The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Barker named next executive director of the College for Bishops
The board of directors of The Episcopal Church College for Bishops is delighted to announce that the Rt. Rev. J. Scott Barker, Bishop of Nebraska, has been called to be its next executive director. Barker will serve alongside current managing director, the Rt. Rev. Mary Gray-Reeves, for the remainder of 2025. His work with the College of Bishops will be part time, in conjunction with his role in the Diocese of Nebraska.
Barker is entering his 15th year of service as the Bishop of Nebraska, where he has focused on building healthy systems and encouraging strong personal discipleship. Prior to his election as bishop, he served parishes in Omaha and Warwick, NY. He is an award-winning preacher. Past and present board service includes the Virginia Theological Seminary, the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry, the Dominican Development Group, Camp Incarnation, Clarkson College, the House of Bishops Planning Committee, and the College for Bishops. Outside of church ministry, Barker is an avid reader and runner. He is married to his college sweetheart, Annie, and has two adult children and one grandchild.
“It’s an honor to be selected to help lead the College for Bishops during this season of challenge and change in The Episcopal Church,” said Barker. I am especially grateful to Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves for her faithfulness in guiding the work of the college for the last six years. I look forward to partnering with Presiding Bishop Rowe and the college’s board of directors in working to enhance our programming and curriculum to strengthen the ministries of both newly elected and long-serving bishops. I am very excited to begin this new chapter.”
Following Gray-Reeves’s announcement to retire, the search committee, composed of six directors of the board, began their work in late winter.
“At the spring meeting of the House of Bishops we listened carefully, and what we heard from bishops—their vision for the College—informed our work at every step,” said search committee chair, the Rt. Rev. Thomas J. Brown, Bishop of Maine. “We received 29 applications from gifted leaders throughout the church, lay and ordained, and we prayed fervently, trusting the Holy Spirit’s power to guide and govern us, while continually consulting with the presiding bishop. I thank God for the faithful work of the search committee: Dr. Sarah Stonesifer Boylan; Bishop Jennnifer Brooke-Davidson; John McCray-Goldsmith; Bishop Russell Kendrick; Canon Sierra Reyes; and our administrator, Betsy Jutras; each of them gave way more than 100 percent. Together, and with the entire board, we are eager to welcome Bishop Barker and to support him in leading the College for Bishops.”
The mission of the College for Bishops is: “To provide opportunities for education and formation that will strengthen bishops in their personal lives, as diocesan leaders in God’s mission and in their vocation to God as a community of bishops in service to The Episcopal Church.” As managing director for the last six years, Gray-Reeves has been a dedicated, innovative, and forward-thinking leader during an exceptionally challenging time in the life of the church and the nation. The board is grateful for her steady and dedicated service.
Barker will begin his new ministry at the College for Bishops’ October board meeting.