How Can Emmaus Benefit Congregations? People continue to return from the Walks with their sleeves rolled up and asking, "Where can we help?" —Layperson in Texas Every church revitalization or church growth plan acknowledges the priority of spiritual renewal. To this end, Emmaus provides a means by which people gain a lively overview of Christian faith, encounter the risen Christ in Christian community, and experience a rekindling of the gift of God's love in their hearts. A plan of disciplined follow through for developing a lifestyle of discipleship and for being a vital member of the body of Christ supports this fresh grounding of the faith. Emmaus is proving to be an effective means by which God changes church members into effective disciples of Christ and plants seeds of renewal in congregations. Emmaus is not the only route to church renewal, nor does it stand alone. Emmaus does, however, infuse new levels of energy, vision, and commitment into congregations through those who participate. Congregational leaders observe effects such as these: ·     increased giving, ·     persons' willingness to serve as teachers and leaders, ·     deepened hunger for regular Holy Communion, · increased participation in Bible studies and other sources of spiritual nurture, · stronger spiritual discipline, · openness to faith sharing and witnessing to Jesus Christ, · intensified eagerness for evangelism and mission.   . When Emmaus participants return with this openness and willingness to serve, leaders must be ready with ways to enable people to invest themselves in Christ and his mission. An Ohio laywoman, reporting on the fruit of Emmaus in her large church, wrote: Emmaus graduates are well represented in the church as Sunday school teachers, project leaders, and mission volunteers. Not only does their commitment to Christ ensure that the job gets done, but their personal faith influences many more! Also, the many Emmaus community acts of service in sponsoring needy families, offering time for the elderly, or starting ministries in the prisons can be mentioned. The one thing all these acts have in common is love for Christ, and fervent hearts that feel the need to share the good news. More than anything, it's the continual joy we share as we seek to know, love, and serve the Lord. Emmaus has a leavening effect in congregations. The leavening effect does not depend on congregation-wide participation but on the impact of a few lively, committed persons in the total chemistry of the church. For this reason, Emmaus becomes effective as an avenue toward renewal when church leaders participate at the outset and encourage other active members whose presence and influence in the congregation is positive. But Emmaus can prove ineffective in moving a congregation forward— and in some cases actually has proved problematic—when leaders are not supportive and when the influence of those members who do partici­pate is narrow or negative. Congregations can sustain the leavening effect of Emmaus by encouraging participants, immediately after their Emmaus experience, to band together into the weekly follow-up groups or group reunions. These little face-to- face groups become dependable centers of life, spiritual discipline, and commitment within the larger fellowship. They also prove to be significant bases of support and inspiration for mission and outreach. Group members help one another maintain regular contact  with Christ. They hold one another accountable to living a daily life of vital piety, study, and action. Linking Emmaus with other complementary emphases, such as Disciple Bible Study, Covenant Discipleship, Basic Christianity, gifts discovery classes, Volunteers in Mission, or a variety of other spiritual formation and missional engagements can enhance Emmaus's effectiveness. An overall system of intersecting pathways to growth in discipleship provides avenues of continuing development and challenge for those who attend. In addition, people naturally resist and resent the implication that Emmaus is "the only way" to spiritual renewal, which is the unintended message in churches that do not offer a variety of opportunities for spiritual formation and service. Finally, Emmaus's effectiveness for the congregation increases when the congregation publicly affirms those who attend and acknowledges the value of their involvement both personally and for the strengthening of the church. The church communicates with the membership about Emmaus-related activities (such as dates for Walks, meeting times for group reunions and gatherings). The church office may establish contact persons who provide more information about upcoming Walks. This openness eliminates any impression that Emmaus activities are different, secret, or exclusive. One pastor's report of Emmaus in the church relates how Emmaus can be a quiet leavening influence in the life of the whole congregation. He writes: Before Emmaus, these persons served as Sunday school teachers, committee and board members in the church, and were regular workshop attendees. After Emmaus, they continued to serve but did so with enthusiasm and a quiet, but noticeable inner peace. Then tactfully and politely they began inviting others in the community to attend worship services and to go on Emmaus Walks. As a staff-parish relations chairperson put it, "Emmaus is not the only reason, but it is the major influence in turning our church around. There's a new spirit of willingness on the part of the people to try what was once considered to be impossible."