SPONSORSHIP: The Most Important Job of All


Sponsoring individuals for the Walk to Emmaus is the lifeblood of our community and the most important job each of us have. While it does make us feel good to sponsor someone we know for a walk, that is not the purpose. The following are excerpts from an eight page chapter on Sponsorship found in the Upper Room Handbook on Emmaus.

While most church related functions take a “ya’ll come!” approach to participation, Emmaus relies on a method that is more consistent with the message of the Walk: sponsorship. The personal character of sponsorship underlines God’s personal care and commitment to each pilgrim. Sponsors help make Emmaus an act of sacrificial love from beginning to end – something more than the usual retreat or religious education function. One of the resource books in The Emmaus Library series is titled Sponsorship. This book provides a detailed explanation of the whys, whens, and hows of effective sponsorship.

Sponsorship is the most important job in Emmaus. It is more than “signing up people.” The quality of sponsorship influences the pilgrim, the health of the Emmaus Movement, and the church affected by the movement. Sponsorship is the first act of agape before a Walk ever begins. It under girds the whole weekend with sacrificial love and acts of agape that include prayer, agape letters, presence at Candlelight and Closing, and follow-up. Good sponsorship is the foundation for a healthy, effective Emmaus Movement true to its purpose: the development of Christian leaders and the renewal of the church in ministry.

Emmaus is right for many people --- but not for everyone. Those sponsored could include the following: church leaders; dependable church members; less active members who need their awareness of grace rekindled; Christians who are hungry for “something more”; members and leaders who represent a cross section of the church; respected laypersons and clergypersons; members of diverse congregations, denominations, and ethnic groups. Those that may be questionable for Emmaus could include the following: Non-Christians; Christians whose theology and/or practice is notably different or incompatible with traditional theology; persons undergoing an emotional crisis or who are psychologically unstable; “church hoppers”; persons who are always looking for another spiritual high to help them “arrive”.

Following these 10 steps will lead to Wise Sponsorship:
1. Pray for the person’s openness to God’s call to discipleship
2. Make an appointment with the couple (or individual) to discuss participation in Emmaus
3. Extend an invitation and explain the basic elements of the Walk
4. Ask the couple (or person) to make a commitment with a registration form – remember equal commitment of both partners is needed
5. Continue to pray
6. Support your pilgrim during the 72 hour walk – at the camp, and at their home
7. Encourage the pilgrim in his or her Fourth Day Involvement
8. Help the pilgrim reenter his or her church considering their new commitment and enthusiasm
9. Inform the pilgrim of ways to serve the Emmaus community and future Walks
10. Help the pilgrim sponsor others

Sponsorship is an act of love for God, for the pilgrims, for the Emmaus community, and for the church. It demonstrates agape love, making us instruments of prevenient grace.

De Colores
Dyrl Greene


E.E. Home Page