Kurtley Knight, DMin
Assistant Professor of Spiritual Formation
Chair of Formation, Seminary Masters Programs
Co-Faculty Lead, Doctor of Ministry in Leadership & Spiritual Formation
The Rev. Dr. Kurtley Elliott Knight is an associate of spiritual formation, chair of formation, and a co-faculty lead for the Doctor of Ministry in Leadership and Spiritual Formation at Portland Seminary. He is an ordained priest in the Anglican Church of North America and earned his DMin from Portland Seminary in 2016, where he studied leadership and spiritual formation.
A pastor at heart, he has served the church for nearly two decades as a clergyman across several states (California, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Oregon).
Describing his calling, Dr. Knight says that, “God created me to curate sacred spaces where the soul can be attended to and known before God." This emphasis guides his research interests toward the following themes in Christian spiritual formation: liturgical and sacramental spirituality, congregational formation, spiritual discernment, secularism in late modernity, and pastoral leadership.
Academic Background
DMin, Portland Seminary; MDiv, Andrews Theological Seminary; BA, Oakwood University
Expertise & Research Interests
Spiritual direction, Liturgical & Sacramental Spirituality, Congregational Formation, Pastoral Formation, Spiritual Discernment, and Missional Theology.
Research Bibliography
Ongoing Book Projects
Peer Reviewed Articles
Professional Articles
Invited Book Chapters
Book Reviews
Invited Talks & Ecclesial Presentations
“Sacramental Pathways,” Lecture. Renovaré Institute of Christian Spiritual Formation Seattle Cohort Retreat, (2026).
“Where Have We Been: A Very Brief History of Black Spiritual Formation,” Presentation & Panelist, Black Spiritual Formation Summit. Fuller Theological Seminary, (2026).
“Fundamentals of Liturgical Preaching,” Lecture, Compelling Preaching Cohort, The Leadership Center, (2026)
“Contemplative Prayers," The Being Devotionals with LaSaundra Gibson Podcast, (2025).
“Lectio Divina,” Formation Group Curricular Video, Spiritual Formation Resource for The Diocese of the Churches for the Sake of Others, (2024).
“Spiritual Formation in the Life of the Leader,” The Divine and I Podcast, (2023).
“Why is Ongoing Spiritual Formation Vital for Leaders,” Panel Discussion. Missio Alliance Awakenings Conference 2023, (2023).
“Anglican Sacramental Theology,” Lecture. Renovaré Institute of Christian Spiritual Formation Charlotte Cohort Retreat, (2022).
“A Healing Lent: Kurtley Knight on Leadership in an Age of Disorientation,” The C4SO Podcast with Bishop Todd Hunter (2022).
“Scripture Meditation (Lectio Divina),” So Much More: Creating Space for God Podcast, (2022).
“What is Formative About Justice,” Lecture. Missio Alliance Web Conference, (2021)
“The Business Minded Church and Christ’s Vision for Vibrant Community,” The Overthinking Christian YouTube Video, (2021).
“What About Churchless Christianity?” The Overthinking Christian YouTube Video, (2021).
Kurtley Knight on Planting & Closing a Church Plant,” Ecclesia Network Podcast, (2019).
“For God So Loved the World,” Why God Loves Hip-Hop Plenary Presentation. Pastoral Leadership Evangelism Council, (2013).