News & Insights

If you're at the Pathways for Tomorrow and the ATS Biennial in Atlanta (June 2024), please be sure to stop by and say hello to the team! You'll have a chance to meet Amy Kardash, our president, along with Ann Marie Glanden, Theresa Griffith, Matt Hufman, and Trish Shea! 

While we want to introduce ourselves personally, we also want you to know more about us and the work we do. We're a co-coordinator of the Pathways for Tomorrow grant, working alongside of ATS.

We are a  resourcing organization created to support theological schools in North America thrive. We’ve been around for more than 30 years and help our members and affiliates in a number of ways, some of which you’ll see below. The In Trust Center for Theological Schools was designed to support you and your school. Be sure to bookmark our site! 

You can connect with us via email here, but read more to find out how we can help.

GOVERNANCE INITIATIVE SURVEY

The Governance Initiative was launched to address emerging governance trends. To better understand and respond to these trends, we are conducting a survey among executive leaders, board members, and advisors of all freestanding and embedded ATS-accredited schools. This survey aims to gain insights into current board demographics, structures, and practices. If you are a board member or executive leader at an ATS-accredited school, please help us by completing the survey relevant to your role.

Take Survey

SEEING THE FUTURE: PATHWAYS FOR TOMORROW

The In Trust Center is a co-coordinator of the Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative, funded by Lilly Endowment Inc. The initiative is allowing schools to reimagine how they’ll educate the next generation of ministers. We’ll help the grant awardees work through their projects, and we’ll also share the wise practices and things that they’re learning with everyone. See more here. 

A TROVE OF INFORMATION: THE AWARD-WINNING MAGAZINE

In Trust magazine has been covering theological education for more than 30 years. You can find stories that will help you understand the trends, themes, and issues facing theological education and how schools are addressing them. Members receive print copies of the quarterly magazine mailed to leaders and board members. Read the magazine here. 

TAILORED JUST FOR YOU: RESOURCE CONSULTING

Whatever questions, issues, or concerns you and your school have, our Resourcing Consulting team is ready to help. The team can confidentially help you frame the discussion and connect you to resources to address your specific needs. The service is free for members. 

NEXT-LEVEL BOARDS: WISE STEWARDS INITIATIVE

The Wise Stewards Initiative provides presidents and boards with evaluation, training, and coaching designed to take school governance to the next level. Selected schools join a year-long cohort to learn from one another and also receive individualized coaching. The initiative is funded by the M. J. Murdock Trust and is free for members.

LEARNING ALL THE TIME: PODCASTS AND WEBINARS

A robust and ongoing selection of webinars and our podcast allow you to keep in touch with experts and what others are doing. Our webinars typically allow live interaction, and our on-demand webinars give you wisdom when you need it. The podcast gives you the best conversations however you listen.

Find a rich array of webinars here.

Learn more about the podcast here and listen or find the links to Apple, Google Play, or Spotify.

A FULL LIBRARY OF HOW-TO: TEMPLATES AND GUIDES

Our Templates and Guides provide a great selection of short pieces of wisdom from experts on a wide range of topics, including governance, education models, and finance. They make great pieces to glean wisdom and provide easy-to-use resources for board education. See them here.

FUNDING INNOVATION: RESOURCE GRANTS

We provide small innovation grants every year to schools trying new ideas. The Resource Grants provide up to $15,000 of matching dollars and have helped schools experiment and innovate new programs. You can find out more here.

 

It’s our privilege to journey alongside our members. We’d love to connect with you. You can email us here. 

 


 

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Upcoming Events

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

Who's Next? Succession Planning for Boards

ON DEMAND

Planning for board officer vacancies should start well in advance with an intentional, smooth, and carefully designed transition plan.

Seminaries are people too: Mindsets that make or break institutional change

ON DEMAND

Theological schools are launching innovative projects to reshape education, but many struggle to achieve transformational change despite strong grant funding. Human nature, organizational culture, and governance practices often hinder progress. In this webinar, Drs. Aaron Einfeld and David Rowe provide tools to identify/overcome hidden barriers to change, offer practical steps for institutional leadership to move their institutions forward

I See That Hand

ON DEMAND

Board members are typically recruited for their leadership, business acumen, and networks. Dr. Rebekah Basinger, project director of the In Trust Center’s Wise Stewards Initiative, will discuss how strategic questioning and interrogation skills are essential for effective board stewardship.

Can’t Find What You’re Looking For?

In Trust Center provides Resource Consulting to our members at no charge. Contact us today and let us guide you to the most helpful resources for your situation.

Contact Us