Biography

The Rev. Canon Neal O. Michell is Canon Missioner for Strategic Development with the Diocese of Dallas.  He is married to Varita.  The Michells have four children, Natalie, in her senior year at the University of Texas (Austin), John, a senior in high school, Anna a junior in high school, and Andrew, an eighthgrader.

    A former practicing attorney, Canon Michell has served churches of various sizes in the dioceses of West Texas and West Tennessee .  The Michells planted a church in Germantown, Tennessee which achieved parish status within nine months of its first Sunday service.

    In addition, he has served as a consultant in congregational development and led vestry retreats and workshops, focusing on vision-casting and leadership development. He publishes a monthly congregational development newsletter.

He has been awarded a Doctor of Ministry in Church Growth from Fuller Seminary.  His doctoral dissertation is “Contemporary Anglican Worship in a Postmodern Era.”  He has also gone on short-term mission trips to Ukraine, South Africa, Mexico, and was part of a church planting team in Danli, Honduras.  

My Vitae

Present Position:

Canon Missioner for Strategic Development
Episcopal Diocese of Dallas
Dallas, TX

Personal Data:

Birthdate: February 16, 1953
Birthplace: Dallas, TX
Marital Status: Married to Varita Michell
4 Children: Natalie, John,
Anna, and Andrew
Home Address: 6711 Southpoint Dr.
Dallas, TX 75248
Phones: Office: (214) 826-5310
Home: (972) 818-0123
e-mail: nmichell@episcopal-dallas.org
Denomination: Episcopal Diocese of Dallas
Ordained: Deacon: June 13, 1986
Priest: December 13, 1986

Education:

B.A. cum laud, University of Texas, Austin, TX
J.D., University of Houston Law Center, Houston, TX
M.Div., School of Theology, University of the South,
Sewanee, TX
D.Min., Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA

Professional Experience:

6/86-11/88 Rector, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Carrizo Springs, TX
     Vicar, St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Cotulla, TX
11/88-12/91 Rector, St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Fredericksburg, TX
1/92-4/98 Rector, Church of the Redeemer, Episcopal, Memphis, TN
5/98-1/01 Rector, St. John's Episcopal Church, New Braunfels,  TX
2/01 to present Canon Missioner for Strategic Development
     Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, Dallas, TX

Academic Honors:

Dwight Greek Medal

Articles Published:

"Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs" Acts 29, June 1991

"Things I Didn't Learn in Seminary" The Living Church, April 27, 1997

"Beyond the Four Spiritual Laws" Journal of Foreign Missions, Summer 1999

"Relating to a Postmodern Generation" The Living Church, July 15, 2001

"Congregational Development According to Yogi" The Living Church, May 11, 2003

"The Network--An Ancient Practice Revisited" The Living Church, May 30, 2004

Articles Published:

Contemporary Anglican Worship in a Postmodern Era, Ann Arbor, MI, UMI, 2003

How to Hit the Ground Running: A Quick Start Guide to Congregations with New Leadership, New York, Church Publishing, 2005

Beyond Business as Usual: Vestry Leadership Development, New York, Church Publishing, 2007

The Practice of Leadership, New York, Church Publishing (in progress)