The Rt. Rev. J. Neil Alexander

Denomination: The Episcopal Church (TEC)
Organization: Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA

The Rt. Rev. J. Neil Alexander, Th.D., is a bishop of The Episcopal Church and serves as the Custodian of the Standard Book of Common Prayer. This churchwide office certifies that every printed edition and translation of the prayer book is faithful to the authorized text. The House of Bishops appointed him to the role.

In the fall of 2026, Bishop Alexander joined Emory University's Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, Georgia, as Dean's Professor of Anglican Studies. There he teaches and works with students in the school's Episcopal and Anglican Studies program.

He was elected the ninth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta in 2001 and was ordained at the Cathedral of St. Philip. He served as bishop until 2012 and was also Chancellor of the University of the South during that time. From 2012 to 2020 he led the School of Theology at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, as vice-president and dean. He is now dean emeritus.

Earlier in his career, he was the Norma and Olan Mills Professor of Divinity at Sewanee and the Trinity Church Professor of Liturgics and Preaching at The General Theological Seminary in New York City. He also served in parish ministry. He holds a Th.D. from The General Theological Seminary, an M.Div. from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, and a B.A. from Moravian College.

He has published widely in liturgics, homiletics, sacramental theology, and pastoral practice. He is the author of This Far by Grace: A Bishop's Journey Through Questions About Homosexuality.