An Episcopal priest and consultant for congregational development, Neal O. Michell has served as the Canon to the Ordinary and Canon for Strategic Development in the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas. A former practicing attorney, he has been a priest at churches of various sizes in Texas and in Tennessee, where he planted a church in Germantown that grew rapidly. He has led vestry retreats and workshops, focusing on vision-casting and leadership development. He holds a D.Min. in Church Growth from Fuller Seminary, where he researched contemporary Anglican worship. He has also gone on short-term mission trips to Ukraine, South Africa, Mexico, and Honduras. He is the author of How to Hit the Ground Running: A Quick-Start Guide for Congregations with New Leadership and Beyond Business as Usual: Vestry Leadership Development, in addition to numerous articles. He lives in Dallas, Texas.
""How to Hit the Ground Running, Revised Edition is an essential tool for congregations in transition."" * The Rev. Canon Betsy Randall, Diocese of Oklahoma * ""How to Hit the Ground Running, Revised Edition has been an invaluable resource for the leadership of our church. It has helped us bring about meaningful change, grow our church, and maintain unity in Christ."" * The Rev. Rutger-Jan Heijmen, Rector, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, West Palm Beach, FL * ""How to Hit the Ground Running has been a priceless resource to guide me through my first year running a parish on my own. Michell's humor, experience, and keen insight have helped me to guide my parish into new growth, financial health, and overall cooperation among leadership and those in the pews."" * The Rev. Sam Cripps, Rector, Episcopal Church of St. John the Baptist, Wausau, WI * ""This book is a great resource for new and long-term clergy to sharpen their thinking about congregational leadership and organization. I have used this book and found it very helpful in parish ministry!"" * The Rev. Cynthia Seifert, Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, Lebanon, TN *