Cultivating Institutional Identity and Mission Within a Shared Governance Structure in Theological Schools: An Exploration of the Governing Board’s Role and Processes

Abstract

Acting within a complex authority structure marked by shared governance, the governing boards of higher education institutions serve as the legal body holding ultimate responsibility for the institution’s identity, mission, and institutional health.

The past and current experience of Protestant theological schools has revealed institutional leaders, particularly the governing board, must pay attention to their identity and mission to continue to meet the needs of their religious communities.

This study focused on the reality that governing boards of theological schools must cultivate the school’s identity and mission despite various pressures. This research conducted a multiple instrumental case study to explore how the governing boards of seven Evangelical Protestant theological schools cultivate institutional identity and mission within the school’s governance structure amid current challenges.

Using data collected from in-depth interviews and document analysis, the research findings are presented in seven individual cases and a thematic cross-case comparison to reveal how governing boards sought to fulfill their responsibility to cultivate the institution’s mission. The research uncovered governing boards that reflected a deep commitment to the mission and a willingness to adapt structure, processes, programs, wording, culture, roles, and networks as they addressed challenges through the lens of identity and mission within a shared governance structure. The ability of governing boards to adapt their structure,processes, and practices and encourage mission-appropriate flexibility and adaptation within the institution is a crucial way to help cultivate institutional mission and identity.

Keywords: theological schools, governing boards, organizational identity, organizational mission, faith-based higher education institutions, shared governance