Last updated April 26, 2008

The apostle Paul wrote to not brag of one's gifts from God, but to not hide them either. So to "not hide", I have created this page. To "not brag", but in order to provide you with relevant information, I have recorded others' comments about my ministry for your consideration.

REFERENCE LETTERS; PROGRESS REPORTS

ORAL COMMENTS FROM PARTICIPANTS

PARTICIPANTS’ EVALUATION COMMENTS & FOLLOW-UP EMAILS

NEWSPAPER ARTICLES:

Pdf of article from The Anglican Diocese of Huron, February 2008
From The Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida, April 2007:
2 articles: text; .pdf page1; .pdf page 2
Pdf of article from The Anglican Diocese of Toronto, March 2007
Links to 2 articles from The Anglican Diocese of Toronto, 2006:
Radical Hospitality; Greeting Requires Training
Article from The Church of the Covenant, Arlington VA
Article from the Diocese of Connecticut

REFERENCE LETTERS FROM SPONSORS;
‘PROGRESS’ REPORTS FROM HOST CHURCHES
AND PARTICIPATING CONGREGATIONSS

For your review, I have posted the exact texts of some of the letters of recommendation and thanks I have received from previous sponsors during my 12 years of full-time ministry. I also have included some ‘progress’ reports from congregations wishing to advise me of their successes subsequent to their having hosted an event, or their members having attended one. You may scroll through all of these letters; they will appear in the same sequence as these denomination links are listed below. Or, you may click on any denomination name link to proceed directly to the start of that denomination group. Within each denomination, the letters represent a geographic cross-section; the texts are displayed in date sequence, most recent first.

And while these sponsors have been so generous with their thanks and recommendations, I also am indebted to them. So many made it their prime mission to promote their events tirelessly and to provide all the logistical support so effectively that I could out all my energy into presenting the program for which they are thanking me. It is through all of their efforts that my ministry is even possible, much less "successful", and I thank them with all my heart.

The Episcopal Church USA
The Presbyterian Church USA
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The United Methodist Church

and, The Anglican Church of Canada

The Episcopal Church USA

The Rt. Rev. W. Michie Klusmeyer
The Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia
P. O. Box 5400
Charleston, WV 25311
304-344-3597; mklusmeyer@wvdiocese.org

April 8, 2008

Dear Andy,

∙          Again, thanks for everything! It was a tremendous event, and I know that the Diocese of West Virginia has been energized because of your presence. I cannot thank you enough for being with us this past weekend to lead the Magnetic Church Conference. After the so very positive response to the first one we held, this was our second, and it was more successful than the first, with 98 participants!

Your passion for evangelism came through with humor, grace and honesty. You helped to encourage the people to step out of their comfort zone, and to begin to become an energetic, dynamic ‘magnetic’ community. You have a remarkable gift for gently moving people forward, and I truly appreciate that. I cannot thank you enough for what you did, and how you have positively energized our congregations. Your expertise in helping our folks prepare was invaluable, and your experience transcends geographic boundaries. I am truly grateful, and may God continue to bless you and the ministry you exercise in Christ’s Name.

The Episcopal Church USA

The Rev. R. Scott White, Rector
The Church of the Good Shepherd
231 North Church Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
252-442-1134; swhite@goodshepherdrmt.org

October 31, 2007

Dear Andy,

∙          I want to thank you for such a powerful and uplifting weekend here at Good Shepherd. Did you know that roughly 50% of our average Sunday attendance participated in the conference? As well, 50% of the participants were from the Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist and Episcopal denominations.

I have been in the ordained ministry for ten years and this is certainly been one of the most profound congregational gatherings I've experienced. We are a parish of some 500 persons in a city with static population growth and shifting economic trends, from agriculture to technology dependence. As our city continues to change in demographics and culture, the Magnetic Church Conference has profoundly awakened us to the presence of the non-churched around us and how we can better see our church through their eyes rather than our own; how we can better be present to them and reach out to them and invite them to visit with us.

Our Evangelism Committee has taken all of the discoveries of the weekend and set them out into an action plan for implementation. I have never seen such an excited and energized group of people in the church. Most importantly, the conference has been a catalyst at changing our parish culture from one where we are looking only to take care of ourselves to one where we are see our presence as a mission and ministry to those who are not yet here.

The Episcopal Church USA

The Rt. Rev. Leo Frade
Office of the Bishop
The Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida
525 NE 15 Street
Miami, FL 33132
800-268-9993; bishopfrade@aol.com

May 8, 2007

Dear Andy,

∙          I wanted to wait to write you after a couple of months since your (February) conference in the Diocese of Southeast Florida in order to see the results of your work with our laity and clergy at our Bishop's Spring Conference. I can tell you now that the two days you spent with us not only energized our people but also empowered them to make - in some cases radical - changes in order to attract new members to our congregations. It's working!

I am willing to recommend you to any other diocese or judicatory seeking not only a very dynamic and entertaining speaker but also someone who has a practical message on how to grow the church. Thank you again for your work in our Diocese. You are great!

The Episcopal Church USA

The Rev. Terri Stanford
Chair of The Evangelism Commission
The Episcopal Diocese of Chicago
65 East Huron, Chicago, IL 60611
diocese: 312-751-4210; her: 312-944-1083x12, tbstanford@saintc.org

April 11, 2007

Dear Andy,

∙          Thank you so much for offering such a wonderful and dynamic “Magnetic Church” conference here in the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. The responses from participants were overwhelmingly positive and enthusiastic with respect to your presentation and the conference material itself. Several churches have reported that they immediately went back to their home parish and held a “brainstorming” session the next day with other parishioners to start putting the ideas and information they received into action right away.

Two other parishes have indicated a strong desire to host another conference in the Diocese - always a good sign that the material and ideas were welcome and useful. Working with you to plan this first conference in Chicago was enjoyable. Your organization of preliminary preparations and follow-up made our job of getting all things ready so much easier! Blessings and peace.

∙          A Progress Report from: Richard Adams, St. Augustine's Episcopal Church, Wilmette, IL: frarico@sbcglobal.net: Thanks for a terrific time at the conference this weekend. We held our "resolution" meeting yesterday after church, have sorted our impressions, and soon will start prioritizing items to perform against our goal of greater sharing of the Love of God. Our Newcomers and Small Group Ministries leadership are hosting a dinner on the 23rd to report and present some possibilities. We are under way!

∙          2^nd Progress Report from: April 17, 2007: We have an annual plant sale at St. A’s that pulls in several hundred people from our surrounding communities and this year we decided to approach them. We had imprinted promo items: retracting measuring tapes, small inflatable footballs, jartop looseners, and, most importantly, our new publication leaflet (click here for .pdf) for the curious. We also had lemonade and cupcakes and candy. We gave out lots of the leaflets over the two weeks (four days of a manned table at the sale), and we have eight new prospects for follow-up. We’re very pleased; typically, it takes us three months (or more) to generate that volume of Sunday visiting newcomers.

And! Here’s an epiphany that our chair had that I think you should know of, since I don’t recall it being mentioned in your presentation, and it’s definitely worth a mention! She’s been “mining” old parish directories for the names of people who’ve stopped showing up! We’re starting to call these people, and at least three families have been with us over the last several weeks here in the Easter season. I think that biz of looking at old directories is really valuable. We’re steaming along out here!

The Episcopal Church USA

The Rev. David Boyd, Rector
St. David’s Episcopal Church
San Jacinto & East Seventh - 304 East 7th St.
Austin, TX 78701
512-472-1196; david.b@stdave.org

March 8, 2007

Dear Andy,

∙          Thank you for the outstanding weekend you offered here for our community and guests. Your presentations were challenging and energizing, and you left us with many great ideas that will move us into the future in exciting ways. Your preaching on Sunday was very well received and, perhaps the best comment of all came from my 14 year old son, who, after at the service at which you preached, walked up to me and said, “Has this guy written any books? I want to read them.”

We were delighted at the turn out from other Episcopal parishes and from churches of other denominations that joined us for “The Magnetic Church”. In 23 years of parish ministry, I have never seen people so excited about sharing the Good News of Christ and, in addition to the excitement generated among our own parish community, the comments from our guests have also been overwhelmingly positive. Thank you for your visit, Andy. And may God continue to bless you in your ministry, and through you, to bless the many people and churches you visit.

The Episcopal Church USA

A Progress Report from:
Chad Slater
St. John's Episcopal Church
PO Box 558
Ripley, WV 25271

February 9, 2007

Dear Andrew:

∙          I attended your presentation last year in Clarksburg, WV. Afterwards, I spoke to you privately about my own small church. You gave me several pointers about how to make people feel welcomed and comfortable when they walked into a church of six people. I took the handouts and the advice and returned to my church.

At the church we talked about being tired of feeling sorry for ourselves; we talked about closing the doors; and we talked about going out with a bang. We decided that we couldn't help the financial situation that plagued us. We decided that our small, rural, West Virginia community needed to hear and see the Gospel. "If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s."

We went through your handouts and the church's checkbook and we did what we could afford (and a little more). We wrote grants for ads from the Church Ad Project. We started a Sunday School. We offered kids from the community a free ride each Sunday to Church; one member took a van, others went out in their personal cars. We painted, planted flowers, put up signs, made welcome brochures, visitors bulletins, and made sure a greeter was on duty every week. We threw ourselves into ministry, just as you had recommended.

From a congregation of six people a mere seven months ago, we now average 35-40 people. That includes the kids we pick up (about 10-16), the parents of those kids who now attend, and persons drawn in by the ads we placed in the local paper. We have seen old members who had left the congregation years ago, visit again and talk about returning. We no longer worry about how to pay the electric bill; we worry about how to send all the kids on the Diocesan Youth Ski Trip.

If you want more tangible proof that the program you put together works, St. John's, Ripley, is that proof. Because of your help this withered vine now produces fruit. More than one person has stated that if it were not for St. John's and the non-fundamentalistic atmosphere it provides, they would not be in church. Those people now have a closer relationship to God because of your service to the Kingdom. May God continue to Bless you and keep you. Thank you for your ministry.

The Episcopal Church USA

The Rev. Edward R. Rich, III Rector
St. Catherine of Alexandria Episcopal Church
502 Druid Hills Road
Temple Terrace, FL 33617
813-988-6483; cell 813-598-3138; RICHERR@aol.com

Nov. 16, 2006

Dear Andy,

∙          What an outstanding weekend experience! Your Magnetic Church Weekend was powerful, inspiring and practical. We are a congregation in transition, growing in numbers and diversity. As a result of your dynamic leadership, dozens of people have offered fantastic ideas. Perhaps more importantly, nearly every one of our participants has expressed a desire to carry on the good work you helped us to begin. When you left us Sunday it was not the end a conference but rather the beginning of a new era for St. Catherine’s!

The Episcopal Church USA

The Reverend George Adamik, Rector
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
221 Union Street, Cary, NC 27511
919-467-1477; rector@stpaulscary.org

Nov. 2, 2006.

∙          After 27 years of ordained ministry I found “The Magnetic Church” to be a wonderful opportunity to renew, recharge, and revise ways of welcoming and incorporating members into parish life. Andy Weeks presentation is thought-provoking and filled with sound theology as well as practical ways of living into that theology. I encourage all clergy to attend this most nourishing and challenging opportunity.

The Magnetic Church event is well worth the commitment of time and energy. Our parish has been energized through the 60 parishioners who participated, and now has the potential of a new language, and a renewal of our congregation’s culture regarding evangelism. We are a parish of almost 1400 members, located in a booming part of North Carolina, and find ourselves welcoming newcomers every week. It isn’t always easy to step back and find ways of improving the hospitality we offer to those walking into our midst, those who may be looking to explore possibilities of participation. How beneficial it is to have someone like Andy Weeks walk with us for a couple of days and offer not only his ideas, but also practical suggestions to all the participants as to how they can change their parish culture.

Andy makes evangelism, a word that many of us have allowed the Christian Right to hijack, become an important and vital component of parish life. Not only does evangelism become an acceptable word but an engaging component of parish life.

Note: And in the following issue of the parish newsletter, all participants were invited to attend a meeting to discuss the 8 pages of ideas which had flowed from the event.

Progress Report/Andy note: In the December, 2007 newsletter, the Rector wrote that St. Paul’s had attracted 265 new members between January and October of 2007. I note that data here not because I can take any credit for that growth subsequent to the Conference, but deliberately to encourage you readers to consider just what is possible when the Holy Spirit collides with a group of determined church members! And although St. Paul’s is blessed to be in a growing community, population growth absolutely does not translate into church growth unless the church is intentional about attracting and welcoming newcomers.

The Episcopal Church USA

A Progress Report from:
The Rev. Bob Williams, Rector
The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd
639 Edgewater Drive
Dunedin, FL 34698
727-733-4125; www.churchgoodshepherd.org

May 25, 2006.

Dear Andy,

∙          I’m going to send you more of our material from time to time to show you how things have changed and continue to change here at Good Shepherd. I can say for me, at least, and I believe for many others in the parish, that not a day goes by without my looking at our church and all we do here without in some way thinking ‘magnetic church’. It permeates and influences every piece of data, mail and information in whatever form that we produce and send out from here. We've not done nearly what we need to do as a result of our Magnetic Church Conference here last November, and we're all well aware of it; but at least it's in front of us and we know what we have to do. It's talked about, and even on the agenda, of every single Vestry meeting. We're just getting around to re-configuring our parking lot behind the church like you suggested, but that's OK, everything's going to come about in its own good time. At least we've got people looking and thinking.

We're sending out our parish announcements (which are repeated in the Sunday bulletin) every Thursday afternoon to all 148 recipients listed on our parish email list. I especially wanted you to see one for of the outstanding use of graphics that our Administrative Assistant, Jan Cote, produces. You'll see that we've adopted the shepherd's staff/cross as our ‘brand’, and it's used exclusively on all parish materials. I'll send you a copy of our Sunday bulletin and perhaps a recent newsletter to give you other examples, but I think you'll see a new freshness and crispness to things that was not present before you came to us.

I could go on and on, Andy, but The Magnetic Church has had a profound effect on me in the way that I look at everything here. It feels like I'm looking at things through "Andy's eyes", so to speak. Example, a couple of weeks ago, the dates for Memorial Day weekend and the Memorial day services were listed in the bulletin, and I asked the staff, "what's this? What's happening on those dates?", knowing perfectly well what they were about; but I said, "I'm looking at this through Magnetic Church eyes, and as a visitor, newcomer, or maybe even a regular parishioner, I have no idea what you're promoting." God's every blessing, good friend, and thank you for the profound effect you're having for the Glory of God on the Church.

And from:

Eugene Q. Belote, Chairman, Evangelism/Outreach
The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd
639 Edgewater Drive, Dunedin, Florida, 34698
www.churchgoodshepherd.org; 727-733-4125
727-736-842; ivangoofinov@verizon.net

Nov. 17, 2005

Dear Andy,

∙          My church (host of the Nov. 11/12, 2005 event) was really excited and impressed by you and “The Magnetic Church” Conference this past weekend. I heard nothing but positive comments and the same is true of the written evaluations. This was the second time that five of us had attended your conference and we enjoyed it even more this time as it was more about us! It was especially inspiring for our Incorporation Commission and their Welcoming Group. Buildings and Grounds already have a list of projects to present at Vestry tonight. We found out that even though we consider ourselves a very welcoming church, we still need improvement. We found how difficult it is for a non-churched person to walk in to our property. Even Episcopalians have a difficult time finding their way around.

You gave us new tools for Evangelism and Marketing our Church. We are working on a new common logo for all our brochures, bulletins, newsletters and letterheads. We are also updating our web site to market this “Thin Place” where the Holy Sprit is at work. Best of all, I know that I have a new friend in Andy who will be there to give me honest appraisals of our Evangelism ideas.

The Episcopal Church USA

The Rt. Rev. Russell E. Jacobus
Bishop of the Diocese of Fond du Lac
1051 N. Lynndale Drive, Suite 1B
Appleton, WI 54914-3094
920-830-8866; rjacobus@diofdl.org; www.episcopalfonddulac.org

May 9, 2006

Dear Andy,

∙          Thank you so much for your enthusiastic and empowering “Magnetic Church” conference presentation. It was well received by participants from congregations of various sizes. Members from the small congregations said that most of what they hear and read regarding evangelism does not apply to their situation. The practical applications you gave them to evangelize their communities were appropriate, most helpful, and, as one person said, “actually do-able”.

Your storytelling manner of presentation was very appropriate in our small diocese where most of us know one another and feel like we are family. You really fit in as one of us, showing us how we might easily and without embarrassment proclaim our faith and welcome others into our communities of faith in Jesus Christ. May the Lord continue to bless you in your ministry.

The Episcopal Church USA

The Reverend Fred H. Tinsley, Jr., Rector
St. James Episcopal Church and School
1620 Murray Street
Alexandria, LA 71301-6843
318-445-9845; parishrector@bellsouth.net

May 4, 2006

Dear Andy,

∙          Many, many thanks for your presentation of the Magnetic Church to the people of St. James as well as to our diocesan and non-diocesan participants. Many of my colleagues in ministry, and the laity alike, commented afterwards, either by phone or short note, how much they enjoyed and appreciated the conference. To a person, they cited your excellent preparation, your own vulnerability in sharing your story, and the humorous and creative way you spoke of evangelism and related matters.

The Magnetic Church program bears witness to your commitment to empower the local congregation to proclaim Jesus Christ in a forthright, open, and dynamic way. To that extent your careful preparation, your helpful materials, and your effusive enthusiasm for what you do, all offer robust encouragement for participants of the program to get on with building up the Church for the cause of Christ in ways quite reasonable and practical.

On behalf of the Vestry and the members of the Evangelism Team I can only say, Well done, Andy, very well done. Please know that we at St. James heartily endorse and recommend the Magnetic Church program and would be happy for you to share our delight in your efforts with others. And may God continue to bless this unique ministry of yours.

The Episcopal Church USA

The Rev. Paul Bresnahan, Chair of The Evangelism Committee of
The Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia
c/o St. Mark's Episcopal Church
405 B Street
St. Albans, WV 25177
304-722-4284; paulbresnahan@yahoo.com

May 1, 2006

Dear Andy,

∙          Another big thank you seems in order for a wonderful conference in Evangelism. Your storytelling skills and practical suggestions, not to mention your theologically sound analysis of the dynamics of Proclamation, were engagingly presented and enthusiastically received by the people of this diocese. You have kindled new hope in scores of congregations and tiny regional clusters. What you present is equally applicable to full size program and even corporate size congregations as well as those of much more modest measure.

In addition, your attention to detail in helping our Diocesan Evangelism Team prepare for the event made it seem easy to prepare for one of the most successful diocesan events presented in West Virginia for many years. Thank you for your ministry in the Church.

 

∙          A Progress Report from: John A. Proctor, Senior Warden, St. John’s Episcopal Church, Huntington, West Virginia; c/o Underwood Law Offices, 910 4th Ave.; Suite 1111, Huntington, WV 25701; 304-634-9455. May 8, 2006:

Dear Andy: Thank you again for your wonderful program (April 28/29, Clarksburg, WV). As Senior Warden for St. John’s Vestry, I am ashamed to admit that I was not pleased that our rector had unilaterally decided to make “The Magnetic Church” our vestry retreat this year. However, now that we have come and attended, I feel that St. John’s was blessed to have had such wonderful representation because we now have 15 or so “new evangelists” in our congregation. I would strongly recommend that all church vestries attend your program so the vestry members could present a unified front to the laity as the impetus for needed change.

Your ministry is truly inspirational and has invigorated all of us to become proactive in making changes to our church that will make it an even more welcoming environment to all comers. In fact, on Sunday morning, I went to the church early to look around at some of the immediate changes that could be made and there were three other vestry members there already doing the same thing. Thank you again and please stay in touch as we have discussed the possibility of having you “stop by” on one of your many journeys if that would be at all possible. May God bless you and keep you safe in all your travels.

The Episcopal Church USA

Jim Strader, On-site Coordinator for the Feb. 3 & 4, 2006 event in Tucson, for
The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona
114 W. Roosevelt
Phoenix, AZ 85003
To contact Jim: cell: 520 975-6448; jstrader2@yahoo.com

(Jim wrote to The Rt. Rev. Kirk Stevan Smith, and copied me; reproduced with Jim's permission)

Feb. 5, 2006

Good Afternoon Bishop Smith,

∙          I thought that you might like to receive a review of Andrew Week's Magnetic Church Weekend Conference Event in Tucson given that I was there serving as a "sponsor" for the diocese. In short, I think that Mr. Weeks provided the 71 participants who attended the conference (on either or both days) an abundant and inspirational conference. Clergy and lay leaders alike now possess practical sets of useful, Spirit-filled, and enjoyable evangelical tools to create “magnetic churches.” I have no doubt that everyone came away with at least one message, resource and/or experience they can quickly share with current and prospective Christians in their parishes. I spoke with folks from Grace St. Paul's, St Matthew's, St. Michael's, and Church of the Apostles as well as with folks from throughout Southern Arizona. It's my sense that the people I chatted with believe they received a wealth of information while enjoying the time they spent with Andy Weeks during the past two days.

I need to tell you how immensely impressed I was with Father Bob, Kathleen Nyhuls and the folks from Church of the Apostles who volunteered just a few short days ago to support the event. (Note: the event had to be moved on very short notice). We experienced some minor technical difficulties with audio visual resources but Mr. Weeks, Kathleen, and Bryce Downing were superstars in working through the last minute difficulties to produce an excellent conference. And, I think that Andrew, Kathleen and I worked with one another rather well given that we didn't collectively know one another at all until 9:30 a.m. on Friday morning. I really relished the "Just Do It" philosophy that we were able to create in such a short time. Anyway - my biggest kudos to Mr. Weeks, and everyone at Church of the Apostles who displayed such wonderful hospitality and Grace to one another as well as to the conference participants.

Lastly, I would like to thank Chuck, Mark (diocesan staff), and you for allowing me the opportunity to sponsor Mr. Weeks while he was here in Tucson and for trusting me to represent the Diocese of Arizona. I now have lots of fresh ideas and pragmatic means for welcoming new people into the Episcopal Church as I step into my emerging sacramental and parochial ministries. If nothing else, I know how to quickly split 64 or 68 people into groups of four or eight without giving it hardly any thought. All joking aside, I am truly blessed and honored for what I was able to experience this past Friday and Saturday.  Thank you.

The Episcopal Church USA

Tom Prather, Senior Warden
Iona-Hope Episcopal Church
9650 Gladiolus Drive
Fort Myers, FL 33908
cell 239-691-9894; Tommyp37@aol.com

Jan. 29, 2006

Dear Andy,

∙          Some random thoughts about my experiences with The Magnetic Church:
- My attendance (at the April 2005 conference in St. Petersburg and then our hosting this January, 2006 event) enabled me to see our church, our home and our business differently; not as I see it, but as others see it.
- How important media image and graphic consistency is to overall marketing concepts.
- I have a better understanding of what welcoming ministry means and needs to be.
- The Magnetic Church changed my life.

The Episcopal Church USA

Bill Wrenn, Missioner for Congregational Development
The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina
P.O. Box 17025
Raleigh, NC 27619
800-448-8775; 919-787-6313; 19197870156
bill.wrenn@episdionc.com

Nov. 1, 2005

Dear Andy,

∙          By now, over 500 people have attended our Magnetic Church conferences in this Diocese: in 2004 at Greensboro (Feb.) and Wake Forest (Oct.); and, in 2005 at Concord (March), Charlotte (Oct.) and Greensboro (Oct). this past weekend. These members of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, and many Presbyterians, Lutherans and United Methodists have been touched by your teachings. The spiritual path you have traveled and the discoveries revealed to you and through you have been a tremendous blessing to us all.

And my saying that lives were "touched" ranks among the understatements of recent times for this diocese. The reviews from all the gatherings have been very favorable, and the wonder is that I don’t have to "sell" it. The folks who have attended continue to talk it up, and I have no doubt that it will be SRO for the event already scheduled by The Presbytery of New Hope (Raleigh, March/06) and for the Lutheran Synod and the Diocese of Western NC when they engage you.

All these events have shown your ministry to be effective across geographic boundaries, liturgical styles and theological positions. A wonderful, positive energy is created. And, I have to tell you that for me the key comes right off the proverbial bat. The courage and vulnerability shown in the telling of your story on Friday night both sets the stage and makes me receptive for Saturday’s teaching. Please don’t ever alter that format. I am grateful to you and for you and thank God for your ministry.

And a Progress Report from:
Rae Augustin, Magnetic Church Conference Host
Director of Religious Education St. Francis Episcopal Church
3506 Lawndale Drive
Greensboro, NC 27310
336-288-4721; rae@stfrancisepis.org

Nov. 25, 2005

∙          The Magnetic Church Conference has been a catalyst of positive change for our parish. We had 31 parishioners attend and Andy has encouraged us to look at our facilities and processes with new eyes. Changes were in place by the Monday morning after he left because Andy empowers you with the “hows” as well as the “whys”.

By Monday morning, a huge "We're glad you're here" banner was hung in a previously empty space in our parish hall. On Thursday, a parishioner bought lunch for any participant who could attend a brainstorming meeting. 12 of us were able to be there and we came up with a three page ‘to-do’ list. We are dividing the items among the appropriate commissions and are rolling up our sleeves and getting to work. We call ourselves The Magnetic Church Reunion Group and plan on meeting regularly to check on our progress.

The Episcopal Church USA

Carolyn M. Chilton
Program Director
The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
110 West Franklin Street
Richmond, VA 23220
1-800-DIOCESE; Mobile: 540-333-1178;cchilton@thediocese.net

Oct. 18, 2005

∙          It has been my great pleasure to work with Andy Weeks in hosting five Magnetic Church conferences (3 in this diocese; 2 earlier in the Dioves of Upper South Carolina). The Magnetic Church conferences are both inspirational and practical. Andy’s humor, humility and call help people relax, overcome their fears and misunderstandings of evangelism, and renew their passion for Jesus’ call to all of us in the Great Commission.

And if that weren’t a full enough plate, you also get a wealth of resources and practical tools to make your church more visible and welcoming. The Church of the 21st century has to renew its energy and practice its ministry with excellence. Andy Weeks can start you on that journey.

The Episcopal Church USA

A Progress Report from Laura Trott, Communications Coordinator
Calvary Episcopal Church
102 North Second Street
Memphis, TN 38103
901-525-6602x105; fax: 19015255156. ltrott@calvarymemphis.org

July 6, 2005

Dear Andy,

∙          Calvary Episcopal Church is brimming with energy as we are beginning to meet many of the evangelism goals we set for ourselves after your Magnetic Church presentation in November, 2004. People are comfortably saying the word evangelism and relating it to their unique blend of southern hospitality. I thought you might be interested in a few of the programs the Magnetic Church helped us to initiate:
+ An Evangelism Ministry Group has been created to encourage parishioner participation and organize Calvary’s multiple evangelism strategies.
+ The Vestry has made evangelism one of their top priorities and has asked each ministry group to consider evangelism when planning programs.
+ 64 people have signed up to serve on rotating Greeter Teams and have been trained using the Magnetic Church teaching guide.
+ Two teams have been developed to coordinate the ordering of new signs for our exterior and interior. Our goal is to have the signs and budget approved by August 2005.
+ Our Interior Sign Team is redesigning our Information Center and creating a welcome kiosk so that we may better welcome visitors. We are prototyping now.
+ A welcome brochure has been designed using your book Welcome! and notes taken at the Magnetic Church presentation.
+ We now have a staff member dedicated to newcomer ministry. The Magnetic Church helped us shine a light on visitors so that we can better welcome them as well as help them get to know Calvary.
+ Our visitor card (created after we attended the Magnetic Church at Grace-St. Luke’s in February 2004) helps us realize the needs of our visitors and meet those needs.
+ As you know we are an urban parish; therefore, we have studied the demographics of downtown Memphis. Knowing our downtown community better will improve our communication to the residents.
+ Research has begun on the update of our calvaryjc.org website. We hope to make it more user friendly as well as simplify the maintenance.

Thank you for your continued support since the Magnetic Church. I have greatly appreciated your continuing advice on our newsletter as well as your willingness to edit our welcome brochure before printing. As you can see from the number of bullets above, the Magnetic Church was a true Godsend for our parish. The people of Calvary Episcopal Church give thanks for you and your continued ministry.

And from: The Rev. Andrew MacBeth, D. Min
Rector, Calvary Episcopal Church; amacbeth@calvaryjc.org

Dec. 30, 2004

Dear Andy:

∙          We at Calvary would be happy to recommend you and the Magnetic Church conference to any group that is thinking about sponsoring or attending it. Just have them give us a call.

I have attended the Magnetic Church three times over about 10 years, as a sponsor, a diocesan evangelism leader, and an ordinary participant. My experience is that it provides a great way to give church leaders new energy for the ministry of practical evangelism. Here at Calvary, a significant group of people have become much more aware of ways we can help visitors to feel welcome. You and our fellow conference participants helped us see Calvary with fresh eyes. We learned a lot! Thanks for the ministry you exercise in God’s church.

∙          From The Rev. Bonnie Malone, Associate Rector, in an article published in The Chronicle newsletter, Nov. 21, 2004: Evangelism: Not a Bad Word Anymore

Is evangelism really a bad word for Episcopalians? Since the Magnetic Church Conference, lots of Calvary folks don’t think so. Andy Weeks gave a face-lift to the word and to the practice. Evangelism, sharing “good news,” is natural for folks who love their church. Offering nourishment to a “spiritually hungry” world benefits us as well.

“Andy made evangelism approachable for reserved people like Southern Episcopalians,” says Elizabeth Madden. “The conference was powerful, uplifting, engaging, mind-boggling, energizing, exciting, thought-provoking. Now I can be an evangelist - of a sort.” “He defused the negatives about evangelism. His teaching was filled with personal references… and good humor,” says (parishioner) Bill Henry. When asked if he was ready to be an evangelist, Bill said, “Well…I’m ready to be a greeter. Evangelism is basically God-talk one-on-one. I can do that.”

“The Magnetic Church changed the way I feel about evangelism. I don’t have to go door to door…I can simply spread evangelism in my everyday life by enhancing things I already do - planting seeds as Andy called it,” says (parishioner) Mary Baddour. Talking to a co-worker about how you love your church, welcoming a newcomer, inviting a friend to come to a Calvary event, telling someone you will pray for them are all seeds of evangelism, Andy suggested.

The Episcopal Church USA

A Progress Report from: Julie Denman, Administrative Assistant to The Rector
The Rev. John Moloney
Grace - St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
1720 Peabody Ave.
Memphis, TN 38104
901-272-7425x15; julie@gslparish.org

June 27, 2006

∙          In February 2004, we hosted the Magnetic Church here in partnership with The Diocese of West Tennessee's Evangelism Task Force (their financial contribution was quite helpful). I have only positive comments to make about the March 2004 event. Andy knows his stuff. We learned LOTS of what to do and what not to do. 120 participants representing multiple parishes attended, so it was a good diocesan event. In addition we engaged Andy to preach and teach an adult class on Sunday morning.

We consider Andy to be more than an Evangelist - he is a friend. I do not hesitate to call him with questions or to seek his opinion; we have built a lasting relationship. We have worked on how we present ourselves to the community and how we welcome visitors. As a result of Andy’s program, we reviewed and revamped our printed materials: church newsletter, visitor card, minor changes to our service leaflet. We created a color brochure - an overview of parish programs - to send to visitors. We have increased our presence in the community by advertising (small start), sending photos and press releases to the community sections of our newspaper, utilizing neighborhood publications, and building relationships with the religion editor so that they now call us looking for stories. We put signs in the lawn for upcoming events to attract the neighbors.

We had to admit our facilities were in terrible shape - just looked unloved. This is not a new church and we had deferred maintenance for years. The workshop and a large donation from a member enabled us to get some badly needed repairs made. Parishioners who love to garden have spruced up the exterior. We were the poster child of poor exterior signage; all those are now replaced around our campus, and we now reserved parking for visitors. We immediately made homemade interior directional signs; a year later, we replaced many of those with professional signs. We hosted our Diocesan Convention in March 2005 and that was a wonderful reason/excuse/impetus for additional interior painting and repairs and some outside painting and work as well.

We have gathered and trained greeters who serve each Sunday; they are outgoing folks who love their mission and take it very seriously. We regularly remind our members to speak to everyone they see and to introduce themselves. We wear name tags every Sunday and we upgraded our coffee hour. We try to learn something about our guests; we follow up with visitors and we try to determine their needs and to meet those needs.

So, do we have hundreds of new members as a result? No. But I am certain that we have made a huge improvement in the way we present ourselves via the look of our facilities and our marketing/advertising. There's plenty of room for improvement but we've accomplished a lot. I know we have significantly improved our interaction with visitors. We make every effort to talk with them and learn a bit about them. We write, phone and email. We follow up with special mailings and invitations to social events. I believe we have improved our retention rate. Sure we have visitors who come only once, but not every church fills every need. We pray for our visitors. Our next area for improvement is keeping track of visitors for the longer haul and we're working on some strategies.

There's always more to do and Andy’s conference gave us the enthusiasm to do it. Also, the large number of our members who participated have given us a big "voice" in the congregation. We have asked for money and gotten it. Here, almost 18 months later, the Vestry has asked for a report on what remains to be implemented from the event. I've got lots of ideas to share with them and requests to make as well as an update on our progress. Would we do it (The Magnetic Church) again? Definitely!

And: A Progress Report from: The Reverend John H. Moloney, Rector
Grace-Saint Luke's Episcopal Church
1720 Peabody Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104
901-272-7425; fax 901-272-9833; athermoloney@gslparish.org

March 1, 2004

Dear Andy,

∙          It has been three weeks since this large Episcopal parish in Midtown Memphis hosted The Magnetic Church. I have met with four groups since that time and taken at least that many facility walk-through’s. A sign with the name of our church and the service times is being installed today. "The Episcopal Church Welcomes You" signs are on order. Banners are being designed to hang from long abandoned architectural poles at the curbside. A sign is on order to mark our future development at the Baptist Church we bought across the street. Interior signage is being designed by Buildings and Grounds. Greeters are welcoming people at the front steps of the church.

"How can all of this be happening?," you ask. The answer is: because the out-of-town prophet told the people what the home town boy has been saying for three years, and they heard it. Andy, it was a great weekend. You had us eating out of the palms of your hands. We had a couple dozen of our folks attend the workshop (note: in addition to 100+ from other churches). After you left, we quickly planned a follow-up meeting the next weekend. I consistently heard the following from everyone: "I never thought that I would be attending a conference on evangelism in the Episcopal Church, nor that I would say that I had fun at a conference on evangelism...but I did, and I did." It was a great weekend! Thanks, Andy.

And, from the most recent edition of The Messenger, the newsletter of Grace-St. Luke’s (names abbrev. for privacy)

We’re Becoming A Magnetic Church!

Over 40 members of Grace-St. Luke’s participated in The Magnetic Church Conference hosted at GSL in February and attended by many other West Tennesseans. The good news is that we’re following up on the new ideas and working to make GSL a magnetic church – a church that attracts and keeps visitors, a church focused on evangelism. Sandy B. stepped forward to head up the Sunday Morning Greeters. These Greeters are trained to engage visitors in conversation, learn something about visitors, provide orientation to GSL as needed and encourage repeat visits. If you’ve entered the church through the Peabody doors recently you’ve seen our dedicated corps of greeters at work.

The Building and Grounds Committee is addressing a list of property improvements; watch for clean up and paint up. Additional exterior and interior signage to guarantee visitors can find their way around our buildings has been ordered thanks to the generosity of a parishioner. The lot closest to the church entrance is being set aside for parking for visitors, seniors and the disabled. Noel S. and Claudia P. are working with Katherine S. to make our grounds even more inviting by adding new planters.

Paul L. and Jonathan C. are heading the efforts to improve our printed communications for newcomers. Attention will be given to all areas of our internal communications to make sure they are attractive and informative. Other communication efforts will focus on adding more feature articles to The Messenger, utilizing all available local media (such as the new section in the Commercial Appeal, The Flyer and midtown neighborhood publications) to present our parish to the community. Our Palm Sunday appearance on WMC TV news was due to the efforts of parishioner Lynn H., and we hope to increase our visibility.

Retaining visitors, responding to their needs, nourishing their well-being and fully involving them in the life of the parish is the goal of Shepherds. Leadership and volunteers are needed in this area. Our ministry of hospitality is growing, and everyone is invited to join in the ministry of hospitality. Check off your interest and send it to me and you’ll be put to ministry!

 

The Episcopal Church USA

The Rev. David Keill, Chair
The Episcopal Diocese of Virginia
Commission on Congregational Development
1704 West Laburnum Avenue
Richmond, VA 23227
804-264-9474; episcopal@cachurch.net

April 18, 2005

Dear Andy,

∙          On behalf of our diocese, I would like to thank you for the two conferences you led over the past couple of weekends in Virginia. “The Magnetic Church” is a valuable tool for today’s churches. During the conference you managed to keep us laughing, often at ourselves, while at the same time challenging us to view our churches from the point of view of a newcomer. Your presentation was inspiring and informative as well as a lot of fun. And, you provided practical steps to guide each church in making itself more welcoming to those who walk through our doors on Sunday morning.

As I departed I felt challenged and inspired, but even more importantly, I was aware of many specific actions my church could take to make our community more welcoming to newcomers. It is your emphasis on the practical that makes your conference so helpful to churches who are serious about reaching those who are seeking God. You have given us the inspiration and the resources to be more effective evangelists. And so, the members of the Commission are looking forward to our third Magnetic Church event which we are sponsoring on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 2005.

And on a personal note - it was great to meet you and work with you this past weekend in Glen Allen. Thank you so much for the passion and practicality you bring to your conferences. I had a great time and so did my wardens.

The Episcopal Church USA

∙          A Progress Report dated 3/02/05 from Carol Cline, Parish Coordinator, All Saints Episcopal Church, 525 Lake Concord Rd., Concord, NC 28025, 704-782-2024, www.allsaintsconcord.org; host of the third diocesan event, on Feb 26, 2005:

Dear Friends: On February 25-26, All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Concord, NC hosted The Magnetic Church conference, presented by Andy Weeks. 78 people from many different Church affiliations attended. Andy Weeks opened the conference Friday evening with his personal story and faith journey. The focus of the conference is Evangelism, and we all know just how uneasy that word makes us feel; Andy helps us to overcome that fear and any other apprehensions that we may have with his humor-filled presentation. Many participants came to the conference somewhat wary, but left feeling energized and ready to implement changes that would keep their churches growing.

The Magnetic Church provides all the tools one needs to attract new members. Andy not only provides the strategies but also includes time to practice during the conference. Every church can benefit greatly from this. Andy is a lay evangelist whose full time vocation is The Magnetic Church, and he is proof positive that evangelism is a lay ministry, empowered by the clergy. Just as his brochure suggests, he involves even the skeptics in this conference. Andy’s humor helps everyone to keep listening for more of his presentation.

I highly recommend this program to every church in the diocese that is interested in new member ministries and new member growth. The conferences previously held in the diocese sold out quickly so please don’t miss the chance to hear Andy Weeks’ message. I am confident that those who attend will find their time invested well spent.

The Episcopal Church USA

The Rev. Canon Sylvia Vásquez
Canon for Congregational Development
The Episcopal Diocese of New York
1047 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10025
212-932-7360 (Diocese); 845-928-6231 (St. David's)
CanonVasquez@frontiernet.net

Nov. 4, 2004

To Whom It May Concern:

∙          The Magnetic Church Conference was a huge help in our efforts to bring the issues of evangelization and church growth to the forefront of our parishes. We set a limit of 150 participants and were overwhelmed by parishes sending people in large groups of ten and twelve people. We had to accommodate well over 150 in the final days before the conference—what a great problem to have!

My favorite comments on the evaluation forms were those that talked about reclaiming the word “evangelism” for the Episcopal Church. And, we are still hearing about parishioner’s enthusiastic efforts to implement the techniques they learned from Andy Weeks.

∙          And, an Oct. 19, 2004 letter from The Rev. Robert L. Shearer, Interim Vicar of Christ Church in New Brunswick, NJ (732-545-6262), a long-term friend and colleague, who attended this event but had brought members of his former parish to a previous event in NJ (exact text, minus purely personal comments):

Andy, you were as always spectacular in transforming the viewpoint of participants from being comfortable ‘homebodies’ looking out at a strange world or avoiding it to being ones on the ‘outside’ looking in to find something life-giving. Thank you for having:
made it possible for my last parish to experience a net growth of 9% in a 7 month period; without your ministry, it could never have happened; and, you advised me wisely not to mix radically different liturgical styles - no praise music in traditional services, for example - with the result that we mounted a very successful separate praise service. Thank you again!

The Episcopal Church USA

The Rt. Rev. Jack M. McKelvey
The Episcopal Diocese of Rochester
935 East Avenue
Rochester, NY 14607
585-473-2977; fax 585-473-3195; bpjackm@aol.com

May 11, 2004

Dear Andy,

∙          I want to thank you for the marvelous conference which we had in Geneva last week. Our people were very excited about the practical ways which your theology of evangelism can be given wings. And, as you may have been told, our diocese under my leadership is defining ministry as “all that we are and do in support of God’s mission.” Every aspect of your theology of evangelism seems to acknowledge this reality. Anyone who came to the conference could acknowledge that they are ministers of The Gospel as they carry out the very practical aspects of being a welcoming church.

I heard one of the participants say, “Oh, I can do that.” In a significant way, you have de-mystified the call to be evangelists without even using that word. I wish you well as you continue your conference gatherings, and I would urge other dioceses and judicatories to consider setting up conferences like ours.

And from The Rev. Canon Carolyn Lumbard: The feedback was extremely positive - both solicited and unsolicited. The Bishop and canons are still hearing positive and excited comments wherever we go. I received one email to tell me a participant planted flowers in front of the church before worship on Sunday morning! One rector has ordered 24 copies of your book Welcome from our bookstore. Four people from different congregations, have made a point to tell me that they said hello to someone they did not know. The Bishop in particular was very impressed with the practical nature of the work and presentation. He will add a question in his next round of visitations - "I see you were at The Magnetic Church; what did you take from that conference and implement here?"  He will also be asking what further resources/training might be helpful. So, the entire enterprise was and continues to be a success. And for that, I am more grateful to you than I can say.

The Episcopal Church USA

The Rt. Rev. Don E. Johnson
The Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee
692 Poplar Ave.
Memphis, TN 38105
901-526-0023; fax 19015261555

Feb. 25, 2004

∙          I want to endorse The Magnetic Church, a full and rich day and a half presentation on evangelism. The conference is demanding of your time and best efforts, and it is practical in application. As a Senior Warden from one of my smallest congregations noted after the conference, "This will change our whole diocese."

The Magnetic Church draws us into evangelism without getting stuck on today’s hot button issues. Andy Weeks, the evangelist and guide for this gathering, has an understated and engaging approach. That is to say, he doesn’t hit you over the heard with the Bible, but the biblical witness is at the heart of his teaching, calling and message as an evangelist for Jesus the Christ.

Need practical and faith based evangelism training? Call Andy Weeks. He will challenge, encourage and enable your congregation to share the good news of Jesus Christ in a way that will make sense to you and those you and I are called to serve. This is an opportunity you will not want to miss. Why not grab it?

The Episcopal Church USA

The Rev. Jim Nutter, Rector
Palmer Memorial Episcopal Church
6221 Main Street
Houston, TX 77030
713-529-6196x123; fax 713-529-6178; nutter@palmerchurch.org.

May 20, 2003

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

∙          The people who attended the Magnetic Church conference here at Palmer Church in May 2003 were well served by having Andy Weeks lead this event. The feedback from attendees was very positive.

Andy’s true heart for God, for God’s people, and for God’s church was apparent to all as he presented concrete, specific, challenging, insightful, and thought-provoking ideas for making the church more hospitable and welcoming. At our staff meeting on Tuesday following the conference, we developed at least twelve ways to immediately make Palmer Church a more inviting place. I’m certain that the people of Palmer will generate more ideas as this first round is implemented.

Mission and evangelism are things we’ve taken quite seriously at Palmer but we’ve also become accustomed to our place, our literature, our signage - Andy Weeks was able to help us see many things we do in new ways. Andy made a difference in people’s lives by challenging some of their assumptions. His leadership at the conference will make a difference in this community for the mission of Jesus Christ.

I highly recommend the Magnetic Church to any community that might be considering it.

The Episcopal Church USA

The Rt. Rev’d Dorsey F. Henderson, Jr., Bishop
The Episcopal Diocese of Upper South Carolina
1115 Marion Street
Columbia, SC 29201
800-889-6961; 803-771-7800; fax 18037995119

March 26, 2003

Dear Andy,

∙          “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” Jesus tells the eleven disciples at the end of the Gospel according to St. Matthew. This message was not just for the eleven, but for the whole Church in all ages, including us—you and me—all of us today. As Episcopalians, however, many of us are fearful of being included in this commission—fearful because we aren’t equipped with the theological understanding of evangelism and fearful because we aren’t equipped with the tools and resources for evangelism.

Andy, your Magnetic Church workshops here in Upper South Carolina were enormously helpful in casting away our fears about the Great Commission and being evangelists for our Lord. I believe that Christians everywhere want to share the Good News, but often fail to do so out of self-doubt and fear. You are an exception to this. Your call and passion for the ministry of evangelism is clear. You are so clearly working out of this call and your many gifts for it. It is truly your vocation – you have listened well to our Lord’s call in your life and are a faithful steward of that call and your gifts.

We continue to reap the benefits of the Magnetic Church workshops. People are more empowered, and, dare I say, bolder! The lingo of evangelism is changing for us – we talk more about the ministries of hospitality and publicity; the role that everyone must play in evangelism (not just the clergy and lay leaders); and that at its core this is a simple message of love that we need to share with the world.

We are grateful for your coming to be among us. I highly recommend you and your ministry to others in the Church – the Church in all its denominations. May God continue to bless you as you have so richly blessed us.

The Episcopal Church USA

The Reverend Penny Pfab, Rector
and Wardens Wheaton, Junnila and Curley
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
4557 Colfax Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55409
612-824-2697; fax 16128253752; pfab@st-lukes.net; www.st-lukes.net.

March 3, 2003