ReSource - what do people say about us?
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ReSource is an initiative with an Anglican distinctive.
We offer spiritual resources, retreats and practical training sessions
for churches of all types, traditions and denominations. We believe
that every church is different, and work with each according to its own
needs and context. We work primarily through a scattered and travelling
team of people with complementary giftings and experience. |
"Renewal is when the temperature in the church is raised until it reaches apostolic point - at which point the church begins to evangelise naturally"
(Bishop Michael Marshall)
Comments on our work:
“The accessibility of the input and the questions/material were really helpful in focussing me and others on the issues” - Revd Debbie Slatter, after a School of Leadership residential for the Diocese of Liverpool led by Alison, January 2012
“We had a really good time, Alison is a great speaker and communicated all sorts of thoughts and reflections using quotes and video clips to illustrate points she was making, to good effect. There were many very positive comments made after the various sessions that had challenged us in different ways ” - Revd Jonathan Hawkins, convener of a retreat for graduates of the St Albans and Oxford Ministry Course, Cuddesdon, January 2012
“THANK YOU so much – the Wild Gospel is the first time I have really begun to understand my journey in faith. I have read so many books but yours is the first to make me feel that at last it is beginning to make sense ” - Sally Taylor
“It’s a few hours since our Ambition For Mission Day and I have just been reflecting on the day itself and how useful and empowering your teaching and listening were. I thought with your initial talk you really set us up for the day and it made a complicated process much easier and gave us a focus for dealing with people’s inspiring stories. The summary at the end was brilliant and has helped us along a process of discerning a mission plan for children and young people in the Diocese”” - Alistair Kaye, after a day led by Martin Cavender in the Diocese of Ripon & Leeds
“I am writing to thank you for your involvement in last weekend's VIA conference. I was impressed by your contribution at the time, but subsequent reflection has proved to be even more inspiring. I really appreciate the careful thought and exegesis that went into all that you shared at the weekend ~ and I was excited by the way in which you managed to involved large numbers in bible study in the seminars. My prayer for you is that God blesses you richly and that your influence spreads” - Mark Warren-Smith, after the Pioneer network’s Vision in Action conference at which Alison was the keynote speaker, November 2011
“It was an absolute joy to meet you and a great privilege to hear you speak. I have heard so many favourable comments about your lecture from so many people, all of which are richly deserved. Thank you most sincerely for your kindness and for your great Christian witness” - Revd Nigel John, Chaplain to the University of Swansea, after a lecture on evangelism by Martin, November 2011
“I'd like to give yourself and Alison a massive thank you for coming along to see us last Wednesday. We really appreciate the work and effort you both put into preparing for the evening. Your delivery was both fresh and extremely inspiring. We are very grateful to you and rest assured there is a major appetite for this initiative and we will let you know how we get on” - Matthew Beeby, after an evening on prayer visiting, Bozeat, Northamptonshire, October 2011
“A personal note of gratitude for today, as well as on behalf of the Chapter. You gave us much to think about and pray about and I for one feel new beginnings stirring. We were affirmed and challenged and sent out encouraged. The readiness of the chapter to come together and spend time praying and considering ministry together really is a huge grace and will I am sure lead to the sort of cooperation and collegiality we have been praying for and of which you have been a telling channel” - Revd Tony Lynett, following a quiet day led by Martin for Wellingborough Deanery Chapter, October 2011
“Many thanks for the copy of Alison’s The Word on the Wind. A wonderful book from one of Britain’s most perceptive Christian writers” - Dr Graham Kings, Bishop of Sherborne, August 2011
“Alison’s writing is a tremendous gift to the church… I greatly appreciated 'The Word on the Wind' and am busy recommending it to all and sundry – particularly the clergy of my diocese” - John Inge, Bishop of Worcester, July 2011
“Congratulations on another excellent 'Resource' issue! You seem to find the gaps and then fill them with such good material, relevant to the complex challenges of today - now with those that come in the work place. Thank you!” - Jeanne Harper
“Simple, workable, unsensational and you make it all sound ‘do-able for normal people’, which a lot of Christian books don't. And nice examples, very practical” - comment on Doing What Jesus Did from a church leader in Germany, August 2011
“We would like to thank you for the rich, encouraging and uplifting sessions you've led us in over our parish weekend. We have all benefited from your received wisdom, and appreciate your gently encouraging yet challenging style of leadership. We pray we will continue to open ourselves to God's leading” - Revd Arani Sen after a weekend with Armley Christ Church led by Martin, June 2011
“Clear, concise, reasoned teaching delivered in a passionate and humorous way!” - feedback comment from a weekend for Christ Church Armley led by Martin
“I want to thank you so much for an inspiring and spiritually encouraging event on Sunday. It was so good of you to make that huge journey there and back but it enabled an inner city community to hear the sort of message that many had never heard before. Quite often the North is forgotten and estates and inner city areas side-lined. Your message brought hope into an area where people needed most to hear the good news of God’s presence. Thank you for a week that changed lives.” - Revd Alistair Kaye, Armley Deanery Missioner, after a weekend led by Martin, July 2011
“The affirmation that aspects of discipleship which feed me, like meditative prayer, wide-ranging reading, poetry, art, are not selfish indulgences but ways the Holy Spirit is topping me up so I can ‘bubble over’ with life for others. It was all helpful – fostering confidence, interesting speakers, stories, course content. Lots of good resources, the offers of help for the future, and time made for individual guidance. The course allowed space for us to continue our private conversations in our heads, hearts, souls. Honestly, it’s the best course I’ve been on here, and I hope there’ll be an opportunity for more!” - Debbie Thompson, after a 48 hour retreat on ‘Preaching and Renewal – releasing Word and Spirit’ led by Martin and Alison for the Diocese of Winchester CMD programme, July 2011
"I want to thank you for an excellent presentation yesterday. It was really good to have such different but complementary presentations and I know from the immediate feedback how greatly appreciated your contribution was. I was particularly grateful that you were able to join us for an inaugural conference" - Richard Andrew, Director, York Institute for Community Theology, after a day conference on discipleship at which Alison Morgan spoke on Beautiful Lives – Christian discipleship in rural Africa
“Food for thought and inspiration to act”; “clarity in direction of how to be a PCC”; “it was well presented and very welcoming” - some feedback comments from a PCCs evening led by Martin and Alison for the deanery of Wellingborough, May 2011
"We had never had so many people writing to us or making a point of saying thank you and how much they had enjoyed, and got so much out of, the weekend both in terms of fellowship and spiritual growth. Ian was just great. He gently, but firmly nudged us all! He pitched it just right - not making people too uncomfortable but making us all reflect and realise how much more we could, and should, be doing in terms of commitment and dedication, being people who are 'beautiful' on the inside so that others notice a difference - in other words being better ambassadors for Christ. Ian put himself completely at our disposal throughout the weekend. I don't think we could have asked for anything more!" - Mandy Clover, after a church weekend for Christ Church, Dore, with Ian Bishop, March 2011
"Alison’s talk was measured, deep, humorous and full of the very Holy Spirit she was talking about”; ”You have inspired me to put on my musical note laces, armed with the gifts of the Spirit to get out there to do God's work..." - comments from Janice Taylor and Boon Yeng after a day on ‘Doing what Jesus did’ in the Diocese of Worcester, March 2011
"It was lovely to hear your new and valuable insights into the Gifts of the Spirit" - Robert Latham, Worcester Diocese renewal group, March 2011
"Please can you convey our sincerest thanks to Martin for his gracious and sensitive delivery of God's word. The message was timely, engaging and challenging to all who were fortunate enough to be present. We were reminded about our calling, commission, responsibility and strategic setting. It would be wonderfully beneficial to have another opportunity to hear Martin when he is in London again sometime. What a lovely Godly gentleman, please thank Martin and well done to you for thinking of him in the first instance" - Len Moore, News International, March 2011
"A great reminder of the healing ministry peppered with great examples and practical illustrations; a wonderful example of in-depth experience in a particular area and how it can bring the Kingdom of God to the world" - Evelyn Lee-Barber, after a seminar by Alison Morgan on healing and mission at St Paul’s Theological Centre, London, March 2011
"Thank you for all that you have done for us – for your scholarship and for your care" - Rob Blackhall, after a series of Lenten addresses and after-school events by Roger Morgan and Elaine Sutherland at Queen’s School, Taunton, March 2011
"What I like about ReSource is the breadth of their appeal across the churchstyle prism" - Canon David Isherwood, Rector, Holy Trinity Clapham, February 2011
"Thank you both for all that you brought to us and gave to us of the Lord, of your gifts, of yourselves. The weekend exceeded my expectations in many ways; to see God at work in people's lives in deep ways was a privilege. Thank you for yours and Cesca's clear yet gentle ministry which for me spoke of Christ. I am specially rejoicing at the effect the weekend had on the church as community.It was like seeing the colour beginning to come back into the face of child who has been ill - life flowing in" - Chris Simons, after a weekend for St Mary’s, Camberley, February 2011
"Everyone present on Saturday came away very re-charged and inspired. Thank you so much for troubling to travel a long way and devote the day to a small group such as ours. You led us superbly well. I hope and pray that by God's grace we shall have the discernment, unity, wisdom and will to follow through effectively and begin to move from maintenance to growth" - Richard Genochio, after a day with St Lawrence, Ardeley, January 2011
"Alison Morgan's contribution to the Baptist Mainstream Conference last year was stunning, refreshing, stimulating – and it's why I've decided to work with ReSource" - Mike Fegredo, Baptist pastor of Ruddington, Notts, December 2010
"I want to thank you for being willing to share your insights and give of yourself. We have lots to think about and much to reflect on. My hope and prayer is that we fan into flame the gifts God has put in us through Saturday" - Chris Johnson, after an awayday for Hoddesden Baptist church, October 2010
"God has taken us all, I believe, to a very special place. The blessing we received this weekend will stay with Julie and myself for the rest of our lives" - Richard Saunders, youth worker for Butcombe and Blagdon ; "This has exceeded all my expectations!" - Revd Nicholas Maddock, after a weekend away for the Wrington benefice at Brunel Manor, Torquay, October 2010
"I always thoroughly enjoy reading the magazine and look forward to it arriving; other mags and journals often join a pile until I have a chance to look at them but ReSource is so well edited and presented with encouraging, challenging and informative thought provoking articles that I read it as soon as I can!" - Gay Maynard, September 2010
"As Rooted in Jesus + Junior unfolds across Africa and now beyond, we can see this amazing and beautiful ‘tool of the Kingdom’ changing lives; children’s, adults and nations; building churches and communities in the years ahead. What a privilege to pray, to share and to support this work. I am so very grateful to God for these days with Rooted in Jesus" - Jonathan Rendall, Diocese of Worcester, September 2010
"Thank you both from the bottom of our hearts for the most fabulous week. People were changed this year, in heart, mind and contenance - it was wonderful"; "The truth is we were, and are, all changed by your ministry. We are on firm foundations and we have experienced His love again. We've been healed!" - comments after a Stewards Trust Houseparty, August 2010
"We are very grateful for what God is doing through you and Rooted in Jesus. 'Growing the Church' / GtC has adopted Rooted in Jesus as one of the core elements in growing God’s church in our Province of 28 Dioceses. +Martin and our Board see Rooted in Jesus as Alpha and 2 yrs of discipleship rolled into one. We are desperate not to cultivate a faith that is 100 miles wide and an inch deep!" - Trevor Pearce, Director, Growing the Church, South Africa, August 2010
"Thank you so much for giving us such a marvellous time. It really was one of the very best parish weekends that we have had" - Canon Patrick Whitworth, All Saints, Weston, Bath, May 2010
"The Spirit is at work amongst us so much more evidently since the weekend you led for us in February. We thoroughly enjoyed Season of Renewal - it was a lovely blend of traditionalists and newly confirmed! We're now using 'Saints at Prayer' - again, delightful openness" - Revd Esther McCafferty, Basildon
"Thank you for your magnificent effort last Thursday: the talk was much appreciated by all those privileged to be present! You are able to pepper your words with humour and charming anecdotes; any heaviness of message is leavened with an irresistible light touch, and the effect on listeners is thus greater than perhaps it would otherwise have been." - David Rymer, after a talk on science and faith in Butleigh, Somerset
“We had a very special time at our parish house party with Don Brewin and the team from ReSoruce. I think everyone was touched in some way by God and as a church we have been given much to reflect on!” - Revd Jonathan Hearn, St Paul’s, Worcester, May 2010
"We are writing to say a very big thank you to the ReSource mission team. ‘A Passion for Life’ was very definitely the highlight of the year for both churches. (Our recent evaluation meeting) focussed on three significant outcomes. The first was in the preparation for the mission. We have been challenged deeply to re-orientate our thinking in the direction of ‘living beautiful lives’ amongst everyone we meet and get to know in daily life. Secondly, the impact of the team in our midst was a blessing – each one had a heart and passion for God and sharing their faith. And thirdly, we have had a good number between the two churches who have prayed a prayer of commitment" - Revd Stephen Coe, Holy Trinity, Wallington, after a ReSource mission led by Roger Morgan, April 2010
"Thank you both for a great presentation. It is so good to be reminded what the Lord can do through us..." - comment after a ReSource presentation to Gloucester City Deanery Synod, April 2010
"It was faith building - the idea that healing is the essence of God is exciting! Could have listened a lot longer" - comment after Alison Morgan's Arthur Dodds lecture at Harnhill Centre of Christian healing, April 2010
"Thank you for a very uplifting talk. You have given us much food for thought, and hopefully we shall now begin to re-establish a Healing Prayer Ministry" - Revd Angela Syer, after an Alpha evening on 'Does God heal today?', March 2010
"I have no doubt that God has commissioned and anointed this course for Africa in much the same way as he is using Alpha in more urban and “western” settings. We are already starting to see remarkable things in this Diocese as people and congregations are set on fire with the love of Jesus" - Bishop Martin Breytenbach, Diocese of St Mark the Evangelist, South Africa, March 2010
"Thank you so much for your ministry on Saturday. I have had many positive reactions. People were grateful, for example, for the way you described the variety of the work of the Holy Spirit in a congregation – it was low-key and unthreatening, but took the presence of his supernatural activity for granted, and challenged us as to our local experience. It was thrilling that so many stood at the end to receive ministry" - Preb Alastair Wallace, Ilminster, February 2010, after a Holy Spirit day led by Roger Morgan
"Thank you for the day. I thought your talks were spot on and your style of delivery absolutely the best for making this ministry accessible and real. The book sales say much about your content and delivery as well as a hunger to know more. Thank you! - Revd David Gillard, Healing day, Chichester diocese, February 2010
"Martin visited our Church in Great Baddow last January and as usual, he did not disappoint! Martin and Cesca really helped me and my wife during their visits to St. Mary’s. Martin and Cesca’s ministry has really inspired us" - comment after a weekend for St Mary's Baddow, February 2010
"Thank you Alison – just loved your no-nonsense direct sharing of a) truth b) vision c) practical reality, cutting through so much soft woolly niceness, which can be so paralysing"; "inspirational"; "definitely the best diocesan healing day I’ve attended" - comments after a day on healing for the diocese of Chichester, February 2010
"Thank you for a very good day yesterday. It was lovely to have your enthusiasm and also precision in description" - Revd Simon Cawdell, after a day on Wholeness and Healing for the diocese of Hereford, November 09
"Just a quick note to say thank you so much for coming and preaching, and sharing with us on Saturday night. There was a great sense of you connecting what God is saying to you at the moment with us and the journey we are on as a church, and your word encouraged and challenged and produced a response in many people. Be assured of our ongoing prayers and support for you and Resource" - Revd John McGinley, Holy Trinity Leicester, November 2009
"After you prayed for me, I felt restored, a new person, and hoped this would stay with me. So often I’ve found after House Parties that after a few days the burdens are back. But not this time!" - Caroline, after a Stewards Trust House party, September 2009
"A brilliant, thought provoking and enjoyable session." " We have been enabled to focus on the Lord and his will for us as a PCC and shown ways in which we can grow spiritually in order to fulfil our vision" - comments from a PCC evening at Blandford Forum, October 2009
"Time flew – I had no desire to look at my watch!" "Mixture of talk and discusssion, variety of speakers, good slides; prayerful and gentle atmosphere created; real challenge" - comments from a PCC day on mission and ministry at Sherborne Abbey, October 2009
"Thank you so much for coming to give the first of this term's Insight Lectures. Our newly forged link with ReSource is proving a major source of inspiration, and vision" - Revd Canon Eric Woods, Sherborne Abbey, October 2009
"A brilliant, thought provoking and enjoyable session." " We have been enabled to focus on the Lord and his will for us as a PCC and shown ways in which we can grow spiritually in order to fulfil our vision". - comments from PCC gatherings on mission and ministry at Sherborne Abbey and Sherborne St Paul's, Dorset, October 2009
"Very easy to listen to, meaningful, thought provoking, in accessible language. It gave us an alternative to door knocking, which some people have been frightened about." - Juliet Taylor, after a weekend on mission for St George's Lupsett, July 2009
"Thank you very much. Your faith and witness shine out and are so encouraging" - comment after a deanery PCCs evening in Deddington, Oxfordshire, July 2009
"Relaxed atmosphere and simple, workable activities and ideas" - comment from a workshop on evangelism, Glastonbury July 2009
"I was very pleased with the way the conference was received: your talks played no little part in this success! I was personally delighted at the emphasis you placed upon Renewal for Mission, this was both as I'd intended and asked and I am grateful to you for it." - Stephen Dinsmore, after the SOMA Prayer Conference, May 2009
"Simple and accessible" - comment after a deanery PCCs evening in Eccleshall, Stoke archdeaconry, July 2009
"I found the teaching extremely inspiring and it clarified to me what I am passionate about" - comment from a day for Lay Leaders in Coalville, May 2009
“I realise that the thing I’ve lacked has been the
Holy
Spirit – and here I’ve found him, and he has found me”; “I have never
before experienced the fullness of the Holy
Spirit but last evening I got down on my knees and heard the Lord say
to me, “I should be the centre of your life – I am going to
fill you with my Spirit to live in you”. And he did”.
comments from participants at a renewal weekend for Emmanuel
church in
Loughborough, May 2009
“Thanks for your ministry with us on both of the
prayer
schools. Informal feedback from the second was as encouraging as from
the first. Your manner of delivery was commented on again and again –
people find you very approachable and real and respond to you as though
you are speaking to them one to one. Your honesty and humanness really
communicate, especially on this subject in which we are all on a
journey of discovery” - Revd Brian Robertson, N W Leicester,
March 2009
“I am writing to say a very big thank you for leading our Quiet/Study day last month. Lots of people have let me know how much they appreciated your input, and just what a privilege it was to have you in our midst. I would also like to add my own appreciation – for your time with us, for what you shared and what you got us thinking about” - Canon Jane Curtis, Leicester, June 2009
"I just wanted you to know that since your visit God
has
pulled me
through some of those downs that I have mentioned, and this has been a
direct result of what you had to say to us all that particular day. I
know beyond all doubt that God loves me now! I know that should be
something that is obvious, but it was truly revoloutionary for me on
that day; so much so that I was given a vision of Jesus reinstating me
and asking me to tell those people on the street about His love for
them. Since then there have been two possible job opportunities both
with an aim to reach the marginalised in our society." - comment
after a quiet day for the Church Army, November 2008
"It was a real pleasure to meet you both at the Pioneer Centre last
weekend and Nas and I both thoroughly enjoyed your sermons, company and
wonderful sense of humour. You are both clearly very close to God and
are blessed with the amazing ability to convey God's messages in such a
meaningful and powerful way, yet your approach is so gentle and
light-hearted." - comment after a weekend for a church in
Solihull, December 08
"I am particularly grateful to ReSource for helping to bring a
sense
of cohesion to the clergy in this huge and disparate deanery.
Colleagues of all traditions shared in a day which gained universal
acclaim. I also know that the work done with PCC's will bear fruit in
churches in the future. It has achieved the desired aim of putting
transformation and renewal on the agenda for several parishes where it
was not before. It has also encouraged those of us who were committed
prior to the visit to be bold in mission." - Fr David Picken,
High Wycombe Deanery, November 2008
"Thank you for the time you shared with us at Morley. Without exception
and without reservation it was seen by us all as a very sepcial time -
of deepened friendship with each other, of spiritual refreshment and of
renewed and clarifying vision as to what we are called to as
individuals, parishes and clusters and as a deanery. Thank you for your
selfless giving of yourselves in so many ways - a real inspiration!" -
Revd
Brian Roberston, after a retreat for the North West Leicester Mission
Partnership, November 2008
"Thank you so much for coming to Wymeswold. Everyone who spent the day
with you on Saturday was well blessed, and Mary was greatly encouraged
and joyful when she rang me, today, to tell me that three people had
given their lives to Christ." - Lesley Blount, after an Alpha
day, November 2008
"Having been involved in about twenty missions myself I can honestly
say that I have never come across such a grounded, mature and spiritual
team as the ones who came to us from ReSource. They became not simply a
Mission Team but our brothers and sisters in Christ and our
friends.” - Dominic Furness, Vicar, All
Saints’ Milford on Sea, after a 10 day mission led by
ReSource, October 2008
"Such a well-focussed and well-timed programme.. We were given much to
ponder about and many of the ideas presented are practical and could
easily be implemented" - participants at an evening for the
PCCs of High Wycombe deanery, October 2008
"It has made me think about what we are offering to others and how we
do it now and whether we need to change how we do things" - comment
from a lay leader after an evening on Transformation in the gospel for
High Wycombe deanery, October 2008
"Thank you so much for all you did to make the PCC Evening
such an
inspirational occasion. It's just what so many of the PCCs needed to
hear and I am sure that you have planted seeds and given pointers which
will lead to much more God-centred PCC meetings and that this will
spill out into the renewal of the Church" - Helen Bence,
after an evening for Gartree Mission Partnership, Diocese of Leicester,
October 2008
"Many people have spoken to me this week of how
valuable a
time it
was for them. Some have been excited, others refreshed, yet others
disturbed....all the ways in which the Spirit works in our
lives"
- Revd Christine Froude, after a renewal weekend for St
Mary's, Shirehampton, September 2008
"I go to a lot of seminars, but I just wanted to say
that this
one has changed my life, just like that!"
- Justin Stone, after a seminar at New Wine on the Word of
God, August 2008
"Please allow me to thank you again for the powerful
ministry
and
teaching you gave us two weekends ago. On Sunday there were more
testimonies to what the Lord is doing and has done; and words of
encouragement and regret too from those not able to be with us because
they had heard what God is/had been doing in people's lives."
- Revd Jonathan Rendall, after a Healing Day for Hereford
deanery, July 2008
"Thank you for the care in listening to help us get the fit right.
Keith is a very good speaker, able to sit down alongside strangers,
engage in conversation and be good fun... all in addition to having
good things to say. Together he and Matthew created an environment of
trust, laughter, openness and depth. The ministry empowered our
people." -
Rev. Geoff Read, Chaplain, Anglican church in Basel, after a
ReSource weekend, May 2008
"I felt it was a really good day on Saturday and I've had lots of
positive feedback. People found it very helpful, and felt that there
was a very good balance between excellent input and opportunities to
engage with the issues, as well as appreciating the space and
opportunity to take in for themselves." - Revd Helen Bence,
after a Quiet Day for Gartree Mission Partnership, Leicester diocese,
May 2008
"We have had a wonderful Parish Weekend with Fred and Ellen Brodie over
Pentecost. They are so gentle and everybody warmed to them. Karen and I
were particularly impressed with the amount of preparation they put in.
Certainly this is a Pentecost we shall not forget in a hurry. Their
personal ministry to me was just inspirational. We cannot thank you
enough for recommending them to us. I don't know whether this link can
continue, but there are certainly those in this fellowship who would
like it to do so!" -
Timothy Buckley - Rector Belton Group of Parishes, Diocese of
Lincoln, May 2008
A group of about ten of us finished Season of Renewal
last
night. It was unanimously agreed that it had been the most inspiring
and helpful Lent course we had ever shared in. We particularly
appreciated the various practical items included in it, especially the
"hot seat" during the fourth week... This did much to help us believe
that we might be of some use to the Lord in his mission after all! -
Canon
John Gunstone
"I am writing to thank you both for a wonderful weekend. I was
conscious of the pressure you were under. Yet no one in the
congregation would have realised it. You gave so much time to everyone,
even at the cost of your lunch! People used to say of these renewal
weekends that after the leaders had gone away you had to pick up the
pieces. ReSource is different - you picked up the pieces while you were
with us! I have heard not a single negative comment, and nothing but
universal support" - Revd Raymond Adams, Haydon Wick,
February 2008
"A big THANK YOU for a great weekend of teaching and receiving. I have
written so much down that I can't wait to make time to sit down and go
through them all, with God. I think the work that ReSource is doing to
support transformation from within the church of England is amazing,
and your gentle, humorous approach is perfect" - Shuna
George, after a weekend for the Ironstone villages in Leicester
diocese,
February 2008
"That was the best thing I’ve heard all year. It was
profoundly
simple!"; "What life-giving pleasure to hear someone speaking who knows
where her speech is taking her, and not a word wasted. Alison
demonstrates ministry of the Word!" -
comments from participants at the Baptist Mainstream
conference, January 2008
"Thanks again so much – your content was thought-provoking,
spot-on and delivered with such clarity and grace" - Stephen
Rand, Mainstream, January 2008
"Thank you so much for a really great day yesterday – it was
fantastic to have you with us and we achieved so much thanks to your
gentle guidance and clear thinking. Thanks too for all the material you
brought for us – we have some reading and thinking to do in
the
next weeks – it was a bit like an early January feast, that
we
will be able to live off for a few weeks, talk about together, think
and pray over" - Alison Coulter, from a day facilitating
vision for a Christian management consultancy, January 2008
"This is a much belated note, to express my heartfelt gratitude to you
for our service on the 6th January 2008. The service was extremely
moving and cathartic. I found your sermon inspirational. The message to
us was eloquent, moving and sensitive to our recent difficulties.Your
message of reconciliation was so clear, that I hope that we will all
open our hearts and mind to it. Your sermon was a powerful reminder of
what we as Christians should be to each other. I thank you for your
efforts on all our behalf." - Joy Okoye, after a weekend in
Finchley, January 2008
"Completely focussed, very positive and clear programme, should be in
every diocesan CME and at regular intervals!"; "The silent meditation
was brilliant - I need that space"; "It scratched where I itched"
- comments from a CME day for the diocese of Chelmsford,
November 2007
"We are enormously grateful to you for what you have enabled among us,
and for doing it with a style and process that has sought to be
acccessible, connecting and practically enlivening. Thank you for your
care, vision, enthusiasm and sheer hard work."
- Ven Robert Freeman, after a week on 'Transformation', for
the clergy and PCCs of the diocese of Wakefield, October 2007
"Thank You for your teaching and sharing last Saturday.There was a real
move of God. Many people were greatly blessed and many said they met
with God. Many felt refreshed and went back to the Parishes excited at
seeing God at work. Thank you for your time and allowing God to use you
to bless others"
- Revd Ralph Goldenberg, after a diocesan renewal conference
in Lichfield Cathedral, October 2007
"Words cannot express our gratitude to you both for a tremendous
weekend. God not only did a powerful work in the life of our church
family, He did a powerful work in our personal lives too. We feel
closer than ever and more united in ministry together. Thank you so
much!"
- Kim and John Guest, after a weekend for Stanford-le-Hope
church, October 2007
"Many thanks for leading a fantastic weekend! I have returned renewed
in my commitment to Christ and more supported in that commitment than
ever before by family and friends. You both have a wonderful way of
bringing it home, keeping it real and reminding us of the magic of
being a Christian - loved unconditionally. I cannot thank you enough."
- Kristin Breuss, after a weekend for St Mary Islington.
"The talks were brilliant. BIG THANK YOU for a wonderful weekend - got
to go home now and think and feel it through again!"
- comments from a parish weekend for St Andrew's,
Congresbury,
September 2007
"I particularly wanted to write and thank you for your wonderful and
enormous input to our lives in Calne two weeks ago. There was such a
sense of the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the people are still
talking to me about how they could have gone on listening for more
hours. It was the sweetness of His presence, and the faith-building
words you gave us, the like of which some have never heard. I think
people were also given an increased hunger for the things of God that
evening, so thank you for pouring yourself out like a drink offering
for us. We really hope you might visit and encourage us again - it was
like a visit from Paul, truly encouraging and edifying!"
- from a Deanery evening in Calne, Salisbury Diocese,
September 2007
"Many thanks for yesterday. Your superb sermon set the day going in
such an inspirational way"
- Derek Chambers, St Paul's, Hook, September 07
"It was good to be led on the road of discovery towards God. Joy and
laughter underpinned the week, which has been more about being with
God, renewal in his Spirit, basking in his love and fellowship, rather
than doing - although it has led to many thoughts about the future"
- comment from a Stewards Trust house party, September 2007
"Excellent input, clear and inspiring"
- ReSource Partners' day in Warwick, July 2007
"Everything was awesome"
- Renewal Weekend" at Langenbruck, Switzerland, June 2007
"Today has been a refreshment, encouragement, exciting to hear of how
God works in unexpected ways - a great boost to my faith"
- Lincoln Regional Day on Renewal for Mission, June 2007
"It has refreshed my relationship with God"; "everything has been
helpful beyond belief!"
- Wickham Market Parish Weekend, April 2007
"The best CMD day I have ever attended – thank you!"
- comment from a CMD day for Salisbury diocese, May 2007
"It has opened my eyes and heart "
- Revd Michael Anderson - Salisbury CMD day, May 2007
"The inclusion of historical contexts, modern day situations and
biblical content was altogether very effective. Thank you very much for
your presence and input, it was excellent and really appreciated"
- Emma Lovett, after a parish weekend on renewal for mission
for St Paul’s, Holgate, Feb 07
"Thank you again so much for your excellent and superb
contribution to the Strategic Thinkers Forum, and for the enormous
number of hours that you spent in preparation. We really are very
grateful to you for presenting
what was a hallmark paper"
- Peter Brierley, Christian Research, Jan 07
“Thank you so much for the last couple of days. All
that you gave us was just right and greatly appreciated. I have already
heard from three of the Rural Deans saying how much they valued the
time, and I know the others did, too. I personally also greatly
benefited from all your encouragement and nourishment”
- Bishop Richard Frith of Hull, after a retreat for bishop,
archdeacons and rural deans at Wydale Hall, Jan 07
"I want to pay tribute to Martin Cavender
and ReSource – they are
on the money at the moment. Their combination of emphasis on holiness
and renewal on the one hand and evangelism and mission on the other is
exactly where the Church needs to be nationally"
- Paul Bayes, National Officer for Evangelism, speaking in
Lichfield
"I do want to thank you for all your
ministry here with us last
weekend. Everyone I have spoken to has talked of what a significant
time it was"
- Revd Hugh Scriven, St Germain’s Edgbaston
"ReSource’s involvement has transformed
the church’s approach and life. I don’t know where
we would be now without them"
- Revd Nicholas Pye, St Paul’s Finchley
I am leaving feeling refreshed,
hopeful and motivated"
- from the BARD Residential for the rural deans of the East
Riding, January 2007
" A sympathetic challenge; the teaching content gives us much to work
on in the future. Pointing us in the direction of good resources was
extremely helpful. The sharing of stories was inspiring!"
- from a retreat for Bristol West Deanery Chapter, January
2007
"I would like to say THANK YOU for a
wonderful
Renewal Day and your
teaching, encouragement and vision as well as time for each and every
one of us to spend in God's presence"
- Sandy Hughes, after a day on renewal for mission in
Llandudno for the diocese of Bangor
"The story of the last couple of years, following
the induction of a new vicar who brought with him a new vision and
style and new ideas, with the inevitable accompaniment of new tensions
and challenges, is a case study in how ReSource can help a bemused,
defensive and (in parts) hurting congregation move forward towards a
shared vision and ultimately into renewal."
- from a church in north London
"This is a wide, open, generous, hospitable place to
be, with access to the deepest and best spiritual resources of our
church and not caught up in anything narrow or sectarian or merely
ecclesiastical; open to the future, relying on grace rather than law
and with a vital message of the living Christ today, moving in the
power of the Spirit"
- Ron Treasure, after a ReSource retreat in Yorkshire
"Just to thank you again for your
hugely helpful and influential input at the conference last week.
Enormously refreshing and nourishing! "
- Paul Bayes, after the Diocesan Missioners' Conference
"You had some wonderful light moments of humour; you
made use of some extremely visual and memorable imagery and language;
your delivery is refreshingly different and the content was so helpful."
- Bishop John Went, after the Diocesan Missioners Conference
"Today has been superb, just what this group needed.
Thankyou. The balance of input and discussion was excellent. I shall
certainly be recommending ReSource to my colleagues in other Dioceses"
- the Revd Jo Conley, Warden, after a day for Readers/LLMs in
Oxford
"I was given "Wild Gospel" by a colleague who had
heard you give a presentation to the Archbishops' Council. I loved it!
Found it spiritually and intellectually stretching. Thankyou for
writing it - and please pray with us that the breathtaking reality of
the new order will break out in the lives of the people in this
Diocese, through renewed vision and purpose"
- Gillian Oliver, National
Communications Officer, Church House, London
"Your input reflected very sensitively where many of
those present are in their thoughts and understandings of mission. You
gave us a great deal to think about and I am looking forward to the
meeting of Church Leaders later today - we will think about ways of
taking forward what you gave us"
- Canon Tony Dickinson, Churches Together in East Wycombe
"Thankyou so much for this weekend on "Renewal in
the Holy Spirit for a mission-shaped church" - the Lord was powerfully
present and at work in our lives individually and as a church. So, so
many people have spoken so warmly about the Saturday sessions and the
Sunday services - and people who weren't present wishing they had been
as they heard from those who had! So thank you again for taking us to
the Cross and lifting up Jesus, and leading us in praise and worship
and teaching. Please, please will you come again?"
- Methodist Superintendent Minister in Highworth, Wilts
"We must give thanks - for the sense of the presence
of the Lord and his leading - for Martin Cavender and the way he gave
himself to us for two days, and for his sensitive enabling of the
vision-seeking process - for fellowship as a church leadership team,
and the sense of enjoyment and fun - for the ideas and wisdom that were
generated"
- the Revd Richard Coombs, after a Burford Leadership weekend
"I was on retreat last week and managed to read the
whole of "The Wild Gospel". I found it absolutely inspirational and
agree completely that it is a prophetic word for our day"
- James Newcome, Bishop of Penrith
"Thankyou so much for that wonderful Parish renewal
weekend at Compton. The Holy Spirit was present in power and grace, and
I don't think our parishes will ever be the same again!"
- the Revd Keith Powell, the Hatch Beauchamp group, Somerset
"The Lord was moving so clearly during the weekend,
in all his healing mercy. Many people were touched and moved on in
their faith. It was a great time - Thankyou!"
- the Revd Michael Wenham, Stanford in the Vale, after a
Church renewal weekend
"Your website has put the "new" back into "renewal"
- at last, an offering which isn't just pious or religious but
expresses the fun and life of Christ!"
- the Revd Shaun Henson, Woodstock
