In Trust Center Podcast

Wise Stewards Governance Series

Tune in as experts from the In Trust Center’s Wise Steward’s Initiative discuss topics important to theological school boards such as assessment, orientation, recruitment and diversity, shared governance, and more.

Ep.11: A momentous decision

Tune in to episode 11 of the In Trust Center podcast where we are joined by guest Dr. Alton B. Pollard, III, president of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (LPTS). Listen as he shares about the “momentous decision” to sell part of the LPTS campus and the importance of stewarding the mission of the institution. 

• May 3, 2022
• 46:28

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Ep.12: Bivocational ministry

This week, we talk with Rev. Dr. Darryl Stephens, director of United Methodist studies at Lancaster Theological Seminary, as he shares about a project he led that focuses on bivocational ministry. If you wish to see more from Dr. Stephens, check out his interview in the Spring 2022 issue of In Trust magazine 

• May 10, 2022
• 42:07

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Ep.13: Dirty Money

In this week’s episode, we talk with Dr. Rebekah Basinger, project director of our Wise Stewards Initiative, as she discusses the moral implication of institutions accepting "dirty money". Read more about this issue in the Spring 2022 issue of In Trust magazine here.

• May 17, 2022
• 41:11

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Ep. 14: Women in Leadership Series: A conversation with Rev. Joanne Rodriguez

In this week’s episode, we kick off a series of conversations with women in leadership throughout theological education. In today’s episode, Amy Kardash, president of the In Trust Center, speaks with Rev. Joanne Rodriguez, Executive Director of the Hispanic Theological Initiative (HTI), about her work at HTI, Latina women in leadership, and raising up future leaders. 

• May 24, 2022
• 29:30

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Ep. 15: Women in Leadership Series: A conversation with Rev. Dr. Anna Robbins

In this week’s episode, we continue our conversations with women in leadership throughout theological education. Listen to today’s episode where Amy Kardash, president of the In Trust Center, speaks with Rev. Dr. Anna Robbins, president of Acadia Divinity College, about culture, innovation, and community.

• May 31, 2022
• 44:36

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Ep. 16: Women in Leadership Series: A conversation with Dr. Charisse Gillett

This week, we continue our conversations with women in leadership throughout theological education. In today’s episode, Amy Kardash, president of the In Trust Center, speaks with Dr. Charisse Gillett, president of Lexington Theological Seminary, about how she navigated big changes at her institution and trends of women in leadership.

• June 7, 2022
• 39:36

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Ep. 17: Women in Leadership Series: A conversation with Donna Alexander

In this week’s episode, Amy Kardash speaks with Donna Alexander, president and CEO of Advoxum Global Strategies and board chair at the John Leland Center for Theological Studies. Listen in as Ms. Alexander talks about how she led the board during a transition and how boards can cultivate and support new leadership.

• June 14, 2022
• 38:56

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Ep. 18: Women in Leadership Series: A conversation with Rev. Dr. Kit Kleinhans and Rev. Dr. Mary Shore

Join us for this week’s conversation where we talk with Rev. Dr. Kathryn (Kit) Kleinhans and Rev. Dr. Mary Hinkle Shore as they discuss leading embedded seminaries.

• June 21, 2022
• 37:49

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Ep. 19: Women in Leadership Series: A conversation with Cheryl Williams

Join us for this week’s conversation where we connect with Ms. Cheryl Williams about her work as an executive coach and board member.

• June 28, 2022
• 28:43

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Ep. 20: Women in Leadership Series: A conversation with Ruth McGillivray

This week, we continue our conversations with women in leadership throughout theological education. In today’s episode, we talk with Ruth McGillivray, who serves as interim President and Chief Operations Officer of Northwest Seminary and College about leadership, innovation, and driving change.

• July 5, 2022
• 39:01

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Ep. 21: A Discussion on Shared Governance

In this week’s episode, we talk with Dr. Rebekah Basinger and Dr. Marsha Foster Boyd about shared governance from multiple vantage points, and the importance of trust, transparency, and communication in the process.

• July 12, 2022
• 53:35

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Ep. 22: Consultant Series: A conversation with Carol Marturano-Becker

In this week’s episode, we kick off our Consultant Series with Carol Marturano-Becker, founder of IMPACT Learning Inc., where she shares best practices and tips for consultant engagement and presidential evaluation.

• July 19, 2022
• 37:34

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Ep. 23: Consultant Series: A conversation with Bill Nelsen

In today’s episode, we speak with Rev. Dr. William (Bill) Nelsen, senior consultant with The Registry, about interim leadership and how boards can best prepare for an interim leader in their institution.

• July 26, 2022
• 41:00

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Ep. 24: Consultant Series: A conversation with Ron Mahurin

In this week’s episode, we speak with Dr. Ron Mahurin, senior consultant at Design Group International about his consultation with boards and presidents. We cover mission, trends, board engagement, caring for the president, and more.

• August 2, 2022
• 33:22

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Ep. 25: Leadership in transition

Dr. David Gyertson, a former university president, consultant, and recruiter, knows what can go wrong in presidential transitions -- and what can go right. Join him as he discusses how to make the best of leadership changes.

• August 9, 2022
• 46:44

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Ep. 26: Hiring well, hiring right

Price Harding, chairman of the executive search firm CarterBaldwin, joins Amy Kardash on the podcast to talk about the essentials of hiring a leader. With more than three decades of experience, Harding offers insights into how a theological school should approach the search, what a board should consider, and what’s often missed in the search process.

• August 16, 2022
• 44:11

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Ep. 27: From good boards to great

Making boards good isn’t enough – they need to be great to help schools fulfill their callings, and Dr. Rebekah Basinger knows how. A board development and fundraising consultant, as well as a board member herself, Basinger provides expert advice on how boards can go from good to great. She also provides insight on how boards can be involved in fundraising and the In Trust Center’s Wise Stewards Initiative, as a fast track to improving a board. 

• September 20, 2022
• 41:23

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Ep. 28: Engaging in mental wellbeing

Up to 1 in 4 people have faced a mental health concern in the past year, according to studies, and that affects not only the Church but also theological schools. In this episode of the Good Governance podcast, Rev. Dr. Cedrick Von Jackson, pastor of the historic West Hunter Street Baptist Church in Atlanta, explains how theological schools can play a vital role in helping people through this mental health crisis. 

• October 4, 2022
• 37:54

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Ep. 29: Preparing for crises

Legal issues and crises can quickly upend a theological institution, but the old saying is true: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Dorian Persaud, a seasoned employment attorney who works with theological schools, helps organizations anticipate and understand key crisis issues before they happen. In this episode, he discusses some of the best ways schools can prepare and manage complaints and investigations.

• October 18, 2022
• 45:18

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Ep. 30: Energizing your board for fundraising

Fundraising expert Dr. Carla Maxwell Ray joins the podcast to share how boards can engage – and be energized – for fundraising. A senior strategist with Generis, a firm that helps churches and faith-based nonprofits to develop cultures of generosity, Ray also offers insights about launching a capital campaign as well as trends in giving. Don’t miss this. 

Click here for a free report on charitable giving: https://resources.generis.com/charitable-giving

• November 1, 2022
• 27:03

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Ep. 31: Maximizing your professional potential

In today’s episode, leadership coach Chris Thyberg joins the podcast to share how one-on-one coaching can produce tangible results. The founder and principal of The Serving Way, a non-profit leadership development and coaching practice dedicated to equipping emerging and established leaders with powerful serving practices in every facet of leadership, Thyberg also offers insights about employee engagement, active listening, and leading from a coaching mindset.

• November 15, 2022
• 48:15

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Ep. 32: Transforming the Education Model

In this new podcast episode, Dr. David Rowe, an AGB consultant and In Trust Center governance coach, discusses transforming the educational model in theological education. During this 20-minute follow-up to his "Guiding Transformations" webinar series, Rowe answers questions about why the educational model needs change and offers practical advice for theological school leaders.

• November 29, 2022
• 18:41

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Ep. 33: Creating affordable and accessible theological education

Did you know tha tthe In Trust Center offers $15,000 matching grants to implement new projects? Join us today as we spotlight one of these grants and connect with Dr. Brent Sleasman, president of Winebrenner Theological Seminary, to discuss how his institution utilized its grant to advance collaboration and enhance content for its user-generated digital platform, Co-Mission. If you are interested for a grant, you don't want to miss this episode! To learn more about Co-Mission, visit https://co-mission.net/.

• December 13, 2022
• 24:13

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Ep. 34: Making a turnaround happen: Midwestern’s story

Jason Allen, Ph.D., came to Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary as president a decade ago and found a school that was struggling. Today, the school is thriving and is one of the fastest-growing and largest seminaries in North America. In this episode, Dr. Allen talks about some of the principles that led to the change as outlined in his new book Turnaround: The Remarkable Story of an Institutional Transformation and the 10 Essential Principles and Practices that Made it Happen. 

• December 27, 2022
• 35:42

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Ep. 35: Why serve? A board member’s calling

Good boards often see their work not just as an act of stewardship or service but also as a sense of calling. For Dr. Karen Sawyer, the sense of calling has kept her on Missio Seminary for more than 30 years. And the lessons she has learned will help other board members and school leaders see the value of their sacred work. You can also see three takeaways from the conversation in the Winter 2023 magazine here: https://intrust.org/Magazine/Issues/Winter-2023/Beyond-the-Boardroom

• January 10, 2023
• 31:19

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Ep. 36: Trends, issues, and the essentials for 2023, part 1

What's ahead in the next year for theological schools in North America? Find out in the first part of a wide-ranging discussion on the In Trust Center's Good Governance podcast. The In Trust Center's Amy Kardash, Annie Glanden, and Matt Hufman discuss key issues in the field, including an upcoming grant to help schools innovate.

• January 24, 2023
• 34:00

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Ep. 37: Trends, issues, and the essentials for 2023, part 2

In this episode of the Good Governance podcast, the In Trust Center team talks about a few key trends facing theological schools, including a rise in schools embedding in colleges and universities, and innovation. Amy Kardash, Annie Glanden, and Matt Hufman finish a wide-ranging discussion on trends in the episode, “Trends, issues, and the essentials for 2023, part 2.” It includes conversation about the In Trust Center’s Resource Grants. You can find two stories referred to in the podcast here: “Embedded or Not,” an interview with Rev. Dr. Byron Klaus and “Embedded: Lessons from six schools.” 

• February 7, 2023
• 34:49

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Ep. 38: Moving for mission: Gordon-Conwell’s pivot

Rev. Dr. Scott Sunquist, the seventh president of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, joins the podcast to talk about the school’s “pivot” – the plan to sell all or part of its scenic campus in Hamilton, Massachusetts, and move to Boston. Dr. Sunquist explains the financial realities he found after taking office in 2019, what it means to stay on mission in a global context for Gordon-Conwell, and the lessons learned so far.

Notes: 

On the pivot: For more on the pivot, go to Gordon-Conwell’s site here. https://www.gordonconwell.edu/pivot/

Book reference: If you’re looking for the book he referenced about leadership, “How to Lead When You Don’t Know Where You’re Going: Leading in a Liminal Season” by Susan Beaumont.

The soul of the institution: Dr. Sunquist mentioned tending to the soul of the institution during the podcast and sent a few links afterwards about a covenant the seminary signed to train leaders in the Black church. You can find a blog post here:
https://www.gordonconwell.edu/blog/attentiveness-covenant/ and the covenant here: https://www.gordonconwell.edu/diversity-hospitality-culture/covenant/

• February 21, 2023
• 33:57

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Ep. 39: Starting the diversity discussion

In her doctoral work, Dr. Jodi Porter created a simple tool to help seminaries and theological schools discuss diversity, equity, and inclusion at their institutions. Those conversations can be difficult, but Porter’s tool provides a clear way to frame the issues and offers what questions to ask. In this episode, she discusses how the tool came to be and how schools can use it.

The tool: You can download Dr. Porter’s two-page discussion tool here. 

Webinar: Dr. Porter will present a webinar on “The Diversity Imperative” for ATS at 1 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 16, 2023. Registration is free and can be found here. 

Discussion: ATS’ Community on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) can be accessed, with login here, and has past meetings, information, and discussion. 

Dissertation: Porter’s dissertation is open access and can be found here. 

• March 6, 2023
• 28:51

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Ep. 40: What’s new in the Pathways Initiative

Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative is investing millions of dollars in theological education in North America. The Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and the In Trust Center are co-coordinating the initiative, and in this episode, the In Trust Center’s Amy Kardash and the Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Deasy of ATS discuss the emerging trends, interesting projects, and how coordination works. This podcast was recorded on March 3, 2023. Listen to the episode here.

You can learn more about the initiative at Lilly Endowment Inc.’s website.

For projects in Phase 3, the final phase, you can find a summary of what schools are doing here. 

You can find an overview of the initiative by the numbers here and you can find a story about some of the big themes of the initiative here.

• March 13, 2023
• 39:43

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Ep. 41: What it takes to lead in unprecedented times

Rev. Dr. Frank Yamada, the executive director of the Association of Theological Schools, says leadership turnover at ATS-accredited schools is at an unprecedented level. The data is clear: With pressing demands in a post-pandemic world, leaders are moving on in greater numbers than ever before. In this episode of the Good Governance podcast, Yamada discusses what it means for theological education and what skills boards and leaders need to navigate these times. Listen below.

Yamada wrote a piece about the turnover in ATS-accredited schools that can be found here. 

Regarding leadership transitions, the In Trust Center has focused on leadership transition. Here are a few recent examples of work that can be helpful to boards:

Dr. David Gyertson discusses creating a leadership transition plan in this on-demand webinar. 

Gyertson discusses four things a board should consider before planning a transition. You can find a link to a white paper on transitions here as well. 

• March 21, 2023
• 36:15

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Ep. 43: Making CHANGE in theological education

Is there a way to help theological schools cut overhead costs and free up resources to focus on mission? That’s the goal of the CHANGE Initiative, one of the projects funded in Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative. In this episode of the podcast, Dr. David Boshart, president of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, and Dr. Jeff Williams, the project director of the CHANGE Initiative, provide an overview of how a nonprofit organization could provide business offerings to schools, increasing quality of services while allow schools the space to innovate.CHANGE stands for Configuring Higher Education Administration for Next Generation Excellence.Dr. Jeff Williams can be reached here. jwilliams@ambs.edu

• April 11, 2023
• 38:26

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Ep. 44: Why lifelong learning matters

Having spent a life in religious education, Helen Blier, Ph.D., offers several key reasons why theological schools should consider lifelong learning and continuing education programs. She says those programs can serve as both an entry point into theological schools and a connection point for ministers serving in the field, helping them navigate change. This is particularly important as schools across denominations are re-evaluating continuing education and lifelong learning, particularly in Lilly Endowment Inc.'s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative. Dr. Blier is the director of continuing education at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and also serves as the president of ALLLM, the Association of Leaders in Lifelong Learning for Ministry.  

• May 2, 2023
• 34:27

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Ep. 45: Beyond fundraising: Helping people be generous

What does it take to raise money? At its heart: generosity. In her career, Dr. Carla Mawell Ray has helped raise more than $1 billion for a variety of organizations, institutions, and schools, and she encourages fundraisers to invite people into the opportunity to be generous. In this episode, Ray talks about ways to help people see generosity as a spiritual virtue and the opportunity to be part of the good work that is happening across the world.

In this episode, there are three books that are mentioned:

“Five Pillars of a First Class Life: Smart Steps to Financial Empowerment and Mission Driven Living” by Carla Maxwell Ray

“Giving and Getting in the Kingdom: A Field Guide” by R. Mark Dillon

"A Spirituality of Fundraising" by Henri J.M. Nouwen

You can learn more about Generis and Carla Maxwell Ray here.

• May 15, 2023
• 34:58

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Ep. 42: Stewarding seminaries well with Steven Moore

Rev. Dr. Steven Moore, CEO emeritus of the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust, says leaders in theological education should consider how they focus on stewardship. Drawing on 40 years of leadership in nonprofit groups and theological and higher education, Moore outlines what good leaders need, how boards can frame the work, and how leaders can stay fresh. Moore also reflects on his recent piece for In Trust magazine in the spring 2023 issue.

• April 4, 2023
• 46:29

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Ep. 46: Who's afraid of AI? How theological educators can think about artificial intelligence

There has been considerable concern about artificial intelligence and its use in theological higher education, particularly as it relates to cheating. But Greg Henson, president of Kairos University, and Ruth McGillivray say there's more to it than that.  In this episode, they discuss the opportunities for theological schools to explore with AI.

As promised in the episode, the In Trust Center made a transcript of the podcast (using AI software which made more than a few errors) and then asked ChatGPT to summarize it. Here's the response:

From ChatGPT:
The transcript is a conversation on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in theological education. The participants are Matt Hufman, Greg Henson (president of Kairos University), and Ruth McGill (Executive Vice President of Northwest Seminary). They discuss the implications of AI in higher education, particularly in terms of cheating and the assessment process. While there is initial concern about the misuse of AI, the participants emphasize the need to embrace it as a tool and explore its potential benefits. They believe that AI can help make pastors and educators more effective by providing new ways of demonstrating competence and assessing learning. The conversation highlights the importance of rethinking assessment methods and focusing on holistic and context-specific approaches. The participants acknowledge that AI accelerates conversations already happening in education and encourages a relational and community-oriented approach to learning and assessment. Overall, they view AI as an opportunity for creativity and growth in theological education.

• May 31, 2023
• 38:11

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