SO WHAT, EXACTLY, IS A SECUELA?

According to the ‘Glossary of Tres Dias Terms’ “…it’s a regularly scheduled meeting of the Fourth Day phase of the Tres Dias method. The meetings generally involve worship, fellowship, singing and refreshments. In addition, the Essentials require a period of small group discussions (called “Floating Reunion Groups”) and a Fourth Day talk for the gathering to formally qualify as a Secuela”

That’s a mouthful, but what does all that mean? We know they’re a great way to re-connect with others in the community, and we all enjoy them, but what, exactly are they, and why do some communities get it wrong?

The Essentials (3.3.2) simply say the local secretariat must sponsor “regularly scheduled” Secuelas; preferably at least once each month. The section goes on to say that each Secuela include a “Floating Reunion Group” and a “Fourth Day Talk.”

It recently came to our attention that some communities have misunderstood the requirements of a Secuela, believing that a Secuela is simply another name for a Floating Reunion Group. I’d like to take a moment to provide some clarity by defining a Floating Reunion Group and a Fourth Day Talk:

1) FLOATING REUNION GROUP:  The Glossary of Tres Dias Terms simply defines this as “An Essential component of a Secuela in which Pescadores break into small sharing groups that resemble a Reunion Group.”

• The key here is that participants must be given the opportunity to break into small groups to share their piety, study & action; giving them a taste of a reunion group if they haven’t been in one. Some communities provide a general question for the groups to serve as a conversation starter. In those communities that sit participants at tables, a good strategy is to have that table serve as the Floating Reunion Group. Others will find available rooms and have each group meet there.
• There’s no formal structure for the Floating Reunion Groups other than each person should have the opportunity (not requirement) to share, and obviously the session should end with prayer for any needs that were identified.
• One of the purposes of a Floating Reunion Group is to show, at a very basic level, the value of a Reunion Group.

2) FOURTH DAY TALK:  This activity, mandated by the Essentials, is a brief talk given by a pescador who shares their Fourth Day experiences.

• It should be a fairly short talk (not a rollo!) that focuses on how their Reunion Group has helped them maneuver through the Christian life. (It’s designed, as is the Secuela itself, to draw attention to the value of Reunion Groups).
• The talk should NOT be about the weekend experience – just their life following their weekend.
• In the case of a Secuela that includes the reunion of the last pair of weekends, a Pescador from each weekend should be chosen to give the talk by the respective rector. Since it’s unlikely the new Pescadores will be in a Reunion Group, they should focus on how their 4th Day is going, and how the Tres Dias weekend helped them.

Importantly, If your community hosts Secuelas that do not routinely include the above activities, then technically that get-together does not qualify as a Secuela as mandated by the Essentials.

Although not required by the Essentials (it recommends one per month but does not mandate it), these should be scheduled as frequently as possible in an effort to keep the community united. The practice of only doing a Secuela after each pair of weekends is discouraged as there needs to be more community involvement.

Most Secuelas will include some announcements, snacks and drinks, music, etc. Communities often try different times and venues to accommodate the most people in their area. Some that come to mind are breakfast secuelas (often on a Saturday morning), Pot-Luck Secuelas where folks bring in food to share so everyone has a meal, and certainly holiday-themed Secuelas (Thanksgiving, Christmas and Valentine’s day come to mind).

Let us know in the comments below what you like (or don’t like) about Secuelas, and perhaps share what has worked well to increase interest and attendance in your community.

De Colores!

Jeff Mehl
President
Tres Dias International