So You Want to be a Sponsor . . .
Your first job as sponsor is to remember the purpose of Emmaus! The Upper Room guides us in this purpose by explaining, “The aim of Emmaus is to inspire, challenge, and equip local church members for Christian action – in their homes, churches, workplaces, and communities.” Let this statement be your guide as you carry out your sponsorship responsibilities (also known as blessings). Please take a few moments to read through these instructions, and when you get to the end, please follow the link provided to notify out Sponsorship director that you have read through and understand your sponsorship training.
Where to Begin?
1) First, PRAY … pray … pray. Prayer is the foundation of the Emmaus
movement. Prayers of the sponsor should be petitions seeking God’s
guidance to individuals to attend the weekend. Pray for God’s discernment and direction for those to attend the weekend. Pray for openness on the part of the potential pilgrim to God’s call to discipleship. Pray for each step of the
process. Pray often.
2) Make an appointment to discuss basic elements of the Walk. Casual
conversations and comments are good foundations, but setting an exact time to invite a person to attend the weekend emphasizes the importance of the event. Your task:
Provide the basic information :
time, date, place.
Explain the weekend and the follow up events :
(i.e.gatherings & reunion groups). You may want to take the booklet “What is Emmaus?”
Equal commitment:
If the individual you are meeting with is married the meeting should include the spouse. The equal comment represents wisdom not law.
It guards against Emmaus becoming a devise influence in a marriage. Here’s the hard part – Do not sponsor if there is a strong disagreement by the spouse about attending. Trust God. By following the rule of equal commitment, the Emmaus experience can strengthen the spiritual bond of the marriage and the family.
Details – No Secrets:
Remember there are NO SECRETS in the Emmaus movement. The “secret mentality” creates problems of “cult involvement”, the attitude of “we’re important and more special than other Christians”, and fear for some pilgrims. Share a basic overview of the weekend, answer questions open & honestly. This doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be surprises – do not volunteer information you are not questioned about.
In the same spirit, do not say there are some things … some surprises
I can not tell you about. If you are asked for specific information…
if questions are directed about dying moments, candlelight, agape … answer open and honestly
Trust God. One way to handle these questions is to say, “there are wonderful surprises to numerous to mention”.
Other areas of discussion:
Women in leadership-- if this is different in the pilgrims denomination
Quiet Time on Thursday night
Transportation to and from the site
Low maintenance – less focus on the frills of hair, makeup, comfortable dress, etc
Structure of the weekend – explain how very structured the weekend is as it is different from other retreats
Lack of contact with outside world
other things that may be of issue to this particular pilgrim.
3) Extend an invitation: After explaining the details of the Emmaus movement and sharing your personal experiences, extend an invitation. Make sure the potential pilgrim understands that you are inviting them to more than just the weekend. You are inviting them to the whole experience of the three day retreat, gatherings, reunion groups, team membership and formation, and renewed interest in serving in their church. Hear that again. Make sure they understand that you are inviting them to the whole Emmaus experience.
4) Seek a commitment: Once they agree, have them fill out an application and forward the application and appropriate fees to the Community Registrar. If they say “no’" or “not now” honor their decision and continue your relationship in the same manner.
5) Continue to pray, prepare agape, enlist pastoral support: This is when the work begins. Pray for God to prepare the way. Stay in close contact and address questions and concerns. Begin the process of collection agape letters from family and friends. Don’t forget to ask them to pray for the pilgrim. Meet with the pilgrim’s pastor. Explain to the pastor about Emmaus (if they have no experience). Discuss and pray with how this experience can help in the ministry of their church.
6) Support the Walk: Tend to the pilgrim’s family. Attend send-off, sponsor’s hour, candlelight, and closing. Give your pilgrim space .. allow God to develop the experience as God intends. Continue to pray and make sure your name is on the 72-hour prayer chart.
7) Introduce pilgrim to the Fourth Day. Your responsibilities do no end with the walk …Your responsibilities do no end with the walk … Your responsibilities do no end with the walk. Schedule time to discuss pilgrim’s Emmaus experience –help them digest their experience. Help them properly channel their enthusiasm. Make every effort to help them get a good start – take them to the first gathering, encourage them to attend Fourth Day training, help them find a reunion group. If their spouse is attending an upcoming Walk, Encourage them to participate in send –off , sponsors hour, the 72 hour prayer vigil, agape gifts, candlelight and closing.
8) Help pilgrim re-enter their church: Talk with them about ways to live out their commitment in constructive ways. Help them assimilate the process into the life of their local church.
9) Help pilgrim serve God in the Emmaus community: Help the pilgrim to understand the many different areas of service involved in Emmaus. Encourage them to use their gifts in appropriate ways.
10) Help pilgrims sponsor others: Sponsoring comes full circle. Assist them in understanding the process as explained above.
Sponsorship is an important job … some say the most important job of all. Good, complete, whole sponsorship results in a strong, vital, community that serves God to the fullest in the Emmaus community, in the local church, and in the world. Do not cheat the process. Do not skimp in any area. Don’t fall in to the trap of thinking you are making the weekend special for the pilgrim. Again, trust God. Offer yourself in complete service, and experience the many blessing the Holy Spirit offers you and those you sponsor in complete hope, joy, and love.
Article based on the Sponsorship training as directed by the Upper Room.
May God bless our efforts.
Sponsorship questions,as well as notice of having read and agreeing to this Sponsorship training, should be directed to: Jenny Baer 513-923-3278
