Host Guide with Best Practices
Contents
1. Expedite additional AOM Manuals if need be day of event you made it Congratulations You re ready Now gather your team pray together and trust that Set up the venue as soon as you have access to your facility Make sure your info table is stocked Test audio visual Test music playlist Test lights you ve done all you can The rest is up to God And that s a good thing Make sure your team clearly understands their responsibilities Go over your schedule and do a soft run through with your team Visualize the entire event from Registration to Finish Keep inviting people the art of marriage We encourage your to take time to read through the following FAQ s A solid understanding of the event will help you clearly answer any question from potential attendees Q Why choose FamilyLife s The Art of Marriage over another video marriage conference A Rather than simply filming a live event at a location such as a hotel ballroom or church we specifically designed this event to work ina video setting FamilyLife weaved together expert teaching engaging stories real life testimonies and humorous vignettes in a video composition to help couples fully experience God s design for marriage Q Can we bring children A FamilyLife cares deeply about children However to keep the event free of distractions and as a courtesy to other participants we2. ake it fancy Order official AOM Legacy Pledge Certificates online at www aomresources com By making it look and feel more legitimate your guests will ikely be more intentional when they make their pledge to their spouse The official Legacy Pledge Certificates are also great for framing after the event e Encourage them to take it home and sign it in front of witnesses e g their children family members or friends Then get ready Encourage your guests to listen carefully as you read the pledge aloud once Urge them to be mindful of what they are about to say Next have the couples stand and face each other Read the opening paragraph alone Then instruct the husbands to repeat after you for their portion Do the same with the wives Then have the couples join together and repeat the final section together H Best Practices Tip Y e You may want to practice reading this aloud with someone to get a feel for how long of a portion you should ask the group to repeat f you are co hosting switch off leading the pledge with your spouse Husbands for the men Wives for the women After the pledge encourage couples to kiss Then lead everyone in one last round of applause Finally dismiss the group on a high note Congratulations You ve successfully completed your mission The rest is up to God the artof marriage after the event 39 wrap it up After the last guest leaves gather your team togeth
3. End on a high note We ve found that most couples leave this event feeling uplifted and encouraged Give them a chance to shout it from the mountaintop Next call your AOM Team to the stage Lead everyone in applause as they make their way up These are the people that have directly contributed to making the event as successful as it was Highlight all their hard work and dedication and give your guests a chance to honor them The couples will then remain on stage and exchange their pledges along with the rest of the group 3 Legacy Pledge This is it The final moment The climax This is the chance for your couples to hammer a stake in the ground the event 37 Direct your guests to page 143 in their AOM Manual There you will find a legacy pledge The goal is for everyone to stand have couples face each other and verbally state the words in the pledge while looking directly at their spouse Before you begin be mindful of couples that are not ready to make the pledge Issues may have been raised during the weekend that may still need to be resolved before reciting these words Let the couples know that they are not required to say the words if they feel they are not ready But nonetheless encourage them to stand hold their spouse s hand and make eye contact This gives them the chance to communicate that they still care and that they re committed to the relationship gt Best Practices Tip Y e Order Legacy Pledges
4. digital send outs and begin to saturate the culture around you Below vve ve listed several ways you can create a buzz Personal Invitation Many studies have shown the most effective form of promotion to be a personal invitation As a team have each team member make a list of people in their sphere of influence they will personally invite friends family coworkers ministry partners sports contacts community groups etc Distribute AOM event flyers to them with the pertinent information including the link to register online Social Media Leverage your contacts on Facebook Twitter email LinkedIn Google Pinterest Plaxo as well as your blog sphere to encourage your friends near and far to register for their local AOM event Best Practices Tip e Create an event on Facebook e Tweet about your excitement surrounding the planning process e Keep event news up to date on your church website e Send out an email blast e Use the free tools provided by Eventbrite an online registration system that will help you promote your event Eventbrite has an email template website widgets social media tie ins and other electronic invitations all available online at http www eventbrite com l artofmarriage Venue Promotion What venue have you chosen to host the event at Do you have access to the facility leading up to the event Is it a church Are you able to set up a table in the lobby with information Here are
5. Plan the follow up event Go live with your registration website Contact military chaplains first responders to help subsidize costs Keep inviting people Post your event in community calendars Promote via radio newspaper etc Announce regularly in your church e g via video skits etc Keep inviting people registration phase Weeks 4 3 before Event Registration Phase to be completed by this date 3 weeks before event if Checklist Pray Divide up your team s responsibilities Regularly staff the information table include Registration Cards Make a list of snacks refreshments that need to be purchased Make a list of other purchases needed for event lights flowers candles etc Test the DVD s and audio visual equipment in your facility Emphasize last day to register in your promotions momentum phase Weeks 2 1 before Event before the event 19 C Order more AOM Manuals if need be Prepare Powerpoint slides with your team s testimonies Keep inviting people This is it It s go time The final 2 week push before the event If you re on task you should have no problem tying up all the loose ends Checklist Keep praying Coordinate all purchases snacks refreshments etc Send out a final email blast with registration deadline
6. Standard Version Copyright 1960 1962 1963 1968 1971 1972 1973 1975 1977 1995 by the Lockman Foundation Used by permission www Lockman org Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION NIV Copyright 1973 1978 1984 by Biblica Inc All rights reserved worldwide Used by permission ISBN 978 1 60200 356 9 2011 Family Life All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical including photocopy recording or any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher Requests for permission to make copies of any part of this publication should be sent to permissions FamilyLife com Design DBA Worldwide Photography IStockphoto and BigStock Printed in the United States of America First Edition 12 14 13 12 34567 T FAMILYLIFE Help for today Hope for tomorrow the artof marriage getting to the heart of God s design before the event getting started Congratulations on hosting the Art of Marriage AOM You are hereby becoming an active agent in facilitating healthier families But where do you start We ve created this little booklet to give you all the guidance you need to maximize your event 5 Steps to Host an Event 1 Pray 2 Date Schedule and Location 3 Determine Registratio
7. past We also recognize that even in such an environment one might feel uncomfortable at times because of past memories and regrets that are stirred up Our prayer is that you would come to this event excited to make you current marriage a strong healthy lasting one even if it means dealing with some painful memories Q We have a great marriage Why should we attend the event A Every marriage relationship is in a constant state of movement You are either growing closer together or further part Unfortunately it seems that the natural inclination of human hearts is to drift apart over time Every marriage needs a tune up from time to time no matter how well it might be running This event is designed to heighten even the best of marriages It also serves as a great reminder that you are God s gift to each other Q What if I register and for some reason can t attend Can I get a refund A Group coordinators should decide in advance with your leadership team how you will respond the art of marriage the event 23 facilitating the event By now you are hopefully already familiar with the DVD s as well as the manuals You ll notice that although the DVD s can be watched back to back they are much more effective if they are introduced by a separate party during the live event This is where you come in You will essentially be a guide for your guests throughout the weekend weaving them through the sessions in
8. recommend that children including infants not be allowed at the event Q Will I have to engage in group discussion A FamilyLife has not designed the event with any planned group discussions However each local event coordinator has the freedom to structure the event to meet the needs of his or her group If you have concerns about group discussion check with your local host before attending the event before the event 21 Q Will I be required to participate in the projects with my spouse A This event was designed so that the projects are an essential part of the event experience The projects allow you to immediately apply what you ve learned from the videos to your marriage We highly recommend that you make the completion of the projects a priority during the event We ve received many comments from other attendees who say the projects were the best part of the event Q Can singles or engaged attend The Art of Marriage A ABSOLUTELY In fact we HIGHLY recommend it The event will give individuals a clear understanding of what a marriage commitment truly means and is also a great foundation for engaged couples who are soon to be married Q Ihave been divorced Will I feel uncomfortable at this event A We understand that divorce is a reality and we have designed this event with that reality in mind We have tried to focus on the condition of your current marriage rather than creating guilt for mistakes made in the
9. some various forms of promotion to consider e Posters e Pulpit announcements e Flyers e Bulletin inserts e Banners e Newsletter Articles e Brochures Skits e Information table e Your personal testimony e AOM invitations registration cards AOM Gift Certificates before the event 15 Best Practices Tip f you have access to video production gear create an easy to edit 50 second promotional clip that you can play at various venues leading up to the event e Digital sign can be a great place to put an ad Community Promotion Check your local newspaper and radio station websites Do they have community calendars on which to post events Don t overlook National Public Radio stations or Christian radio stations which often have online community calendars Consider posting flyers on community boards at coffee shops military bases libraries frozen yogurt shops coffee shops colleges community centers YMCA s gyms spas barber shops hair dressers etc Get creative Community Contacts Include local organizations and business owners in your event by inviting their members or employees to attend Make announcements show videos and use newsletters and websites to publish invitations and endorsements Organizations may include athletic clubs teachers associations music arts groups schools neighborhood organizations and business clubs Discounts If you ve been able to provide discounted registration for
10. target groups such as military first responders pre married couples or pastors make sure to create specific flyers for those various target groups Best Practices Tip e Invite local pastors to attend the AOM event for free If that s not possible due to time commitments at least ask them to sit through one session and give them a backstage tour This might encourage them to host an event in their church in the future the art of marriage 16 before the event Future Event Promotion We ve found it s helpful for couples to offer follow up events where they can dive deeper into teachings on marriage If you choose to offer this plan on what that format would look like with your AOM team or pastor It could be a stand alone Wednesday night teaching a Sunday School series or a small group study Whatever the format make sure you have details in place to promote it at your AOM event Best Practices Tip AOM Small Group Study is a great review the AOM for six weeks following the Event The small group uses some of the same video so it is a great way to remind couples about some of the key items discussed and to go into deeper discussion with others You have 16 weeks to prepare Consult your calendar and count out the weeks prior to your event Then fill in your phase to be completed dates below Event Date planning phase Weeks 16 11 before Event Planning Phase to be completed by this date 11
11. that truly need to be at the event but cannot afford registration Build some type of discount into your budget if possible Best Practices Tip V Try partnering with a local military chaplain or first responders fire police ambulance who may be able to subsidize the cost of manuals Consider providing slots for local pastors to attend the event for free It s a great chance for you to bless those who bless others on a daily basis Give them a chance to be ministered to for a change Promotion There are a myriad of ways to promote your event We ll talk about this in more detail in the next section But for now in your budgeting process consider what you may need to purchase From signs and billboards to newspaper and radio ads be strategic about what is most effective in your area The Team In order to create an amazing AOM experience for your guests the team will be onsite long before and after the guests each day Build into your budget monies to take care of them dinner on Friday lunch on Saturday etc the art of marriage 12 before the event Best Practices Tip Create shirts that distinguish your team It will help them look feel and ACT more professional Plus it helps create a safe environment for your guests Knowing there are official AOM personnel standing by designated to guide them through the event 4 register your event Once you have secured a location to register your event go
12. to www theartofmarriage com and click on the register event link Registering offers three key benefits 1 You ll receive email reminders at critical promotional milestones prior to your event As a service you ll be able to set up your own event website allowing you to promote manage and even receive payments for your event online In fact in today s culture the online registration is CRUCIAL in making the process easy for your guests Guests will be able to search TheArtofMarriage com to locate and register for your event giving you the ability to reach even a broader audience 5 recruit your team Pray about couples you know who are marriage minded and have the heart for other couples learning God s truth hope and vision for marriage Ask them to prayerfully consider Meeting six times as part of the team leading up to the event to watch and experience The Art of Marriage as a small group using the event DVD s and manuals Committing to pray daily leading up to the event using the 40 Day Prayer Guide Planning as a team to provide The Art of Marriage event experience from promoting setting up and providing refreshments to greeting praying serving and facilitating the event Once you ve recruited your team make them aware of the different roles that will need to be filled during the event in addition to all the prep that goes into the pre event phase Y before the event 13 Th
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14. Kepanjesg uo Pelold ssiusiq uido 6 p p u se siu uuus JJ 4 usiu d q p no o BuIpioo2e uoisses ubnolu ysi uonensiS z uSnolu e uolss s buunp s xoq 1e eJd y u Z p429 n s pe4 Ao1 uotss s udog 6 0 8 lqe e24noso4 ye suonsenb 104 Aqqo ul ajqeyieae ag xe sg udog 8 ST 8 93e sbe1eujeu jenueuJ e3eprjosuo p no Jo eJg o Bulpsodze uoisses ubnolu Aedd e ysi uoneasibaJ uSnolu e uoisses buunp s xoq ed yDaYD su ddeH Ao1 uo UOlSS S udsT 8 ST Z T4 n uononpoau pue euio2jloeM uidsT 00 Z sjueuiusaJjey Joop 1e sis nB 319246 sajdnoo p 9 suibequoneasibey uado siooq 400 9 l np u2s 5upyse p nunuoo the event 27 intro In many ways this opening session is the most important one for you the host It is your job to introduce the entire Art of Marriage Event First impressions are key And this is your chance to make a good one Whether you like it or not you will be seen as the face of the event And your guests will be looking to you for guidance and direction They don t know what they are about to experience But you do So be calm yet confident instructive yet gentle and assertive yet patient The goals during your introduction are to orient everyone to the schedule explain the basic flow of the event and familiarize your gues
15. a way that feels natural and is easy to follow We highly encourage you and your spouse to host the event as a couple This will provide the other couples with an obvious example as you explore the subject of marriage together It will also provide continuity and an opportunity for you to build relationship with your guests As you share your testimony in combination with the video you will bring the subject matter to life Just make sure you plan in advance which sections of the material you and your spouse will each be covering Or if you plan to co host the entire time know at what point to switch off You don t have a lot of time And there s a lot of material to get through In the following sections we go into more detail on how to specifically host each session None of this is mandatory By all means you are free to design the experience in such a way that you feel would most benefit your specific community But here s what vve ve found has worked best for previous hosts Y Best Practices Tip e Use cue cards during the event Make notes of any items you dont want to forget the art of Marriage 24 the event Note The DVD s include a 15 minute countdown to help you gather everyone for the start of each session In order to utilize these timers we recommend you select the PLAY ALL option on the DVD menu By selecting this option you initiate a sequence that allows you to start the first session and each followi
16. ake it in That s fine It s good to be energetic but don t make your guests feel uncomfortable if you feel they don t wish to respond Respect their bubble and trust that God is working play dvd Session Two Set yourself a cue 5 minutes before the video is done Be reagy for the wrap up These wrap up times are for you to facilitate in a way you see fit Be yourself Have fun with it Find your groove But here are a couple suggestions to start you off in the right direction e Direct your guests to the vignette where the counselor talks about marriage turning into Let s Make a Deal Does that hit home Share your testimony or have a couple on your team share theirs e Assign tonight s project on page 44 in the AOM Manual Encourage your guests to spend some time that evening to complete it together e Use the chance to offer a call to faith You may recall that Dennis talked about the importance of knowing Jesus On page 46 you can find more information about how to do that Or if you have any questions please feel free to talk with anyone one the team e Announce what time you will begin the following morning Encourage guests to come 15 minutes early for some coffee and a snack the event 31 intro Welcome everyone back Congratulate them for the commitment they ve made to stick it out another day Ask who went parking last night wink Explain that you ve placed prayer boxes with littl
17. ch as community centers restaurants colleges meeting rooms convention facilities banquet halls retreat centers campgrounds and hotels are also great places to host this event Best Practices Tip e When considering your location think about your target audience If many couples are unfamiliar with a church environment perhaps hosting the event outside of a church setting might make them feel more comfortable Pray about it God will direct you through the process e Be mindful of holiday weekends Often times people are unaware of three day weekends until it is too late We would hate for you to accrue any last minute cancellations 3 determine registration price In addition to the costs of renting a facility be mindful of all the elements that will factor into your budget Tally them all up and divide the total by the number of couples you think will be attending This will give you a rough estimate of the registration price Best Practices Tip Number of Couples Facility Costs Food of Snacks Childcare Costs Other Expenses TOTAL TOTAL Divided by _ Registration Fee Number of Couples Per Couple before the event Below are the basic elements you need to consider Facility You will probably have to rent a space It s a huge plus if you can secure a location for free but don t necessarily count on it Be prepared to make an offer that is realistic You will appear more professional AND you ll lea
18. e basic roles are as follows 1 Greeters This team will welcome couples at the door escort them to the registration table make them familiar with their surroundings and direct them to the room where the event is held 2 Registration This team will facilitate the onsite registration print write nametags provide manuals and pens and briefly explain the event schedule 3 Resource Table This team will man the resource table answer questions about the various resources recommend further reading lectures events and complete sales transactions 4 Prayer This team will commit to praying before the event during the event and after the event as well as be available to pray with couples throughout the weekend Each couple on your team should be prepared to give a brief testimony about their marriage Where they were before what difficulties they ve had and how God has helped them work through their differences 5 Best Practices Tip Use the Powerpoint template we created to highlight your team members brief estimony The slides are great to have playing in the background during the event Designate one key couple to host a small group study after the event for guests who want to take the next step and dive deeper the art of marriage promoting the event When do you start promoting The Art of Marriage Event As soon as you ve agreed on a date schedule price and location Create your flyers posters
19. e slips around the facility and encourage your guests to write down their prayer requests Share that the team has been praying for each guest by name for months now and that you d be honored to pray for and with them during the event Finally give a brief recap from the previous evening and a preview for the remaining sessions It could look something like this Last night we talked about God s plan for marriage and the fact that his plan was corrupted by sin But we were also reminded that Christ came to restore what was broken by rescuing us from our sin Today we ll look at some specific ways we can continue to strengthen our marriages with God s help We ll learn about God s design for men and women in marriage we ll explore ways we can communicate in the midst of conflict and we ll also learn more about sexual intimacy Our last session will be on the importance of leaving a godly legacy A lt Best Practices Tip Y These intros are always great spots for give aways It loosens any potential tension and creates a little anticipation Plus it usually prompts your guests to show up ON TIME play dvd Session Three Set yourself a cue 3 minutes before the video is done Be ready for the the art of marriage 32 the event wrap up Direct your guests to page 74 of their AOM Manuals During this next project they ll have the opportunity to write a love letter to their soouse Encourage them to switch manuals and wri
20. er for a debriefing of the event Thank your team for all their hard work and encourage them that God has used them to build his kingdom e Together review the evaluations forms as a team e Discuss strong points and weak points e See how many evaluations indicate a first time decision for Jesus Christ Celebrate each decision e Ask team members to share meaningful moments e Determine who will follow up with couples e Finally PRAY Pray for the couples the team and the legacies that were altered through the event Thank God for the ground that was taken back from the enemy and ask for God to reveal upcoming opportunities to take back more ground Next work together to restore the facility to its pre event condition Leave it better than when you found it Remember these are simple yet important ways to demonstrate good character and leave a positive impression on the vendor Dont get lazy You re almost there Finish strong Finally CELEBRATE You re done Take your team to dinner Or order pizza Take a group photo Have fun Relax Take a load off Enjoy each other s company And know that this was indeed a weekend well spent s S Best Practices Tip Y Share your evaluations with us Email your stories testimonies and salvations to ArtOfMarriageafamilylife com Our staff loves to hear about how God uses AOM to change lives the art of marriage
21. for sticking it out this far Remind them that there is a 15 minute break and that the next session will start promptly at X XX PM Also let them know that the next and final session is a little shorter than the others Before you dismiss your guests inform them about upcoming small group studies or marriage lectures you have planned with your team Give them instructions on how to sign up Finally dismiss the group for break the event 35 intro Before beginning the last session have everyone fill out the evaluation form for the weekend see the tear out sheet in the back of the manual Let them know that you genuinely appreciate their feedback and you d like to know not only how they liked the event but also how you did as hosts Give your guests about 10 minutes to fill them out Make sure you ve cued a music playlist for this time Y Best Practices Tip Perhaps you ll want to create your own evaluation form This way you can tailor the questions to the specific culture you re trying to impact Make sure your team has the forms ready to hand out Finally get ready to start the last session play dvd Session Six Set yourself a cue 3 minutes before the video is done Be ready for the wrap up This is your last official moment in front of your guests as a host There are three main things you need to accomplish during this closing time You are more than welcome to facilitate the close your own way but we ve
22. found the following order usually works best 1 What s Next Direct your guests to next steps they can take to dive deeper into the content e Draw the group s attention to page 140 in their AOM Manuals Encourage your guests to finish this project sometime in the next 48 hours preferably before the weekend is over the art of marriage 36 the event Best Practices Tip Highlight the new Date Night Calendar which is included in their AOM Manual set Explain how it is designed to help them create intentional moments of intimacy throughout the month e Let your guests know about further follow up events they can attend Direct them to the resource table for more information e Remind everyone to give their evaluation forms to one of the team members before they depart Promote your AOM Small Group This is the perfect time to make a Small Group Announcement for those who wish to dive deeper Make sure you plan ahead with dates times and location You can also order more AOM Small Group resources at www aomresources com 2 Congratulations and Thanks Congratulate everyone They ve made it Hopefully they ve grown been challenged encouraged and made new friends in the process Communicate to your guests that you re proud of them and thank them for giving you the opportunity to host this event Best Practices Tip Give your guests the opportunity to share with the group what they got out of it
23. host manua A step by step guide on how to promote host and wrap up an AOM event e the art of marrtage contents 1 Before the Event Getting Started 7 Promoting the Event 14 Pre Event Checklist 17 FAQ S unu es da deal daikon mh hak red 20 2 The Event Facilitating the Event 23 Sample Schedule 25 Session One Love Happens 27 Session Tvvo Love Fades 30 Session Three Love Dances 31 Session Four Love nterrupted 33 Session Five Love Sizzles 34 Session Six Love Alvvays 35 2 After the Event VVrap it up THE ART OF MARRIAGE 5800 Ranch Drive Little Rock Arkansas 72223 1800 FL TODAY FamilyLife com FLTI d b a FamilyLife is a ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ International Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible English Standard Version copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles a division of Good News Publishers Used by permission All rights reserved Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from The Message Copyright for Eugene H Peterson 1993 1994 1995 1996 2000 2001 2002 used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American
24. ict Maybe it s as recent as this weekend Best Practices Tip Ask if one of your guest couples would like to share with the group how they were impacted by the Love Letter Project This is a great opportunity for couples that would like to share their experience It also unifies the group because the other guests become aware of the fact that they are not alone in this play dvd Session Four Set yourself a cue 5 minutes before the video is done Be ready for the wrap up Atthe end of the session use the opportunity to highlight a short quote or important point from the video Since you ve already made yourself familiar with the content ahead of time you ll have time to prepare OR use a couple from your team to briefly share their testimony with the group Next direct your guests to page 96 of their AOM Manuals Encourage them to complete this section over a lunch date Let them know you ve given them extra time for lunch so they don t feel rushed Remind them of some great lunch spots in the area or create a list of nearby restaurants and insert them into the manuals Finally ask your guests to return promptly at X XX PM in time for the next session about sexual intimacy You won t want to miss this one the art of marriage ki Welcome everyone back from lunch We recommend having some sexy tunes playing in the background a la Barry White But that s entirely up to you Keep in mind that the pro
25. ject on conflict may have been hard for some couples Affirm them for pressing in and encourage them that the hard work will pay off This may go without saying but this is a great spot for yup you guessed it a giveaway Finally introduce the next session What your guests are about to see in the video is rather candid But it s appropriate and we shouldn t shy away from it Encourage your guests to hang in there even if it makes them squirm at times Affirm that God wants to teach us and we can always learn more when it comes to our sex life play dvd Session Five A portion of Session 5 includes a frank and candid presentation about a woman s body and orgasms beginning at 31 55 and continuing for roughly 7 minutes to 39 21 Because some may be uncomfortable presenting this material in a mixed group setting we have provided an alternate version of Session 5 that deletes the material The default version will play automatically if you have selected PLAY ALL on the DVD menu Review Session 5 in advance to determine which version will work best for your group Set yourself a cue 3 minutes before the video is done Be ready for the wrap up After the session give a brief insight into ways you as a host couple have learned to communicate with each other sexually This can be a good way to take the content from the video and present it in a real life context Congratulate the group for being obedient to the event and
26. me the following morning as well as what time they can expect the event to come to a close This is also a good opportunity to promote any local restaurants you feel would be good lunch date spots the next day 4 Lay The Ground Rules The only person you can change is yourself Hold couples accountable to listen for themselves not for their spouse No throwing elbows or sneaky glances No moral superiority No I hope you re listening or That message is for you Encourage couples to be obedient to the event and let it spark them toward intentional honest and above all patient interaction with their spouse 5 Materials Give your guests a quick rundown on how the manuals work Make sure each individual has one Let them know they don t need to worry about tracking along in real time as most of the content is already in the manual Also make them aware of the new Date Night Calendar and that they will NOT be using it until after the event Finally draw their attention to any further resources you ve prepared at your resource table And now get ready to cue the DVD Best Practices Tip When welcoming your guests be careful to avoid religious clich s or churchspeak Avoid saying things like think we re really going to be blessed by these sessions or We re really looking forward to fellowshipping with you Keep in mind that many couples might not be familiar with church culture and that they
27. might be put off by that type of rhetoric the event 29 play dvd Session One Set yourself a cue 3 minutes before the video is done Be ready for the wrap up This is where you as a host get back on the microphone and lead your guests into the break or next phase of the event You might want to end each session by highlighting one quote or teaching that you found to be particularly helpful e Remind the group that there is a 15 minute break and that the next video event will begin promptly at X XX PM e Draw their attention to the refreshment tables e You might want to point out that the next session begins with a story they will not want to miss e Dismiss for break Best Practices Tip If you are co hosting as a couple this would be a great time to share how you were on two separate sheets of music when you got married Tell your story about how God used your differences to perfect you instead of protecting you from yourselves the art of marriage session two love fades intro Welcome everyone back to their seats Get your guests excited for a give away If their name is called encourage them to respond like they re on The Price is Right Pull a name from the jar call that couple up ask them where they re from and give them their prize Then tell everyone to buckle up and get ready for LOVE FADES Best Practices Tip We ve found that often times couples want to be left alone and just t
28. n Price 4 Register Your Event 5 Recruit Your Team 1 pray The heart of man plans his way but the Lord establishes his steps Proverbs 16 9 We believe that prayer is the most important detail of any event Unless the Holy Spirit is at work the hearts of men and women will not be changed no matter how perfectly an event is planned We encourage you to commit every part of the planning process to prayer Begin praying for the couples in your community and pray for wisdom in selecting the best location for this event 0 Best Practices Tip Use the 40 Day Pre Event Prayer Guide We ve included it in your Kit for this very reason 2 date schedule and location We are encouraging as many people as possible to host The Art of Marriage video event Consider your organization s calendar as well as the community s calendar the art of marriage 7 8 before the event Give yourself roughly 16 weeks 4 months to prepare and plan your event Once you have a location in mind take steps to reserve the facility for the dates of your event If you plan to host the event at your church make sure you receive permission from your pastor and keep him informed throughout the planning process You can download materials for sharing more about the event with your pastor from theartofmarriage com Beyond the church setting we hope many other venues will be utilized to help couples experience The Art of Marriage Locations su
29. ng session or countdown timer by simply hitting ENTER of PLAY after a session Once a session or the 15 minute countdown ends the player will automatically transition to a looping logo of The Art of Marriage To move to the next segment either a countdown timer or another session simply press ENTER or PLAY You may want to test this functionality on your DVD player before the event begins See The Art of Marriage Technical Guide on the AOM website for more information x 0 lt Best Practices Tip Turn off the sound on the DVD during the 15 minute countdown and instead replace it with the music playlist you created ahead of time e Dim the lights We ve found this helps couples relax when they feel like they re not in the spotlight Allow them to be a fly on the wall uo mp q s bupjsey p nunuoo A Aead pue Weal uido0 s SOUOYMOIDIW 55 Z S4eoJq 10 MoUusepris pue 3isnW S GAQ 5 ul Wea uue INOA 104 puey UO pin5 Je eJgd 14 Jo 5 1002 exe p no Je eJd BY MOJOJ SouJeu e4d pue Wood Je eJd ours UOI es SIH94 aye s lqqo pue suvoo s l ul eyd suad pue sdijs 14ed s xoq ed a quiassy Ke1d 1eo 149u1e6 wea v 40 tuuooi e 5 1504 SAEAN EH a e1099q_ uonesibaJ eyisuo 1
30. te their letter directly in their spouse s manual Many couples find they end up keeping their manuals just because of these heartfelt letters Encourage couples to spread out Point out any areas in the facility that would offer privacy for them to complete this project Let couples know when the next session will begin And finally dismiss the group to work on the Love Letter Project 0 Best Practices Tip Before you draw attention to the love letter project select a couple from your team to share from their experience on the roles in marriage As a husband wife duo have them talk about the dynamic between loving and leading vs submitting and respecting session four love interrupted the event 33 intro For many couples the project they ve just completed will have been a meaningful and moving time As you welcome them back for Session Four reflect on the project Ask them how they were impacted by the exercise Emphasize the power of words especially our written words Encourage your guests to not just let this be a one time thing but to get into the habit of writing one another letters of this sort from time to time Then transition into Session Four The next segment is all about communication and how to resolve conflict when it occurs And let s be frank It most definitely occurs Perhaps you d like to begin by sharing a funny story out of your own life where you and your spouse recently dealt with confl
31. the AOM event without having to worry about their kids in the back of their minds the art of Marriage 9 10 before the event Refreshments We recommend having some type of refreshment table at the event Snacks are comforting they take the edge off attitudes for guests who had a hectic and crazy time getting to the event Plus they re a great way to boost your blood sugar and concentration for that extra hour before lunch break But don t go overboard with a buffet Keep it simple Best Practices Tip Prepackaged grab n go snacks make it easy for the guests and eliminate the need for plates and plastic wear Easy to eat fruits like apples and bananas satisfy those with dietary needs Have plenty of coffee and water Try doing something fun like sprinkling Hershey s Kisses on the tables Remember kisses are good Consider having each of the couples on your team or hospitality team provide a snack for the event Not only is this a great way for them to get involved but could also be a cost savings to the event budget Lunch We strongly encourage you NOT to provide lunch but to urge couples to view that time as an opportunity to go on a date Couples will be taking in a lot during the event And meal breaks are the perfect chance to pull away and talk about what they ve taken in Lunch is ALSO a great time for your AOM team to spend together sharing what they ve seen in the couples around them praying about
32. ts with how the manual works alongside of the DVD content Keep in mind that most of them will have had a long week They may be tired cranky and not fully ready to engage with the material So help couples relax and feel comfortable Smile Be excited without going overboard Above all you want them to be thinking This is going to be good l m glad I m here Here s a sample format you might want to consider using for your introduction 1 Welcome Start by welcoming everyone and thanking them for coming Introduce yourselves and your team Share your own excitement about the weekend and why you ve been looking forward to going through The Art of Marriage 2 Break The Ice This is a great time for a giveaway Here are a couple suggestions Longest Married e Please stand if you ve been married more than five years Wow f you ve been married more than 10 years keep standing e 15 years keep standing And so on until you have the winner the longest married couple the art of marriage 28 the event Newlyweds If you ve been married less than five years stand up Less than one year keep standing Less than six months etc until you have the winner the most recently wed couple 3 Walk Through Briefly walk your guests through the schedule of the event Two sessions during this initial meeting and four sessions the next day Mention the session length and break times Remind them of the start ti
33. ui pam ey jeul4 e exeursajdnoj 104 ebeys uo 15012 wdo 7 00 7 SU440J 2eqpesJ pue sebpejd senquisip weal S eM y AO1 XIS uotss s u d00 7 00 e21nosaj 3e suons nb 104 qqojurejqejeAe og yeaig uidoo e Ssp z p p u se sjueuiusaJjeJ ysiuaj day p no s Zeuq Buipao2oe uoisses ubnoau isi uoneansiba4 uSnolu uoisses buunp s xoq ed yDaYD e S 1ZZ1S AO1 A14 uolss s udsp Z Sp T is un eyluM Aeg awos zno 3snq pue 54461 u WIP sejpue 1uBn jeeq y jo pue eui ay pepeeu se sjuauuusaJjeJ usiu d q p no Jo eJg BY 5ulsn 29019603 4943260 Youn wea 21983 e2J4nosaJ ye suonsenb 104 Aqqo ul ajqeyiene og 994u L Paloig pue youn 40 yeg uidsr T uooN p no 4aAe1g o 6uipao22e uolss s ubnolu e ysi uoneayssi6 1 uSnolu e uolss s Buunp s xoq ed y99uS e NO4 uotss s UOON 00 TT 31qe ye suons nb 40 Aqqo ul ajqeyeneag OML Peloid 40 4ea4g wieQ0 TT 00 01 p p u se s uawysajjes usiu d q pin5 42Ae1g o Bulp4o e uolss s e is uoneasi6a4 uSnolu Aelg uolss s Buunp s xoq y99uS e S UEQ Ao1 uu L UOISSAS U1500 01T 00 6 syoeus 493eM 999JO p p u s dno z uedo ajqe adinosay dn mous upip OuA sajdnod uoneajsi6au wiegos s
34. ve a good impression on the vendor Materials You ve already acquired your AOM Experience Kit for 199 But you will also need to purchase manuals for your guests Each couple gets a set The AOM Manuals including the new Date Night Calendar are available at www shopfamilylife com for 34 99 per couple set Best Practices Tip e Order early and often Place your initial order for manuals no later than 3 weeks before your event to ensure delivery We encourage you to order 5 10 above the number of people you expect to cover same day registrations If you have a surge of registrations place a second order with expedited shipping if needed e Pens Each couple will need a few Make sure you have spares Name Tags They make for a nice touch and are super helpful during registration e Note that the Art of Marriage videos are engaging themselves yet if played without the accompanying manuals then it will not provide the same life impact that couples can receive when following the videos with their manuals Childcare If you plan on providing childcare PLEASE make sure your facility can accommodate it in such a way that will NOT be close or near parents Factor in the costs and manpower required to facilitate childcare properly Best Practices Tip Avoid providing childcare if you can We ve found that childcare although sometimes necessary can often times be a distraction for parents The goal is to immerse them into
35. weeks before event Checklist Prayer See prayer guide for details Date Location and Schedule Determine registration price Obtain permissions for location if required Register your Event www theartofmarriage com Develop a plan to invite others soft invite via personal contacts Recruit your team Begin creating promotional materials www theartofmarriage com promo Present Promotional Plan to Pastor the art of marriage 18 before the event preparation phase Weeks 10 8 before Event Planning Phase to be completed by this date 8 weeks before event Checklist Pray Order AOM Manuals Watch AOM DVD s with your team O O We Create a music playlist for intro s and breaks Contact local newspapers radio stations businesses Prepare invites for email Facebook etc Create videos additional signage banners etc promotion phase Weeks 7 5 before Event Promotion Phase to be completed by this date 5 weeks before event Checklist Pray Email Blast Social Media Invite e g Facebook Twitter etc Distribute Flyers Set up info table e g at your church venue Hang banners posters Hit up local businesses community organizations
36. what God is doing and discussing how the event is impacting them It takes the stress off of the team if they don t have to be in work mode the entire day Plus they will have the chance to laugh bond and grow closer Best Practices Tip Gift cards for near by restaurants make great giveaways for the couples Coupons or discount offers to near by restaurants may be a nice touch as well If you DO provide childcare make sure you think about lunch for the kids Special Touches Think of ways you can create an experience for your guests What says romantic Roses on the tables Candles Twinkle lights Try to transform your facility into a place that feels like a getaway before the event 11 Y Best Practices Tip Music matters Create a playlist for intro s breaks and registration to create an environment that doesn t feel like dead space Check out the music suggestions we ve included in your Kit Take it from us everyone likes a little Sinatra Rent an old school photobooth OR designate a team member to take photos during the event Run down to your local photo store have them printed in an hour and have them waiting for couples on Saturday morning The more giveaways the better Everyone likes to win something Plus canvassing your local businesses is a great way to build relationships with your community Discounts Our thought give em if you can It s always a good idea to provide scholarships for couples
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