Tips for Promoting Al's Seminar

Why We Do This Seminar
In the spiritual warfare of life, the ammunition is the entertainment media! Seventy percent of children raised by Christian parents will not live for Jesus as adults. Here are two key reasons for this frightening statistic:

1. Parents have a tendency to simply tell their children what to think instead of how to think.
2. The entertainment media is teaching our children to live a life that is diametrically opposed to Christianity.

The purpose of Al Menconi coming to your community is to help parents and leaders deal with the entertainment media from a biblical perspective, set biblical guidelines for their home, and to teach their children to think biblically. This is not a youth rally for kids to make emotional decisions, but a time for parents to seriously reconsider how they are communicating moral values to their children. It is vital that parents of all ages attend. The following suggestions should help you coordinate this event.

Thanks!
Al Menconi Ministries would like to thank you for coordinating the Al Menconi seminar and meetings. It takes a lot of time and energy to promote an event like this, and we're certain the people who attend will appreciate your efforts. We would like to thank you in advance for all your hard work. It is our hope and prayer that Al's time with your organization and community will be a life changing experience for all concerned. Your efforts are crucial to make this a special time. Do not attempt to do this alone--especially if you have other responsibilities at the church. Delegate each area to key people who have the same commitment as you to make these meetings a success. Here are a few ideas that have proved to be successful over the years.

Prayer Is the Key
We have found that when an event is saturated in prayer, amazing things happen! Begin the process of prayer right now. Print a request for prayer for the Al Menconi Meetings to run continuously in your church bulletin, newsletter and all appropriate noteboards from the time you receive this until the week of the meetings. Al is a good communicator and very entertaining, but his words will simply echo off the walls that aren't coated with prayer.

Childcare
Since the people we are trying to reach have children, do your best to provide childcare during the meetings. Mature junior high and senior high students can help watch the younger children. Al likes to tell the story of when his girls were toddlers and his wife said she would go anywhere they had free babysitting. You want to make it convenient for the people who need to be there the most: young parents.

Dinner at Church
If it is appropriate, and you believe that it will encourage more parents to attend, you might want to provide a simple dinner. Chili, spaghetti, or sandwiches are easy to prepare for a crowd and it could be an incentive for busy parents to attend.

Newsletters
Does your church have a newsletter? We will be glad to send one of Al's recent editorials for you to reprint. It will give your readers an opportunity to be challenged as well as see Al's heart.

Newspapers, Radio and TV
Contact the local newspaper (Christian or mainstream) in your area. They usually have a community events calendar and the entry is often free for churches. Do this as soon as possible. Papers usually need the information weeks ahead of the event. If you have the budget, buy an ad using the poster on the enclosed disk). Do this continuously for two or three weeks before the event. Al is also open to do radio and print interviews over the phone. Most Christian radio stations and newspapers are eager to interview Al a week or two before the event. Don't limit your requests to Christian newspapers and radio. Mainstream papers are always looking for a "good interview" for a community event.

Local Churches and Organizations
Post the enclosed poster at local Christian bookstores. Most Christian bookstores have a section for this purpose. Al's ministry focus is to teach Christian parents and leaders of all denominations. Let this be a time when all the churches and Christian organizations in your community come together, not just your denomination. Contact all the local churches and send each a poster and ask them to post it in their bulletin and Sunday school classes. Follow up the poster with a phone call the following week to see if they need more. This is a good time to answer questions. Call us if we can help in this area.

Again, thanks for your commitment to making a change in the families of your community! Please let us know how we can help.

Sponsor Resources

Welcome and thanks for sponsoring one of our seminars. The most important thing to start now is PRAYER! Please have your staff, friends, everyone(!) start praying that God will do a mighty work at this event.

In this section, you will find everything you need to promote an Al Menconi Seminar. Just click on any of the links below for resources you'll need to promote this event effectively in your community.

(These links are for Word documents and PDFs that you can download and 'tweak' with your specific information.)

Pastoral Letter

Parent Letter

Sample Bulletin Insert

Sample Poster/Flyer

Sample Press Release

Photos of Al to download

Keep Kids Safe booklet

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Pictures of Al

If you need photos of Al to use in your promotion, we have several options for you, including a color TIFF of Al.

If you only need low resolution photos, you can use any of the photos on this site. Try these:

Please contact us if you have any other photo or graphic needs.

FTMC in Action

The Modesto Bee (CA)
May 26, 2005

SOUL MUSIC
STUDENTS UNDERTAKE TASK OF LISTENING EXCLUSIVELY TO CHRISTIAN MUSIC FOR 30 DAYS

Author: HARMONY WHEELER, TEENS IN THE NEWSROOM

Edition: ALL
Section: BUZZ
Page: E1

Article Text:

Thirty freshmen at Big Valley Christian High School went on a diet last month.

This diet, however, did not involve losing weight, working out or giving up favorite foods.

Instead, the Christian Music Diet required participants to give up secular music and listen to only Christian music for 30 days.

For some, that was even harder than giving up McDonald's and Cold Stone Creamery.

"Doing this Christian Music Diet was not easy," said 14-year-old Nicole Chacon, "but I got through it with the help of God. I prayed to Him when I was struggling. After all, the point of this diet is to become closer to God.

"Now," she said, "I have good days when I used to have bad days. Listening to Christian music is always very uplifting, compared to secular music, which is often depressing."

Nicole said the diet helped her become closer to God.

"Whenever I was struggling, I knew I could look to him, and I did," she said. "To this day, even after the diet, I look to God for comfort, strength and guidance."

The diet was created by Al Menconi Ministries, an evangelical, nondenominational ministry whose goal is to educate and equip Christian parents, leaders and students to communicate biblical values in the home and church.

"I originally started encouraging my students to take a 'diet' in 1972," Menconi said in an interview by email. "It has been refined over the years and is constantly changing. In fact, we made major changes to it last year and now call it The FullTilt Challenge, or Living FullTilt."

Like the Christian Music Diet, the FullTilt Challenge requires participants to listen to only Christian music for 30 days. However, it also involves eliminating all forms of entertainment that go against biblical values.

Like losing weight, Menconi says on his Web site, you cannot accomplish something by giving up only small, select areas and, after a quick diet, going back to old habits; you have to change completely.

Ed Limon, a Bible teacher at Big Valley, adopted the diet about four years ago as an extra-credit opportunity for students.

Now, freshman Bible teachers Steven Neff and Ryan Poling have continued this challenge, while Limon has taken on the expanded version of the diet, FullTilt, and used it to challenge the juniors and seniors.

Involving more than just students, the diet required family participation. Parents had to sign an agreement saying they would not listen to secular music around their kids.

The teachers who assigned the challenge did it along with the students, as well.

"I would never ask anyone to do something I would not be willing to do myself," he said. "This is a biblical concept set forth by Jesus himself, as well as his disciples and the apostle Paul."

Neff, who teaches computers as well as Bible, would not allow the use of iPods or other MP3 and CD players during free time while the diet was going on.

Secular music plays a large role in teens' lives, so giving it up can be quite a challenge.

"It is very difficult to shut out secular music," said Meaghan Kingsley-Teem, 16. "It is everywhere: in stores, at school, even at church!"

Meaghan said curiosity motivated her to try the diet.

"I just wanted to see how much my music really affects me," she added. "I usually listen to music that fits my mood, whatever I feel like, but the Christian Music Diet is a way to take your mind off of this world and focus it on God. Through the diet, I have grown closer to my Lord and experienced joy that does not depend on circumstances."

Even though she sees the Christian Music Diet's effect as positive, Meaghan said she doesn't plan to continue avoiding secular music.

"I do not think I will follow this diet stringently," she said, "but I will definitely change my music selection to a mostly Christian makeup."

Neff said he wishes more students had accepted the challenge. Out of about 65 freshmen, only 30 did.

Dan Grigg, 16, said, "I was raised on the music I listen to, mainly rock, and I am not willing to give it up. I like it. I am not going to give it up just like that."

Besides, he added, "It takes a while for me to find out the other types of music I like."

Joe Colley, 14, also passed on the challenge.

"I did not want to do the Christian Music Diet because I did not need the extra credit and I enjoy the music I listen to," he said. "What I listen to depends on who I am around. I like all kinds of music and can listen to anything that people put in. My family listens to secular and Christian music, but we listen to a lot of radio."

He also said it would have been difficult to maintain the diet at home.

"I am not willing to make my family conform to something they are not willing to do," he said. "I am not going to torture myself by switching my music and giving it up for 30 days for some music I listen to only once in a while."

Robert Lasiler, 15, said he listens to a lot of industrial, punk, techno, grunge and metal music; anything, he said, that has meaning in its words.

"Music does not change a person," he said, "and not listening to music won't change a person, either. The music you like does not describe what kind of person you are. If I listen to lyrics that say, 'God is dead,' it won't change my faith. I am not changed by others' opinions."

Neff said he has heard many Christians say that they aren't affected by listening to secular music.

"My question to them is this: If these things do not have an effect on your life, then why is it so hard to give them up for a measly 30 days and find out for sure? Especially when we, as Christians, believe that Jesus gave up his throne in heaven for a time to suffer humility and an unspeakable death on the cross for us?"

Britteny Vargas, 15, said that since she tried the Christian Music Diet, "in my everyday life, I feel calmer and ready to face my trials. I might try the diet again in the future. It was a difficult challenge, but it helped me a lot. It has given me a more well-rounded feeling for music. I can understand more of what I hear now. It has made me conscious of what I listen to."

Britteny said she enjoys Christian music much more since she tried the Christian Music Diet.

"Sometimes I like to vent through music. With nonsecular music, it seems like you can't do this, but you really can," she said.

"When you have a bad day, you want to get all of your anger out. Listening to hard-core stuff, just loud and crazy music or music in general, seems to get rid of the hurt. Music, both secular and Christian, can give you the feeling that someone else has been through your hurts, too."

Britteny said she likes hard rock by Green Day, Muse and Three Days Grace. But similar sounds can be found with Christian bands like Switchfoot, Hawkinson, Kutless, 12 Stones and Relient K.

"Sometimes, secular music may seem better, but Christian music can sound just as good."

Neff said he has seen changes in the students who tried the Christian Music Diet. "They are more open to seeking godly music," he said, "They are no longer afraid of being looked on as different because of the music they listen to, because they have discovered there is good Christian music in almost any genre they could imagine. My prayer is that they will take this newfound knowledge and apply it to other things in their lives, such as the television and movies they choose."

The theme verse of the diet is Colossians 2:8, which says, "Don't let others spoil your faith and joy with their philosophies, their wrong and shallow answers built on men's thoughts and ideas instead of on what Christ has said."

Nicole Chacon could identify with that verse after trying the Christian Music Diet.

"I would encourage people to just try this diet," she continued, "It really does help not only your personal relationship with Christ, but your daily life, too. I do not think I will continue to listen to Christian music 24/7, but I will listen to it more often."

Harmony Wheeler is a junior at Big Valley Christian High School and is a member of The Bee's Teens in the Newsroom journalism program.

Caption: (HARMONY WHEELER)

Meaghan Kingsley-Teem accepted her school's challenge to listen to only Christian music for a month.

Copyright 2005 The Modesto Bee
Record Number: MOD_182B1C45

FTMC Devotional Readings

• Day 1: The Media Challenge
• Day 2: Are You Getting Used to Sin?
• Day 3: One Song at a Time
• Day 4: To Catch a Mocking Bird
• Day 5: The Teeter-totter Principle
• Day 6: How Your Teeter-totter Works
• Day 7: Balance That Teeter-totter?
• Day 8: Thought-Provoking Info
• Day 9: Is the Joke On You?
• Day 10: Porn in the USA?
• Day 11: Does Love = Sex? (Part One)
• Day 12: Does Love = Sex? (Part Two)
• Day 13: Manson vs. Fargo
• Day 14: What is Acceptable?
• Day 15: TV in Fiji
• Day 16: I Want To Be A Hero!
• Day 17: 10 Steps to Control TV
• Day 18: The Computer Game Impact
• Day 19: Tragedy of the Columbine Kids
• Day 20: Teaching Them to Kill (Bill?)
• Day 21: If We had Listened to Hitler
• Day 22: Learning Teaching
• Day 23: A Day at the Beach
• Day 24: Playing for the Right Team
• Day 25: Praying Against Satan
• Day 26: Are You a Disciple of Jesus
• Day 27: Seize the Day
• Day 28: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs
• Day 29: Sing at Your Enemies!
• Day 30: Going FULL TILT for Jesus

FTMC Verses

Verse of the Day 1: Colossians 2:8
"Don't let others spoil your faith and joy with their philosophies, their wrong and shallow answers built on men's thoughts and ideas instead of on what Christ has said." (Living Bible)

Verse of the Day 2: Colossians 3:2
COLOSSIANS 3:2 (KJV)"Set your affection on things above, not on the things on the earth."

Verse of the Day 3: Matthew 5:28
"I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (NIV)

Verse of the Day 4: Psalm 1:1-2
"Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night." (NAS)

Verse of the Day 5: Romans 6:12-13
"Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin...." (NIV)

Verse of the Day 6: Philippians 4:8
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (KJV)

Verse of the Day 7: Matthew 16:24
"Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. '" (NIV)

Verse of the Day 8: Luke 6:40
"A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher." (NIV)

Verse of the Day 9: Philippians 3:19
"Their destiny is destruction, their god is their appetite and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things." (NIV)

Verse of the Day 10: Psalm 101:3, 7
"I will set no worthless thing before mine eyes. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house. He that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight." (KJV)

Verse of the Day 11: 2 Timothy 4:3-4
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts will they heap upon themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they will turn their ears from the truth and follow fables." (KJV)

Verse of the Day 12: 2 Corinthians 10:5
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." (NIV)

Verse of the Day 13: Ecclesiastes 7:5
"It is better to heed a wise man's rebuke, than to listen to the song of fools." (NIV)

Verse of the Day 14: Proverbs 19:27
"Stop listening to teaching that contradicts what you know is right." (Living Bible)

Verse of the Day 15: Proverbs 15:14
"A wise man is hungry for truth, while the mocker feeds on trash." (Living Bible)

Verse of the Day 16: 1 Timothy 4:1
"Now the spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons..." (NKJV)

Verse of the Day 17: 1 Samuel 16:23
"Whenever the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him." (NIV)

Verse of the Day 18: Romans 16:17b
"Stay away from those who cause divisions and are upsetting people's faith, teaching things about Christ that are contrary to what you have been taught." (Living Bible)

Verse of the Day 19: 2 Timothy 3:1-5
"But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying its power. And from such people, turn away!" (NKJV)

Verse of the Day 20: Proverbs 22:24
"Keep away from angry, short-tempered men, lest you learn to be like them and endanger your soul." (Living Bible)

Verse of the Day 21: Proverbs 8:13a
"If anyone respects and fears God, he will hate evil." (Living Bible)

Verse of the Day 22: Ephesians 5:19 / Colossians 3:16
"Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord."

Verse of the Day 23: Psalm 98:4-6
"Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn shout for joy before the Lord, the King." (NIV)

Verse of the Day 24: Psalm 33:3
"Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy." (NIV)

Verse of the Day 25: 1 Thessalonians 5:17
"Pray continually." (NIV)

Verse of the Day 26: Psalm 9:11
"Sing praises to the Lord, enthroned in Zion ; proclaim among the nations what He has done." (NIV)

Verse of the Day 27: Romans 10:14
"How then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?" (NIV)

Verse of the Day 28: 2 Timothy 3:16-17
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (NIV)

Verse of the Day 29: 1 Corinthians 14:7-8
"Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?"

Verse of the Day 30: Amos 5:23
"Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your hearts." (NIV)