S ponsorship t raining

1. Sponsorship training

2. Discussion Points • WTE Mission and Objective • Why do we sponsor? • Whom do we sponsor? • Equal Commitment Rule • How do we sponsor? • What should I tell my pilgrim? • Forms • FAQ’s

3. Mission: Empowering Leaders to be the hands and feet of Christ. Walk to Emmaus Home Church Christian Action Workplaces Communities • Objective: To inspire, challenge, and equip the local church members for Christian action in their homes, churches, communities and places of work. 

4. Why Do We Sponsor? • It Is To: • Bring spiritual revitalization to Christians • Bring new life and vision to the work of the church in the congregation, home, workplace, and community • Provide the foundation for a healthy, effective Emmaus movement • Build up the body of Christ through wise sponsorship

5. Why Do We Sponsor…cont? • It Is Not To: • “Get all my friends to go” • Fill up the weekend • Fix peoples’ problems • Reproduce your own religious experience in others • Convert others

6. Whom Do We Sponsor? • Emmaus is for Christians ages 21 and over who are actively attending their church • The person should already be on a pilgrimage • The person should have a Christian passion • The person isn’t consumed by life’s circumstances

7. Those Sponsored Could Include… • Church leaders (pastors and laypersons) • Dependable church members • Less active members • Christians who are hungry for “something more” • Members of diverse congregations, denominations, and ethnic groups

8. Emmaus is Not For Everyone • Non-Christians (Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, etc.) • “Christians” notably different or incompatible with traditional Trinity theology and practice (LDS) • Person who will create an “Emmaus church” • Persons looking for another spiritual high • Persons undergoing an emotional crisis • “Church-hoppers”

9. The Equal Commitment Rule • Husbands and wives are encouraged to make an equal commitment to participate • Emmaus can indirectly strengthen the spiritual bond in a marriage and family • EQ guards against the Emmaus experience becoming a divisive influence in a marriage • Does not mean a wife can never go to Emmaus unless her husband goes too (or vice-versa) • Represents wisdom, not law

10. How do we Sponsor?

11. Call to Action • Sponsoring is done months in advance of the Walk • Idaho Walk to Emmaus requires trained sponsors • Sponsor contribution is $75.00 for each pilgrim • Forms to the Pre-Walk Coordinator no later than the Orientation session for the Walk

12. Forms Pilgrim Application Sponsor Endorsement Request to Serve

13. The Invitation • Pray for the person's openness to God's call to discipleship and extend an invitation • Don’t set expectations for them to have the same experiences you had • Ask the person to make a commitment by filling out the registration form • If married, encourage an equal commitment by both • Complete and sign ALL parts of the application • Sponsors: E-Mail idahowte@gmail.com for forms

14. What Should I Tell Potential Pilgrims? • No need to tell them everything in great detail that will occur during the three days • Keep in mind there are no secrets! There is no reason to shroud the event in secrecy • There are fifteen talks (five each day) • Time spent in discussing these talks • Time spent in the chapel meditating, praying, singing, worshiping

15. What Should I Tell…cont. • Plenty of good food and fellowship • Communion is emphasized • Discuss sleeping and showering arrangements • Emmaus attempts to remove normal life interruptions and create an environment for prayer and reflection apart from the outside world • Each weekend is unique because each person seems to find exactly what God wants that person to experience

16. The Weekend • Prepare agape letters and enlist pastor support • Walk participation: • Sendoff • Sponsor’s hour • 72-Hour Prayer Vigil • Candlelight • Closing • Support the pilgrim's family and/or home

17. Support in the 4th Day • Talk to them about their weekend experience • Attend Day Four Gathering with your pilgrim • Help the pilgrim find or start a reunion group • Take the pilgrim to the first Community Gathering after their Walk • Offer to baby-sit so your pilgrim can attend a Candlelight

18. Support in the 4th Day…cont. • Help the pilgrim re-enter their church • Inform the pilgrim about ways to serve the Emmaus Community (Weekends, Leadership) • Help the pilgrim understand how to sponsor others (pay it forward)

19. FAQ’s About Sponsorship • How soon should I sponsor? • All of us were enthusiastic right after our Walks, but this enthusiasm far exceeds knowledge and effectiveness • Wait a year before sponsoring someone • Learn about the complete Emmaus movement and participate in Emmaus functions (Work a weekend!) • If you can’t wait, and you have followed all the steps, get an experienced member of the Community to help you with sponsorship

20. FAQ’s About Sponsorship • How many Pilgrims should I sponsor on a Walk? • Simple answer: one (1) • Sponsoring a second person can compromise your ability to be a good sponsor • Remember, it is not just a 72-hour weekend you are sponsoring, but through your pilgrim’s 4th Days

21. FAQ’s About Sponsorship • What about agape letters? • Goal is to have 8 to 12 letters from family members and close friends for the pilgrim • These letters: • Should be positive and uplifting • Convey a meaningful message from the writer to the pilgrim • Relate a special moment the two have shared • Work behind the scenes to get the letters

22. FAQ’s About Sponsorship • What about providing my pilgrim gifts and special surprises during the weekend? • This is not part of the program • The message of the Walk is that God loves each person with the same love; God does not have favorites; A special gift will short-circuit this message • Any gifts or special surprises will be collected and returned to the sponsor to present these items as 4th day surprises at the conclusion of the weekend

23. FAQ’s About Sponsorship • Why have separate weekends for men and women? • Single people and married people participate on the same weekend • Having a weekend without spouses allows both to participate equally • Same-gender groups encourage freer discussion without the restraints some might feel with spouses present

24. FAQ’s About Sponsorship • Can I work on a team and sponsor someone on the same weekend? • Yes • Be sure that the pilgrim knows that you have a job to do on the weekend • Let the pilgrim know that you want them to experience the full weekend as if you are not there

25. QUESTIONS?

26. Sponsorship Training Completion • Congratulations! You’ve completed sponsor training! • Please email your name to: idahowte@gmail.com • Subject: IWTE Sponsorship Training • You will then receive a short quiz (you may print out this presentation to use with the quiz). • Your completion will be recorded in the database.