A VIEW FROM THE CHAIR
BEING A TEAM PLAYER

Many members of the Emmaus Community have asked “How can I be part of a live-in team?” After experiencing a life-changing weekend on a Walk to Emmaus, this is a natural question. Folks want to be part
of such a powerful experience again, and they want to be as close to the action as possible. Thus, they naturally inquire about serving on a live-in team. This can sometimes be a sensitive issue, so I measure my
words carefully.

The first experience on a live-in team is as an assistant table leader (or in some cases, as an assistant music leader, but there are some special talents associated with that role). Most who inquire about live-in team service may not take the time to look at the sheer numbers involved. There are three walks for men each year, and four for women. Usually, there are seven assistant table leader spots for each walk. So there are only 21 available spots on the teams for men and 28 for women. With the potential for 105 pilgrims each year for men, and 140 for women (35 pilgrim spots are reserved for each walk), the opportunities to serve on a live-in team are limited. Additionally, there
are some requirements for participation on a live in team: active membership in a share group, use of the group reunion card by the
share group, active participation in a local church, participation and attendance in Emmaus community activities, gifts and talents
suitable for live-in team participation, and passage of a least a year since the team member’s pilgrim walk. These requirements further limit those who are able to serve.

The most important factor in team selection is prayer. Candidates for the live-in team are offered up by the Community Spiritual Director, the Spiritual Director of the upcoming walk, the immediate past walk’s Lay Director, the Lay Director of the upcoming walk, the community board chairperson, and the community leadership chairperson. All of these people have been in prayer asking for discernment regarding the candidates prior to the team selection meeting. Many candidates are offered for consideration; and when consensus is reached, a list of candidates is compiled for all of the layperson roles on a live-in team. These lists are quite lengthy, as experience has demonstrated that many on the lists are not able to serve because they are not in share groups or don’t use the card, or their personal or work schedules do not permit attendance at team formation meetings.Often, team rosters are filled quickly, with very few calls by the Lay Director needed. In other instances, Lay Directors have had to return to the community leadership chair for more prospective names. The bottom line is: God is in charge and calls those He wants for each team. The results of each team selection are a constant source of amazement to those involved. God sorts it all out in His amazing ways!

While this process is not perfect (because humans are involved), this is how live-in team members are selected. If someone is called to serve on a team, he/she attends seven meetings as a new assistant table
leader or an Assistant Lay Director, and six if he/she is a music director or table leader. The whole-team meetings are three hours each. Then the team member is “on point” in serving the pilgrims from Thursday
evening to Sunday evening on the Walk weekend. This can be an emotionally and physically daunting challenge due to the intensity of the weekend. It is not for everyone.

While the live-in team may seem to be in the spotlight, the pilgrims are often more amazed by the “behind the scenes” servants than by the live-in team. Those who cook, serve, and clean up the meals are especially appreciated. Those who clean the rest rooms, empty the trash, carry the luggage, and do all the logistical set-ups are a source
of amazement to those pilgrims who wonder “How does all this get done?” Pilgrims are always in awe of the prayer vigil, with the sacrifice made by those in prayer for the walk at all hours of the day and night.
Candlelight is always at the top of the list of weekend highlights. Rarely are live-in team members singled out for thanks by the pilgrims–rather, their thanks are generally directed at all the behind-the-scenes service that members of the Emmaus Community (often nameless) have done to provide for their needs during the weekend.

Why is it seldom difficult to find team members, but consistently difficult to find servants to fill the spots to clean bathrooms or tear down Kirsch Hall and clean up after closing? Are people looking to “hide behind the cross” in Godly service or do they want to be “at the right hand of Jesus in His Kingdom?” Yes, people are busy and it’s hard to
find time to serve; but remember the first talk of your Emmaus Weekend and one of the messages included in it – isn’t it true we
find time for the things that are important to us?

Are there those in the community who are qualified to serve on a live in team and have not been called? Possibly, even probably. My response to that would be: keep serving until it is God’s time for you to be on a live-in team!

God values all service to the pilgrims. When you are scrubbing toilets, emptying trash, or doing dishes, what are you doing? You are not just scrubbing or cleaning. You are living out the Great Commandment:
loving God and loving your neighbors (the pilgrims). You are making it possible for pilgrims to have a closer relationship with God. You are being a witness to the pilgrims as to what it means to serve. You are setting an example showing what a believer does in the Fourth Day. You will be blessed by your loving service. As a gentleman by the name of Tom Wilson once said, “Love is the only thing you get more of by giving it away.” So, be about your Father’s business of serving in agape love – unconditionally.

Blessings,
Steve Friece
Emmaus Board Chair