Biography - Bishop Joe G. Burnett
I was born in Jackson, Mississippi in May of 1948. My father was a Methodist minister, and so I lived in Methodist parsonages in a succession of small to medium size towns where he was a pastor. I grew up during the racial turbulence of the deep South in the 1950’s and 1960’s, but I was fortunate to be raised in a home where my parents modeled respect and tolerance for all. Their strong faith and witness not only helped me grow in grace, but also gave birth to my call to ordained ministry.
I attended public schools, and graduated from Millsaps College in Jackson (B.A., 1970). During college I served as a student pastor and preacher in a number of small, rural Methodist congregations. After graduation and marriage in June of 1970, I entered Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and received my Master of Divinity (1974) and later Doctor of Ministry degree (1985).
During seminary I was drawn to the Episcopal Church through the warm welcome, beautiful liturgy and vibrant music that I experienced while visiting parishes in Texas and Mississippi. After confirmation in 1972, I became a postulant and then candidate for holy orders from the diocese of Mississippi. I was ordained deacon in 1974, and priest in 1975, while serving as curate at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Pascagoula, Mississippi. In 1976, Robert Ratelle, a priest and pastor I had long admired and respected invited me to become his assistant at St. James’ Episcopal Church in Jackson, Mississippi. I enjoyed four wonderful years there, plus I celebrated the arrival of sons Justin (1976) and Jamie (1979).
In 1980, with the encouragement of my bishop, Duncan M. Gray, Jr., I became vicar of the Church of the Creator, a new diocesan mission in Clinton, Mississippi. At the same time I began my doctor of ministry studies in evangelism and church development. My work in this program greatly informed and enhanced our mission and ministry as a young, growing congregation. During this time my third son, Joseph, was born in 1981.
In 1984, the parish of St. Peter’s by the Sea, in Gulfport, Mississippi, called me to be their new rector. During my eight years there this coastal congregation, known for its liturgy, music and Christian education, experienced growth in membership, stewardship, and social outreach. In 1991, Trinity Church, a historic downtown parish in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, honored me by calling me as their ninth rector. When I moved to Trinity, I came as a divorced single parent with my three boys, then ages 10, 12, and 14. During my tenure I helped revitalize the liturgy, begin new outreach ministries, and strengthen programs for adults and youth. Among other things, we introduced Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, Godly Play, Journey to Adulthood, Education For Ministry, and DOCC (Disciples of Christ in Community). Our membership and budget grew significantly.
On April 27, 1996, then bishop of Mississippi A.C. "Chip" Marble presided over a standing room only congregation at Trinity on the occasion of my marriage to Marty Lynn Wheeler, who graciously (and courageously) agreed to move into a rectory populated up until this point only by my three sons (ages 16, 18, 20) and me!
In 1998—at the happiest point of my life and parish ministry—I was honored to receive the unanimous and enthusiastic invitation of the dean and faculty of the School of Theology of The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, to come and teach pastoral theology, pastoral care, and congregational leadership. With some reluctance, yet confident of God’s call, Marty and I moved to the "mountain" in June of 1999, and have been engaged here ever since in a variety of challenging new ministries.
In the diocese of Mississippi, I served as a vestry and parish consultant, a convocation dean, diocesan liturgical coordinator, and chair of committees in evangelism, liturgy and music, and mission strategy. I was a member of the diocesan executive committee, as well as committees for AIDS ministry, church building and development, and ministry development. I served as instructor in the school for vocational deacons, and in the Leadership Program for Musicians (LPM). My wife Marty, an accomplished organist and church musician, was the founder and coordinator for this effort in Mississippi.
Since 1991 I have been a regular faculty member of the annual Preaching Excellence Program for Episcopal seminarians, and a frequent chaplain for church music and liturgy conferences in Mississippi and Sewanee. I have served as alternate deputy to four general conventions, and been on regional and national committees in evangelism, renewal, liturgy, and music. For several years I led evangelism and church growth workshops and training events in the Southeast and beyond. I have been active in ecumenical and interfaith relations, strategic planning for community public schools, racism, adopt-a-school programs, and adoption advocacy.
At Sewanee I teach in the master of divinity and doctor of ministry programs. I have also been priest associate at the University’s All Saints Chapel, and at the local parish church (Otey Memorial Parish). In 2001-2002 I served as interim supply priest at St. Luke’s in Scottsboro, Alabama. I have been a guest preacher and speaker in the dioceses of Alabama, Atlanta, Lexington, and Tennessee, and more recently at the national Episcopal singles conference at Kanuga Conference Center in North Carolina. I continue to write and publish sermons and articles on pastoral theology, liturgy, and pastoral care.
I am excited and optimistic about the future of the Episcopal Church. I continue to value liturgy, preaching, teaching, spiritual formation, staff development, and pastoral care. I believe my parish experience, now seen through the lens of seminary teaching, has yielded significant insights for diocesan leadership and congregational ministry.
Marty, a native Texan who has degrees in music from Rice University, teaches church music in the School of Theology, music courses in the college, and private students in her music studio. She serves as Associate Organist of Otey Parish, and she directs the Sewanee Chorale, a community chorus. Marty enjoys composing music for use in liturgy, and several of her works have been performed in diocesan and local parish services.
My oldest son lives in Columbia, South Carolina, and plans to go to law school. My two younger sons are both college students in Mississippi. We enjoy visiting them often.