MAGAZINE
Where the flowers bloom
With the support of a Pathways for Tomorrow grant, Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary prepares students to faithfully and effectively serve in a changing world.
As a graduate student, Lexi Torres’s experience reflects Saint John’s growing commitment to forming ministry leaders who can serve a diverse and evolving Church with compassion and cultural understanding. Through partnerships with Mexican American Catholic College and support from Lilly Endowment’s Pathways for Tomorrow initiative, students participate in border immersion programs, rural parish ministry, and formation experiences that foster intercultural humility, hospitality, and community-centered leadership. Read the full story here.
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Also, in the Spring 2026 issue of In Trust:
- A Table for All. At Brite Divinity School, a simple dining table serves as a powerful reminder of the institution’s longstanding commitment to justice and inclusion. The story traces the table’s history to 1953, when Brite created an integrated dining space after admitting its first Black students during segregation. Today, the table sits in President Stephen Cady’s office as a symbol of the school’s belief that “everyone deserves a place at the table.” That legacy continues through initiatives like Brite’s commitment to fully cover tuition for master’s students, expanding access to theological education and creating new pathways for future ministry leaders. Read “A Table for All” here.
- The Faith of the Fodder. Matt Hufman, VP of Communications at the In Trust Center, shares how an unexpected interaction with an AI chatbot becomes a reflection on the deeply human nature of ministry, prayer, and formation. As artificial intelligence increasingly mimics empathy and spiritual language, the article explores the limits of technology in sacred moments of grief and care. While AI can imitate patterns of compassion, the author argues that true ministry depends on presence, relationship, and the uniquely human capacity to sit with others in moments of suffering and faith. Read “The Faith of the Fodder” here.
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Full issue: You can read the Spring 2026 issue of the magazine on the website here.
PODCAST
Ep. 106: Rethinking board governance in theological education
In this podcast, President Amy Kardash and Governance Initiative Project Director David Rowe explore what truly makes governing boards effective during times of institutional change and uncertainty.
Drawing on the most extensive governance study of ATS-accredited schools to date, the conversation examines how leadership stability, clear board roles, and intentional board development contribute to institutional effectiveness. Rather than offering quick fixes, the episode challenges boards to think more deeply about mission stewardship, presidential support, and the evolving realities facing theological education today. Listen to Ep. 106: Rethinking board governance in theological education here.
Other recent episodes include:
- Finishing faithfully – leadership lessons on closing a school. The Rev. Dr. Colleen Derr reflects on one of leadership’s most difficult responsibilities: knowing when, and how, to finish well. A former seminary president, Derr draws on her experience leading Eastern Nazarene College through its final chapter. She shares the realities of financial distress, the weight of inherited decisions, and the emotional and spiritual complexity of guiding a beloved institution to its end. Derr highlights the importance of mission clarity, courageous leadership, and honoring people over place. For leaders navigating uncertainty, this conversation provides both practical insight and a deeply human vision for ending with integrity and purpose. Listen to Ep. 105: Finishing faithfully – leadership lessons on closing a school here.
- Faith and formation in the AI age. In this episode, Dr. Meghan Sullivan of the University of Notre Dame explores how AI is already transforming human experience and why this moment demands ethical and theological engagement. Drawing on new work funded by Lilly Endowment Inc., Sullivan introduces the DELTA framework to help leaders think clearly about human flourishing in an AI-driven world and encourages Christian leaders to move toward thoughtful, hope-filled engagement. She highlights the risks of outsourcing human formation to technology while also pointing to new opportunities for theological education to meet a growing cultural hunger for meaning, purpose, and spiritual depth. Listen to Ep. 104: Faith and formation in the AI age here.
- Leading through deep change in a shifting landscape. In this episode, Aaron Einfeld, Ph.D., explores how institutions can misinterpret current realities by relying on outdated assumptions about formation. While demand for rigorous theological training remains strong, traditional models are often inaccessible in today’s context. Einfeld highlights the difficulty of organizational change and encourages schools to rethink their role, not just as degree providers, but as lifelong partners in developing ministry leaders. As churches seek more contextually grounded leadership, a gap is emerging between what seminaries offer and what ministry requires. Though the path forward will involve difficult change, including revisiting institutional identity, renewal is possible for schools willing to reimagine their purpose. Listen to Ep. 103: Leading through deep change in a shifting landscape here.
STRATEGIC SHORTS
Large-Scale Collaboration and Difficult Personnel Decisions
The Strategic Shorts video series delivers practical, timely insights to help strengthen institutional leadership. In this episode, “Large-Scale Collaboration and Difficult Personnel Decisions,” the conversation focuses on how institutions can navigate staffing challenges that emerge in collaborative efforts. Key takeaways include aligning personnel decisions with long-term goals, conducting thoughtful talent assessments, and planning strategically to balance efficiency and productivity. Host Dr. David Rowe, Audrey Hollingsworth, Chief Human Resources Officer for the W.C. Bradley Co., and Susan Deniker, labor and employment attorney at Steptoe & Johnson, PLLC, emphasize the importance of early legal guidance, consistent policy review across partner institutions, and clear, transparent communication throughout periods of transition. They offer valuable guidance for leaders approaching complex organizational changes with integrity and foresight. Watch the full conversation here.
INITIATIVES
“A Gift from Heaven”
Those are the words of a participant describing the Wise Stewards Initiative, a governance initiative for theological school boards to create space for innovation and maximize board potential, reimagine governance as an agent for change, enhance president-board partnership, and clarify roles and responsibilities. Participating schools have access to a comprehensive board assessment, one-on-one consultation with a governance expert, tailored resources, and cohort-based peer learning opportunities. All In Trust members are eligible for this free opportunity. Learn more and apply today at intrust.org/WSI.
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.
