Illustration by Ellen Marello

When I think of stewardship, I think of something valuable and very dear entrusted into our hands. We expect that when the time comes to pass it to other sets of hands, it is better and stronger.

Recently we asked each board member: “Do you know why you are on the board?” It’s good to pause and think about that together. Some people shared they didn’t know exactly why they’d been asked. The question startled them, their answers startled me, and we explored the gifts we each brought to the board, gifts we also steward.

Relationships are key to stewardship. They also make coming into the room more fun. It takes effort. If you sit in the same seat at the same table, you will not build relationships. Change it up occasionally. Go for a meal. Get to know each other.

A board that is stewarding well the mission of a school will be inquisitive, will try to understand where theological education is going, and know where students are going. Members will arrive for meetings prepared and ready. When we leave the boards we serve, we want to be able to say we were great stewards, not just good ones.