James J. Gettel

As a leadership coach and process consultant, Jim Gettel helps church and nonprofit leaders and teams discover effective ways to lead loving, fruitful communities that make a difference in the world.

Jim draws on broad personal experience in entrepreneurship, organizational development, client service, and leadership. He served as the congregational development and clergy transitions officer for eighty churches in the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan (2013-2020) and previously for the Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee. With partners, Jim helped start, establish, and manage an investment banking practice for a large CPA and consulting firm, two staffing companies with over 1,000 employees, a commercial finance practice for a large law firm, and two nonprofits.

Jim holds a BA in philosophy from Northwestern University, JD and MBA degrees from the University of Illinois, and a Church Development Institute certificate from University of the South School of Theology D. Min. program. His books include Where Jesus Leads: Helping Christian Communities to Follow (Deep River Books, 2017); God’s Love, Human Freedom and Christian Faith (Chalice Press, 2003) and The Fundamental Reform of Philosophy (International University Press, 1987).