Concho Country Emmaus Community

A Note From Your Sponsorship Committee

Committed to help us all become better sponsors, we offer the following guidelines from the Southwest Texas Conference regarding “Whom Not to Sponsor”.

The Walk to Emmaus is NOT for:
· Anyone who would find The Walk a discomforting experience.
· Anyone who is not a member of a Christian church.
· Anyone currently involved in emotional distress.
· Anyone with health problems that would prohibit them from experiencing
    the whole weekend.
· Anyone who is a church-hopper.
· Anyone who uses any forum to dominate and does not want to hear other
    opinions.
· Anyone who differs doctrinally from the basic doctrine of the Walk to
    Emmaus.

The Emmaus website at www.umcswtxprograms.org/Emmaus has great helps regarding sponsorship. And, always remember to pray!

Faithfully,
Your Sponsorship Committee

How to Become a Sponsor
In order to sponsor someone on Walk to Emmaus, a person must first have been on The Walk itself. A sponsor should also be active in a Fourth Day Reunion Group. Having been through the experience and being engaged in ongoing spiritual formation through Fourth Day gives one perspective on how to sponsor.

Beyond these requirements, the basic attitude of a sponsor is one of prayerful discernment. This results in intentional acts of unconditional love, or what is often termed "the first act of agape."

"Sponsorship can be unwise or wise. Unwise sponsorship results from unbridled enthusiasm that wants everyone to have the same experience. Sponsors with unbridled enthusiasm approach anybody and everybody with the admonition that "you need to go on The Walk," and that open invitation is the primary (sometimes the only) emphasis. This approach lacks discernment and will result in a burden for the church. Such efforts in sponsorship frequently result in religious fringe groups within the church or possibly a parachurch of "Emmausites." While the individual being sponsored may benefit, that individual does not go back into the church to foster growth and renewal. The lack of commitment at this point is contrary to the purpose of Emmaus.

How to Find a Sponsor
Wise sponsorship is careful, intentional, prayerful, and purposeful because it results from God's leading. The pilgrims return to their churches and community renewed in their commitment to be effective disciples."

If you know someone who has attended Emmaus, ask your friend to tell you about his or her experience of the Walk to Emmaus. Your friend will help you decide whether you would find this experience helpful. Your friend will also help you find a sponsor for your Emmaus participation.