June 9, 2025
An Interview with Jo Ann Kunz
Professor, Spiritual Formation and Leadership
What inspired you to pursue your field of study?
My academic disciplines are Christian Spirituality, Spiritual Formation, and Spiritual Direction. Although I have taught in these areas for decades in both academic and non-academic contexts, my love is not primarily for the disciplines themselves but for the God they help us experience and understand.
What draws me in is the inherent respect for both the ineffable mystery of our infinite Creator and the goodness of our God-given, finite “creatureliness.” These disciplines acknowledge both what can and cannot be known about God, the Trinity, Creation, and Humanity. They help us hold the tension between knowing about God and truly knowing God.
As humans, we are wired to seek knowledge, to ask meaningful questions, and to explore new ones as they arise. Yet, at the same time, we are called to accept that some mysteries remain beyond our grasp in this life. I love that my disciplines embrace these tensions—so that the human mind’s quest for understanding ultimately bows before the greater reality of divine mystery: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
Whether I am teaching a course like “The Theology and Practice of Waiting,” mentoring students, or training future spiritual directors, my goal remains the same: to invite students into an integrative, experiential learning journey. This journey fosters growth in intellectual understanding, emotional freedom, relational intelligence, intuitive wisdom, and spiritual transformation. It is about embracing each person’s unique embodiment of the image and likeness of God.
How did your academic journey lead you to Kairos University?
My journey has been one of deep engagement with both spiritual practice and academic teaching. As a pastor and spiritual director, I was actively practicing my disciplines long before I stepped into formal academic spaces. My path has always been one of integrating real-life faith experience with theological education. That is what drew me to Kairos University—an institution that values practical, relational, and holistic learning.
What excites you most about your discipline?
I love that Christian Spirituality is not merely informational—it is incarnational. It does not rely on external compliance to rules but is rooted in an authentic, interior experience of union with Christ. Through the indwelling Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17), we are invited into a life of inside-out transformation—one that leads to the spiritual freedom Jesus promised His disciples.
I also love that my disciplines affirm the communal nature of our faith. We were not created to be isolated individuals but to live in connection with one another. The God we worship is both singular and plural—the eternal Triune Community of Oneness. In Christ, we are not only reconciled to God but also woven into the fabric of Christian community. Mature faith and the expansion of God’s kingdom happen in life-giving relationships.
In today’s world, this is more important than ever. The Church is called to be a “safe and brave” learning community—one where people can be truly known, deeply transformed, and sent into the world to live out their faith in meaningful ways.
What books, theologians, or resources have influenced your work the most?
There are too many to list! Rather than providing a reading list, I encourage students and seekers to take an incarnational approach to these disciplines. Find a quiet, uninterrupted space. Set aside unhurried time. Open Scripture. Keep a journal nearby. Then, pray:
“Lord, thank You for Your presence and love. Please make Yourself known and draw me in wherever You would have me be.”
And then… go with the flow. 😊
What do you hope students take away from your teaching?
We live in a culture that has, in many ways, lost the ability to truly listen, love, and respond deeply. I hope my students walk away with:
- A deeper awareness of God, themselves, and others.
- A reordering of disordered desires.
- The ability to hold opposing tensions with grace rather than resorting to polarization.
- A transformative journey into Christlikeness—both individually and as part of the Body of Christ.
- Spirit-led discernment to make life-giving, world-changing choices.
Looking Ahead
Professor Kunz’s passion for Christian spirituality, formation, and direction offers a compelling vision for a faith that is deeply experiential, relational, and transformative. This spotlight concludes our faculty interview series for the time being. We hope you have enjoyed exploring the journeys, insights, and passions of the Kairos faculty.