Michael Gene Smith (born September 5, 1955) is an American prelate, who was the eleventh Bishop of North Dakota between 2004 and 2019. He was consecrated on May 8, 2004.
Michael Gene Smith | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of North Dakota | |
| Church | Episcopal Church |
| Diocese | North Dakota |
| Elected | February 7, 2004 |
| In office | 2004–2019 |
| Predecessor | Andrew Fairfield |
| Successor | Keith Whitmore |
| Orders | |
| Consecration | May 8, 2004 by Frank Griswold |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael Gene Smith September 5, 1955 |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| Spouse | Lisa White Smith |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | Oklahoma State University Marymount College University of Oklahoma Seabury-Western Theological Seminary |
Early life and education edit
Smith is an enrolled member of the Potawatomi Nation of Oklahoma.[1] He is chair of the Bishops’ Native Collaborative and Chair of the Communion Partner Bishops Advisory Committee.[2]
Smith holds degrees in Psychology, Music, Social Work, and Theology from Oklahoma State University, Marymount College of Kansas, the University of Oklahoma and Seabury-Western Theological Seminary.[1] He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in preaching through Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri.[1]
Prior to becoming bishop of North Dakota, Smith served at Episcopal churches Oklahoma and Minnesota.[2]
Considered a theological conservative, Smith was one of the few Episcopalian American bishops to oppose same-sex marriages. After the General Convention of the Episcopal Church approved rites of marriage for LGBTQ couples in 2015, Smith said that he could not "in good conscience" allow same-sex marriages in his diocese.[3]
Personal life edit
Smith is married to the Rev. Lisa White Smith, also an Episcopal priest.[1] The couple have three grown children and eight grandchildren.[1][2]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c d e "Bishops of North Dakota – Episcopal Diocese of North Dakota". www.ndepiscopal.org. Retrieved 2016-03-28.
- ^ a b c "The Rt. Rev. Michael G. Smith, D.Min". bishopsnativecollaborative.com/. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
- ^ Glass-Moore, Adrian (July 23, 2015). "Head of ND Episcopal Church says he cannot "in good conscience" allow gay marriages". The Bismarck Tribune. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
External links edit
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