Need input from those who have been on an "Emmaus Walk"

[LLee]

I've already read the "pro and con" threads posted here a couple of years ago. I would like to hear straight from those who have attended a "Walk to Emmaus" or similar retreat designed by the United Methodist Church (Upper Room Cursillo, etc).

It says on the official information that the Emmaus Walks include instruction in spiritual disciplines. I'd like to know what that includes. Were you taught about Centering Prayer? Breath prayers? Visual imagining? "Meeting God in the silence" or similar? What type of prayers were covered? What else is meant by "spiritual disciplines?"

What books were suggested? Who were suggested as good authors? Was there any mention of Richard Foster, Thomas Merton, Renovare?

Thanks for any help!

[cotton]

I've recently participated in a Via de Christo (The Way of Christ) which is the Lutheran version of Cursillo(the original Catholic version) Via de Christo is supposed to be very similar to Walk to Emmaus. We did have one evening of silence where one was supposed to think about one's relationship with Christ. The weekend was very Bible based. Spritual disciplines were learning about how to more Christ like in one's everyday life. Focus was on becomming a person who could lead others to Christ and a person who was active in one's church community as well as reflecting Christ as one went about their daily work and play. The book referred to was the Holy Bible. Topics were: Piety, Study, Action. Prays included: The Lords Prayer "Our Father who art in heaven etc." , "We give you thanks, Lord God almighty, for all the benefits you have given to us: to you who live and reign forever and ever" "I pray that all my intentions, actions and works of this day may be directed solely to the greater glory of God's devine majesty. May the grace of God dwell always in me." "Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit, and we shall be created, and you shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit instructs the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in his consolations; through Christ our Lord. " It was not "new age" at all. What you have described does not sound like anything from any of the Forth Day community. Sounds like someone has run amuck! :rolleyes

[Harley]

from your links it is obvious you already have opinions on this to some degree... and as your links point out - there are dangers if it is misapplied.

however, what seems to occur too often (speaking generally now) is a lack of critical thinking, a lack of diligent discernment --- the result being a wholesale condemning of any "method" that is missused by anyone... as if the method itself were the issue.

that said - our church has developed its own program similar to those mentioned above, but i think it's less systematic... we basically call it a silent retreat.

it's a retreat like a lot of churches do, in that a groups gets away from their familiar surroundings or an overnight or two. it's silent in that the participants don't sit and listen, but read, contemplate, pray, fast, etc... the foci are inward, upward, and outward; that is - confession, worship, outreach/ministry.

the guide book is mostly scripture with quotes and stuff from contemporaries like foster, merton, nouwen, lewis; classics like luther, calvin, et. al.; and the church fathers as well.

[LLee]

My mother's church is going to do the "Walk to Emmaus," and some of the things she said set alarm bells off for me. Her church is already very iffy in an even iffier denomination (United Methodist).

I expect she'll be able to get through it with no ill effects, even if there is an emphasis on contemplative spirituality, which is what I'm a little afraid of. She's not an overly imaginative person.

[Harley]

My mother's church is going to do the "Walk to Emmaus," and some of the things she said set alarm bells off for me. Her church is already very iffy in an even iffier denomination (United Methodist).

I expect she'll be able to get through it with no ill effects, even if there is an emphasis on contemplative spirituality, which is what I'm a little afraid of. She's not an overly imaginative person.
the united methodists are a very big tent.

the issue is not contemplative spirituality, nothing wrong with contemplation, the issue is the object of said contempation.

[Flo]

I had a longer post, but decided my main point is this: from personal experience, I would just advise your mom and that church, if it is a smaller one, to be careful of the aftermath of the Emmaus Walk, that the church doesn't make it and preparations for it such a focus that regular Bible Study time and other things are canceled in lieu of it, and that non attendees aren't made ot feel like they aren't close to God because they can't/won't go. That sort of thing alienates non-Emmaus Walk people and can almost split a church. :):

[Harley]

that is a good warning flo - this is not an issue of this method alone, but any method. no program should be used/promoted in this manner.

[LLee]

the issue is not contemplative spirituality, nothing wrong with contemplationI'd rather not go down that path specifically in this thread, but would rather keep this to experiences with the "Walk to Emmaus." That said, if anyone would like to know more about my concerns, just click on the second website in my sig and follow the links to that subject. Thanks.

[LLM]

Hi LLee,
I went on my Walk to Emmaus a couple of years ago, and served as a cook last year. My walk was a life-changing event, where for the first time I felt in a real way the Love that God has for us, through the love and service of other Christians. There was nothing new-age about it. I go to a charasmatic church, and some of the weekend included the usual denominational ritual that you would find in a Methodist/Lutheran/etc church, such as congregational response to Bible readings and the handling of the communion elements, but I'm used to that from visiting other churches, and growing up Presbyterian. The spiritual disciplines that were talked about were not methods per se, but basic, like making God your priority, reading the Bible, and being involved in Christian ministry.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of criticism surrounding Emmaus, because of the secrecy of what happens there. The reason for the secrecy is that there are many wonderful surprises and blessings that occur throughout the weekend that would just be lessened if they were known ahead of time. If anyone wants to know specifics, I would be willing to share, that is if I was able to figure out I had a PM! (But don't do it if you are considering going on a walk!)
Take care, Laura

[PamelaPetra]

I went on my Walk to Emmaus a few years ago. I'd often referred to it as "Christian Boot Camp" due to the long days and nights filled with one activity or another. I found it was a little too Catholic-based for me, and being an introvert I found it very uncomfortable, but I did leave that weekend KNOWING that God loves me, so in the long run it was worth it! :):