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THE WALK TO EMMAUSTypical Emmaus Weekend Are You Interested? What My Emmaus Weekend Meant to Me Three Days of Growing Closer to GodIn the history of this planet, we know there has been only one perfect life ever lived. Though it can never be completely achieved, the ultimate goal of each and every Christian is to strive to live as Christ-like as possible. An Emmaus Weekend is one way to help any individual, from new believer to seasoned pastor, try to do so.
Biblical Background
The Gospel of Luke 24: 13-35 relates the story of two disciples of Jesus who were traveling the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus and sharing their deepest concerns about His death. A stranger appeared and joined them, asking them questions and explaining scriptures as they walked. At the end of the day, they urged him to eat with them. As the stranger took bread, blessed, broke, and shared it with them, they then recognized that he was the risen Christ, and they rushed back to Jerusalem to share the good news with others.Today’s “Walk To Emmaus” The Walk to Emmaus is a 72-hour experience, about 7 p.m. Thursday to 7 p.m. Sunday, for our Christian spiritual renewal and formation. In short, it’s a series of activities designed to help us grow even closer to God, better know Christ and prepare each of us in applying our full, day-to-day Christian potential. It’s non-denominational and there are separate walks for adult men and women (and also for 16-22 year-old young people in a similar program called “Chrysalis”).In the last 30 years, half a million people have participated in an Emmaus weekend in the U.S. and several countries around the world. The very structured format for the 3-day weekend is prepared and governed by the Upper Room Ministries of the United Methodist Church and is a tried-and-true process for presenting the experience. Though an Emmaus brochure or booklet may state that the main purpose is to develop leaders for the church, make no mistake; it is first and foremost about your expanding your own individual spiritual life through worship, study, and active discipleship of Christ in service to the world. Of course, “world” includes your home, church, workplace, community, state, nation, and beyond. When people re-experience the gift of God’s love, they often emerge from an Emmaus weekend with a desire to pass that love on to others. How you choose to do so is between you and God.
A Typical Emmaus WeekendIt’s neither a “Christian Boot Camp” nor a “Camp Funfest”—and it’s never boring! People on an Emmaus weekend are divided into table families or groups. Discussions center around fifteen talks given by laity and clergy. Talks are centered on God's grace, Christian discipleship, and what it means to be part of the Body of Christ—how it comes alive in the Christian community, how it expresses itself in the world, in your life, how you live it, enjoy it in the body of Christ and bring it to others. Yes, you’ll have fun and have enough breaks, but it’s mostly a concentrated schedule of events that produce a full day’s and evening’s spiritual experience. That’s why there is basically no contact with the outside world during the weekend—no cell phone, no watch, no car, etc.--in fact, you’re requested not to talk about what you do/did for a living until Sunday afternoon. Again, you’re there to focus on getting closer to Jesus Christ. You’ll be very tired at bedtime but with a warm smile of faith in your heart. Together, and in the ultimate sense of camaraderie, you’ll share personal stories or information, sing praise music, study, dance (using the word very loosely), laugh and probably cry on a few occasions, exchange ideas, meditate, pray, take Holy Communion—and worship together—all weekend long!
The dress code is very casual, with each person dressing to his/her own individual comfort level. You’ll stay in quite adequate lodges with all the amenities. And, oh, one of the things of legend on Emmaus weekends is the FOOD (“fasting” is not even close to being a part of the weekend). Though they will meet any of your special dietary needs, it’s suggested that you simply come prepared to enjoy all the goodies (and get back on your regular eating regimen on Monday!).Special Note: There is nothing secret about an Emmaus weekend, though, for obvious reasons, any and all personal comments and opinions made between the participants and team alike are strictly confidential). However, during the weekend, leaders do often say, “Don’t try to anticipate what’s next—just stay in the moment for the weekend!” The truth is that this approach has proven to better maximize the meaningful impact of some of the activities. That’s why you should attend with an open mind and open heart—then go with the flow while you’re there! What Will Be Expected Of You?You are simply asked to leave your secular world at home and come with openness to the messages and to God. An Emmaus weekend is not the place for observers and spectators. Though you are not asked to sing a solo, make a speech, or bare yourself spiritually (unless you elect to do any of such things) nor be expected to be pious, saintly, or have a thorough knowledge of the Bible, participants ARE expected to be honest, to participate fully, and to respond genuinely in discussions.
What Happens After An Emmaus Weekend?One of the primary strengths of the Walk to Emmaus is the follow-up. Those who attend are encouraged to build on it for the rest of their lives (called The Fourth Day) by doing two things: 1) expand their own spiritual lives through study, worship, and action; and 2) become more active disciples in their churches, communities, etc. To nurture this process of discipleship, participants are encouraged to meet regularly (preferably weekly) in small gatherings of 3-to-6 believers called “accountability groups” for about one hour. Members both challenge and support one another in faithful living. Obviously, this is the most important aspect of what’s obtained from an Emmaus Walk—the living your Christian faith afterwards! Who Should Attend and How?
An Emmaus weekend is for any Christian who wants to grow spiritually closer to Jesus Christ and further build onto their faith and discipleship. It assumes a certain familiarity with the basics of the Christian faith and is directed toward one’s personal relationship with God. Consequently, it is probably someone that is at least semi-regularly attending church or maybe just joined one and intends to do so. (Note: It is not, for example, a time for working through recent loss/grief or psychological or career or family problem. If you are working through such situations, you should consider waiting to go on an Emmaus weekend when you feel completely free to focus on the message.)The all-inclusive fee is currently $150. Scholarships are also available. To register and attend, you must have a sponsor, i.e., someone who has previously attended an Emmaus. Among other things, the sponsor will answer your questions, take you there (remember, you cannot drive your car), get you settled in, come back and pick you up, etc. Are You Interested?We are in the organizational region called the Dallas Emmaus Community that holds seven Emmaus weekends annually in a number of locations in the north Texas area. The website is DallasEmmaus.org. The all-inclusive fee is $150. Here is the 2010 Dallas Emmaus walk schedule.
What did my Emmaus Weekend mean to me?
Dallas Emmaus Women’s Walk #170, June 2003
Dallas Emmaus Men’s Walk #163, September 2002
Dallas Emmaus Women’s Walk #151, August 2001
Dallas Emmaus Men’s Walk #17, April 1992 |
Susan Geddes
Frank Bilotta
Michelle Weihing
Earl Amox