In Trust Center

Ep. 106: Rethinking board governance in theological education

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1906441/fan_mail/new] What 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. [https://www.intrust.org/in-trust-magazine/spring-2026/the-new-conventional-wisdom] The Governance Initiative webpage, which includes a grant opportunity. [https://www.intrust.org/how-we-help/initiatives/governance-initiative/]

Ep. 105: Finishing faithfully - leadership lessons on closing a school

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1906441/fan_mail/new] What 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.

Ep. 104: Faith and formation in the AI Age

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1906441/fan_mail/new] As 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 [https://ethics.nd.edu/programs/faith-based-frameworks-for-ai-ethics/delta/].  Read a discussion about AI in theological education with Greg Henson and  Ruth McGillivray here [https://www.intrust.org/in-trust-magazine/autumn-2023/living-with-ai].  Learn about Acadia Divinity College's experience and experimentation with AI here [https://www.intrust.org/in-trust-magazine/spring-2025/whats-the-future-and-is-it-all-artificial].  Read about how a minister experienced AI in the work here [https://www.intrust.org/in-trust-magazine/spring-2026/the-sign-the-faith-of-the-fodder].

Ep. 103 - Leading Through Deep Change in a Shifting Landscape

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1906441/fan_mail/new] Theological 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 [https://awaken-leadership.com/].

Ep. 102 - An inflection point for theological education and an opportunity to lead

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/1906441/fan_mail/new] As 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 education [https://www.intrust.org/podcast/ep-96-navigating-new-realities-policy-shifts-and-theological-education] Ep. 92: Faith, law, and the future: Governance in a shifting regulatory environment [https://www.intrust.org/podcast/ep-92-faith-law-and-the-future-governance-in-a-shifting-regulatory-environment] Ep. 89: Rooted and ready: Strengthening theological schools amid regulatory upheaval [https://www.intrust.org/podcast/ep-89-rooted-and-ready-strengthening-theological-schools-amid-regulatory-upheaval/] For David Rowe's Windermere Consulting, go here [https://windermereconsulting.com/]. For Peter Lake, you can find more here [https://windermereconsulting.com/experts/peter-lake].