The In Trust Center provides learning communities through our webinars and facilitated conversations. These spaces are opportunities for members and affiliates to learn and discuss various issues in theological education. Our webinars are typically expert-led informational sessions during which presenters both in and outside the field of theological education share information and answer questions from viewers. Facilitated conversations are led by In Trust Center staff and allow members to connect virtually to discuss trending topics and share resources and best practices.

Using Change Management Best Practice to Achieve a Sustainable Business Model

These webinars will build capacity for institutional leadership in moving to action.

Read the rest of entry

Guiding Transformations: Change Management

This webinar series will address the basics of change management and adaptive leadership needed to navigate change.

Read the rest of entry

Executive Parameters: Optimizing the Relationships Between Presidents and Their Governing Boards

In this session, we consider the policies, practices, and key performance indicators most helpful to supporting the essential partnership between the president and the governing board.

Read the rest of entry

In Trust Center Resource Grants

 

An In Trust Center Resource Grant is a matching grant opportunity that can help you try something new and innovative at your school. Join us for this 30-minute information session to learn how to apply for a 2023 Resource Grant to further your mission and turn your innovative vision into reality.

Read the rest of entry

Hiring a Consultant: Why, When, Who, and How?

This webinar, led by Donna K. Alexander, President and CEO of Advoxum Global Strategies, will help lower the perceived hurdles to hiring a consultant so you can achieve strategic goals, improve the bottom line, and yield excellent results for your institution. 

Read the rest of entry

Building a Strategic Communications Plan: How to Use Communications to Deliver on Your Highest Priority Goals

Join Josh Peskin from Millwork Strategies as he talks about strategic communications plans.

Read the rest of entry

Guiding Transformations

Dr. David Rowe, creator of TransformingCollege.com and former interim president of Lancaster Theological Seminary, will lead this series, helping participants turn mental models that explain how theological education is being disrupted into frameworks for overcoming that disruption.

Read the rest of entry

Moving Forward Together: Shared Governance for Now

Join consultant Dr. Rebekah Basinger to gain an understanding of shared governance, including definitions, delineations of roles and responsibilities, and strategies for adapting governance practices to your school’s new now.

Read the rest of entry

Don't be afraid: Asking for Three Loaves of Bread

Join faith-based fundraising expert, Dr. Lori Guenther Reesor, as she shows how to create bold, clear communications of a school’s values and ministry goals.

Read the rest of entry

Sustainable Pathways

Dr. David Rowe of AGB Consulting will introduce a new area of sustainability each week, leading discussions on strategic transformation and financial sustainability in theological schools.

Read the rest of entry

Grant Proposal Writing Best Practices

In this dynamic webinar, Kristal Frazier will review the fundamentals of grant proposal writing.

Read the rest of entry

It’s lonely near the top: How a trusted advisor can help you

Learn the value of having a trusted advisor and how to select one to meet your needs as a leader.

Read the rest of entry

In Trust Center Resource Grants

Learn how to apply for a 2022 Resource Grant to further your mission and turn your vision into reality.

Read the rest of entry

3 C's of Funder/Donor Communication

Join keynote speaker, consultant, and founder of FundJoy, LLC, Kristal Frazier, as she provides proven strategies to help you connect with key prospects.

Read the rest of entry

Finishing Well: When Leading Means Leaving

This webinar will address how seminaries can own their destiny by being responsible and “finishing well,” rather than closing in crisis.

Read the rest of entry

Charitable Giving: 7 Key Takeaways for Faith-based Organizations

Join fundraising expert Carla Maxwell Ray, Senior Generosity Strategist at Generis, as she breaks down data from The Giving Institute at the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy and provides insights into what the research shows.

Read the rest of entry

Preparing and Executing an Effective Leadership Succession & Transition Plan

Join the discussion about how to plan well in advance of an anticipated change.

Read the rest of entry

Maximizing Your Advisory Board's Potential

Learn how to equip, educate, and resource its members.

Read the rest of entry

Tending to Sustainability

A two-part conversation as you consider your own sustainability plan.

Read the rest of entry

Demystifying the Research Process for Mission-Driven Organizations

Join us for a webinar led by Springtide Research Institute about "Demystifying the Research Process for Mission-Driven Organizations".

Read the rest of entry

Articulating your grant vision

Considering new grant work but wondering how to articulate your vision?

Read the rest of entry

Using Strategic Partnerships to Fulfill Mission

Join Rick Staisloff for a discussion about strategic partnerships.

Read the rest of entry

Your Institution's Financial Picture

Join Chris Meinzer as he discusses questions about financial challenges and opportunities facing seminaries and theological schools in North America. 

 

Read the rest of entry

A Discussion on Leadership Transitions - Preparing the way for success

Join us for a series of conversations with leadership consultant, David Gyertson, about leadership transitions.

Read the rest of entry

In Trust Center Resource Grant informational webinar

Learn how to apply for an In Trust Center Resource Grant in 2021!

Read the rest of entry

A Discussion on Racial Bias & Institutional Racism

Join Rev. Matthew Wesley Williams, President of Interdenominational Theological Center, and Rev. Dr. Michael Joseph Brown, President of Payne Theological Seminary, as they discuss how leaders can have transformational conversations with their stakeholders around race and bias.​

Read the rest of entry

Fear and faithfulness in fundraising- How to navigate uncharted waters during the COVID-19 Pandemic

How and when to communicate with donors during the pandemic are tough questions to answer. Join Brad Layland and Ted Rodgers of The FOCUS Group to learn how to gracefully continue fundraising during COVID-19 and beyond.

Read the rest of entry

Preparing Future Ministers at an Accelerated Pace

If you are considering an accelerated pastoral degree program (APDP) at your institution and would like to learn more – or you are simply curious about what other schools are doing – this webinar is for you!

Read the rest of entry

Mining Your Board’s Potential: Strategies for Maximizing Board Members’ Contributions to Your School

The wisdom, professional expertise, and life experiences of the folks seated around your board table are worth their weight in gold to your school and its mission. Without clearly stated expectations of board members and ongoing education and encouragement to match, there is a chance you are leaving riches untapped.
 

Read the rest of entry

Communicating with Care During COVID-19

Rod Wilson will provide suggestions and practical steps for communicating with care, as well as facilitate peer learning during this webinar.

Read the rest of entry

Restarting Active Fundraising During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Brad Layland, CEO of The FOCUS Group, and Ted Rodgers, Executive Consultant of The FOCUS Group, will offer guidance and practical steps for you to take to restart active fundraising during the “middle.”

Read the rest of entry

Collaboration & Shared Services: Exploring the Possibilities

This session, led by President of Winebrenner Theological Seminary, Brent Sleasman, invites conversation about an alternative to merging with or embedding within a larger institution: sharing organizational services.

Read the rest of entry

Effective Boards & Leadership Teams: Planning Through COVID Planning Beyond COVID

Join presenter David Alexander of Alexander Resource Strategies, as he shares why effective boards and leadership teams must research, imagine and plan for what lies ahead.

Read the rest of entry

Behind the Scenes with Documentary Filmmaker Martin Doblmeier

Join award-winning documentary filmmaker, Martin Doblmeier, as he discusses how his films can be used as educational tools, both in and outside the classroom.
 

Read the rest of entry

Theological Education and Interculturality: Working Diversity, Equity & Inclusion on Campus

Learn how to deepen awareness of intercultural education in the face of the multicultural community surrounding theological education.

Read the rest of entry

A Biblical Perspective on Diversity

Learn how to navigate diversity, equity, and inclusion on campus and create an environment for diversity to thrive.

 

Read the rest of entry

Recruiting Board Members from Diverse Backgrounds

Dr. Derek McNeil, president of The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, provides information on recruiting board members of diverse backgrounds. This presentation was offered as part of the Governance Between the Times seminar of the Wise Stewards Initiative.

Read the rest of entry

Maximizing the Power of Data Driven Governance: Dashboards and Strategic Indicators

Lynette M. Brown-Sow, president of L.M. Brown Management Group LCC, provides information on dashboards and strategic indicators. This presentation was offered as part of the Governance Between the Times seminar of the Wise Stewards Initiative. 

 

Read the rest of entry

Financial Awareness: Some Considerations for Every Board Member

Dr. Bryon Klaus, faculty coach for the In Trust Center Wise Stewards Initiative provides information on what board members needs to know about theological school finances. This presentation was offered as part of the Governance Between the Times seminar of the Wise Stewards Initiative. 

Read the rest of entry

Resource Grants

View a free information session as program staff provide an overview of the Resource Grant program.

Read the rest of entry

Continuing Education: Advance Your Mission

Continuing education can provide skills to help your graduates continue to grow in ministry, help innovate with new educational content and delivery, and broaden the base of people who support your institutional mission.

 

Read the rest of entry

Creative Problem Solving

Learn how this innovative and effective approach to problem solving will help identify challenges, gather information, and generate potential solutions.

 

Read the rest of entry

Lead Your Board in the Right Direction

Providing a well-organized board orientation can set the direction for the board and provide them with a strong foundation for leadership.

 

Read the rest of entry

Succession Planning: Building a Culture of Leadership Continuity

The sudden departure of a key leader can threaten your school’s mission. But it can also be an opportunity for growth if you have nurtured a culture of leadership continuity.

 

Read the rest of entry

The Business of Education: How One School Leveraged Online Learning (And how you can, too!)

Learn how to expand current offerings in order to increase enrollment and generate more revenue.

 

Read the rest of entry

What Then Shall We Do? Financial Challenges in a Time of Institutional and Educational Change

Learn about the most significant contributing factors that lead to financial stress in theological schools.

 

Read the rest of entry

Assessing Institutional Culture: How Traditions, Values, Behaviors, and Attitudes Influence Your School

Culture affects performance, engagement, retention, and satisfaction, all of which reflect on the student experience. Learn how to assess culture at your institution.

 

Read the rest of entry

Strategic Leadership: How to Develop a Mission-Driven Strategic Plan

Learn how to make strategic planning functional and practical for your institution.

 

Read the rest of entry

Building Your Brand

Communicate your school’s story to boost engagement and retention on your campus.

 

Read the rest of entry

Sitting Beside Rather Than Standing Over: A Guide to Presidential Assessment

A cooperative approach to assessment that outlines nine critical activities to include in the presidential assessment process.

 

Read the rest of entry