growth, and fresh momentum. One school, Azusa Pacific University, used LEGO SERIOUS PLAY® to help their ministry leaders unlock fresh insights, foster reflection, and strengthen team connections through hands-on, creative exploration. Read Azusa Pacific University’s story here.
ON-DEMAND WEBINAR
Is your brand helping or hindering your mission?
Enrollment challenges and fundraising struggles often point to one hidden culprit: brand confusion. As part of In Trust Center’s instructional webinars, Dan Kennedy, vice president of The FOCUS Group, reveals the most common branding mistakes that stall growth, confuse donors, and weaken mission impact. He discusses how to identify where your brand is faltering, shift from assumption to insight, and equip your leadership with a shared language that drives results. You can watch this webinar in its entirety here.
NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
President for the Center of Congregations
The Center for Congregations invites nominations and applications for its next president. This is a unique opportunity to lead a dynamic, mission-driven organization dedicated to strengthening Christian congregations across Indiana. With generous support from Lilly Endowment Inc., the Center partners with congregations to address challenges, discover resources, and enhance vitality, while also contributing to national conversations through publications and online tools. The president will oversee a team of 30, manage an annual budget of $19M, and guide approximately $3.5M in annual grant making. Screening of applications is underway. Inquiries, nominations, and applications may be submitted here.
SPONSORED
Introducing the ACEO Health Plan
AdminWise Shared Services is pleased to introduce the Association of Church Educational Organizations (ACEO) Health Plan, an exclusive health insurance option for ATS seminaries and church-related colleges. This sustainable, cost-effective solution helps institutions address rising employee health insurance costs while continuing to offer competitive benefits. Participants benefit from greater flexibility, reduced regulatory burden, subsidies, enhanced bargaining power, and shared governance to ensure institutional needs are met. Learn more at www.adminwise.org or contact ron.ringenberg@adminwise.org | 574-370-0345.
