THE MAGAZINE
Governing unmuted, online, and in real life

Yes, the future is here. Yes, it includes mute buttons, virtual meetings, and digital portals – whether anyone likes it. The digital tools can help transform the work of board governance if used well. Trish Shea talked to experts about how boards and those in leadership can use digital tools to help their institutions govern wisely. Read how they can do that in: "It's More Than Unmuted." (For boards, this is a good piece to discuss for training.) Also in the Summer issue of In Trust:

• A board's spiritual practice: For Colin Godwin, president of Carey Theological College in Vancouver, B.C., one of the important aspects of board work is the way the board gathers spiritually, whether in prayer or in considering its theological commitments. It's helpful for a board to consider these things. Read more about it in Godwin's reflection here.
• Did you get your magazine?: If you've moved or don't receive In Trust magazine (a magazine subscription comes with your membership to the In Trust Center for Theological Schools), you can update your information or ask to be placed on the magazine list by sending us an email here.

Seeing shared governance's many facets

Shared governance can be a difficult topic for schools. The Rev. Heather Campain Hartung, Th.D., has experienced it as a faculty member, dean, a member of a theological school board, and now as a director of accreditation for ATS. In Episode 74 of the Good Governance podcast, she discusses how shared governance works and offers ways people can look at it and how it can help an institution. Other recent episodes include:

• Overcoming a scarcity mindset: The Rev. Dr. Joanne Rodriguez, executive director of the Hispanic Theological Initiative, was honored with the 2024 Women in Leadership Trailblazer Award by the Association of Theological Schools. In this interview, she discusses lessons learned over the past quarter of a century and how leaders in theological education can overcome a scarcity mindset. Listen to Episode 73 here. 
• Rooted in hope: After the recent Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative gathering, the Rev. Jo Ann Deasy, Ph.D., the ATS Director of Institutional Initiatives, and In Trust Center President Amy Kardash consider the big themes and the lessons schools are learning at the halfway point of the initiative. Listen to what schools are learning in Episode 72.
• The "invisible balance sheet": In addition to the balance sheet that boards spend plenty of time considering, governance expert Rebekah Burch Basinger wants boards to consider the "invisible balance sheet" – the important things behind the numbers. Listen to Episode 67 here.