In the 1980s, Annett graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor's degree in anthropology and a Master's degree in political science. In 1990, he graduated from the Vancouver School of Theology with a Master of Divinity, and was subsequently ordained by British Columbia Conference of the United Church of Canada. In 1990-1991 he served in churches in rural Manitoba, and in 1991-1992 served at the Fred Victor Mission in Toronto, an outreach street-ministry of The United Church of Canada. Beginning in 1992, he was the minister to St. Andrew's United Church in Port Alberni, British Columbia and 'resigned' from this position in January 1995. Since 1997, Annett has been placed on the Discontinued Service List of The United Church of Canada, and can no longer function as a m