BYLAWS
Board of Directors
Mountain Top Walk to Emmaus
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ARTICLE I
This organization is named Mountain Top Emmaus.
ARTICLE II
The purposes for which this Corporation is organized are as stated in its
Corporate Charter, and in particular, its purposes and objectives shall be as follows:
a) To inspire, challenge and equip local church members and youth-for Christian action in their homes, schools, churches and places of work.
b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of these Articles, the purposes for which the Corporation is organized are exclusively charitable, scientific, literary, and educational within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 of the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law.
c) The corporation is irrevocably dedicated to and operated exclusively for, non-profit purposes; no part of the income or assets of the Corporation shall be distributed to, nor inure to the benefit of, any individual.
ARTICLE III DIRECTORS
Section 1. MANAGEMENT.
The business and property of the Corporation shall be managed and controlled by the Board of Directors. Such management and control shall include the determination of all policies governing the conduct of the Corporation.
Section 2. ELECTION AND TENURE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
2.1a. The number of Directors will be no less than eighteen, but may be expanded as the need arises by vote of the Board. Any person who is a member of Mountain Top Emmaus is eligible to be elected to serve as a director on the Board.
2.1b. For purposes of this document, a "member" is defined as a person whose name is on the roster of active members which includes those who have been on a walk with Mountain Top or other community and transferred from that community.
2.2 Directors will serve a three-year term. Terms will be staggered so that approximately one-third of the directors will rotate off the board annually.
2.3 When a vacancy occurs on the Board of Directors; whether by resignation or otherwise, the vacancies shall be filled by election by the remaining members of the Board of Directors. A vacancy created by expiration of a term by a previous director shall be filled by election as set out in Article V. All newly elected Directors shall serve a three year term if the vacancy arose as a result of the expiration of a previous Director's term of office; if the vacancy arose otherwise, such -newly elected Director shall serve for the remainder of that person's term with respect to whom the vacancy occurred.
2.4 Upon the expiration of the term of a Director, a period of one year must pass before that person may be reconsidered for service on the Board of Directors. In the event a Director was appointed by the Board to fill a vacancy mid-term, the appointed Director shall be eligible to run for election to the Board for the term immediately following the completion of the term to which he was appointed.
Section 3. REMOVAL OF DIRECTOR FOR CAUSE.
A Director of the Board may be removed for cause.
Cause shall be defined as:
a. Any Director missing 2 consecutive meetings, without cause, shall receive a verbal or written warning from the Chair. If the third consecutive meeting is missed, without cause, the Director shall be subject to removal.
b. Any Director failing to fulfill his/her duties, or make arrangement to have said duties fulfilled, on two walks, shall be subject to removal.
c. Any Director failing to fulfill his/her duties as a Board member shall be subject to removal.
d. Any Director subject to removal may only be removed by a consensus vote of the Board of Directors.
Section 4. MEETING OF BOARD AND MEETING PLACE.
4.1 The Directors may hold their meetings at any place as they may determine.
4.2 Regular meetings of the Board shall be held at least once each quarter of the calendar year. The Chairman or any six members of the Board acting in concert may call special meetings.
4.3 The annual meeting of the board shall take place on the second Saturday in February, if not a legal holiday. If said day is a legal holiday, then the annual meeting shall take place on the subsequent Saturday.
4.4 a. The Chairperson will announce the schedule of meetings for the year and publish them in the earliest newsletter.
4.4b. Notice of special meetings will be given at least seven days prior to the date of the meeting.
4.5 QUORUM. At all meetings of the board, where policy of the corporation is to be determined, the presence of not less than 50 % of the Directors shall constitute a quorum. The act of a majority of the Directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum shall be the act of the Board of Directors, excepting as may otherwise be specifically provided by these by-laws.
Section 5. CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD.
At each annual meeting, the Board of Directors shall elect a Chairman of the Board, (hereinafter referred to as "Chairman"), who shall service a one year term expiring at the next annual meeting of the Board of Directors. Such Chairman may be re-elected to subsequent terms, within his term as Director, without limitation. The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors. The Chairman shall advise the Board of Directors and the Executive Committee of all matters concerning the affairs of the Organization and shall have the authority to sign official documents and instruments of the Organization.
ARTICLE IV OFFICERS
Section 1. COMPOSITION.
The officers of this Corporation shall be:
Chairman (also referred herein as Chairman of Board)
Vice-Chairman
Secretary
Treasurer
In addition, the Board of Directors may elect an Assistant Secretary, Assistant Treasurer, one or more additional Vice Chairmen.
Section 2. ELECTION.
All officers of the Corporation shall be elected annually by the Board of Directors at its Annual Meeting and shall hold office for a term of one year, or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
Section 3. DUTIES OF OFFICERS.
The duties and powers of the officers shall be as follows:
3.1 CHAIRMAN.
3.1a. The chairman shall be the chief administrative officer of the Corporation and shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
3.1b. The Chairman shall execute the policies and decisions of the Board of Directors; shall originate and plan activities for approval of the Board; shall direct and supervise the development and operation of program activities of the corporation.
3.1c. The Chairman shall recommend for Board approval the employment and discharge of any staff personnel. The Chairman shall supervise such staff personnel and volunteers as is necessary to the performance of the program activities; shall solicit the assistance of persons and organizations to further the work of the Corporation; shall prepare and present budgets for approval of the Board of Directors; shall maintain record of the Corporation; shall represent the Corporation in its relations with other organizations; shall interpret the Corporation and its activities to the general public and to interested agencies and individuals; shall undertake such training and research which will accrue to the benefit of the Corporation and its work; and shall provide continuous evaluation of the administration of the Corporation.
3.2 VICE-CHAIRMAN
The Vice-Chairman shall act in the Chairman's stead when the Chairman is unable to act.
3.3 TREASURER
The treasurer shall be responsible for collecting, receiving and disbursing funds of the Corporation, endorse and collect all checks and negotiable instruments, and keep full and accurate account of all the receipts and disbursements of the corporation, subject at all times to the review by and control of the Board of Directors.
3.4 SECRETARY
The Secretary shall maintain the books and records of the corporation, except as they shall have been vested in other officers, and shall perform such duties as are incident to that office or are required by the Board of Directors. The Assistant Secretary shall perform such functions as may be delegated by the Board of Directors and shall act in the absence of the Secretary. The Chairman may be appointed as Assistant Secretary of the Corporation.
ARTICLE V MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. GENERAL.
1.1 For the purposes of this document, a "member" is defined as a person whose name is on the roster of active members of Mountain Top Emmaus, which includes those who have been on a walk and transfers from other communities.
1.2 Member's rights are limited to voting rights in the election of the Board of Directors, and any other rights as set forth in section 1.3 below.
1.3 Members shall be placed on mailing lists for general information purposes and be entitled to attend general receptions and programs sponsored by the organization.
ARTICLE VI MISCELLANEOUS
Section 1. CONTRACTS AND OTHER OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS.
The Board of Directors may authorize any officer, member or agent to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, and such authority may be general or confined to the specific instance; unless so authorized by the Board of Directors, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement, or to pledge its credit, or render it liable peculiarly for any purpose or for any amount.
Section 2. PERIOD OF ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING.
The financial year of the Corporation shall be from January 1st to the following December 31st. Records will be kept and reports made to the Annual Meeting of the Board of Directors.
Section 3. PROHIBITION AGAINST SHARING IN CORPORATE EARNINGS OR ASSETS.
3.1 No director, officer or employee of or member of or any person connected with the Corporation, or any other private individual shall receive at any time any of the net earnings or pecuniary profit from the operations of the Corporation, provided that this shall not prevent the payment of such, reasonable compensation to any such person for professional services rendered to or for the Corporation, in effecting any of its purposes as shall be fixed by the Board of Directors; but no such person or persons shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the corporate assets upon the dissolution of the Corporation.
3.2 All Directors and Officers of the Corporation shall be deemed to have expressly consented and agreed that upon such dissolution of winding up of the affairs of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the assets of the Corporation then remaining in the hands of the Board of Directors shall be distributed, transferred, conveyed, delivered and paid over, upon such terms and conditions and in such amounts and proportions as the Board of Directors may impose and determine, to one or more organizations which themselves are exempt as organizations described in Section 501(c)(3) and 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 or corresponding sections of any prior or future Internal Revenue Code, of the Federal, State, or local government of or exclusively public purposes.
Section 4. AMENDMENTS.
The Board of Directors shall have the power to make, alter, amend or repeal the by-laws of the Corporation by affirmative two-thirds vote of the Board, provided that the action is proposed at a regular or special meeting of the Board, and adopted at a subsequent meeting, except as otherwise provided by law.
Section 5. INFORMAL OR IRREGULAR ACTION BY DIRECTORS OR COMMITTEES.
5.1 and 5.2 deleted
ARTICLE VII INDEMNIFICATION
Any person who at any time serves or has served as a Director, Officer, employee or agent of the Corporation shall have the right to be indemnified by the Corporation to the fullest extent permitted by the North Carolina General Statutes, Section 55A, Section 17.1, 17.2 and 17-3, (as such statutes are constituted at the time of the adoption of these by-laws) against (a) reasonable expenses, including, but not limited to, attorney's fees, actually and necessarily incurred by him or her in connection with the defense of any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, or proceeding, in which he or she is made a party by reason of being or having been such Officer, Director, employee or agent and (b) reasonable payments made by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment, money decree, fine, penalty or settlement for which he or she may become liable in any such action, suit, or proceeding; provided that this right to be indemnified by the Corporation shall in no event exceed that portion of the reasonable expenses and reasonable payments which is in excess of any and all available insurance proceeds.
The Board of Directors shall take all such actions that may be necessary and appropriate to authorize the Corporation to pay the indemnification required by this Article, including without limitation, to the extent needed, making a good faith evaluation of the manner in which the claimant for indemnity acted and of the reasonable amount of indemnity due to him or her.
Any person who at any time after the adoption of this section serves in any of the aforesaid capacities for or on behalf of the Corporation shall be deemed to be dealing or to have done so in reliance upon, and in consideration for, the right of indemnification provided herein. Such rights shall inure to the benefit of the legal representatives of any such person and shall not be exclusive of any other rights to such person may be entitled apart for the provision of this section, or any by-law agreement, vote of Directors or otherwise
MOUNTAIN TOP WALK TO EMMAUS
BOARD POLICIES
revised & adopted May 1, 2004
SECTION 1
GENERAL POLICIES
1.1 The Board of Directors of Mountain Top Walk to Emmaus is committed to an anti-discrimination policy that is consciously and proactively inclusive of all areas of diversity including, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, sex, religion, age, socioeconomic status, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected status in admission to, access to, or operations of its events, functions, programs, services or activities.
1.2 The Board of Directors of Mountain Top Walk to Emmaus absolutely prohibits sexual harassment by any person in any form. Sexual harassment is sex discrimination and, therefore, a violation of federal and state law. No member of the Mountain Top Walk to Emmaus community may sexually harass another. For purposes of this policy and consistent with federal regulation, sexual harassment is defined as follows: unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
These constitute sexual harassment when:
· Threats or insinuations that another member's refusal to submit to sexual advances will adversely affect the member's evaluation, advancement, assigned duties or any other conditions of involvement.
· A member is exposed to unwelcome sexual advances, flirtations, or propositions.
· A member is exposed to verbal abuse of a sexual nature, including jokes. Sexually oriented jokes and comments, even though they might seem innocent to you, must be avoided in all Emmaus functions.
· A member is exposed to the display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures.
If you feel you have been sexually harassed in any manner, report your concerns to any Board member.
Your complaint will be investigated as promptly, thoroughly, and confidentially as possible.
Appropriate, corrective action will be taken immediately by a Board member or Team Leadership member to end the harassment and prevent the misconduct from recurring.
Disciplinary action for the misconduct may range from reprimand to discharge to legal authorities.
1.3 All community gatherings should be kept apolitical. Board members are responsible for keeping community gatherings focused upon our Lord, Jesus Christ.
1.4 Non-members of the Emmaus Community are invited to attend all Walk to Emmaus functions open to the general public: Follow-ups and Community Gatherings. It is desired that non-members and children not be brought into the Lodge of the Hinton Center during a Walk. Children must have appropriate supervision at all times.
1.5 No non-team member invited or otherwise, should be outside the Conference room listening to the activities in the Conference Room. The Lay Directors are to include this information in their directions to their team.
1.6 A pre-Walk Prayer Session may be offered as part of Team Formation but is not a requirement of the Walk. Attendance at this service is optional. Community members are invited to participate as an act of agape. The designated leader and any Board member present are responsible for concluding the pre-Walk Prayer Session by 7:00 p.m.
SECTION 2
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2.1 Every member (person) of the Board has a seat, voice and vote.
2.2 The Chairperson shall annually recommend to the Board for approval three Community Spiritual Directors for membership on the Board of Directors.
2.3 All minutes from past meetings are to be kept at the Hinton Center in a file cabinet for safekeeping and for future reference. Copies of all minutes shall be maintained on a data storage device, i.e. disk or CD.
2.4 The Lay Director of each Walk shall be invited to the next Board meeting after the Walk to discuss and present written suggestions, improvements, and possible changes for future Walks.
SECTION 3
TEAM FORMATION
3.1 The Team Selection Committee shall be made up of the following persons: Vice Chairman of the Board, Head Spiritual Director, Registrar, Praise and Worship Chair, Board member at large, and three additional members of the community who are not members of the Board of Directors. The Vice Chairman of the Board shall serve as the Chair of this committee. The Vice Chairman shall recommend, and the Board of Directors shall approve, the three community members selected to serve on this committee. The Chairman of the Board shall serve as an ex-officio member of this committee.
3.2 In the event a Lay Director becomes unable to perform responsibilities, the Board shall meet and appoint a new Lay Director.
3.3 Lay Directors shall give the talk schedule, an abbreviated schedule and updated rosters to the prayer chapel, dining room, kitchen, and registrar.
3.4 It is desirable for a team to have two (2) music Chas.
3.5 The Board Representative on a Team shall be a sitting member of the Board of Directors.
3.6 If the Board Representative is unable to fulfill his/her duties during a Walk, the Board Chair, Community Spiritual Director(s) and Walk Lay Director shall select a replacement.
3.7 In order to keep the supply closet in order, the Head Silent Angel will return the supply closet keys to the Lay Director at the end of a Walk. The Senior ALD will count, clean, and return all manuals to the Lay Director at the end of the Walk. The Lay Director will return the keys and the manuals to the Board Vice Chair indicating that the Supply closet and the manuals are in order. The Board Vice-Chair is responsible for maintaining team manuals and distributing them to future Lay Directors. The Board Chair will present this information when speaking to each team during the Overnight.
3.8 Progressive Servanthood will begin with support roles in the kitchen, dining room, and/or the Prayer Chapel.
3.9 The Laity entry position for the Conference Room shall be the position of Assistant Table Leader. A person shall serve in this position once.
3.10 After serving as Assistant Table Leader, a pilgrim may serve as a Table Leader. Each Table Leader shall give a Talk.
3.11 The Music Cha(s) shall have prior experience in the Conference Room and be person(s) who are committed to humble servanthood and ministry through music.
3.12 Prior to serving as a Silent Angel, persons shall have served in support roles in the kitchen, dining room, and/or the Prayer Chapel and should have served as Assistant Table Leader. The Head Silent Angel shall have prior experience serving as a Silent Angel.
3.13 Prior to serving as an Assistant Lay Director, persons shall have served as a Table Leader at least twice and as a Silent Angel at least once.
3.14 Prior to serving as Head Assistant Lay Director, persons shall have served as an Assistant Lay Director at least once.
3.15 Prior to serving as Lay Director persons shall have served as a Head Assistant Lay Director at least once.
3.16 Having served in one position does not assure that a person will move to the next step in the progression.
3.17 Spiritual Directors are to be licensed or ordained ministers of a Christian denomination or church who have attended a Walk to Emmaus, Cursillo, or equivalent movement acceptable to the Board.
3.18 Licensed or ordained clergy shall have served as Spiritual Director on at least two Teams and presented at least two different Grace Talks before being eligible for approval by the Board as the Head Spiritual Director. It is desired, but not required, that all Grace Talks except Means of Grace have been presented by one prior to approval as Head Spiritual Director. By its approval the Board authorizes and expects the Head Spiritual Director to present the Means of Grace Talk. The Lay Director and Head Spiritual Director shall obtain approval from the Board before assigning the Means of Grace Talk to another Spiritual Director on the Team.
SECTION 4
SPONSORSHIP
4.1 Sponsorship is the first gift of agape that a pilgrim receives. Therefore, the sponsor should pay the fee for a pilgrim in full.
4.2 Responsible sponsorship is considered to be a maximum of 2 pilgrims per sponsor/household per Walk except under special circumstances.
4.3 Scholarship assistance may be granted for pilgrim sponsorship and/or Team membership. It is desired that individuals be granted not more than two scholarships per year and couples not more than three scholarships per year. The Registrar(s) and the Treasurer shall make the determination of needs and approve all scholarships. The Registrar(s) and the Treasurer are to obtain permission of the Board before granting more than the stated desired number of scholarships per year to an individual or a couple.
4.4 Pilgrims can be moved forward to a future Walk a maximum of two times. After that, the deposit shall be placed in the Community's scholarship funds. Pilgrims may be moved additional times if the requested move is for a bona fide reason, i.e. death in family, illness, etc. Pilgrim registration fees follow only that pilgrim and may not be applied to another pilgrim/team member/servant fee.

The Upper Room Walk to Emmaus/Chrysalis National Board Policy
Clergy Criteria for Emmaus/Chrysalis
(These revised criteria replace and supersede the section on clergy qualifications
found on pages 29-31 of The Upper Room Handbook on Emmaus (2nd. edition), and
on pages 63-66 of the Upper Room Handbook on Chrysalis).
Clergy persons are critical elements in The Walk to Emmaus and in Chrysalis. The two
programs are developed around a clergy/ laity partnership. This partnership is a model
that can be used in churches to enhance the ministry of the church.
It is important to have a thorough understanding of the role of the clergy in Emmaus and
Chrysalis. In addition it is important to have clarity about what is expected of the clergy
who serve Emmaus and Chrysalis. At the same time it is important to have a complete
understanding of who are recognized as clergy and those things that qualify them to be
called clergy. The following presents the minimum qualifications for the various clergy
positions in Emmaus and Chrysalis.
Community Spiritual Director
The Upper Room Walk to Emmaus and The Upper Room Chrysalis models depend on
the Community Spiritual Director for leadership and oversight of the spiritual life of the
community. The Community Spiritual Director serves as the moral, ethical, and spiritual
conscience of the Board, the community and the teams. The Community Spiritual
Director assists the Board in the development and nurture of clergy leaders and also
assists in selecting those to serve on Emmaus/Chrysalis teams. The Community Spiritual
Director shall be recognized as a competent spiritual leader within his or her church or
denomination and by other church leaders in the area. This person should also represent
the best Emmaus/Chrysalis has to offer.
Only persons who meet all the following criteria can serve as the Community Spiritual
Director. These who:
• are ordained clergy who have completed a four year undergraduate degree and
have received an M. Div. from a seminary accredited by the Association of
Theological Schools (ATS, www.ats.edu) or who have completed an
undergraduate degree and The United Methodist Church (UMC) Course of Study
Program (or it’s equivalent in another denomination) and 30 semester hours of
graduate theological study at an accredited seminary. The description of the
UMC Course of Study Program is attached.
• have served as Weekend Spiritual Director.
• are able to maintain theological balance and be sensitive to the variety of
perspectives in this interdenominational setting.
• are actively engaged in or retired, while in good standing, from full-time
professional ministry.
• are able to be a role model of a servant leader for a team environment.
• Who are able to guide and coordinate the full participation of other clergy.
Weekend Spiritual Director
The Weekend Spiritual Director (WSD) is the primary clergy leader of the Emmaus or
Chrysalis event. The Weekend Spiritual Director is selected by the Board of Directors
with the recommendation of the Emmaus or Chrysalis Community Spiritual Director and
is responsible to the board as a leader of the Emmaus or Chrysalis weekend. As with the
Lay Director, the weekend Spiritual Director must have sufficient experience, training,
and ability for the job.
Only persons who meet the following criteria can serve under this category. Those who
are:
• Ordained clergy who have completed a four year undergraduate degree and have
received an M. Div. from a seminary accredited by the Association of Theological
Schools (ATS, www.ats.edu) or who have completed an undergraduate degree
and The United Methodist Church (UMC) Course of Study Program (or it’s
equivalent in another denomination) and 30 semester hours of graduate
theological study at an accredited seminary. The description of the UMC
Course of Study Program is attached.
Or,
• United Methodist Licensed Local Pastors or their equivalent in other churches or
denominations, who have completed their Course of Study Program, and who are
not ordained need to secure written authorization from their Bishop, DS or
supervisory body to consecrate the Holy Communion elements in Emmaus or
Chrysalis. This letter of authorization must be on file with the local community
and the Emmaus/Chrysalis International Office prior to serving as the WSD. This
letter must be renewed annually, or for each walk, journey or flight event if the
authorization is event specific.
In addition each must meet the following criteria. Those who:
• are actively engaged in or retired, while in good standing, from full-time
professional ministry.
• have served at least once for the entire three days as an Assistant Spiritual
Director under the leadership of an experienced Spiritual Director.
• have given a minimum of two Grace talks other than The means of grace/God’s
gifts to you.
• are willing to serve in a team working in concert & cooperation with the weekend
Lay Director and abiding by the Upper Room models of The Walk to Emmaus
and Chrysalis as presented in the Upper Room Emmaus and Chrysalis Handbooks
must current editions and all other Emmaus and Chrysalis document.
• are authorized to consecrate the Holy Communion elements in Emmaus or
Chrysalis
• are able to maintain theological balance and be sensitive to the variety of
perspectives in this interdenominational setting.
Assistant Spiritual Directors
The Team Selection Committee and the Community Spiritual Director select prospective
Assistant Spiritual Directors for the weekend. Assistant Spiritual Directors will assist the
Weekend Spiritual Director in the clergy duties for the weekend event.
Only persons who meet the following criteria can serve under this category. Those who
are:
• qualified to serve as Weekend Spiritual Director.
• Licensed Local Pastors, and Student Local Pastors from the UMC and from other
churches or denominations, who are under appointment or have been authorized
to serve and in the process of completing their Course of Study, or an equivalent.
• UMC Deacons who are associate or full conference members.
In addition each must meet the following criteria. Those who are:
• able to maintain theological balance and be sensitive to the variety of perspectives
in this interdenominational setting.
• willing to serve in a team working in concert and cooperation with the weekend
Lay Director and abiding by the Upper Room models of The Walk to Emmaus
and Chrysalis as presented in the most current editions of the Upper Room
Emmaus and Chrysalis Handbooks and all other Emmaus and Chrysalis
document.
The United Methodist Church has the category of Certified Lay Ministers. These persons
are laypersons and therefore are not eligible to serve in any clergy capacity in Emmaus or
Chrysalis. This includes churches and other denominations with similar categories.
Additional considerations:
Using persons who do not meet the above-mentioned criteria is not wise because it
compromises Chrysalis/Emmaus standards for clergy leadership and minimizes the
sacramental role of the weekend Spiritual Director. Moreover, practices such as
assigning Holy Communion services to Assistant Spiritual Directors or having Assistant
Spiritual Directors consecrate the Communion elements for the weekend Spiritual
Director can lead to questions in the minds of participants about clergy qualifications of a
weekend Spiritual Director and to confusion about the significance of genuine clergy
leadership in Emmaus/Chrysalis. While such practices may simplify clergy selection in
the short term, they also render ordained elders in the United Methodist Church and other
similarly qualified clergy relatively unnecessary as weekend Spiritual Directors in
Emmaus or Chrysalis, thereby diminishing Emmaus or Chrysalis as a representation of
the historic and established church.
Some Emmaus and Chrysalis Boards face difficult decisions regarding who can serve as
a Spiritual Director. Some persons’ relationship with the church may not be clearly
defined as clergy or laity.
Some who serve in pastoral roles in the church or with young
people may not be clergy.
Others may be licensed to preach, ordained in their own
denomination, or ordained by a local church but lack the educational and pastoral
preparation traditionally expected of clergy in mainstream denominations as well as in
Emmaus and Chrysalis.
Still others may present credentials stating they are clergy, but
the credentials have been obtained through a non-accredited source.
These matters must
be approached by the Board with Christian love and respect for the persons involved
while upholding the clergy criteria and integrity of the Emmaus and Chrysalis programs.
Several aspects of the Chrysalis and Emmaus traditions need to be kept in mind as
persons are being considered as Spiritual Directors.
• Persons who are recognized as clergy within their local church may not always
be qualified and equipped for the role of Spiritual Directors in Emmaus and
Chrysalis. For this reason, the selection of clergy for Spiritual Director roles
cannot be decided simply on the basis of whether or not someone is considered
clergy in his or her denomination or tradition. The burden rests with the local
Emmaus or Chrysalis Board, Emmaus or Chrysalis Community Spiritual Director,
and the Team Selection Committee to seek out the clergy who have and
demonstrate the training, pastoral sensitivity, theological depth and breadth, and
Christian maturity needed for the spiritual leadership in Emmaus or Chrysalis.
• Emmaus or Chrysalis Boards and Community Spiritual Directors also are
responsible for providing the appropriate training needed for clergy to become
potential Spiritual Directors in Emmaus and Chrysalis. The Walk to Emmaus &
Chrysalis International Office have Clergy Regional Representatives who stand
ready and willing to come and assist the board on this endeavor.
• While clergy from various churches or denominations who have attended
Emmaus may in principle be considered to serve on Chrysalis and Emmaus
teams, not all clergy bring an outlook on God’s grace, the Christian life, or
sacraments that is representative of the Emmaus or Chrysalis model. The
Chrysalis and Emmaus movements are shaped from within the theological
mainstream of the church as reflected in the United Methodist and Wesleyan
tradition.
• In Emmaus and in Chrysalis, teams are selected with expectation that Spiritual
Directors and Assistant Spiritual Directors will meet the Emmaus and Chrysalis
clergy criteria reflective of clergy in the United Methodist Church and other
mainstream denominations, as described in the preceding paragraphs. Assigning
Spiritual Director roles to gifted persons who have little formal theological and
pastoral training or whose standing as clergy is questionable, undermines the
Emmaus and Chrysalis models and sets a poor precedent for team selection.
• Team members and participants should be able to recognize and respect the
Spiritual Directors as clergy. If the person’s ordination or clergy standing is
questionable in the minds of the team and/or participants, then that person’s
presence as Spiritual Director will detract from the Emmaus or Chrysalis event.
• Every clergy and layperson serving on a team has specific roles and
responsibilities No one should be jealous about a particular role. The clergy-laity
partnership must be lived and demonstrated.
• No person, lay or clergy has the right to serve in any capacity in Emmaus or
Chrysalis, even if all criteria are met. Service is never a right, but always a
response to the call of the Holy Spirit, through the Emmaus/Chrysalis Board.
• Clergy serving in Emmaus/Chrysalis must have been a pilgrim in
Emmaus/Chrysalis or a recognized Fourth Day movement.
Emmaus and Chrysalis teams represent a ministry partnership between clergy and
laity. That partnership represents these persons’ equality before God as baptized
members of the body of Christ while at the same time honoring their distinctive roles
in the common ministry of the church. This relationship is lost if communities
become lax about the criteria for selecting Spiritual Directors. Chrysalis and Emmaus
indeed seek to overcome clergy domination of Christian ministry by moving
laypersons forward as the front line of ministry in the world, but not by diminishing
the historic and essential role of the clergy. Emmaus and Chrysalis leaders should
never discount the role of clergy or convey an anti-clergy attitude. Those persons
who are unwilling to honor the ministry partnership and the validity of clergy
leadership should not be selected as leaders for Emmaus and Chrysalis.
Implementation of these qualifications:
1. Implementation of these criteria shall begin January 1st, 2007
2. Communities needing clarification on the implementation of these qualifications
should contact their Clergy Regional Representative for consultation and advice.
3. All Emmaus and Chrysalis communities shall be in compliance with these
qualifications by January 1st, 2008.
4. These qualifications will apply only to Emmaus/Chrysalis communities in the
United States and US territories.
November 15, 2006
The Upper Room Walk to Emmaus/Chrysalis National Board Policy
www.upperroom.org/emmaus/
_________________________________________________________________________
The Upper Room Walk to Emmaus/Chrysalis
Clergy Certification Process
(Approved October 20, 2007 and updated October 31, 2007)
Rationale: In order to honor the service of clergy whose traditions do not require the
same level of formal education as the current Emmaus/Chrysalis Clergy Criteria and who
have served faithfully as Spiritual Directors, and are in good standing in their
communities, a certification process has been established by The Upper Room. This
certification process will enable these clergy to continue to serve in the categories of
Weekend Spiritual Directors and Assistant Spiritual Directors in their Emmaus/Chrysalis
communities.
This certification process will be offered by The Upper Room Walk to Emmaus/Chrysalis
International Office through its Clergy Regional Representatives. The Clergy
Certification will be done on a case by case basis. The first to apply will be the first
considered. The preferred date for request from the local board is on or before March 31,
2008.
This certification process will be limited to clergy who have faithfully served their
communities before December 31, 2007. If granted, the certification will remain valid as
long the person is in good standing with the community and with The Upper Room
Emmaus/Chrysalis Spiritual Director.
This Clergy Certification process includes the following steps:
1) The Emmaus/Chrysalis Board of Directors will write a letter of recommendation
on behalf of the candidate(s) they would like to be considered for certification.
This letter will be submited to the Clergy Regional Representative of that area and
it must include:
• The current Clergy Team Application Form (available through the
WTE/Chrysalis websites) completed by each candidate(s).
• A letter of recommendation from the local Ministerial Association stating
clearly that the candidate is in good standing with other clergy in the area
and respected as one who can provide pastoral and spiritual guidance to
parishioners of other congregations in an ecumenical setting like Emmaus
or Chrysalis.
• A letter from the local Board of Directors, signed by both the Community
Spiritual Director and the Community Lay Director, stating that the board
has examined the service record of each candidate within the community
and the Clergy Team Application form. This letter should also provide
any other import information why this candidate should be certified as
clergy for leadership in Emmaus or Chrysalis.
2) After the Clergy Regional Representative receives the three documents described
in step 1, there will be a telephone interview with each candidate. Those who do
not successfully complete this stage will receive word from the Community
Spiritual Director.
3) Those who successfully complete steps 1 and 2 will be invited to a two-day clergy
certification event.
4) Clergy successfully completing the Clergy Certification training will be
recommended to The Upper Room International Office for certification. If
approved by the review committee, these clergy will receive a certificate and a
letter signed by the International Spiritual Director authorizing them to serve as a
Weekend Spiritual Director or Assistant Spiritual Director for Emmaus and
Chrysalis. A copy of this letter of authorization will also be sent to the
Community Spiritual Director, the Community Lay Director, and to the Clergy
Regional Representative.
5) Those who do not successfully completed the Clergy Certification training will
receive a letter of appreciation signed by the International Spiritual Director
authorizing this person to serve outside the Emmaus or Chrysalis conference
room in other setting such as the Prayer Chapel, Worship leader or preacher for
Hoots or Gatherings, Pastor for those serving behind the scenes, etc. A copy of
this letter of authorization will also be sent to the Community Spiritual Director,
the Community Lay Director, and to the Clergy Regional Representative.
** The first Certified Clergy training event will be held in Nashville, TN, April 21-22,
2008. The event will begin a 1 p.m. on Wednesday and conclude no later than 3 p.m. on
Thursday. Additional information about Clergy Certification and other training
opportunities will be shared by the Clergy Regional Representative with interested
communities as it becomes available.
This document was approved by the Emmaus/Chrysalis Fourth-day Staff after
consultation with the Clergy and Lay Regional Representatives, October 20, 2007.

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