Table Of Contents

 

 

 Introduction                                                      2

Explaining Tres Dias to Someone                        3

Explaining The Tres Dias Weekend                       4

Who Should You Ask?                                          6

What are Your Responsibilities as a Sponsor?   7

     Pre-Weekend Sponsorship Duties                   7

     Weekend Sponsorship Duties                         9

     Post-Weekend Sponsorship Duties               10

Appendix

       Summary of the Weekend                               11

       Creative Ideas for Sponsoring                      12

       Resources and Tools                                     13

List of Potential Candidates                               14

MCTD Statement of Belief                           Overleaf

 

 

A Guide to Sponsorship - Rev. 0

Approved by the MCTD Secretariat on February 25, 2008

 

Introduction

 

Unlike church programs or groups where a notice is placed in the bulletin or in the church newsletter, participants on a Tres Dias weekend are “recruited” and sponsored by someone who has attended a weekend—YOU, for example.

 

God has blessed MCTD with many wonderful Pescadores.  Along with the love of our Lord Jesus, what do Pescadores have in common?  Answer:  Each one of us had a special friend that sponsored us.  Bringing Christians to experience a Tres Dias weekend is one job of the sponsor.  Sponsorship is a very special opportunity for a Pescadore to help grow Christ’s Kingdom and support the Tres Dias Movement.  Effective sponsorship is necessary for the ministry of Tres Dias to flourish.  In addition, it is important part of our mission to be "fishers of men" and to make disciples for Jesus.

 

One of the first desires many new Pescadores have after attending a MCTD Weekend is to share the experience with their family and friends.   While we may have the desire when we leave the weekend, we are not prepared and equipped to sponsor well.  There is no such thing as a natural sponsorship trait.  Sponsorship is an acquired attribute and without proper preparation, sponsorship can be frustrating. 

 

So, how do you acquire this attribute?  First, talk to your sponsor.  Your sponsor can guide you and support you in sponsorship. Next, attend the monthly Sequelas.  A sponsorship training topic is often given at the Sequela.  And lastly, use this Guide.  It has been developed by the MCTD Secretariat to help you become an effective sponsor. 

 

Some of the questions that will be answered in this brochure are:

How do I explain Tres Dias to someone?

How much detail should be included when I describe the Weekend to someone?

Who should I ask?

What are my responsibilities as a sponsor?

Where can I get help?

What are some useful tools to support sponsorship?

 

 

Explaining Tres Dias to someone

 

To ensure the potential candidate knows that Tres Dias is wholly Christian, the sponsor’s initial role is to explain the Purpose of Tres Dias and the MCTD Statement of Belief.

 

Purpose of Tres Dias

The Tres Dias Movement endeavors to bring Christians to a closer, more personal relationship with their Lord Jesus Christ and encourage them to Christian leadership and Apostolic Action in their church and their everyday life. 

 

MCTD Statement of Belief

Review the MCTD Statement of Belief with the potential candidate. Give them a copy.  The MCTD Statement of Belief is available on the back of this document, on the webpage (www.mctd.net), and on the application.

 

Once the potential candidate understands that Tres Dias is a Christian experience and is based on Biblical principles, explain that:

 

Tres Dias is INTERDENOMINATIONAL AND ECUMENICAL

Tres Dias invites and involves the participation of all Christians from many denominations.  Tres Dias seeks to foster Christian unity and to reinforce the whole Christian community. It is one of Tres Dias' great strengths and joys.  Tres Dias is designed to communicate with confidence and depth the essentials of the Christian life, while accentuating what Christians have traditionally held in common.

 

Tres Dias is a CHRISTIAN RENEWAL MOVEMENT

Tres Dias is not an evangelistic program but a renewal program.  A Tres Dias Weekend is for people who already have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  The Weekend helps participants realize the Lordship of Christ and the effect the Christian community has on others.

 

Tres Dias is a PIETY, STUDY, ACTION SMALL GROUP MOVEMENT

After attending a weekend, participants are encouraged to become involved in small sharing group ministry, where they can continue their Christian growth in piety, study and action.

 

Tres Dias is an INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION

Mid Carolinas Tres Dias is sanctioned through International Tres Dias.  There are currently over 60 Tres Dias communities around the world.

 

 

Tres Dias

 

encourages Christians to tell others about Christ,

        

emphasizes the love that our Lord has for each of us,

 

and encourages Christians to work in their homes, their communities, and their churches.

 

There are NO SECRETS about Tres Dias.

 

Explaining the Tres Dias Weekend

 

Tres Dias means “Three Days” in Spanish.  Prepare the candidate to spend three days, approximately 72 hours, in a cloistered environment.   Explain what cloistering is and that they can leave their watch and cell phone at home.  Also, explain to them that if an emergency should arise at home during their cloistering, that their family will have an emergency number for Camp Dogwood so their family can contact them.  

 

The Weekend is a three day conference focused on growth in an individual's Christian life. The dynamics involved, the schedule used, and the order of the talks and events are basically the same as it was when developed for the first Cursillo weekends held on the Spanish island of Majorca in the 1940's. It should be the same whether held in Spain, Australia, Korea or the United States.  It is designed to meet the needs of all Christians wherever they are in their Christian walk.  During the three days, they will hear 10 short talks by laity and 5 by clergy.

Tell the candidates that they will be assigned to a table with other participants for the weekend.  The table team will discuss the talks and learn from each other as they grow in Christ.

 

The dynamics of each Weekend develop slowly to allow each candidate to move comfortably through each experience. On Friday the emphasis is more personal and provides for introspection; Saturday is action oriented with the person of Christ as the focus; and on Sunday the direction is toward the community.

 

The candidate needs to know about the silence period on Thursday evening, that communion will be served each day, and that each day includes time for singing, breaks, snacks and worship.  The candidate also needs to know that the weekend is more like a convention than a retreat with structured time with little personal time.

 

Many potential candidates have been scared off because some Pescadores have withheld information from them.  Some want to know details about the weekend, while others want to be surprised.  Respect the candidate’s needs and give them as much information as they want.  Until the potential candidate feels comfortable about what they are getting into, they will not go on a Weekend.

 

It is fine to describe the Weekend schedule of events with potential candidates if they insist on knowing “all the details”.  Describe “The Agape” as “a chapel, celebration and prayer time” and the poster party as a “review of the talks”.   There is a “Summary of The Weekend” at the end of this brochure that can be used as a discussion tool for that potential candidate that “must know all”.   They will probably never remember all you tell them, so don’t worry; the candidate will be blessed even when they “think” they know what is coming.  God will see to that.

 

 

DE COLORES

 

Who should you ask?

 

First, all candidates should have already accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  It is not intended to convert people to believe in Jesus.  It is best if they also have a desire for a closer relationship with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. 

 Any Christian 21 years old or older can attend.

 All Christian denominations are welcomed if they accept our Statement of Beliefs.

Candidates cannot have previously made a Tres Dias weekend or a similar equivalent experience, such as Cursillo, Emmaus, or Via de Cristo.

 The candidate should “be ready”, in the Sponsor’s judgment, to participate in the Weekend activities and receive the blessings the Lord has in store for them.  Tres Dias is a means for candidates to grow closer to Christ and strengthen their spiritual faith.  It is not for working through grief, deep emotional issues, or psychological problems.  If the candidate is preoccupied with personal dilemmas, they may miss important parts of the weekend.  You should think about sponsoring them on a later weekend when they can get the total blessing that God gives on a weekend.  Tres Dias is designed to foster Christian community and it is not a place for theological debate.  Beware of persons who blatantly promote the practices of their church as “right” or the “only way”.   These individuals may become disruptive on the weekend. 

Couples should be sponsored together!  Remember that men and women attend separate weekends.   Husbands should attend before their wives.  Why?  Often, the wife has a closer relationship with Jesus than the husband.  Many husbands have stated during their introductions on Thursday evening that they are there because they had to in order for their wife to come.  If the wife were allowed to come first, many husbands would never attend.  This may sound manipulative but if the wife grows even closer in her relationship to Christ on the weekend, a significant gap may develop between the husband and wife.  The weekend that should be a blessing, may become a disaster to the marriage.       

Sponsoring is an opportunity for the Pescadore to share a special gift with a candidate, the gift of a weekend.  As a sponsor, do not build up the weekend into a mountain top experience for the candidate.  Every weekend is different and every candidate has a different experience.   Sponsorship is an act that should be carried out with prayer and commitment.  Sponsorship should start with prayer and seeking God’s direction in identifying whom is ready to attend a weekend.   Allow God to use you as His child and let Him work through you.  Keep an on-going list of possible candidates and pray regularly for God to show you who you should ask.  This process may take years for certain individuals to attend and some may never.  Be patient and faithful, knowing that God’s timing is always perfect. 

 

 

Pray Fervently

 

What are your responsibilities as a sponsor?

 

First and foremost: Candidates are sponsored for participation in all phases of the Tres Dias Movement, before, during, and after the Weekend.  Some have made the mistake of just thinking they need to have the candidate complete an application and it ends there.  Wrong!  Being a sponsor requires certain commitments of us.

 

Pre-Weekend Sponsorship Duties

Share how Tres Dias has impacted your life with the potential candidate.  Make it personal.  Be open in describing the benefits.  Avoid being pious and telling the potential candidate that they “need” to attend the weekend.  No one needs a weekend experience to be a Christian, but everyone deserves the blessings God provides weekend participants.

 

Develop a relationship so that you understand where the potential candidate is in their Christian walk.  Be interested in the individual and build a relationship with them so you can better explain to them how a weekend experience would be a good gift to them and be a stepping stone in their growth as a Christian.   Ask the candidate if their spouse is willing to attend a weekend. 

 

The best method for understanding where the potential candidate is in their walk is to include them in a Reunion Group.  A Reunion Group is a wonderful environment for building a relationship and a great place for both sponsor and candidate to grow in Christ.

 

Explain Tres Dias and the Weekend and Post-Weekend activities to them.  Answer ALL questions the candidate, their spouse or pastor may ask, and if they don’t ask, volunteer information to them.  If they ask you a question and you don’t know the answer, call someone such as a past rector.   

 

Don’t build the weekend up as a “spiritual high” for your candidate.  It may not be for them and you don’t want them to be disappointed.  Each weekend is different and each candidate’s experiences are different.

 

There is a list of “Creative Ideas for Sponsoring” in the appendix section of this brochure for your use which was developed by the MCTD Secretariat that may give you additional ideas for sponsoring. 

 

Once the potential candidate commits to attending the weekend, the sponsor is responsible for getting the candidate’s completed application and application fee to the Pre-weekend Chairperson as soon as possible, but no later than a week prior to the Thursday of the Weekend (deadline for applications).

 

The sponsor should also ensure the candidate understands the cost of the weekend and that it is desired for everyone to donate at least enough to cover the cost of their attendance.  The candidate needs to understand that the only income MCTD has is from these donations.

 If the cost of the weekend is too much for the candidate’s budget, the sponsor should apply for a Tres Dias Scholarship.  Scholarships are available to cover up to half the cost of a weekend.  Contact the Pre-Weekend Committee for details on applying for a scholarship.  If needed, the sponsor should also solicit other sources of additional help to cover the cost.  These sources include their church, family, friends, or other Pescadores. 

 Cost should never prevent someone from attending a Weekend.  

 Collect palanca from the candidate’s family, friends, and pastor.  Don’t forget to write some yourself.  Tell the candidate’s family and friends (especially their pastor) to write a short note telling the candidate what the candidate means to them.  Tell them that their letters will be an inspiration and surprise to the candidate.

 

Prepare the candidate by giving them the following advice:

·         Be yourself.

·         Be open to the Holy Spirit

·         Plan to be at the camp for the full 72 hours (no side trips to church on Sunday).

·         Leave everything behind—work, cell phones, and worries.

 

And don’t forget to PRAY for the candidates and team!

 

Weekend Sponsorship Duties (required)

 

Bring the candidate to Camp Dogwood on Thursday night at 7:00 PM.  If you can not bring them, make arrangements with another Pescadore to bring them.  Make sure the candidate has eaten supper before they arrive at Camp Dogwood.

 

Ensure the candidate’s family has the emergency contact number for Camp Dogwood and the community's designated emergency contact person's phone number, in case there is an emergency need to contact the candidate.   

 

Ensure your “new Pescadore” has a way home on Sunday after Closing.

 

Pray frequently for your candidate during the weekend; also pray for the candidate’s family, other candidates, and the team.

 

Weekend Sponsorship Duties (highly recommended)

 

Introduce your candidate to members of the community and especially the team on Thursday evening during the fellowship time as the candidates gather.

 

Stay for the Sponsor Chapel after the team and candidates leave for the “conference room”.  This is a special time that you can pray for your candidate with other members of the community.  You will be able to pray over the mission cross they will receive on Sunday.

 

Help with the candidate’s concerns at home while they are on the weekend.

 

Support the weekend by serving a meal unless your spouse is attending for the first time.  While serving, remember cloistering and don’t ask your candidate “how is it going”.

 

Come and help set up Agape on Saturday evening.  Plan on arriving around 7:00 PM and plan to stay until 10:30 PM.

 

Sing at the Mananita (if you are the opposite sex).  Arrive at Camp Dogwood on Sunday at 7:00 AM.  You will be through before 8:00 AM.

 

Be sure to come to Closing!  Be at Camp Dogwood Sunday at 3:30 PM.

 
 

Post-Weekend Sponsorship Duties

 

After the weekend the sponsor should support the new Pescadore during the first year of their Fourth Day at a minimum.

 

Allow the new Pescadore to grow at their individual pace.  While many have a mountain top experience on the weekend, many others do not.  The weekend is just three days.  Growth continues throughout the Fourth Day, which is the rest of their life.

 

Help the new Pescadore become involved in a Reunion Group.  Either help find them an existing Reunion Group or start a new one.

 

Invite the new Pescadore to the monthly Sequelas (remind them and offer to drive them).  Commit to encouraging Sequela attendance for one year. 

 

Help the new Pescadore transition from the weekend back into their environment by supporting them as they return to their church.  Warn them about being overly zealous, pious, or secretive.  Help them develop the “sponsorship trait”.

 

Help them find ways they can be servants in their church and community.  Their pastor can help.

 

SPONSORING IS A COMMITMENT TO ALL PHASES OF TRES DIAS, NOT JUST THE WEEKEND.

 

 

“I will make you fishers of men.”

Summary of the Weekend

                                                                                                        

Thursday Evening:  Arriving, introductions, and leaving the world behind:

1.      Arrive at Camp Dogwood at 7PM and put belongings in rooms

2.      Gather for refreshments and general mixing (Candidates, sponsors, and team)

3.      Singing with the community

4.      Team and candidate introductions

5.      Evening Chapel

6.      Silence period begins and continues throughout the night

 

Friday:  Who am I?  Who is Christ?

1.     Morning Chapel (ends silence period)

2.     Breakfast

3.     IDEALS

4.     GRACE

5.     Holy Communion / Eucharist

6.     Lunch

7.     THE CHURCH

8.     THE HOLY SPIRIT

9.     PIETY

10.   Group Chapel

11.   Dinner

12.   Review of the talks

13.   Evening Chapel

 

Saturday:  How do I follow Christ?

1.     Morning Chapel

2.     Breakfast

3.     STUDY

4.     SACRED MOMENTS OF GRACE

5.     Holy Communion / Eucharist

6.     Lunch

7.     ACTION

8.     Table Chapels

9.     OBSTACLES TO GRACE

10.   LEADERS

11.   Dinner

12.   Review of the talks

13.   Evening chapel, celebration and prayer time

 

Sunday:  Life in Community

1.     Morning Chapel

2.     Breakfast

3.     ENVIRONMENTS

4.     Table Chapels

5.     LIFE IN GRACE

6.     CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY IN ACTION

7.     Lunch & packing

8.     REUNION GROUPS

9.     FOURTH DAY

10.   Sunday Service with Communion

11.   Going home (approximately 5:30 PM)

 

Creative Ideas for Sponsoring

 

For you

·          Create a refrigerator prayer list of prospective candidates, and pray about it

·          Information nights for prospective candidates at homes or churches

·          Reconnect with previous Pescadores and churches

·          Visit pastors

·          Invite prospective candidates to dinner to get to know them

·          Involve prospective candidates in a Reunion Group before sponsoring

·          Help pay for candidate’s weekend

·          Raise money to pay for their Weekend through garage sales, donations, etc.

·          Co-sponsor and share responsibility and cost

·          Develop a calling list

·          More than one person invites the candidate –“team approach”

·          Send out personal TD introduction letter to prospective candidates

 

For the Secretariat & Community

·          Contest for most applications submitted

·          Personal phone calls to members of community

·          Email once a week to encourage sponsorship

·          Snail mail postcards regularly to encourage

·          Prayer times for candidates

·          Regional prayer meetings

·          Weekly update report on sponsoring in community

·          “How to Sponsor” workshop

·          Speakers Bureau – pulpits, SS classes of churches

·          Pastor-to-pastor outreach

·          Speak at pastor gatherings

·          Information meal to get pastors together

·          Create a new brochure—complete

·          Hold weekend reunions after each set of weekends

·          Make a new MCTD DVD

·          Develop a sponsoring kit

·          Assign shepherds to stay in touch with Pescadores not involved

·          Have table leaders follow-up with Pescadores after weekends

·          Provide sponsoring training—complete (at each Sequela)

·          Introduce visitors at Sequelas before serving food—complete (implemented)

·          Meetings with pastors and leadership teams

·          Develop new MCTD video

 

Resources and Tools

Available to Support Sponsoring

 

Web sites

 

                www.mctd.net – Mid Carolinas Tres Dias website

                      Applications

                      Brochures

                      General Information on MCTD

                      Calendars of MCTD events

                 www.tresdias.org – International Tres Dias website

                      General Information on International

 Others

 

Other Pescadores (especially MCTD Secretariat members)

      Answer your questions on sponsorship

      Meet with the potential candidate to answer questions

      Meet with the potential candidate’s pastor to answer questions

      To serve as a “Speakers Bureau” to make a presentation at your church