Bishop & Staff
Bishop Johnson
The Right Reverend Don E. Johnson is a native Tennessean who has served his entire ministry in the state. Born and raised in Nashville, he served in the U.S. Navy as an enlisted man, received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University in 1972, a Master of Divinity degree from Seabury-Western Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois in 1976, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Graduate Theological Institute in Indiana in 1988.
Bishop Johnson was consecrated the Third Bishop of the Diocese of West Tennessee in June, 2001, and promotes missional and sustainable ministry development across the Diocese. The University of the South and Seabury-Western Theological Seminary both awarded Bishop Johnson the degree Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa, in 2002 for his leadership in the Church. He currently serves on the College for Bishops Board, as a mentor for newly elected bishops, on the Task Force for the Episcopacy of The Episcopal Church, and is the Vice President of Province IV. He is actively involved with Episcopal youth ministries, known as a thoughtful listener and negotiator, and speaks out about the issue of gun violence.
Married to Jeannie Avery Johnson, the Johnsons have two adult children, Laura and Gordon.
MEET OUR STAFF
The Rev. Canon John B. Burruss
Canon for Sustainable Ministries
As Canon for Sustainable Ministries, John’s primary role is to create opportunities for the diocese to explore ways of partnering with the communities where they are located to create new missional and sustainable ministries. Prior to his work at the diocese, he served as the Vicar of Church of the Annunciation in Cordova and on the staffs of St. George’s in Arlington, Virginia and Church of the Holy Communion in Memphis. John and his spouse, Anne, have two children: Jack and Bailey.
P: 901-937-4784
jburruss@episwtn.org
The Rev. Canon Zabron A. Davis (Chip)
Canon to the Ordinary
As Canon to the Ordinary, Chip manages all matters diocesan as assigned by Bishop Johnson. He is responsible for canonical questions, supervising diocesan accounting, liaison with B&C and the Finance Committee, and parish and clergy. Canon Davis is also the Chair of the Commission on Ministry and on the Diocesan Discernment Team. He served for over 19 years in various parishes in the Diocese of Mississippi. He and his wife, Cathy, have a son, Zabe, and a granddaughter, Avery, who live in North MS.
P: 901-937-4782 cdavis@episwtn.org
Elizabeth Gassler
Bishop’s Assistant
Elizabeth oversees insurance and benefits for diocesan clergy and lay employees of the diocese. She also organizes Annual Convention, manages Bishop Johnson's visitation calendar, and assists in a variety of day to day operations in the diocesan office. Prior to joining the Bishop's staff, she was the Assistant to the Director of the Memphis Boychoir, and a Choral Scholar at St. John's Episcopal Church. Elizabeth, an accomplished musician, holds degrees in music and maintains a private cello studio.
P: 901-937-4700
diocese@episwtn.org
Carol Zinkewicz
Accounting Assistant
Among her duties, Carol pays the bills for The Diocese and sees that all the staff get paid.
Prior to her work with the diocese, she worked for The Brooks Museum of Art. When not at work, she enjoys working in her yard.
P: 901-937-4785
czinkewicz@episwtn.org
Contact Information
692 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee 38105
Phone: 901-526-0023
Fax: 901-526-1555
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm