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Find resources and tools to support principals and presidents in theological schools, fostering effective leadership, strategic vision, and strong collaboration with boards and stakeholders.
  • In Trust Magazine Articles 695
  • Documents 7
  • News & Insights 29
  • Videos & Webinars 18
  • Podcast 105
Present Moment | Boards in a Shifting Landscape
The Star

Present Moment | Boards in a Shifting Landscape

As many seminary presidents think about the kind of truncation of ecclesial bodies, we always must…

Future Promise | Leading in an anxious time
The Star

Future Promise | Leading in an anxious time

What does it mean for the mission of a seminary when a small percentage of churches…

Awash in data
On My Mind

Awash in data

There’s no shortage of information at our fingertips. Interpretation and discernment must be brought to bear.

Changing Scenes
The Crossing

Changing Scenes

New leaders in theological education.

‘Do’s’ for trustees
Soundings

‘Do’s’ for trustees

Veteran nonprofit board member Frank P. Wendt offers four pointed comments and suggestions for building better…

Present Moment | Preparing for greatness
The Star

Present Moment | Preparing for greatness

Relationships are key to stewardship. They also making coming into the room more fun.

A prayer for a bountiful harvest
The Sign

A prayer for a bountiful harvest

Rod Wilson offers a prayer for fundraisers and the work they do to provide a future…

Changing Scenes
The Crossing

Changing Scenes

Seven new leaders in theological education.

Flexible, tailored collaboration partners
Feature Articles

Flexible, tailored collaboration partners

Eden Theological Seminary has created a network of schools that will provide students a wide range…

Strategic Shorts
The Guardian

Strategic Shorts

A new series of short videos can help leaders and boards wrap their heads around complex…

The Census | Seeing the big picture
The Guardian

The Census | Seeing the big picture

The latest release of data from ATS shows a field is growing slowly.

The shifting sands of regulation
The Guardian

The shifting sands of regulation

With the federal government issuing new orders, two experts help schools plan a response for their…

Core Essential #3 – Presidential Evaluation
Document

Core Essential #3 – Presidential Evaluation

Presidential Evaluation: To help, not harm. Presidential evaluation can feel daunting for boards, but when approached…

Core Essential 6-Ending Well
Document

Core Essential 6-Ending Well

Many theological schools face mounting financial and enrollment pressures that make “business as usual” unsustainable. Chronic…

Core Essential 4-Balanced Budgets Fundraising Goals
Document

Core Essential 4-Balanced Budgets Fundraising Goals

Budget building is a challenging process, especially when finances are tight, and board members should balance…

The Basics of Change Management
Document

The Basics of Change Management

Transformation becomes essential when the current vision and operations can no longer sustain an organization’s health.

4 Steps to Smooth Functioning Shared Governance
Document

4 Steps to Smooth Functioning Shared Governance

Shared governance has long been a part of theological education in North America but is often…

Core Essential 1 – Storytelling
Document

Core Essential 1 – Storytelling

While financial control often seems like the key to influence, it’s storytelling that holds power. Boards…

Successful leadership transitions
Guide

Successful leadership transitions

Practicing Collaboration
News & Insights

Practicing Collaboration

In this ten-part recorded series, leaders within theological education share practical insights drawn from their lived…

Practicing Collaboration: A Collaborative Vision for Global Theological Education
News & Insights

Practicing Collaboration: A Collaborative Vision for Global Theological Education

In this conversation, Dr. Jo de-Blois, chief global engagement officer, and Dr. Adriaan Neele, president of…

Board Chair Newsletter – July 2026
News & Insights

Board Chair Newsletter – July 2026

The newsletter for chairs of theological school boards, Vol. 4, No. 11 Building consensus and trust…

In Trust Monthly Newsletter: July 2026
News & Insights

In Trust Monthly Newsletter: July 2026

MAGAZINE Forming chaplains, shaping ministry pathways in Florida Palm Beach Atlantic University is helping shape the…

Practicing Collaboration: A Collaborative Vision for Nazarene Theological Education
News & Insights

Practicing Collaboration: A Collaborative Vision for Nazarene Theological Education

In this video, Dr. Jeren Rowell, president of Nazarene Theological Seminary, and Dr. Brent Peterson, dean…

Practicing Collaboration: Expanding Vocational Paths for Undergraduate Students
News & Insights

Practicing Collaboration: Expanding Vocational Paths for Undergraduate Students

Dr. Jeff Carter, president of Bethany Theological Seminary, discusses the Brethren Higher Education Consortium and explores…

Practicing Collaboration: Cultivating an Imagination for Collaboration
News & Insights

Practicing Collaboration: Cultivating an Imagination for Collaboration

Drawing on her experience within the ATS community, Dr. Jo Ann Deasy, director of institutional initiatives,…

Practicing Collaboration: The Importance of Internal Collaboration
News & Insights

Practicing Collaboration: The Importance of Internal Collaboration

Dr. Brent Sleasman, president of Winebrenner Theological Seminary, reflects on leading the institution through a significant…

Practicing Collaboration
Videos & Webinars

Practicing Collaboration

In this ten-part recorded series, leaders within theological education share practical insights drawn from their lived…

Practicing Collaboration: A Collaborative Vision for Global Theological Education
Videos & Webinars

Practicing Collaboration: A Collaborative Vision for Global Theological Education

In this conversation, Dr. Jo de-Blois, chief global engagement officer, and Dr. Adriaan Neele, president of…

Practicing Collaboration: A Collaborative Vision for Nazarene Theological Education
Videos & Webinars

Practicing Collaboration: A Collaborative Vision for Nazarene Theological Education

In this video, Dr. Jeren Rowell, president of Nazarene Theological Seminary, and Dr. Brent Peterson, dean…

Practicing Collaboration: Expanding Vocational Paths for Undergraduate Students
Videos & Webinars

Practicing Collaboration: Expanding Vocational Paths for Undergraduate Students

Dr. Jeff Carter, president of Bethany Theological Seminary, discusses the Brethren Higher Education Consortium and explores…

Practicing Collaboration: The Importance of Internal Collaboration
Videos & Webinars

Practicing Collaboration: The Importance of Internal Collaboration

Dr. Brent Sleasman, president of Winebrenner Theological Seminary, reflects on leading the institution through a significant…

Practicing Collaboration: Cultivating an Imagination for Collaboration
Videos & Webinars

Practicing Collaboration: Cultivating an Imagination for Collaboration

Drawing on her experience within the ATS community, Dr. Jo Ann Deasy, director of institutional initiatives,…

Practicing Collaboration: Assessing Readiness for Collaboration
Videos & Webinars

Practicing Collaboration: Assessing Readiness for Collaboration

Ruth McGillivray, executive vice president of Northwest College and Seminary, shares the story of collaborative projects…

Practicing Collaboration: Why collaborate?
Videos & Webinars

Practicing Collaboration: Why collaborate?

Dr. Michael Steiner, senior vice president of advancement and innovation at Southeastern University, reflects on the…

Ep. 109: Beyond church decline: New research points to renewed vitality, future opportunities
Podcast

Ep. 109: Beyond church decline: New research points to renewed vitality, future opportunities

In this episode of the Good Governance podcast, Scott Thumma, Ph.D., discusses what the latest research…

Ep. 107: Creating a different future
Podcast

Ep. 107: Creating a different future

The future of theological education will require more than incremental change. In the latest episode of…

Ep. 105: Finishing faithfully – leadership lessons on closing a school
Podcast

Ep. 105: Finishing faithfully – leadership lessons on closing a school

What does it mean to finish well? The Rev. Dr. Colleen Derr reflects on one of leadership’s…

Ep. 104: Faith and formation in the AI age
Podcast

Ep. 104: Faith and formation in the AI age

As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes daily life, theological leaders face deeper questions than efficiency or innovation…

Ep. 103: Leading through deep change in a shifting landscape
Podcast

Ep. 103: Leading through deep change in a shifting landscape

Theological education is experiencing significant pressure, but the root challenge may be deeper than enrollment declines…

Ep. 102: An inflection point for theological education and an opportunity to lead
Podcast

Ep. 102: An inflection point for theological education and an opportunity to lead

As federal policies reshape higher education, leaders of theological schools face unprecedented pressure to adapt while…

Ep. 101: Regulation, Resilience, and Renewal: A 2026 outlook for theological education
Podcast

Ep. 101: Regulation, Resilience, and Renewal: A 2026 outlook for theological education

What does faithful leadership look like for theological schools in 2026?  In this forward-looking conversation, Frank…

Ep. 99: Rethinking value: How theological schools can thrive in a changing world
Podcast

Ep. 99: Rethinking value: How theological schools can thrive in a changing world

In this episode, the Rev. Dr. David Rowe reflects on the sweeping changes affecting higher education…

Upcoming & Recent Webinars

The In Trust Center hosts learning community spaces throughout the year. Check out our upcoming and recent ones below.

Upcoming
The Thinkers: Reimagining the Board’s Role in Strategic Planning

Videos & Webinars

The Thinkers: Reimagining the Board’s Role in Strategic Planning

October 13, 1:00 pm ET, Zoom Facilitator: Rebekah Burch Basinger, Ed.D.Project Director, In Trust Center’s Wise…

Practicing Collaboration

Videos & Webinars

Practicing Collaboration

In this ten-part recorded series, leaders within theological education share practical insights drawn from their lived…

Practicing Collaboration: A Collaborative Vision for Global Theological Education

Videos & Webinars

Practicing Collaboration: A Collaborative Vision for Global Theological Education

In this conversation, Dr. Jo de-Blois, chief global engagement officer, and Dr. Adriaan Neele, president of…

Practicing Collaboration: A Collaborative Vision for Nazarene Theological Education

Videos & Webinars

Practicing Collaboration: A Collaborative Vision for Nazarene Theological Education

In this video, Dr. Jeren Rowell, president of Nazarene Theological Seminary, and Dr. Brent Peterson, dean…