THE MAGNETIC CHURCH - PRESS KIT
SAMPLE PRESS RELEASES, ANNOUNCEMENTS, ADS and GRAPHICS
Plus: texts from the Registration brochure, all 3 posters,
and 3 sponsors’ promo newsletter articles (see last section)
Last Updated December 9, 2009.
To Proceed:
● 1. Download all the text listed below after these 3 guide steps.
● 2. Then for extra impact in your publicity, download one or more of these graphics at the tail-end of this document ( use the "Back" button on your browser to return here after each one ):
Full Logo, Logo All Text in color and b&w; Logo Name only in color and b&w; the
separate Magnetic Cross; the Name Banner: with frame in color; text only, in color and
b&w; and the Building Disciples.
● 3. For additional text to include in your print publicity, or on your own Web Site, you may
wish to access these pages:
Click References to download letters of recommendation from other sponsors in your own
denomination and / or other denominations in your own region.
Click Biography to download a complete listing of other sponsors in your denomination
who have already engaged me, and for more details of my personal and professional history.
Click Mission to download more information about my ministry, mission, model and process.
SAMPLE PRESS RELEASES, ANNOUNCEMENTS, ADS
Everyone's calendars fill up quickly and early. So your most critical initial mission is to generate
awareness and interest, especially for skeptics, as soon as you get this material! I urge you to
create monthly press releases, announcements and ads to promote your event in your local and
regional church publications and web sites. Here are 3 texts for you. You may also want to print
some portion of them on the reverse sides of the posters I will be providing in the Publicity Kit.
And, I will be listing your event on the Calendar page as soon as I receive your Publicity Worksheet.
I certainly am not suggesting that you use any sample as is. By giving you samples, I am hoping
to save you time by enabling you to "edit down" rather than having to "write up". And only you
can sense whether humor or some specific text will really "press the buttons" of those in your
target market. But as you write and edit, please avoid pejoratives (should, must, ought, job, task),
male pronouns and passive verbs. And please do not refer to me as "facilitator". It's a non-word,
and it means to "make easy". I'll be with you to lead, evangelize, inspire, provoke, help and
encourage, but not to "make easy". Good luck! or rather God-luck!!
Also, and especially on your web site, it is crucial to include this text: "Please Bring: For the
small group media workshop to be effective, it is crucial that each participant (not each church)
brings one copy of their newsletter, welcome brochure/visitor form or packet and contact letters,
and bulletin."
You also may wish to emphasize:
a. the very reasonable cost (one-tenth of a typical business event);
b. that in the presentation I use up over 200 PowerPoint slides, all in color;
c. that I provide a 44 page handout guide for participants and 25 page resource packet for churches;
d. whether you will be providing copies of my book at a discount;
e. how very, very effective it can be when a church sends their entire management teams (often,
such teams schedule their group retreat weekends by attending this event, then followed by a late
Saturday or Sunday afternoon post-conference visioning / planning meeting.
SAMPLE INTERNET ANNOUNCEMENT
THE MAGNETIC CHURCH
Month / Day / Date; Location
The Magnetic Church Conference is non-confrontational, practical evangelism to help our churches attract and retain new members. We (your name) are pleased to announce that noted evangelist Andrew Weeks will be presenting this event at (location) on (dates). To learn more about his ministry, Andy invites you to log onto www.magnetic-church.com. And we will be mailing brochures, posters and registration forms for this event to your church very shortly.
SAMPLE SHORT PRESS RELEASE / AD
THE MAGNETIC CHURCH
Month / Day / Date; Location
We are very pleased to announce that we have engaged Andrew Weeks, a gifted lay evangelist and humorous, inspiring speaker to present this event. Andy uses up over 200 PowerPoint slides and provides each participant with a 44 Page “Presentation Reference Guide" and each participating church with a 25 page “Resources and Reference Materials" package. He has taken his ministry to churches of most "mainline" denominations from Florida, Virginia and Georgia to Northern Michigan, across the Midwest, and from New England to California, Texas and the Pacific Northwest. He also is the author of WELCOME ! TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES FOR NEW MEMBER MINISTRY, published by The Alban Institute.
Andy invites everyone, especially skeptics, to attend the opening evening session when he will focus on spiritual issues to help us to overcome the negative images of evangelism many of us have. Significantly, he will invite us into new creative ministries, not urge us to take on more tasks. He will challenge and encourage us to explore opportunities, leaving aside the old "shoulds, musts and oughts". He will review the pitfalls, frustrations and misdirection he has seen, then offer new insights on how each one of us can move forward. Then on Saturday, he will lead us in intense, interactive sessions: "Presenting Your Church to the Public" (Signs, Property and Media); "Managing New Member Ministry Processes" and two sessions which include small group workshops: "The Ministry of Greeting" and "Communications / Internal Media". From these sessions, you will get scores of practical ideas you can start to implement immediately.
We invite all individuals, but we strongly encourage each church to send multiple members with many different interests - communications, property, hospitality, finance, greeters, so they may return home as more effective and diverse teams. Also: many churches have found it very productive to bring their entire management group, often in combination with an after-event retreat. Andy invites you to log onto www.magnetic-church.com to learn more about his ministry. And we will be mailing brochures, posters and registration forms to your church very shortly.
SAMPLE LONG PRESS RELEASE
THE MAGNETIC CHURCH
Month / Day / Date; Location
(Using humor) Mark your calendars!! If you wouldn't be "caught dead" at an evangelism event! Well, come and be "caught alive" at this one! Especially if you think you don’t ‘like’ evangelism, or it’s ‘not for you’!
(Using reality) 30 years ago, our ( your locale) churches had _____ members; today our membership is down to _____. While our presenter evangelist Andy Weeks is clear that our motivation is to fill empty lives, not empty pews, these numbers do suggest that we certainly do have space for newcomers!
We are very pleased to announce that we have engaged Andrew Weeks to present this event. A
gifted lay evangelist and humorous, inspiring and engaging speaker, he has presented The
Magnetic Church in locales as diverse as:
***********
Alberta, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Dist. of Columbia, Delaware, Florida,
Georgia, Hawai’i, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,
Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Nova
Scotia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Quebec, Rhode Island, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin.
(Pick and include a few of these locations which would be of most interest to your own audience
or use the link above to the Biography page and select particular sponsors from your own
denomination).
***********
He brings to us his wealth of pan-denominational experience, having produced this ever-evolving event for American Baptists, Anglicans, Episcopalians, Lutherans, Presbyterians,
United Methodists and United Church of Christ members.
At each event, Andy displays up over 200 PowerPoint slides, each with multi-color text and graphics. He also provides each participant with a 44 Page “Presentation Reference Guide" and each represented church with a 25 page “Resources and Reference Materials" package, which includes the 45 Step Planning Guide.
Andy invites everyone, especially skeptics, to come opening Friday night ( or Thursday night if scheduled ) when he will focus on spiritual issues to help us to overcome the negative images of evangelism many of us have. Significantly, he will invite us into new creative ministries, not urge us to take on more tasks or jobs. He will challenge us to explore opportunities, leaving aside old "shoulds, musts and oughts". He will review for us the pitfalls, frustrations and misdirection he has seen, then offer new insights on how each one of us can move forward. On Saturday, he will lead us in intense, interactive sessions: "Presenting Your Church to the Public" (Signs, Property and Media); "Managing New Member Ministry Processes" and two sessions which include small group workshops: "The Ministry of Greeting" and "Communications / Internal Media". From these sessions, you will get scores of practical ideas you can start to implement immediately.
A challenging and encouraging speaker and preacher, Andy is a lay person, a cradle Anglican and native of Montreal, Quebec, who currently resides in New England. He was a business executive and management consultant in the U.S. and Canada for 18 years. Between 1980 and 1989, he was a church member actively involved as a choir member and treasurer, sat on several boards and led numerous workshops. Yet like many in the church, he burned out and drifted away.
Later, when he began to search for a new church, he encountered many of the obstacles and lack of caring response searchers so often are forced to endure. These highly negative personal experiences sensitized him to the needs of newcomers, and made him determined to adapt for churches the effective customer oriented processes used by so many of today's successful businesses. He began by writing the book WELCOME ! TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES FOR NEW MEMBER MINISTRY, published by The Alban Institute in October 1992. In it, he successfully combined his systems and management skills with his intense desire to empower churches to be more effective and intentional in their evangelism programs.
Simultaneously, he developed this powerful conference of sessions and small group workshops. And since 1995, presenting these events has been his full-time vocation. Come, because we believe you will find him and his material to be engaging to skeptics, reassuring to those discomfited by the word "evangelism" and stimulating and inspiring for everyone. To learn more about his ministry, Andy invites you to log onto www.magnetic-church.com. We also will be mailing brochures, posters and registration forms to your church very shortly.
TEXTS FROM THE REGISTRATION BROCHURE
MISSION STATEMENT: Equipping your church to help attract, welcome and retain new members.
LOGO: The Magnetic Church: If You Build It They Will Come, If You Live It They Will Stay.©
Practical Evangelism: - Scores of Ideas You Can Begin to Apply Immediately !
A gifted lay evangelist and humorous, inspiring speaker, Andy created this program to involve skeptics, stimulate activists & engage the curious - to help everyone learn more about new member ministry. As he has for churches all across North America, he will: invite us into his faith journey; guide us through this spiritually based, fun and practical exploration of evangelism; and, challenge us to embrace new and creative ministries, not more tasks.
He will address many issues, including:
How can we make our signs, property, communications, buildings, website & worship more inviting and welcoming?
How can we make visitors want to come back to our church and stay?
I’m private and reserved; how can I “do” evangelism in my church?
Many members of my church are uncomfortable with ‘evangelism’ and are resistant to change; how can I help to motivate and interest them?
Deadline: We invite all individuals, but we encourage each church to send as many members with as many different interests as possible, so they may return home as more effective and diverse teams. So please, help us plan adequate facilities and have sufficient materials by completing and mailing the registration form with your fee now. We will accept late registrations and walk-ins if space permits.
Please Bring: For the small group media workshop to be effective, it is crucial that each participant (not each church) brings one copy of their newsletter, welcome brochure/visitor form or packet and contact letters, and bulletin.
about Andy Weeks
Andy, a native of Montreal, Quebec and a cradle Anglican, currently lives in New England. During the 80’s, he was a very actively involved layperson, as a church treasurer for nine years and as a member of several church boards and committees. Yet like many others, he drifted away for a variety of reasons. Later, when he tried to join a new church, he encountered so many of the obstacles and lack of caring response newcomers often must endure.
These highly negative and very personal experiences encouraged him to become an evangelism leader, develop this program and write WELCOME ! Tools and Techniques for New Member Ministry, then published by The Alban Institute. And after 20 successful years in corporate life, he has left that world to devote himself full-time to this lay ministry.
Others Have Said ...
Participants at previous events have described Andy's presentation as "lively"; "engaging"; "more ideas & creativity than I could have imagined"; "amazing amount of material in just nine hours"; "fun!!" and encouraging far beyond their expectations.
We invite you to enjoy the wealth of his experience, humor, spirituality and intense story telling skills. Join us as he challenges us to explore opportunities, leaving aside the old "shoulds, musts and oughts".
TEXTS FROM THE EVENT POSTER:
Scores of Practical Evangelism Ideas to Help Your Own Church Attract, Welcome and Retain New Members
If you’ve been asking yourself ......
How can we make our church communications, signs, buildings and property, website and worship more inviting and welcoming?
How can we make visitors want to return to our church and stay?
I’m private and reserved; how can I ‘do’ evangelism in my church?
Many members of my church are uncomfortable with ‘evangelism’ and are resistant to change; how can I motivate and interest them?
Then Please Join Us for this Event !
A gifted lay evangelist and humorous, inspiring speaker, Andy invites everyone, not just lay leaders and clergy, to join in this spiritually based, fun exploration of evangelism. He will challenge and encourage us to embrace creative new ministries, not more tasks. Plus: each participant will receive a 44 page Presentation Reference Guide. Plus: each church will receive a 25 page Resource / Reference Packet, including the 45 step Planning Guide. For details and "what to bring", please check the companion brochure.
TEXTS FROM THE TOP TEN REASONS TO ATTEND POSTER:
As a Participant, You Will:
10. Encounter a model of evangelism which is respectful, encouraging, positive, practical, inclusive, empowering, energizing and inviting.
9. Meet other inquiring, inquisitive Christians - people who realize that they don’t have all the answers, or even all the questions.
8. Learn news ways to apply your own unique gifts to property, communications, hospitality, management and worship.
7. Be valued as a "practicing" Christian, as you continue to explore fresh insights and new alternatives, not absolutes.
6. Discover what you don’t know, and how to remedy that.
5. Strengthen your faith, learning and sharing with others.
4. Relate your personal and congregational experiences openly and honestly, without being judged.
3. Leave aside all political issues - focus on evangelism.
2. Have real fun, share deep laughter; en-joy yourself.
1. Fit right in, even if you’re an introvert or a skeptic !!
Plus - Get Scores of Practical Ideas You Can Begin to Apply Immediately !
TEXTS FROM THE WHY BOTHER TO ATTEND ?? POSTER:
1. COME FOR YOURSELF !
Wondering what God’s next call for you might be? If it were your choice, would evangelism be
last on your list? Because your images of evangelism are of weepy, cash-grubbing orators on TV
or loud street-corner demagogues?
Then come and learn about models of evangelism appropriate for you! Along the way, you may
discover your gifts as author, editor, planter, greeter or shepherd, and reap some of the amazing
joy of being God’s instrument in changing other peoples’ lives.
2. COME FOR YOUR COMMUNITY !!
A staggering percentage of Americans (nationally, 40%) do not attend church. That means so many of the children in your own community are not learning the Lord’s Prayer or any of the stories of Jesus. That means that all those adults are stuck being able to believe only in themselves. YOU can share with them the life-saving gift of knowing the security of being able to rely on God.
3. COME FOR YOUR OWN CHURCH !!
You want to become more involved in the mission and ministry of your church? But you’re not
sure where to begin, what to do, or how to apply your own unique gifts and personal talents.
Begin by coming to this event to learn a whole lot about practical evangelism.
AND ALONG THE WAY.. You may discover new ways to apply your talents and skills by
helping your property team to make all of your signs, buildings and grounds more attractive and
inviting. Perhaps you will author or help redesign or edit your church newsletter, Sunday
bulletins / inserts or web pages, and assist in transforming them from old, maintenance member-oriented organs to new, evangelism-oriented tools. The possibilities are endless!
SCORES OF PRACTICAL IDEAS YOU CAN BEGIN TO APPLY IMMEDIATELY
REJOICE: June / 2000; the newsletter of Christ Church, Alexandria, VA; provided by author
Anita Arms who has given permission for you to use/adapt this without attribution.
If the word evangelism brings to mind visions of Tammy Faye, or makes you feel a little uneasy
(especially if you’re asked to “do” it), or sounds just plain inconsistent with being an
Episcopalian, you’re not alone! In our society, unsavory visions of shady television evangelists
often overshadow the true meaning of the word, which has no sinister overtones at all! In fact,
loosely translated, it means simply “telling the good news!” All right, you say, but that’s still
something I’d be uncomfortable having to do - I’ve never been good about that sort of thing! Let
the extroverts take care of it! If you’re one of the many who are still uneasy or skeptical about
the “E” word, read on! There’s a program designed just for you, and it’s coming to NAME
Church!
On DATE, we will host The Magnetic Church, a conference of practical, non-confrontational
evangelism designed to help churches attract, welcome, and retain new members. Presented by
Andrew D. Weeks, a life-long Anglican, this day-and-a-half conference has proven to be very
effective in both starting and re-energizing evangelism programs. A gifted lay evangelist and
humorous, inspiring speaker, Andy has designed this program to involve skeptics, stimulate
activists, and engage the curious - to help everyone learn more about new member ministry. As
he has done with Episcopal and other "mainline" churches across the country, he will: invite us
into his faith journey; guide us through this spiritually-based, fun and practical exploration of
evangelism; and challenge us to embrace new creative ministries, not more tasks.
Mark your calendar now and plan to join us for an inspiring day-and-a-half program that will
help us learn how to transform the tourists and pilgrims who visit and worship with us every
week into friends in Christ and members of our community of faith.
Especially Important to Attend: Vestry, Evangelism Committee, Welcome Ministry and Parish
Council members, ushers, and all parishioners, clergy, and staff interested in revitalizing Christ
Church’s invitation and welcome programs.
Dates and Times: Friday, Date 6:30-10 p.m. and Saturday, DATE 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost: $$$ For
more information: Pick up a yellow brochure from the rack on the nametag table or contact the
church office. Be sure to visit the Magnetic Church website at www.magnetic-church.com to
learn more about The Magnetic Church conference and Andy Weeks’ ministry. To register:
Mail or deliver the registration form found in the brochure with your check to the church office.
SAMPLE PROMO ARTICLE 2
THE MESSENGER: Jan. 15, 2004; the newsletter of Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Memphis, TN; provided by the parish administrator who has given permission for you to use/adapt this without attribution.
It's time to register for The Magnetic Church Conference!
* You've read about it in countless (newsletter name) articles.
* (Co-ordinator name) has been spreading the word for months.
* Your Vestry and clergy enthusiastically support this event.
...So get out your pen and complete the registration form today!
Tell me once more what The Magnetic Church Conference is all about.
This February 6-7, Friday night and Saturday, workshop offers scores of practical evangelism
ideas to help our church attract, welcome and retain new members. The leader, Andy Weeks, is
an Episcopal laymen known for his ability to motivate and excite folks about evangelism and
have them laughing at the same time. Schedule is 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Friday and 8:30 to 4 on
Saturday.
Why do I need to attend?
Come for yourself. Learn that everyone can do some type of evangelism. See how you can apply
your gifts to church property concerns, communications, hospitality and worship. Discover fresh
insights and new ideas. You can be God's instrument in changing the lives of others.
Come for The Diocese of West Tennessee, whose Evangelism Team is our co-sponsor. A
staggering percentage of Americans (nationally, 40%) do not attend church. Even in Memphis,
Tennessee, called the Buckle of the Bible Belt by some, we want to send the message that The
Episcopal Church welcomes everyone.
Come for Grace-St. Luke's! Want to be more involved in the life of this church but aren't sure
where to begin or what to do? Want to see GSL become even more welcoming and inclusive
and continue to grow and flourish? Well, come to this event and learn all about practical, do-able evangelism. Come because the clergy, the Vestry, and the staff are committed to attend and
want you to join them.
Registration deadline is January 30 but why wait - fill out the form today.
Registration form was added, with: "I have included my check for $$$, which includes refreshments, lunch, and a big fat workshop booklet".
SAMPLE PROMO ARTICLE 3
A blurb I wrote for a judicatory newsletter, Jan., 2005
Magnetic Church ‘Freebies’
Those who have attended Andy Weeks’ Magnetic Church conferences have learned how easy
and CHEAP it is to implement so many of his practical evangelism ideas. Here are a few gems
we have gleaned:
1. Add your website address onto every document, and put it on top of your signs! (Websites are
the #1 source for non-churched persons to learn about your church!
2. If you have spent the money to make your church accessible, ensure that all your exterior and
interior signs include: ‘disabled’ access / ramps / elevator. Even those who have no special
needs will be attracted by your thoughtfulness.
3. Make sure that all your greeters wear name tags!
4. Put baby-changing tables in every washroom, with signs outside.
5. Install motion detector light switches in all washrooms and hallways; they make navigation
easier and they save electricity.
6. Outside, put up a few colorful welcome signs/banners in vinyl.
7. Paint front doors and mailbox RED!
8. In your worship space, provide cut-out pews for wheelchairs and walkers: 2 + spaces.
9. Provide attractive, neat, bulletin boards, sectionalized by target audience, not by ‘producer’,
with paper ‘takeaways’ in Lucite holders.
12. Always have a booth, book rack or table with copies of all your welcoming material at every
social event.
13. Ask all members to carry church ‘business’ cards with/ logo/name/www.
14. Put your welcome brochure out in the community: Welcome Wagon, real estate offices,
Chamber of Commerce; offices of every member who is a: doctor, lawyer, accountant, dentist
or hairdresser; also: in clinics, hospitals and pharmacies.
17. On Thursday, email your Sunday bulletin insert to all members.
Seems so simple, doesn’t it? But would you like to learn more? Log onto Andy’s website at
www.magnetic-church.com/dates.htm and download the registration form for our event being
sponsored by (name) on (dates) 2005.
GRAPHICS: Jpeg’s, best suited for printing hard copy. For consistency with my other
promotional materials, I’d prefer you to use the ones with the border,where possible.
The folder exceeds 5MB, and several of these files approach 1 MB in size, so for the benefit
especially of those on dial-up, I have listed and linked the files here, rather than imbedding them
(*extra b&w versions for crisper printing / copying in b&w); right click to new tab; save:
The Magnetic Church Logo:
Full, in color
Full, in black and white *
Full text and border, but without cross, in color
Full text and border, but without cross, in black and white *
Full text, no border, no cross, in color
Full text, no border, no cross, in black and white
Main logo text only, in color
Main logo text only, in black and white
The Magnetic Church Banner:
Full text and border, in color
Full text and border, in black and white *
Text only, in green
Text only, in black and white
GRAPHICS: Gif’s best suited for web and email applications. For consistency with my other promotional materials, I’d prefer you to use the ones with the border,where possible. Right click to "save image as" (not ‘cut and paste’):
