The State of Theological Education
Change and flux are the norm, but so is creativity and collaboration, as theological educators are finding new ways forward.
Issue
Spring 2026
24 Articles
Feature Articles
Articles
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The State of Theological Education
Change and flux are the norm, but so is creativity and collaboration, as theological educators are finding new ways forward.
Theological education is in a season of profound flux. Institutions are facing rapid regulatory change, persistent leadership turnover, financial strain, and the accelerating presence of artificial intelligence all while trying to discern what faithful, sustainable mission looks like in a changing world.
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How to Hatch a Story
Boards and leaders of theological schools need to consider the story they’re telling the world
In a world saturated by media and overflowing with stories, theological schools and their boards can (and should) build upon their histories and traditions to articulate stories that are sorely lacking in a spiritually needy world.
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Where the Flowers Bloom
In the Benedictine tradition of rural ministry, and with a Pathways grant, Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary tends to the Hispanic presence in the Catholic Church
The Minnesota schools has worked in partnership with Mexican American Catholic College to tend to Hispanic and rural ministry contexts.
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The Stories We Tell
Narrative is powerful – and every leader needs to master it.
No matter how difficult it may be, storytelling is not optional for leaders. Every leader is a steward of a story.
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On Your Mind | Letters to the Editor
Your thoughts about lifelong learning and religion’s influence.
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The New Conventional Wisdom
An unprecedented study of theological schools show a strong link between frequent turnover and poor institutional effectiveness.
The old conventional wisdom that “the board’s only job is to hire and fire a president” should change, according topreliminary findings of an unprecedented study conducted by the In Trust Center’s Governance Initiative.
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Podcast Picks
From our ears to yours
Our members have podcasts – good podcasts. You can learn from others in field with these podcasts
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Present Moment | The Four R’s
Toward a scriptural model of leadership
As leaders of seminaries, we have many professional development opportunities, but biblical leadership success has less to do with style, strategy, or method than one’s disposition before God.
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Building the Faith
Lilly Endowment offers new grant to help organizations engage in Christian practices
Lilly Endowment Inc. has announced a new competitive grant called the Exploring Christian Practices Initiative.
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Reflecting in an AI World
Notre Dame’s ethics project, funded by a Lilly Endowment grant, provides a framework and new insights to create wise ways forward.
With many institutions experimenting with AI, Notre Dame will use a major Lilly Endowment gift to help people consider AI and the ethics of it.
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Future Promise | Our Why Matters
The imperative of clean hands, pure hearts, and clean minds
The “why” behind seminary is essential to preventing miss
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Moving Ahead
Experienced church, nonprofit leader takes the reins at Lilly-funded Center for Congregations
The “why” behind seminary is essential to preventing mission drift.
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Reconsidering How Things Are Done
Lasting innovation emerges from systemic thinking, shared practices, and alignment to the mission
Innovation in theological education is not a single idea or program but a way of being shaped over time through shared practices, systemic thinking, and deep organizational alignment rooted in mission.
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The Census | Surveying the Field
The In Trust Center’s Year in Review
The Center had a record year in 2025, making connections, finding themes, and helping leaders understand the field and create mission vitality.
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The Big Issue
Boards have to grapple with the real cost of change and the vulnerability of what it takes to move forward.
With all of the change in the field, leaders will need to consider confronting loss, says veteran educator and leadership consultant Aaron Einfeld.
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Power Points | The Benefit of Clear Expectations
A reflection for boards to consider
Board members need to understand their roles.
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Peace, Love, Unity, Respect
A Portuguese EDM artist spreads the gospel to a new generation
A priest takes the message to the masses, mixing faith and dropping the beat.
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Holy Bricks
Campus replicas made from LEGO pieces have transcended mere fad. Increasingly, they are expressions of veneration
Several schools have used the bricks to make campus buildings to celebrate.
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Relics | A Table for All
At Brite Divinity School, a lasting reminder that the moral arc of the universe does, indeed bend toward justice.
In the president’s office is a table that serves as a witness to equal justice.
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Film | The Happiest Place
The Disneyland creation story is an epic tale of vision and leadership
The Disneyland creation story is an epic tale of vision and leadership
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Prayer | Renewal, Remedy, and Restoration
In Trust asked theological school leaders and scholars for their prayer requests for the year. Here are their responses.
Leaders in theological education offer prayers for the future of the work.
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Changing Scenes
Seven new leaders answer the call
These leaders have been called to their institutions.
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The Sign | The Faith of the Fodder
Without a prayer: Turning to AI for help in ministry provides a valuable lesson in what it really means to be human
Matt Hufman explores the intersection of humanity, the sacred, and artificial intelligence.
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