Courtney Joyner

Dr. Courtney Joyner is Assistant Professor of Formation and Co-Director of the Shalom Collaboratory.  She holds the Master of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology at Emory University and a Doctor of Ministry from Wesley Theological Seminary, where her work culminated in “The Wounded Clergy Project,” centered on building clergy resilience through embodied arts. 

Dr. Joyner also serves as Director of the Seminary’s $1M Lilly Foundation-funded Thriving in Ministry grant. In this capacity, she designs and supports programs that build spiritual leaders’ capacity for flourishing in their ministry settings. 

Dr. Joyner teaches courses in Spiritual Formation (Theology and Religion Department) and Formation in Ministry (Seminary field education).  She is an active member of Temple House of Israel in Staunton, VA. She is passionate about fostering an inclusive and pluralistic classroom and partners with the Center for Interfaith Engagement to promote multifaith students’ sense of belonging on campus. 

Courtney lives in Rockingham County with her spouse, middle-schooler, two dogs, and two cats. She enjoys swimming, dancing, playing piano, gardening, cooking, and anything in nature.

Key areas of interest and skills:

• Interfaith Engagement
• Jewish Studies
• Trauma and Resilience
• Spiritual Formation
• Mentorship and Ministry Supervision
• Theology and the Arts
• Music Proficiencies in Conducting, Piano, and Voice

“Keeping Sabbath: The Memory of Time.” Workshop presenter, Association of Theological Field Education (ATFE) Conference, St. Louis, January 24, 2025.

“Growing as Resilient Ministry Leaders.” Retreat designer and facilitator, West Virginia Wesleyan University, February 9-10, 2024.

“Journey to Joy: Resilience Practices for Wounded Clergy.” Retreat designer and facilitator, Overlook Camp and Retreat Center, October 16-18, 2023

"Prayers that Won't Put Your Church to Sleep: The Collect as Creative Engagement." Harrisonburg District UMC Clergy Association Worshop, Harrisonburg, VA, March 3, 2020

Substitute pianist for various churches, ongoing

Ordination as a Deacon in the VA UMC, 2014-23, (surrendered credential upon conversion to Judaism)

District Committee on Ministry, Harrisonburg District UMC, 2019-21

VA UMC Order of Deacon Steering Committee, 2014-17

VA UMC Board of Global Ministries, 2007-15

United Methodist Family Services Child Advocacy Council, 2011-13

UM Camp Westview on the James Board of Directors, 2008-10

UMC Provisional Pastor, various congregations, 2005-09

Lay Delegate to the UM Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference, 2004

Reserve Lay Delegate in attendance of UM General Conference, 2004

Summer Research Grant Recipient, Eastern Mennonite University, 2025

STAR Practitioner (Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience), Eastern Mennonite University, 2022-present

Harrisonburg Interfaith Association, 2022-present

Association for Theological Field Education (ATFE), 2021-present

Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts (FUMMWA), 2010-2020

Spiritual Formation: Sacred Pauses

Formation in Ministry I and II

Congregational Worship

Foundations of Public Worship

Foundations for Christian Preaching

Directed Study, Preaching and Mental Health

Directed Study, United Methodist Polity

Seminary Chapel Experience, “Table Stories: Jesus (at) the Passover,” Eastern Mennonite Seminary, April 15, 2025.

Tu Bishvat seder Host for Introduction to Religious Studies Class, February 14, 2025.

Engage Breakout Session, "Rosh HaShannah," September 20, 2023.

Worship Co-Leader, Faculty-Staff Spring Conference, May 11, 2023.

Workshop Leader, "Accessibility in Worship Spaces," School for Leadership Training, January 3, 2023.

Guest Lecture, “Jewish Practice.” REL 223, World Religions Class, March 13, 2022.

Guest Lecture, “Trauma-Informed Chaplaincy.” SMFE 601, Clinical Pastoral Education, November 28, 2022.

Panel Discussion Participant, "Belonging and the Integration of Difference." Faculty-Staff Fall Conference. August 16, 2022.

Panel Discussion Participant, "Spirituality and Integration." CHST 223, Sacred Pauses. April 19, 2022.

Panel Discussion Participant, "The Wisdom of Trauma." March 23, 2022.

Seminary Chapel Minister, 2021-22.

Faith and Spiritual Life Council, 2021-22.

Planning Team and Worship Leader, Homecoming Alumni Worship Service, 2021-22.

Worship Designer, School for Leadership Training, January 13-16, 2020.