CBTE

Presenters

We are pleased to introduce you to our 2025 presenters. These individuals represent those with expertise in ATS standards, theological education philosophy, and governance and educational structures

Deborah Gin Director of Research, Association of Theological Schools	Deborah H. C. Gin is Director of Research at the Association of Theological Schools and launched the Association’s new research function, contributing to ongoing dialogue about educational models that will have future sustainability. Gin’s areas of research include pedagogy, higher education administration, and multicultural education engagement. Recent projects she has directed in theological education include studies on the religious workforce, the financial viability of educational programs, the economics of theological education, contingent faculty, and leadership in theological schools. Gin and colleagues’ most recent article, Reimagining the Role of Graduate Theological Education in Clergy Formation, which features findings that suggest a job-credential misalignment in theological education, is one of the most read in the Christian Higher Education Journal this year. She earned an MDiv from Azusa Pacific Seminary, a master’s of music degree in vocal performance from the University of Southern California, and a PhD in higher education from Claremont Graduate University.
Amy L. Kardash President, In Trust Center for Theological Schools	Amy L. Kardash is president of the In Trust Center for Theological Schools and stewards its mission of strengthening theological schools by connecting their leaders to essential resources for mission vitality. In her role, she oversees the In Trust Center’s work including Resource Consulting, In Trust magazine, Learning Communities, and grant-funded initiatives. The Center is a membership organization serving over 250 seminaries, theological colleges, and related organizations in the United States and Canada, with a deep history of supporting boards in theological education through affirming wise practices of good governance. Through its coordination work in the Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative and the Wise Stewards Initiative for board development, the Center is committed to building and nurturing peer engagement opportunities which enrich the Center’s capacity as a learning organization. Amy has served at the In Trust Center since 2009 and holds both an M.B.A. and B.S. in marketing and management from the University of Delaware.
James R. Moore Director of Accreditation, Association of Theological Schools	James R. Moore was named director of accreditation for ATS in 2021. He is responsible for facilitating accrediting reviews and providing education and support to member schools about the process of accreditation. Previously, Moore served for 26 years at Trinity International University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, where he most recently filled the role of associate professor of educational ministries. Moore served as assistant pastor and director of Christian education at Lifeway Wesleyan Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and was a public school teacher in Indiana and Illinois. He is an ordained minister in The Wesleyan Church and a member of the Wesleyan Theological Society. His articles appear in the Baker Dictionary of Christian Education, Theological Education, Evangelical Missions Quarterly, Wesleyan Theological Journal, and Trinity Journal. He recently contributed “Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi: Advocate for Child-Centered Education” to A Legacy of Christian Educators, edited by Elmer Towns. Moore earned his MA from Indiana Wesleyan University and his PhD from Trinity International University.

Facilitators

We are also pleased to introduce you to our breakout session facilitators. Our intention with the conference is to guide participants through subject matter by the use of questions, guided conversation, and inquiry. These individuals are all experts in CBTE and they know the questions to ask, the material to cover, and the direction to lead conversations.

Greg Henson President, Kairos University	Dr. Greg Henson serves as President of Kairos University, one of the largest and most diverse communities of competency-based theological education in the world. His work on innovation, theological education, organizational transformation, and governance has been used by seminaries, universities, churches, and nonprofits on six continents. Greg is co-author of "Theological Education: Principles and Practices of a Competency-Based Approach." He is a father of four amazing kids and married to Heather. She is his favorite theologian and preacher.
Nathan Hitchcock Founder, Sevensided Consulting	Dr. Nathan Hitchcock serves as CBTE consultant with Sevensided Consulting. He works with seminaries, denominations, and other Christian organizations to implement competency-based systems that use distributed supervision. He has designed new tools that help organizations doing CBTE, including guides for character assessment, a values indicator for teams, training for faculty mentors, and CBTE rubrics. Hitchcock was a member of the ATS Peer Group on Competency-based Education and is currently part of the CBTE Lead Team. He received his PhD from the University of Edinburgh.
Julie Lytle Faculty, Bexley Seabury Seminary	Dr. Julie Lytle is an award-winning innovator and successful leader in efforts to blend on-site, off-site, and on-line interaction, particularly in theological education. Best known for her mantra, “Message, Method, then Media,” Julie matches individual and institutional mission with appropriate pedagogical practices and technology to inform, form, and often transform individuals and communities. Her perspective, skills, processes, and practices are anchored in decades of experience in ministry and media production in parish, diocesan, national, international, and academic contexts.
Ruth McGillivray Executive Vice President, Northwest College and Seminary	Ruth McGillivray has been designing competency-based learning programs, assessment tools, and supporting systems for over 30 years. She began her educational career in wireless digital communications, serving clients throughout North America, Southeast Asia and Europe, and then moved into Canadian trades certification at the provincial and national level. She joined Northwest College and Seminary in 2017 to help strengthen and scale their new competency-based theological education (CBTE) programs, with particular emphasis on assessment of competencies related to character and dispositions.
Susan Reese Faculty Mentor/Professor, Kairos University	Dr. Susan Reese is professor of spiritual formation and direction at KAIROS University. Her experiences in higher education have been in competency-based education, traditional models of education and administration. Susan is a certified CliftonStrengths coach and has been integrating “signature themes” into competency-based education for 12 years.