Bill Easum did his first consult with Cokesbury United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1997. At that time, the membership was approximately 2,000 with an average worship attendance of 750. The church was inwardly directed and in an unrealized decline.After an exhaustive consult with Bill Easum, in his final report he laid out his observations and recommendations. I used the recommendations to begin to steer Cokesbury on a new path. Over a decade later, Cokesbury has grown to 4,300 members and averages 2,750 in worship.Subsequently, Bill came back for another consult when we started our third campus and after nine months the new campus is averaging 425 in worship. I highly recommend Bill Easum as an expert in church consulting.
Dr. G. Steven Sallee, Cokesbury United Methodist Church, Knoxville, Tennessee
"How can our church reach new people for Jesus Christ?" That is a question with which many congregational leaders struggle. Bill Easum, through 21st Century Strategies, is helping churches experience revitalization and helping them reach new people, younger peoplel, more diverse people for Jesus Christ. Pastors who have participated in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference Next Level Coaching with Bill Easum have expressed appreciation for the benefits and the fruit of this type of effort. Through this effort, congregations that have plateaued, are preparing for new growth, new ministry, new disciples of Jesus Christ
Lillian Smith, Director Connectional Ministries/Executive Director, Congregational Transformation, Eastern Pennsylvania Conference UMC
I thank God for Bill Easum—literally. My participation in the Next Level Network came at just the right time. God used the wisdom of this experienced consultant to turn our church around. I did everything Bill recommended, and our church attendance began to increase again. The outreach spirit of church returned as did our spirit of unity.
Working with Bill was a pleasure. He always responded to my emails quickly and concisely. He filled our monthly phone calls with tremendous insights. The two days spent with him and the rest of the Network in Texas proved invaluable to my ministry.
I recommend Bill Easum and the Next Level Network enthusiastically!
Bill Warren, Lead Pastor, Allen Memorial Baptist Church, Salisbury, MD
I originally met Bill Easum back in 1993. After attending a workshop on "Breaking the 300 Barrier," the church I served contracted with Bill to do a church consultation and ministry audit. Since then, I have experienced a total of four audits - each with contacts directly with Bill. In spite of all of the incredibly solid materials and insights obtained through each of those consultations, nothing - and I mean, nothing - could compare to the life transformational growth that I received from the direct coaching from Bill through the 21st Century Strategies Coaching relationship. Yes, I benefited again from all of his life experience, seminar materials, audit information, and strategic plan initiatives. But, for me, the greatest impact was the personal coaching that looked at me - my call, my role as a change agent, my behaviors that were actually reinforcing the very thing I was wanting to change - and realigning myself to become the leader that I was meant to be. He has a unique way of speaking into your life with a truth that gives freedom in leadership. Caring, but not coddling; I don't like coddling. I would highly recommend this approach to ministry enhancement and personal growth. It was the best investment of my time and money. It was an investment in my leadership for the sake of the Church.
David Woolverton, Senior Pastor St. Mark's United Methodist Church, Mount Joy, PA
Ministry is not as simple as some trades. It is difficult to know sometimes how you are doing and why things might be stalling. Next level coaching with Bill Easum gave me clarity. I could see clearly how we were doing, where we needed to make adjustments, and where I should and should not be spending my time. If you are searching for clarity of vision and strategy, Next Level coaching will help you find it.
Dave Lewis Pastor New Hanover UMC
I have participated in Bill Easum's Next Level Coaching Network for one year. As a direct result of this experience my church has added a third worship service, doubled the number of first time visitors, dramatically increased our attention to newcomers and increased our rate of retention of visitors. We have begun plans to increase our parking capacity. We are at this moment taking applicants to hire a Servant Evangelism leader for our church. I will continue to participate without reservation in this process for another year!
Lewis Archer First United Methodist Church, Sylacauga, AL.
It is my thrill to write this endorsement for Bill Easum and his coaching ministry.
I have read Bill’s work for years and have had the opportunity to work with him personally for the past year in the Next Level Coaching. After a time of assessment of me as well as the church, He gave clear direction that enabled me to begin a transformation of our church from an inward looking congregation to an outward missional focused church. We are now seeing many lives being transformed in the name of Jesus. We are seeing real growth.
I have enrolled for my second year. I have found that the input, coaching and accountability to be invaluable and more than worth the price of admission. We have begun a third worship service, doubled our number of first time visitors and are preparing a major Servant Evangelism ministry all due in part to the work we have done with Bill.
Lewis Archer
I would strongly recommend Bill’s leadership if you are at the point of making a change from maintaining the past to seeking God’s mission for the future. He can give you specific guidance and step-by-step directions that are based in his experiences of working with thousands of churches.
Jim Goddard, Lead Pastor, Gray UMC, Gray Tennessee
Like many pastors coming out of seminary, I was equipped with Biblical and Theological tools, but not with the skills to lead and manage a congregation in times of great transition. The dismantling of the Church culture has made being a pastor complex, exhausting, and a bit frightening at times. I have found a good friend in Bill Easum. Bill has consulted with two congregations I have served helping us to gain clarity on our mission and prioritize our resources in a way that helped us grow and make significant accomplishments in mission. Over the past year Bill served as my personal coach. What a blessing it is to have someone with his experience and vast resources with whom to consult or simply hear an encouraging word!
Rev. Fred Wideman Sr. Pastor Broadmoor United Methodist, Baton Rouge