William Cox, Pastor
612: 796-2828

Parsonage & Office:
6831 140th Ave. NE
Spicer, MN 56288

To Whom It May Concern:


I am writing as a committed disciple of Jesus Christ and a United Methodist pastor, to share with you the value I have received from participating in the programs of Landmark Education Corporation.

At the time I first participated in one of these programs, I had taken a leave of absence from the pastoral ministry, and was engaged in making a living as a counselor, college teacher, and organizational consultant. Though I defined my work as ministry, I was disillusioned with the institutional church and its effectiveness.

Through the programs of Landmark, I realized the possibilities of the church, gained a new enthusiasm for ministry, and experienced a second call to the pastoral ministry, at 58 years of age. For five years I served a three church charge. I was then selected to begin a new congregation in central Minnesota and am now deeply involved in this
exciting ministry at age 65, when many of my contemporaries have entered retirement.

Landmark's programs are educational, not religious, yet they spoke to my personal religious needs at the time I participated in them. I experienced several significant shifts in my life and ministry:

a shift from blaming others and institutions for the way life is to taking personal responsibility for my life and my world

a shift from looking at the limitations of myself and others, to looking at the magnificent possibilities in life

a shift from looking at the circumstances of life from the perspective of "What's wrong?" to looking from the view of "What's missing?" and thereby opening the opportunity to make a difference in a situation

It is not that there is anything new in the Landmark programs, but the training provided allowed me to hold my life in ministry in new ways that are exceedingly powerful.

Some persons from time to time have expressed their concern as to whether the programs of Landmark are compatible with scriptural Christianity. To me, they have not called into question any portion of my faith, but have allowed me (though the programs do not in any way deal with scriptural interpretation) to see the scriptures through new eyes, that have made the witness of the scripture more powerful in my life.

I believe all of us who are Christians see God's possibility as much greater than what has been realized in our world. Certainly much is amiss in our world. We are called to utilize all available resources in service of the Gospel.

Jesus, at the conclusion of the Parable of the Shrewd Steward, said: For the people of the world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than the people of light (Luke 16:8 NIV). Many business persons, human service workers, lawyers, doctors, artists, counselors, and laboring men and women have found the Landmark programs to be of exceeding help in accomplishing the things in life to which they are deeply committed. Can we, the servants of Christ, fail to use any possible means to further our commitments? I invite you, if you are considering participating in The Forum, or other
Landmark programs, to take the plunge. I am confident that you will discover new power in furthering your deepest commitments.

I would be willing to discuss further my experiences with Landmark and how they are not only compatible with, but supportive of my Christian life and ministry. May God bless you richly.

In Christ's love and peace,

William Cox