What Does the Model Say About...

This page is information that may help you to understand the Emmaus Weekend and why it is set up as it is.  

The contents of this page will change frequently to give the readers a broad view of the Emmaus Model.

Participation at Team Meetings

(The Upper Room Handbook on Emmaus, p.47-49)

An intentional team-formation process is essential to fulfilling the goals of the Emmaus Movement for five reasons:

1. To prepare the team functionally,

2. To prepare team members spiritually,

3. To build the team as a Christian community,

4. To assist in the training of future leaders for Emmaus,

5. To develop Christian leaders for the church.

For the above reasons, it is essential that team members participate in the entire team process.  Prospective team members should be told about the commitment that is expected of them when they are first contacted.  A common rule of thumb in many communities is that team members should participate in no less than eight out of ten weekly meetings or three out of four monthly meetings.  Clergy members are expected to participate in team meetings as well, and the Weekend Spiritual Director should set the example.  At least the two clergy who plan to remain in residence during the entire Emmaus three days should commit to attend all the team meetings.  All clergy are expected to be present for the preview of the other clergy members' talks and should make efforts to participate in every team meeting.

Team meetings involve only the Conference Room Team, those who will actually be in the conference room with the pilgrims throughout the entire three days.  Though support persons who work behind the scene, such as kitchen or agape helpers, are an integral part of the three days, they receive no direct help in performing their duties by attending the team meetings.  Communities that require the involvement of support persons in team meetings run the risk of overcommitting these servants unnecessarily and possibly preventing them from making full commitments to the Conference Room Team in the future.  Communities must guard against this danger.  The Walk to Emmaus does not serve its purpose well if it ties up so many community members in team preparation and Emmaus events that they neglect their regular Fourth-Day responsibilities (church, family, or community) or the Emmaus community experiences burnout between Emmaus Walks.

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