In Trust Center

Send us Fan MailWhen the board of Luther Seminary in Minnesota voted unanimously to sell its 120-year-old campus, it came after years of deep listening, careful research, and a healthy culture of shared governance. In this episode, President Robin Steinke explains how the institution was prepared to make a significant decision through years of preparation. The seminary focused on its mission, gathered meaningful data, and created a culture that encouraged curiosity instead of certainty. Steinke shares practical lessons for presidents, faculty, and trustees on navigating institutional change with transparency, trust, and courage. Whether a school is facing enrollment challenges, financial pressures, or questions about its future, this conversation offers a thoughtful framework for leading difficult conversations while remaining faithful to mission.You can read more about the move here from this June 2025 release and here from July 2025.Steinke was honored with a Distinguished Service Award at the Association of Theological Schools Biennial in June 2026. Learn more here.

Send us Fan MailThe future of theological education will require more than small adjustments – it will require leadership willing to rethink long-held assumptions. In this episode, higher education strategist Rick Staisloff reflects on decades of experience helping colleges and seminaries navigate financial, demographic, and cultural change.The conversation explores why many institutions face growing financial pressures, why today's challenges are rooted in changing markets rather than marketing, and why boards must honestly assess their long-term sustainability. Staisloff argues that strategic partnerships, from shared services to deeper institutional collaborations, are becoming an essential tool for strengthening mission rather than a sign of failure.Listeners will hear practical guidance for boards and presidents on evaluating their business models, identifying the right partners, and understanding the difference between solving immediate financial problems and pursuing long-term transformation. Above all, the discussion emphasizes that healthy institutions begin these conversations before crisis forces their hand.For theological schools committed to serving the church in a changing world, this episode offers practical insights into leading with clarity, courage, and a renewed focus on mission.You can see a piece Rick Staisloff wrote collaborative transformation here.You can read an article about Rick Staisloff's advice to board here. 

Send us Fan MailWhat actually makes a governing board effective, especially in times of institutional uncertainty, leadership turnover, and rapid change?In Trust Center President Amy Kardash and David Rowe, project director of the Center’s Governance Initiative, discuss of the initiative’s study – the most extensive governance study of ATS-accredited schools. Drawing from research involving more than 1,100 respondents, interviews with presidents and board chairs, and on-site board observations, the research explores the governance practices most closely tied to institutional effectiveness. Kardash and Rowe discuss findings, including that frequent presidential turnover correlates with weaker institutional effectiveness. They discuss how boards can think beyond simply hiring leaders and move toward sustaining them through difficult seasons of change. The discussion also examines how ambiguity around board roles and governance models can undermine effectiveness, while clarity, shared expectations, and intentional board development strengthen institutional leadership. Rather than offering simplistic formulas, the episode invites boards to ask deeper questions about mission stewardship, leadership support, and how governance must evolve to meet the realities facing theological schools today.Links mentioned in the podcast include:A Spring 2026 article about the Governance Initiative’s research.The Governance Initiative webpage, which includes a grant opportunity.  

Send us Fan MailWhat does it mean to finish well? The Rev. Dr. Colleen Derr reflects on one of leadership’s most difficult responsibilities: knowing when, and how, to finish well. A former seminary president, Derr draws on her experience leading Eastern Nazarene College through its final chapter and offers a candid and hopeful perspective on institutional closure. She shares the realities of financial distress, the weight of inherited decisions, and the emotional and spiritual complexity of guiding a beloved institution to its end. The story is one of faithfulness to stewarding the final chapter well. Derr highlights the importance of mission clarity, courageous leadership, and honoring people over place. For leaders navigating uncertainty, this conversation provides both practical insight and a deeply human vision for ending with integrity and purpose.

Send us Fan MailAs artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes daily life, theological leaders face deeper questions than efficiency or innovation alone. In this episode, Dr. Meghan Sullivan of the University of Notre Dame explores how AI is already transforming human experience and why this moment demands ethical and theological engagement. Drawing on new work funded by Lilly Endowment Inc., Sullivan introduces the DELTA framework to help leaders think clearly about human flourishing in an AI-driven world and encourages Christian leaders to move toward thoughtful, hope-filled engagement. She highlights the risks of outsourcing human formation to technology while also pointing to new opportunities for theological education to meet a growing cultural hunger for meaning, purpose, and spiritual depth. For seminaries, churches, and faith-based institutions, the challenge is clear: remain grounded in mission while wisely discerning whether and how to integrate AI into the work of forming people. Find more:Learn about the DELTA framework and hear Dr. Sullivan's plenary address about it here. Read a discussion about AI in theological education with Greg Henson and  Ruth McGillivray here. Learn about Acadia Divinity College's experience and experimentation with AI here. Read about how a minister experienced AI in the work here. 

Send us Fan MailTheological education is experiencing significant pressure, but the root challenge may be deeper than enrollment declines or financial strain. In this episode, Aaron Einfeld, Ph.D., discusses how institutions may often misread the moment by interpreting new realities through long-standing assumptions about how formation should occur. Many prospective leaders still desire rigorous theological preparation, yet traditional models can be inaccessible in terms of time, structure, and delivery. Einfeld, an expert in higher education and learning models, discusses the difficulty of change in organizations and how schools can make sense of their circumstances. He also suggests how schools can rethink their roles not simply as providers of accredited degrees, but as lifelong partners in developing effective ministry leaders. Churches worldwide are seeking capable, contextually grounded leadership, highlighting a potential misalignment between what seminaries offer and what ministry requires. Moving forward will likely involve difficult change, including acknowledging loss and revisiting institutional identity, but renewal is possible for schools willing to reimagine their purpose in service of the church. You can reach Aaron Einfeld at Awaken Leadership Solutions here.  

Send us Fan MailAs federal policies reshape higher education, leaders of theological schools face unprecedented pressure to adapt while staying true to their mission. In this insightful conversation, governance expert David Rowe and higher education law scholar Peter Lake examine what rapid regulatory change, funding realities, and cultural debates mean for boards and presidents today. They explore how institutions can move beyond short-term compliance to address deeper questions of mission, accountability, accreditation, and public trust. The discussion offers practical guidance on managing uncertainty, communicating educational value, and strengthening resilience in volatile times. Thoughtful and forward-looking, this episode highlights both the risks and the opportunities emerging from today’s policy environment – equipping leaders to govern wisely, act strategically, and sustain mission-driven education for the future.For previous discussions on governance and regulation, see:Ep. 96: Navigating new realities – policy shifts and theological educationEp. 92: Faith, law, and the future: Governance in a shifting regulatory environmentEp. 89: Rooted and ready: Strengthening theological schools amid regulatory upheavalFor David Rowe's Windermere Consulting, go here. For Peter Lake, you can find more here. 

Send us Fan MailWhat does faithful leadership look like for theological schools in 2026? In this forward-looking conversation, Frank Yamada,  executive director of the Association of Theological Schools, and Amy Kardash, the president of the In Trust Center, reflect on a season marked by both turbulence and possibility. In conversation with host Matt Hufman, they examine how creativity is emerging amid regulatory uncertainty, financial pressure, and leadership transition – and why collaboration across institutions has become one of the field’s greatest strengths. Drawing on recent data, grant initiatives, and board research, the discussion highlights reasons for cautious optimism, including enrollment growth and new approaches to theological formation. The episode concludes with a thoughtful look at artificial intelligence, inviting leaders to engage both the theological questions and the practical realities of a technology already reshaping higher education. The conversation frames several timely questions for school leaders and board of directors as they plan for the year ahead. This episode includes discussion about several resources. Those include:Out of Chaos Comes Creativity — a discussion with Frank YamadaNotre Dame University’s DELTA framework for considering artificial intelligenceConsidering the value proposition of theological education from the winter 2026 In Trust magazine.A piece about executive turnover in ATS-accredited schools by Frank Yamada.The December 2025 issue of the ATS newsletter Colloquy, which includes information about enrollment increases.

Send us Fan MailWhat are the trends in governance – the new ways to make things work? First, look to the past. Governance expert Rebekah Basinger, Ed.D., reflects on what theological schools can learn by revisiting enduring principles of board leadership. Drawing on decades of experience, the conversation explores why good governance wisdom remains remarkably consistent – even as pressures from finances, regulation, and post-COVID realities intensify. Basinger names challenges such as executive turnover, shrinking and fatigued boards, and the lingering effects of “long COVID” on board culture and engagement. At the same time, she offers a hopeful vision: boards that reclaim their fiduciary role, invest in meaningful relationships, and approach governance as shared stewardship of mission. The episode invites board members and leaders alike to slow down, ask better questions, and rediscover why their work – and their presence – truly matters.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, the Rev. Dr. David Rowe reflects on the sweeping changes affecting higher education and how these pressures are reshaping theological schools. Demographic decline, reduced church demand, and shrinking revenue streams have created intense competition among an oversupply of institutions. Rowe argues that schools must clarify their value proposition by understanding what students actually need and are willing to pay for. He highlights the importance of distinguishing between service, experience, and transformational educational models and aligning each with sustainable economics. He encourages boards to rethink mission, foster experimentation, and explore new audiences to meet today’s real ministry and societal needs.You can find David Rowe at Windermere Consulting here. Daniel O. Aleshire's book mentioned in the podcast is here. 

Send us Fan MailHow do you create a community online, particularly among the shifting landscape of theological education? Pacific School of Religion has been working to answer that with Kwaray, an online learning platform that creates a virtual “neighborhood.” PSR President David Vasquez-Levy and Vice President Byron Chung discuss the distributed learning network, created with funding through Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative. The platform gives schools and groups a way to create their own communities and join others through an innovative platform that can be “white labeled” for school use. PSR has worked to pair technology with deep community engagement as well as stackable credentials and a “zero-entry” approach that lowers barriers to participation. The discussion also explores how schools use adaptive strategies for the shifting educational landscape. You can find out more at Kwaray here and at PSR’s Kwaray website here.

Send us Fan MailCatholic Theological Union in Chicago is shaping a vibrant approach to theological education to help shape the Catholic Church. Dr. Karen Ross discusses how the Pathways for Tomorrow initiative has helped create a living-learning community that empowers young adults—especially from marginalized backgrounds—to co-create the Church of tomorrow. Through scholarships, housing, and leadership opportunities, CTU is forming a new generation of lay leaders whose ministries extend beyond traditional church roles into social justice, education, and community life. Learn about CTU's program on its website here.

Send us Fan MailFederal policy shifts are reshaping higher education, and as details are still being understood, Peter Lake and David Rowe discuss what they mean for theological schools and how leaders can prepare. They explore new regulatory pressures, financial strains, and cultural changes affecting governance and mission. They offer leaders practical insight and encouragement to stay rooted in their theological convictions while navigating uncertain times.Text of Education Secretary Linda McMahon's Sept. 8, 2025, speech at Hillsdale College can be found here.The U.S. Supreme Court case "Sweezy v. New Hampshire" can be found here.

Send us Fan MailCompetency-based theological education (CBTE) is reshaping how future church leaders are formed – and it’s more than just skills training. In this episode, Dr. Susan Reese of Kairos University and Dr. Nathan Hitchcock, CBTE consultant, discuss how this approach emphasizes character, spiritual formation, and lived practice alongside academics. From mentoring and integration with local churches to assessing “heart” competencies like friendship, rest, and resilience, They also discuss issues like assessment and rigor and offer reasons why schools may consider CBTE. The CBTE 2025 conference (in November 2025) was referenced in the show. You can find out more here.  The book "Theological Education: Principles and Practices of a Competency-Based Approach" was also mentioned. It can be found on Amazon here. (The In Trust Center does not earn any compensation from the link.)

Send us Fan MailAs the Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative reaches its midpoint, theological schools are navigating both promising innovations and growing tensions. In this episode, Matt Hufman speaks with Jo Ann Deasy of ATS and Amy Kardash of the In Trust Center about how schools are reassessing mission, sustainability, and alignment. With new programs, nontraditional students, and expanded collaborations, institutions are rethinking everything from board engagement to what success really means. While some schools are thriving through strategic alignment, others face challenges in leadership turnover, funding models, and adapting to shifting demands. The conversation underscores a growing shift from competition to collaboration, and a recognition that long-term vitality requires deep listening, experimentation, and clarity about mission.

Send us Fan MailAs the world of artificial intelligence advances in theological education, leaders can stay ahead and find ways forward. In this episode, the Rev. Tay Moss, who has been a leading voice on AI in the Church and theological education, considers how leaders and institutions can engage AI wisely – balancing innovation, ethics, and integrity. This episode considers what it means to be human and bring a theological framework to new technology, and how schools can use new assessment models and spiritual assessment tools. This episode helps leaders keep up on the emerging trends and provides ways for schools to further explore. Moss has done extensive work in AI, including developing new technologies for churches and teaching on it. He can be reached here. He was previously on the podcast in Episode 78.  

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when federal education policy changes, roiling higher education, without specifically mentioning theological education? The Rev. Dr. David Rowe and Law Professor Peter Lake unpack the ripple effects of new regulations, executive orders, and court cases on theological schools. From accreditation challenges to spiritual care for students and the risk of mission drift, this conversation offers thoughtful frameworks for boards and presidents navigating chaos.  David Rowe can be reached here. Peter Lake can be reached here. The legal case that Peter Lake mentions is Catholic Charities Bureau Inc. et al v. Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission et al. The previous podcast episode can be found here.

Send us Fan MailWhat if collaboration wasn’t a tactic, but a way of being? In this episode, Greg Henson and Tony Blair of Kairos University discuss their recent article “Coworkers in the Vineyard: A Renewed Spirit of Collaboration Within Theological Education” about collaboration in theological education and challenge assumptions about competition, mission, and governance. Drawing on research and firsthand experience, they call for adaptive change, reimagine theological formation, and practice collaboration rooted in trust, not survival. With fresh insights on governance, institutional identity, and discipleship, this episode is a must for boards and executives rethinking what’s possible in today’s shifting landscape. You can find the full article here. It's in volume 24 (2025) of Christian Higher Education.

Send us Fan MailCould theological schools be missing a vital piece of ministry formation? Dr. Darryl Stephens joins the podcast to explore diaconal studies — a growing movement that prepares deacons for ministry beyond the pulpit and into the community. With insights from global models and a new open-access volume featuring 21 authors, Stephens invites schools to broaden their mission, extend their reach, and equip more leaders for today’s multifaceted church. The e-version of the book, "Diaconal Studies: Lived Theology for the Church in North America," is offered without cost here.  A previous open-access book edited by Stephens mentioned in the podcast, "Bivocational and Beyond: Educating for Thriving Multivocational Ministry," is available at Books@Atla Open Press here. 

Send us Fan MailIn a time of political shifts and regulatory uncertainty, the Good Governance podcast dives into how theological school leaders can respond with clarity and authenticity. Governance expert the Rev. Dr. David Rowe and law professor Peter Lake, a higher education policy expert, discuss navigating potential changes to federal education policy, including impacts on Title IV, Title IX, and accreditation. They offer practical guidance for boards and presidents — emphasizing mission alignment, shared governance, and measured leadership. This episode is essential listening for those guiding faith-based institutions through complex and fast-changing landscapes. David Rowe can be reached here. Peter Lake can be reached here.

Send us Fan MailAs theological schools consider how to prepare for the future, a Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative grant is offering institutions an opportunity for shared services. AdminWise Shared Services, a nonprofit started out of a Lilly Endowment grant, is now offering a slate of administrative functions to help theological schools. Jeff Williams, the president of the group and director of the grant program at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary that created it, talks about how the group can provide expertise to schools and provide strategic direction. AdminWise Shared Services website is here. 

Send us Fan MailWhat does it take to lead a theological institution today? Auburn Seminary is relaunching Auburn Studies, beginning with a valuable report on leadership. In this episode, the Rev. Dr. Patrick Reyes, dean of Auburn Seminary, shares key trends in the field, and study author, the Very Rev. Dr. Michael DeLashmutt of General Theological Seminary, explains what his research uncovered. They discuss the increasing turnover among presidents and deans, the immense personal and institutional weight of leadership, and how leaders can navigate these pressures. The report is due out in April. You'll be able to find it at Auburn Seminary's website. 

Send us Fan MailDr. Rebekah Burch Basinger sees fundraising as a vital ministry that can shape faith and fuel the work of theological education. An expert in fundraising, Basinger revisits her book "Growing Givers' Hearts" on its 25th anniversary and explores the power of generosity, breaking the scarcity mindset and embracing God’s abundance. She shares insights from her research, offering practical wisdom for boards, presidents, and leaders to treat fundraising as an expression of faith. Learn how theological schools can inspire donors, strengthen financial health, and model a spirit of generosity that transforms future church leaders. 

Send us Fan MailTheological schools across North America are at a pivotal moment. In this episode, Rev. Frank Yamada, Ph.D., executive director of the Association of Theological Schools, and Amy Kardash, president of the In Trust Center for Theological Schools, discuss both the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of theological education. They explore pressing issues such as financial sustainability, leadership transitions, and shifting student demographics, while also highlighting how boards and leaders can navigate these changes.

Send us Fan MailAcadia Divinity College in Canada has been experimenting with AI and exploring the future of theological education and the church. The Rev. Anna Robbins, Ph.D., discusses what the school has done (including offering an AI-developed class) and describes AI's moment in history as akin to the printing press because of its transformative nature. She considers the mission of theological schools, the accessibility of AI, and how schools might preserve human connection and formation. 

Send us Fan MailResearch by scholars at the Association of Theological Schools suggests a misalignment between how students in theological schools are being trained and what the workforce needs. Dr. Deborah Gin and the Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Deasy of ATS explain the research, the misalignments, and ways that schools can move forward to better prepare students.

Send us Fan MailLilly Endowment Inc.’s expanded Pathways for Tomorrow initiative will offer up to $325 million to help theological schools accredited by the Association for Theological Schools collaborate and innovate. The Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Deasy of ATS, who oversees the Pathways coordination work, offers insights on what Pathways has accomplished so far – including help for underserved communities, new partnerships, and trauma-informed pedagogy – and what could be ahead. With grants for individual innovation and large-scale collaborations, the initiative prioritizes sustainability and partnerships and offers funding for shared endowments. The goal of the initiative is to help schools prepare ministers and lay leaders for the church. Links mentioned in the episode:Lilly Endowment's Pathways for Tomorrow page.The Pathways Coordination page with contacts and dates for information sessions.The In Trust Center's Pathways for Tomorrow page.ATS' Pathways for Tomorrow page.

Send us Fan MailThe Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Missouri, is using Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative grants to create new ways for people from underserved communities to get a theological education. In this episode, the Rev. Drs. Sergio Navarrete and Darin Poe discuss how the school is using innovative, bilingual, and online programs to try to equip a new generation of ministry leaders. They talk about how they're addressing leadership shortages in churches with programs that blend mentorship, affordability, and relationships to educate and empower students to fulfill their callings. 

Send us Fan MailEden Theological Seminary President the Rev. Dr. Deborah Krause and Vice President for Institutional Advancement the Rev. Dr. Mary Schaller Blaufuss discuss how the 175-year-old seminary is moving into a new model of education. Using a Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative grant, the seminary has formed a network of other likeminded seminaries to offer classes to students, as well as provide a range of non-degree classes for ministers. They discuss how they do the work and how it's reaching new audiences. 

Send us Fan MailA congregational leader and strategist, the Rev. Tod Bolsinger, Ph.D., discusses the need for adaptive leadership in theological education. Bolsinger shares insights from his latest book series, including tackling the challenges of leading through change, handling internal resistance, and realigning missions in a post-pandemic world. Bolsinger discusses rethinking old models and learning from experimentation. He emphasizes that effective transformation isn’t about working harder but adapting wisely.

Send us Fan MailThe Rev. Tay Moss, an Episcopalian priest, media producer, and educator, has produced an AI-drive webpage to help people explore the Anglican church – AskCathy.ai – and in this episode explores the potential of AI for theological schools and how they can use it to enhance student engagement and streamline access to information. As well, he discusses the potential for new pedagogy as  well as the challenges that AI offers schools and provides some thoughts about how schools and leaders can start to think about engaging with AI.

Send us Fan MailThe Rev. Nancy Claire Pittman, Ph.D., is retiring as president of Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after a long career in both the church and theological education. She reflects on the changes at Phillips and the transformation that has taken place there, including how the school uses the city as a place to learn. She also considers what she wished she knew about shared governance, working with a board, and the role of president.

Send us Fan MailThe Rev. Dr. David Vásquez-Levy, president of Pacific School of Theology in Berkeley, California, discusses how the school is using its Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative grant to create a new ecosystem that includes not just technology but also efforts to reconsider educational modes and methods. The school's programming includes a stackable curriculum and challenges traditional standards. 

Send us Fan MailRick Staisloff, a consultant with a long history in higher education, explores how theological institutions can thrive amid change by embracing strategic partnerships and shared services. He stresses the importance of aligning with student needs and maintaining a mission-driven approach while calling this a historic time that demands courage. You can find out more about Rick here. 

Send us Fan MailThe Rev. Heather Hartung, Ph.D., has been a student, minister, faculty member, dean, and member of a theological school board. She now serves as a director of accreditation with the Association of Theological Schools. In this episode of the podcast, she discusses how boards and leaders of theological schools can approach shared governance from various perspectives. You can find more information about the podcast, including links referenced in the episode, at Episode 74 at intrust.org/podcast. 

Send us Fan MailThe 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. She didn't intend to go into theological education, but for a quarter of a century has helped create pathways for others in the field. She shared about dealing with a scarcity mindset, making room for others, and leading through difficult times. HTI's website can be found here. The ATS award can be found here. ATS' Women in Leadership page is here. 

Send us Fan MailThe Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative was designed by Lilly Endowment Inc. to create  ways for theological schools in North America to train ministers for Christian churches. The Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Deasy, director of institutional initiatives of the Association of Theological Schools, and Amy Kardash, president of the In Trust Center for Theological Schools, discuss key findings and themes. ATS and the In Trust Center are co-coordinating the initiative. Learn more at:ATS' Pathways page.A project directory.The In Trust Center's page, which includes stories, webinars, podcasts, and more.  

Send us Fan MailAn award-winning author and longtime pastor's wife, Karen Stiller admits to a struggle with the concept of holiness. In her new book, Holiness Here: Searching for God in the Ordinary Events of Everyday Life , Stiller addresses the everyday tension between what we want to do and where we are in a book that could be used devotionally or in a seminary classroom. As a board member of a theological school, Stiller also reflects on what makes governance holy. The book can be found here.

Send us Fan MailNAIITS, an Indigenous Learning Community, is using Pathways for Tomorrow grants to explore ways to decolonize theology and provide trauma-informed education for the Indigenous community. Shari Russell, the director of NAIITS, and Mike Hogeterp, lead facilitator, discuss the project and the ways they're approaching the work ahead. 

Send us Fan MailMcCormick Theological Seminary is using a Lilly Endowment Inc. Pathways for Tomorrow grant to explore how to help people heal from trauma. The Heart-Work Rising Trauma Healing Initiative is exploring theological education that will help students to be trauma-informed. The Rev. Dr. Stephanie Crumpton and Dr. Jina Kang discuss the impact of trauma-informed education, the integration of restorative justice and biblical interpretation, and the transformative potential for theological institutions. 

Send us Fan MailAt China Evangelical Seminary  North America (CESNA), leaders are looking at ways to engage leaders and congregants of immigrant churches. They've done so with new programming aimed at helping congregations, including a Center for Public Theology. Drs. Frank and Anita Liu, leaders at CESNA, explain how they're doing that with a Pathways for Tomorrow grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. 

Send us Fan MailDr. Rebekah Burch Basinger considers the "invisible balance sheet" - things that institutions are responsible for that may not be on the actual balance sheet. With candor and years of experience, Basinger offers insight on how a board might consider the welfare of an entire institution. She refers to an article by Roland Kushner in the Stanford Social Innovation Review that can be found here. 

Send us Fan MailKairos University has worked to develop contextual, competency-based theological education, and now educates students across the world using their approach.  Greg Henson, the president of Kairos University, and Nate Helling, the CFO and vice president of operations, talk about their work and how a Pathways for Tomorrow grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. is helping. 

Send us Fan MailThe Academy for Jewish Religion received a grant in Lilly Endowment Inc.'s Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative and used the money to make a series of explanatory videos about Judaism. Ora Horn Prouser, Ph.D., the CEO and academic dean of the Academy for Jewish Religion, discusses how the project, "Mosaic Religion and the Religious Mosaic," contributes to theological education. The project can be found here. 

Send us Fan MailDr. Philip Dearborn, president of the Association for Biblical Higher Education in the United States and Canada, discusses the need for specialty accreditation and how it provides an assurance of an institution's commitment to its mission. Dearborn also examines the pressures on schools but also expresses a hope for the future of theological education. 

Send us Fan MailDr. Kent Anderson, president of Providence University College and Theological Seminary in Canada, considers competency-based theological education and suggests that it's really not new but a return to ancient practices of education. The co-author with Greg Henson of the book Theological Education: Principles and Practices of a Competency-Based Approach, Anderson says mentoring and learning by doing can provide benefits in the field. He says institutional humility and a willingness to adapt will help theological schools. The book can be found on the publisher's page here. You can find an interview with Greg Henson here. 

Send us Fan MailHood Theological Seminary is using a Lilly Endowment Pathways for Tomorrow grant to  educate students and alumni about financial planning, expand curriculum, and create anti-racism education.  Hood's Dr. Karen Owens and John Everett discuss how they're working in the seminary, with alumni, and the community to accomplish the seminary's goals. You can find more about the program on Hood Theological Seminary's website here. 

Send us Fan MailGreg Henson, president of Kairos University, has worked with competency-based theological education to remake Sioux Falls Seminary into Kairos. In a new book, Henson and Kent Anderson, president of Providence University College and Theological Seminary, discuss the principles and practices of competency-based education approaches and how they can help other schools. The book is Theological Education: Principles and Practices of a Competency-Based Approach. You can find more about the book here. 

Send us Fan MailThe Rev. Dr. David McAllister-Wilson, president of Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., has been at the school for more than 40 years. Reflecting on his time, he considers the future to be among the constituencies that he serves, and in this episode, he considers what the way forward looks like for theological education.

Send us Fan MailDr. David Gyertson has seen a variety of leadership transitions both in his own career and in his work as a consultant coaching boards and leaders in transition. As a leadership coach, he provides insights into what boards should do and how they should handle leadership transitions.