Neil Lebhar

Neil Gedney Lebhar (born 1950) is an American Anglican bishop. He was the first bishop of the Gulf Atlantic Diocese, a newly formed diocese of the Anglican Church in North America. He has been rector of the Anglican Church of the Redeemer in Jacksonville, Florida.

Early life and career Lebhar was raised in Westport, Connecticut, the eldest son of a physician. He graduated from the Loomis School, where, as a senior, he was converted to Christianity in 1967 through FOCUS under the ministry of future Episcopal bishop John W. Howe.

Lebhar married his wife, Marcia, in 1971. He graduated from Princeton University in 1972, served as field director for FOCUS, and received seminary degrees from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and Virginia Theological Seminary.

Anglican realignment

In 2007, objecting to the consecration of Gene Robinson and the theological views of TEC, Lebhar and several other clergy and parishes left the Diocese of Florida and sought canonical affiliation with the Church of Uganda. On March 25, 2008, Lebhar and 21 other clergy were deposed by Florida Bishop John Howard.

Lebhar was elected the first bishop of the newly formed Gulf Atlantic Diocese on August 29, 2009.

Lebhar continues to serve in parish ministry in Jacksonville in addition to his episcopal duties, which he has said is a good model for the ministry of a bishop.