Dr Greg Anderson has been elected the sixth Bishop of the the Northern Territory.

The Board of Electors chose Dr Anderson to replace Bishop Gregory Thompson, who became Bishop of Newcastle at the end of 2013.

Dr Anderson has been the Head of the Department of Mission at Moore Theological College, Sydney since 2007.

He has had a long standing interest in the Aboriginal church and in ministry in the Territory.

In the 1990's, he and his wife worked with CMS as missionaries in the Northern Territory.

As well as training indigenous leaders at Nungalinya College in Darwin, he was Indigenous Ministry Development Officer for the Diocese of the Northern Territory.

The Principal of Moore College, Dr Mark Thompson issued a statement welcoming the appointment, yet expressing sadness at his departure from the college.

“It is very good news for the Anglican Church of Australia that Dr Greg Anderson has been elected as the sixth Bishop of the Northern Territory. Greg is a godly and gifted teacher and pastor. We are very sad to see him leave the College since he has made a terrific contribution as the Head of Department of Mission and a vital member of the community.” Dr Thompson said.

“However his love for the Northern Territory and Indigenous people in particular is well known, so it is no surprise that he should be elected Bishop of the Northern Territory. We will continue to pray for Greg, Annette and the family as they prepare for this very important ministry”, the principal said.

The Archbishop of Sydney, who is overseas, issued a statement saying he was 'delighted' to hear of the election.

"This is an excellent outcome following a long and protracted process which makes the decision worth waiting for. Greg has had experience working in the Northern Territory and has a very good knowledge of Aboriginal culture, deepened by his groundbreaking study of their music." Dr Davies said.

Greg is an able expositor of God's word and a compassionate pastor of God's people, whose intellectual acumen and missionary heart will be a blessing to the people of the Northern Territory." the Archbishop said.

The Bishop-elect has issued a statement saying "We’re grateful for the prayers of many as we look forward to the new situation. The Territory has a rapidly growing population, with many challenges, and also many opportunities, including opportunities for Christian ministry."

"The situation of the indigenous churches is precious – people whose traditional culture is thousands of years old, and who are thinking hard about what it is to be both Aboriginal and Christian.  A particular opportunity for Territory ministry is for people from different cultures to read the Bible together and be open to how God can correct our own culturally-shaped blind-spots through hearing one another’s perspective of what God is saying." Dr Anderson said.

The date of Dr Anderson's consecration is yet to be announced.