The definitive guide to changes in congregational leadership, revised to reflect the needs of today's church Designed for the clergy and lay leadership of congregations in the midst of transitions, this volume offers a quick start guide to help clergy and lay leadership with topics from defining mission to developing effective decision-making processes. How to Hit the Ground Running contains a program for an effective leadership change that begins one month before a transition and continues for the first eighteen months of a new pastor, priest, or rector's tenure. With this revision, author Neal Michell has updated the text throughout to reflect current concerns of church leaders, including more coverage of leadership in small congregations and approaches to empowering lay leaders. Designed in a user-friendly format, the volume includes step-by-step guidance and exercises to ensure that, rather than being stalled and directionless, a period of transition is dynamic and purposeful.