In Trust Center

In Trust Center for Theological Schools

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. 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.

    40 min

  2. 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.

    43 min

  3. 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.

    39 min

  4. 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.

    44 min

  5. 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.

    41 min

  6. JAN 13

    Ep. 101 - Regulation, Resilience, and Renewal: A 2026 Outlook for Theological Education

    Send us Fan Mail What 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 Yamada Notre Dame University’s DELTA framework for considering artificial intelligence Considering 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.

    49 min

  7. 12/17/2025

    Ep. 100 - What decades of governance still have to teach us

    Send us Fan Mail What 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.

    45 min

  8. 12/02/2025

    Ep. 99: Rethinking value: How theological schools can thrive in a changing world

    Send us Fan Mail In 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.

    39 min
See All (106)

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
    106
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 In Trust Center
  • Show Website
    In Trust Center

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