How to measure the health of a Tres Dias community is a tough question since it’s multi-faceted, can be very subjective and difficult to quantify, but let’s give it a shot!  Here are some, admittedly subjective, parameters to consider:

PRE-WEEKEND PHASE:

• Do sponsors receive training on how to sponsor candidates?
• Does it seem that the same people are the ones sponsoring most of the candidates?
• Are there repetitive issues related to the quality of sponsorship?
• Are candidates provided with the “Tres Dias Statement of Belief” as part of the application process to make certain they understand our core beliefs before committing to a weekend they may not agree with?
• Is there a diversity of churches that generate candidates?
• Is there adequate training involved during each team meeting?

     WARNING SIGNS/RATIONALE:

• • If the same people are consistently sponsoring candidates, it’s necessary to inquire why this is happening. Why aren’t others sponsoring?
  • If salvations seem common on your weekends, it may indicate a pre-weekend problem with sponsorship. While occasional salvations may occur as candidates realize their lack of a relationship with Jesus, it should be an exception since Tres Dias is a discipleship ministry designed for Christians, not for non-believers.
  • Are candidates only coming from a limited number of churches? If so, it raises questions about outreach to other churches in the community’s region.
  • Since there are many faith movements that claim to be “Christian,” providing candidates with a copy of our Statement of Belief during the application process will likely be reassuring to those who will be attending.
  • Providing training at team meetings is crucial for several reasons:  Above all, it reinforces the Essentials that team members must be aware of and comply with.  In addition, it ensures consistency, helps to develop the necessary skills and insights, and improves the overall quality of the Weekend experience – for the team AND for the candidates.  Keep in mind that, as important that critiquing rollos is, team meetings serve many other goals – and adequate training is paramount.

WEEKEND PHASE:

• Do the team and candidates consist of a mix of ages, denominations and demographics?
• Do the same team members consistently serve on weekends?  Are you consistently relying on Pescadores from outside of your own community to help fill team positions?
• Are the candidates given sufficient time during the weekend to reflect on what the Holy Spirit might be revealing to them?
• Is the environment created that enables the Holy Spirit to do His work in candidates’ lives without excessive human intervention?

     WARNING SIGNS/RATIONALE:

• • The objective is to achieve a representative mix of ages, denominations, and geographical areas on the weekend. A consistent imbalance in this mix can indicate problems with outreach efforts and/or sponsorship.
  • The aim should be to encourage as many members of the community as possible to serve on teams, rather than relying on many of the same individuals for every weekend, and that includes relying on those from other communities to fill core needs.
  • Candidates often express their desire for more ‘alone’ time to reflect on their experiences. Communities should take this into consideration when planning additional events during the weekend. Sometimes “Less is More.”
  • The Holy Spirit is fully capable of meeting the spiritual needs of the candidates. The team’s role is to create a welcoming, secure, and judgement-free environment without attempting to influence the candidates’ emotions.

4^th DAY PHASE:

• Are Secuelas scheduled monthly whenever possible? Do they all include the required 4^th Day Speakers and Floating Reunion Groups?
• Are most of the Reunion Groups “Open” (open to anyone who wishes to attend) or “Closed” (limited to a group of people who have been together for a period of time to develop trust and accountability)?
• Is your entire community routinely permitted to attend Secretariat meetings, run for offices, or request voting status?
• Are you routinely adding new voting members to enable a broader base of support and fresh ideas?
• Are Pescadores too busy to serve on weekends because of their church activities?

     WARNING SIGNS/RATIONALE:

• • Maintaining a connection between Pescadores and the community is obviously one of the objectives of the Tres Dias Method, and Secuelas play a crucial role in achieving this goal. Ideally, Secuelas should be held as often as possible, not just after each pair of weekends.  As per the Essentials, a Secuela must consist of a 4th Day Speaker and a breakout or sharing session (Floating Reunion Group), and the Essentials recommend they be held monthly whenever possible.
  • It is desirable to have sufficient “Open” Reunion Groups available for new pescadores to join once they complete the weekend, but this should only be the initial step. The ultimate aim is for them to establish or join a “Closed” Reunion Group where candid discussions about Piety, Study, and Action take place, and where they can experience the desired level of accountability which is not really possible in an open group that has different people attending each time.
  • Secretariat meetings should be regularly open to the entire community to promote transparency and avoid accusations of cliques and favoritism, as well as to receive input from the community. Additionally, any Pescadores who endorse the Statement of Belief and fulfill the Qualifications for Community Leadership should be eligible and encouraged to run for office or obtain voting status. These measures facilitate transparency, prevent misunderstandings, and prevent the development of “group-think.”
  • If you’re having a problem filling team and Secretariat positions because Pescadores are too involved in their church’s activities: CONGRATULATIONS!  You’ve achieved one of the key goals of the Tres Dias Movement:  To encourage Pescadores to worship and serve in their local churches as empowered Servant-Leaders.  GOOD JOB!!

These examples are presented as ideals; noting that there are a lot of moving parts.  No community has a lock on what’s best since the needs and situations can vary from community-to-community as well as geography.  And this is certainly not a comprehensive list of topics.  But hopefully this guide will serve as an overview of areas to consider and a springboard to further discussions as you evaluate the ‘Health’ of your own community.

I hope you found this helpful.  Please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section on the Private Facebook Page (for pescadores only) – Click here to go to that page for comments, and certainly consider joining us if you haven’t already done so).

De Colores!

Jeff Mehl
President
Tres Dias International