In the search for life’s meaning, several local churches are
offering up answers as part of a program called
”
40 Days of Purpose.
”
Based on the best-selling book,
”
The Purpose-Driven Life,
”
they’re seeking to answer the be-all-end-all question of
creationist intent.
In the search for life’s meaning, several local churches are offering up answers as part of a program called “40 Days of Purpose.” Based on the best-selling book, “The Purpose-Driven Life,” they’re seeking to answer the be-all-end-all question of creationist intent.
“It’s based on the notion of the question that we all ask: Why on Earth am I here?” said Cathy Boyce, the program’s leader at Gilroy Presbyterian Church, which will complete its 40 Days program in November.
Participants study the book, along with a variety of supplemental material, in search of their ultimate purpose, being instructed on how to worship, interact with other Christians within the church, become like Christ, serve God better and go out on a mission along the way.
“In chatting with our small groups, it has been really exciting to see the response,” said Boyce. “They’re talking about changing, about major life experiences, about sharing at a much deeper level. I think for a lot of people it’s about sharing what’s going on – the truth of their authentic feelings instead of putting on a front – has been really different for some people.”
Gilroy Presbyterian chose to participate in the program on its own, much like the 5,000 other churches across the nation working through their own 40 Days program this year, according to Boyce. The program is the latest devotional trend among churches nationwide, comparable to other popular programs like “The Prayer of Jabez” and “What Would Jesus Do?”
“Forty Days of Purpose has a very solid Biblical foundation,” said Dori Bannister, co-pastor of non-denominational Hillside Christian Fellowship in Hollister with her husband Bruce. “People really want to take the Bible and make it applicable to their daily lives, so this was just a beginning. It’s taking another church’s DNA and injecting it into your own.”
After completing the structured study, Bannister said the congregation was interested in taking the book’s ideas further, “so from the 40 Days program we’ve started studies on parenting, marriage, transparency – how to be more honest and open in your relationships – and commitment.”
The program is also attractive to church leaders, who see it as an opportunity to boost attendance and attract new members. During the 40 Days program that Morgan Hill Presbyterian put on, attendance at small group studies quadrupled, according to Senior Pastor Mark Inouye.
Since the study concluded in March, “it’s made the congregation more active,” said Inouye. “What they’re saying (in the book) is how the church is supposed to be and how we’re supposed to continue after this is done.”
Over the next three Sundays, Gilroy Presbyterian will be holding ministry and missions fairs and celebrating the completion of the program, but Boyce is happy to celebrate the transformations she sees already.
“People are looking at the way they perceive worship,” she said. “They think worship is going to church and listening to some particular music. But you can worship while doing the dishes. You can worship while washing the car.”
“The Purpose-Driven Life” by Rick Warren sold more than four million copies during its first nine months in publication. It is now in its 91st week on the New York Times Best Seller list for advice books, and has spawned an entire line of devotional books, banners and advertisements to accompany the church-based study of its content.
