Bishop Geoff Smith

Bishop of the Southern Region

Born and raised in Brisbane, Geoff trained at St Francis College and the University of Queensland. His early ministry years were served in the Grafton Diocese, where he was ordained a Deacon in 1982 and a Priest in 1983.
 
Geoff served in the Port Macquarie parish where he and Lynn met and married before heading to Lismore parish  where they stayed until 1987 when they went as Anglican Board of Mission missionaries to Papua New Guinea; Geoff as priest of Taraka and Lynn as the Church’s national accountant. In 1990 they returned, moving to Coffs Harbour where Geoff became Associate Priest before moving to Sawtell/Bonville where he became the first vicar of the parish. During this time their children Daniel and Natalie were born. In 1994 Geoff became Rector of Ballina.
 
In 2000 Geoff was appointed National Director of the Anglican Board of Mission-Australia based in Sydney, and in 2005 Geoff became Rector of Surfers Paradise and Archdeacon of the Gold Coast. He was consecrated bishop and appointed Bishop of the Southern Region of the Diocese of Brisbane on July 25, 2007.
 
Geoff has a particular interest in Practical Theology, especially on the ways that the church can more authentically reflect God’s mission. Geoff is currently working towards a PhD looking at the emerging trend of single-person households and the church’s response to this new mission reality.
 
In his rare spare moments Geoff enjoys playing golf and while he doesn’t play very often he has too many hits when he does.

To contact Geoff, email geoffsmith@anglicanbrisbane.org.au.