As with many movements and groups that have been in existence for awhile, it is probably a good starting place to first tell a little of what Via de Cristo is not:
- It is NOT a place for "problem cases" - The weekend doesn't "make" Christians out of people who have no faith to start with. Coming to a weekend usually involves some sort of conversion process that has already begun.
- It is NOT a "cure-all" for personal problems, although the weekend will open many possibilities for dealing with one's own life through living faith.
- It is NOT a place for recruiting parish workers and it's NOT a place for organizing volunteers.
- It is NOT a Catechism course. It isn't a place to change someone's point of view, say from pre-Vatican II ideas. The door may open to considering new or different points of view - but change comes from the Holy Spirit and from within.
- It is NOT there to get people involved with social action programs - although some who make the weekend decide to follow this path.
- It is NOT a "charismatic" or "evangelical" weekend - these are discoveries for other places and times.
- It is NOT "just another retreat" and it is NOT just the weekend.