by Jan Coleman, Northern CA Tres Dias Editor’s Note: The workshops mark the high point of a Tres Dias Annual Assembly, creating a time when community leaders offer time-tested insights as well as innovative practices. Jan Coleman, an officer on the International Secretariat, attended the sponsorship workshop at this year’s assembly, July 14 to 16, in Palestine, Texas. The Texas spirit was in the air, and the Texas BBQ and Blue Bell ice cream the evening before stuck with her. She apologizes for allowing rodeo metaphors to color her report. While the room fills, I tap my pen and silently hum: Let ideas take flight…So big and bright… Deep in the heart of Texas…” Right out of the chute I’m reminded, there’s a skill to sponsoring. It’s not unlike bull-riding — it doesn’t come naturally. So, based on the collective comments, here’s my takeaway. Training is Essential Staying atop a twisty bovine for eight seconds takes more than luck. When asked what it takes for successful sponsoring, one attendee said, “Training — to have the confidence to ‘sell’ Tres Dias the proper way.” I give Central Arizona TD the grand prize for best practices on this one. Their mandatory sponsorship training is all on line. Once you go through six training modules, followed by six very short quizzes, you’re eligible to sponsor. The modules answer every conceivable who, what, and why question, even questions like “What about money?” and “Help! My spouse can’t/won’t go.” For Information on the training modules, see the note at the end of this story. The Mental Preparation Is Important Pray for discernment and for the commitment to do what it takes. Sponsoring is a sacrifice of time and resources. Be still. Make sure you are looking to the Holy Spirit. As one attendee put it, “A poor decision on our part affects the other candidates on the weekend.” Ponder that one. If you’re serious, meet for dinner or coffee. Sponsoring is practical and authentic. Take time to remember how much your Tres Dias Weekend meant to you. Share how the experience impacted your walk with Christ. Seasoned bull riders study the critter they’re slated to ride, and savvy sponsors fit the invitation to their target audience. They’re aware what makes a potential candidate tick or what will motivate that person to spend three days with Jesus and His friends. Everyone agrees, choose people you know well. And “love them where they’re at.” Have the Latest Gear The culture is calling for change, not in how we present the weekend, but in how we pay for it. To reach millennials we must offer applications (for the team as well as candidates) via smart phone and accept fees by credit card or PayPal. Hold on Tight Make sure your potential candidate/pilgrim knows that your invitation isn’t for just a weekend. The three days are a prelude to a new way of life, and you’ll be riding along side as they enter fourth day. Caution: Don’t let your enthusiasm overwhelm. And beware of anything that smacks of: “What happens on the weekend is a secret.” That’s a Texas super-sized red flag. They say Texas is a state of mind, and so is Tres Dias. It gets in your soul and tumbles out on to the folks you sponsor. You can hang your hat on it. To see the Tres Dias of Central Arizona tutorial: Go to https://www.schoology.com/ click “sign up” (as a student) in the right corner. Course access code: 2D7PT-DXGN7. Create an account with a fake birth date. No need to take the quiz unless you’re sponsoring a pilgrim/candidate to CATD.