RIP: Former Nebraska Bishop Joe Goodwin Burnett dies at 77

[Episcopal News Service] The Rt. Rev. Joe Goodwin Burnett, who was bishop of Nebraska from 2003 to 2011, died on Nov. 14 in Atlanta, Georgia. He was 77.

“Bishop Burnett is remembered as a pastor who came to deeply love the people of Nebraska,” said Nebraska Bishop Scott Barker, in a Nov. 18 statement on the diocese’s Facebook page announcing Burnett’s death. “He was a tireless shepherd and champion for his clergy, beloved for his kind heart and caring.”

Burnett was born on May 15, 1948, the youngest son of a United Methodist minister, and raised in Mississippi. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Millsaps College in Jackson in 1970. In 1974, he earned a Master of Divinity from the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in University Park, Texas.

After graduating from Southern Methodist University, Burnett was ordained as an Episcopal deacon, then as a priest in 1975. He spent his first 25 years as a priest serving congregations throughout the Jackson-based Diocese of Mississippi. In 1999, he moved to Sewanee, Tennessee, to serve as a professor of pastoral theology at the University of the South’s School of Theology.

“Bishop Burnett brought 25 years of parish experience to the seminary, teaching pastoral theology, pastoral care and congregational leadership in both the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degree programs,” the School of Theology said in a Nov. 17 Facebook post. “Please keep Joe and his family in your prayers.

Burnett was elected as the Omaha-based Diocese of Nebraska’s 10th bishop in 2003. He spent much of his episcopate committed to interfaith work and was an early supporter of the Tri-Faith Initiative, an interfaith center in Omaha that permanently houses a church, a mosque and a synagogue in one space. Burnett also helped establish missional partnerships with the Diocese of the Dominican Republic and the Episcopal Church of Sudan. As bishop, he also focused on clergy development, congregational growth, liturgical renewal, racial reconciliation, and global mission.

As bishop, Burnett was affectionately known as the “bishop of all outdoors,” according to his Legacy.com obituary.

After retiring as bishop of Nebraska in 2011, Burnett was appointed assisting bishop in the Diocese of Maryland. He also served as interim rector of St. Columba’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., and St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Rapid City, South Dakota. He later served as an instructor in the advanced degrees program at Sewanee’s School of Theology.

“In my opinion, Bishop Joe provided me one of the finest examples of humility in a clergy person and was nothing but supportive to me personally in my ministry – a dear friend,” the Rev. J.D. Barnes, rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Rapid City, said in a Nov. 15 statement on the church’s Facebook page. “While he is greatly missed in our earthly realm, we can be confident he is now present in the heavenly one to which we should all aspire.”

South Dakota Bishop Jonathan H. Folts called for prayers for Burnett and his family:

“I give thanks for Bishop Joe’s mentorship when I came on board in August 2019. His encouragement, wisdom and quiet support were gifts for which I remain profoundly grateful,” Folts said in a Nov. 14 statement to the diocese. “We join our prayers with those of the Diocese of Nebraska, the Burnett family and all who mourn his passing.”

Outside of clerical duties, Burnett was passionate about church music. He was chaplain for the Mississippi Conference on Church Music and Liturgy and served on the executive board of the Association of Diocesan Music and Liturgy Commissions.

In 2004, Burnett earned an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from General Theological Seminary in New York, New York.

Burnett is survived by his three sons and four grandchildren.

Burnett’s livestreamed funeral will take place Jan. 9 at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Omaha.

“The prayers of all Nebraska are lifted to heaven this day in thanksgiving for Joe’s life and ministry,” Barker said. “May he rest in peace and rise in glory.”