Josh Morris is an ordained minister with the United Church of Christ and a Board-Certified Chaplain through the Association of Professional Chaplains.

Prior to accepting the call to join the UPSem faculty, Dr. Morris served in pediatric healthcare for 11 years. Most recently as the Assistant Director of Spiritual Services at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. Previously, he served as a staff chaplain at Children’s Mercy as well as 5 years as the Pediatric Staff Chaplain at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center/Miller Children’s and Women’s Hospital. Dr. Morris also brings fifteen years of experience as an army chaplain in the United States Army Reserve. In previous army chaplain assignments, he served at various echelons throughout the United States and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

His previous teaching experiences include Visiting Professor of Chaplaincy Studies at Phillips Theological Seminary as well as adjunct professor of practical theology, spiritual care and counseling at Claremont School of Theology and Saint Paul School of Theology.

He is the author of Moral Injury Among Returning Veterans: From “Thank You for Your Service” to a Liberative Solidarity and numerous peer-reviewed articles in Pastoral Psychology, Journal of Pastoral Theology, and Reflective Practice. He speaks nationally and internationally on matters of moral injury, reintegration, and spiritual care.

Dr. Morris is passionate about cultivating ministers who embody compassion, integrate theory and practice, and harness a critical consciousness to boldly love God and love humanity.

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Curriculum Vitae