In Trust Center

In Trust Center for Theological Schools
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The In Trust Center podcast is hosted by Matt Hufman. Walk alongside theological school leaders and innovators as they explore issues relevant to North American seminaries, all while helping institutions live out their missions more intentionally. Find more at intrust.org/podcast.

  1. Aug 5

    Ep. 109: Beyond church decline: New research points to renewed vitality, future opportunities

    Send us Fan Mail Scott Thumma, Ph.D., has spent decades studying congregations, megachurches, and religious trends in America. In this episode, he discusses what the latest research reveals about the state of congregational life after the pandemic—and why theological education should pay attention. Drawing on the Hartford Institute for Religion Research’s extensive research project called EPIC, Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations, Thumma describes an unexpected shift from post-pandemic uncertainty to renewed stability, increased attendance, stronger giving, and a growing sense of hope among many churches. He argues that congregations have discovered they can change, and that willingness to adapt may prove to be one of the pandemic's most lasting effects. The conversation also explores what seminaries should do with these findings, from preparing leaders for collaboration, technology, and entrepreneurship to rethinking assumptions about ministry in an era of changing attendance patterns and evolving spiritual practices. Rather than predicting an inevitable decline for American religion, Thumma sees new opportunities emerging – provided church leaders and theological schools are willing to innovate. Thumma recently retired as director of the Hartford Institute for Religion Research and professor of the sociology of religion at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace. The Hartford Institute for Religion Research has explored religion for more than 40 years and its work continues. It can be found here.  The Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations is here.  The most recent report from the EPIC project is here.  The Faith Communities Today research is here.   You can find more information about Scott Thumma, including his CV and publications, here.

  2. Jul 17

    Ep. 108: Making hard choices through faithful governance

    Send us Fan Mail When 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.

  3. Jun 29

    Ep. 107: Creating a different future

    Send us Fan Mail The 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.

  4. May 11

    Ep. 106: Rethinking board governance in theological education

    Send us Fan Mail 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. The Governance Initiative webpage, which includes a grant opportunity.

  5. Apr 21

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

    Send us Fan Mail 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.

  6. Apr 7

    Ep. 104: Faith and formation in the AI Age

    Send us Fan Mail 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.  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.

  7. Mar 24

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

    Send us Fan Mail 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.

  8. Mar 17

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

    Send us Fan Mail 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 Ep. 92: Faith, law, and the future: Governance in a shifting regulatory environment Ep. 89: Rooted and ready: Strengthening theological schools amid regulatory upheaval For David Rowe's Windermere Consulting, go here. For Peter Lake, you can find more here.

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The In Trust Center podcast is hosted by Matt Hufman. Walk alongside theological school leaders and innovators as they explore issues relevant to North American seminaries, all while helping institutions live out their missions more intentionally. Find more at intrust.org/podcast.

Information

  • Creator
    In Trust Center for Theological Schools
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    109
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 In Trust Center
  • Show Website
    In Trust Center

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