40 Days of Purpose at CPC
Frequently Asked Questions

Central's 40 Days occurred in 2003, so, don't get your hopes up that it's happening now. We'll keep this info up on the web though as a reference and resource to anyone reviewing the material and as a resource for other churches going through 40 Days of Purpose. Enjoy! ~your friendly local webmaster

1. Who is in charge of the campaign at CPC? Who do I talk to about...?
   • Campaign Director: Kathy Vaselkiv
   • Communications: Tom Cox
   • Prayer: Mary Magan
   • Ministry Fair: Denise Simms
   • Celebration Sunday: Sally Russell
   • Worship: Mike Batley
   • Pastor-in-charge: George Antonakos
   • Small Groups: Paul Hogsten

2. What are the purposes God has for me?
   

   The Purpose Driven Life
   Since Life is preparation for eternity, I want to use my time on earth discovering and fulfilling God's purposes for me:

   I was planned for God's pleasure (worship),

   so I will use this day to get to know and love God better.

   I was formed for God's family (fellowship),

   so I will use this day to show love to other believers.

   I was created to be like Christ (discipleship),

   so I will use this day to make choices that grow my character.

   I was shaped to serve God (ministry),

   so I will use this day to serve God by serving others.

   I was made for a mission (evangelism),

   so I will use this day to share the Good News of salvation.

3. When do I begin reading The Purpose Driven Life?
   Begin reading April 20th. Read A Journey with Purpose, My Covenant and Day 1: It All Starts with God. Continue with Day 2 on Monday... The daily reading plan will be printed here and in PurposeView each week.

4. If I don't want to join a small group, can I still receive a copy of The Purpose Driven Life?
   Copies of Rick Warren's book will be available for sale at the Welcome Center between Sunday services for those interested in purchasing copies for friends, or not desiring to participate in a 40 Days small group.

5. What do you have to do to prepare for a small group?
   No special preparation is required other than staying current in the daily readings in Rick Warren's book, The Purpose Driven Life. (see the Daily Reading Plan)

6. If I miss one meeting of my small group, can I make it up by attending another group?
   Everyone in a small group will receive a workbook that you could work through on your own, if you have to miss one meeting. In addition, you may call a friend or another small group leader and ask if you may join them for one meeting. (A list of leaders is available at the Welcome Center.)

7. After we enroll in a 40 Days Small Group, should we stop the daily journaling that Pastor George introduced for Lent?
   If you have the time to Journal and keep up with the readings that would be great. If you have to choose, our suggestion would be to focus on The Purpose Driven Life Book and the scriptures that are referenced in the back of the book for each chapter. You may wish to journal on those verses or passages in place of the daily readings in the Life-Journal.

8. Which six verses are we being encouraged to memorize during 40 Days of Purpose?
   The six verses are Ephesians 2:10, Mark 12:30, Romans 12:5, Philippians 2:5, 1 Peter 4:10 and Colossians 4:5. The verse for each week will be printed in PurposeView. All six verses can be found inside the back cover of your small group workbook, and five of the six are listed on the back of the 40 Days bookmark that you received with your copy of The Purpose Driven Life. Your children and students should also receive a key chain with the six verses printed on attached tags. In addition, you may pick up a copy of the verses at the Welcome Center. The "verse to remember" at the end of each daily reading in The Purpose Driven Life are not the ones we are encouraging you to memorize, although you are sure to benefit by hiding any of these 40 additional scripture verses in your heart.

9. Are there other Purpose Driven materials that Central will make available?
   Rick Warren and Saddleback Church have produced other Purpose Driven materials, such as CDs, audio books, and daily journals. These are available at local Christian bookstores or www.purposedrivenlife.com. Central does not plan to sell any of these items, but will stock the library with one or more of the audio books for those who find that a better way to stay up to date with the daily devotions in The Purpose Driven Life.

10. Will the 40 Days Small Groups continue after the 40 Days' campaign finishes on June 1st?
    Each small group will make its own determination. Many of the existing small groups will re-constitute themselves and return to their previous schedule. Hopefully, most of the new groups will decide to continue meeting, possibly on a different schedule.

11. Is 40 Days of Purpose designed to make our church into a "mega-church?"
    40 Days of Purpose is not part of a plan to convert Central into a "mega-church." Pastor George and the lay leadership at Central have selected 40 Days because it will help our entire congregation come together in unity, grow together spiritually, and help prepare us for our next stage of development with a newly called senior pastor. 40 Days of Purpose has been used most widely by smaller churches. The growth we expect is not necessarily in our worship numbers, but in our worship spirit, ministry enthusiasm, and love toward one another!

12. Will my children be participating in 40 Days of Purpose?
    Yes. Your children up to fifth grade will be taught a 40 Days curriculum in God's Big Backyard. Students (middle and high school) will be discussing 40 Days material at 10:00 am on Sunday mornings in The Loft. We hope you will work together to memorize the weekly scripture verse. Remember selections from The Purpose Driven Life provide a great resource for family devotions.

13. Adult Christian Education during 40 Days of Purpose

    There will be no adult education classes on Easter Sunday, April 20th. Easter Sunday is the first day of 40 Days of Purpose. Adults and students should start the first selection in The Purpose Driven Life on April 20th. There will be two adult education offerings during the remaining six Sundays of 40 Days of Purpose (April 27th-June 1st).

    The Purpose Driven Life - Advanced will be a lecture/discussion class taught by Mark Vaselkiv. This class, offered at 10:00 am and 11:30 am is designed for further study and reflection on the five purposes developed in the devotional reading in The Purpose Driven Life. It is most appropriate for adults who are participating in a 40 Days small group during the week.

    40 Days Small Groups using the small group video curriculum will be available at 8:15 am and 9:45 am. Everyone will view the 20-minute video curriculum together, followed by discussion and application in groups of 8-10. Sign-up for these groups will be at the same times and places as other 40 Days Small Groups.

14. Can you briefly describe all the components of 40 Days of Purpose in which I might participate?
    Yes - 40 Days of Purpose will begin on Sunday, April 20th and end on Sunday, June 1st.
    • First, read one chapter of The Purpose Driven Life each day between April 20th and June 1st.
    • Second, join a 40 Days small group meeting once a week during this time.
    • Third, attend a worship service every Sunday at Central during the 40 Days.
    • Fourth, participate in the Ministry Fair on Sunday morning, May 18th.
    • Finally, join us for a Celebration at Loch Raven High School on Sunday, June 1st at 5:00 pm.

15. What comes after 40 Days of Purpose?
    Whatever God has planned for us. 40 Days just helps us get prepared. As Rick Warren says, "knowing God's purpose for creating you will reduce your stress, focus your energy, simplify your decisions, give meaning to your life, and -most importantly- prepare you for eternity."

16. Will my small group continue after 40 Days is over?
    Small group leaders are meeting the afternoon of 5/25 to discuss and plan for future small group opportunities at Central. We hope everyone in a 40 Days small group has realized the importance of genuine fellowship with a small group of believers and will want to continue growing together through participation in a small group. Some of the groups will continue and other new groups will be formed so that everyone can be included in this important purpose after 40 Days.

17. Where can I get copies of The Purpose Driven Life to share with my family and friends?
    Copies of the book are available at most Christian and secular bookstores.

Frequently Asked Questions for the Ministry Fair:

1. What is expected of me at the Ministry Fair?
   Everyone will visit the Ministry Fair Tent as part of our worship service next week. You will have an opportunity to learn about specific ministry teams at Central by with team members and collecting prayer cards from each table. If you would like to explore joining a ministry team, you can leave an Opportunity Card at that ministry table.

2. Do I have to sign up for a ministry?
   No. Some of you have already found your place in ministry at present and others will want to think and pray about where God might be calling them. However, every believer at Central is an essential part of our local body and needed in ministry for the church to be complete. Additionally, serving with others in ministry brings joy and helps you mature in your faith.

3. If I sign an Opportunity Card, what is my obligation?
   The Opportunity Card is your way of saying that you are interested in a ministry and that you would like to hear more. Shortly after the Ministry Fair, each of the ministries represented at the fair will hold an orientation meeting to further explain the ministry, answer questions, and help you determine if this team is where God might call you to serve. At that time, you can either commit to that ministry or decide that your skills might be better used in another area.

4. Can I sign up for more than one ministry? If so, what happens?
   Yes. You will be invited to an orientation meeting by each team where you leave a card. After the meetings you can decide which of these teams are the best fit. It may be that you find two or more ministries that fit your talents and schedule.

5. Suppose I have a passion for a ministry that does not yet exist at Central?
   There will be a table where you can make suggestions for new ministries in which you might be involved and possibly take a leadership role in getting started.

6. What if I join a ministry but it just doesn't seem to be the right fit?
   Then you should try another. Finding your place in ministry and discovering your gifts is a process and may require more than one try!

7. If I like a ministry, but am not trained for it, what can I do?
   It is anticipated that there will be many people who would like to be in a ministry but feel they lack training. Each ministry will provide the necessary initial and ongoing training to assure that you are able to be successful in that ministry.

8. Will the Ministry Fair be the only opportunity to get connected in ministry at Central?
   No. The Equipping Ministry (EM) Team, which has planned the Ministry Fair, is charged on an ongoing basis with helping people find the right ministry, providing training and following up to assure you are successful in your ministry. We are growing into this role and covet your prayers for our team!

9. After reading the Purpose Driven Life this week and praying about ministry, I wish I had another chance to fill out an opportunity card and explore joining a ministry team at Central!
   Don't worry! There will be a table in the concourse this week and next with all the ministry team overviews and opportunity cards, which you can still fill out. We also plan to have at least one ministry team display in the concourse each week to keep you informed about opportunities to serve!

10. What is the next step after filling out an opportunity card?
    An opportunity card is your way of saying that you are interested in a ministry and you would like to hear more. You will be invited to attend an orientation meeting to further explain the ministry in which you have expressed an interest, have your questions answered and help you to determine if this team is where God might call you to serve.

Frequently Asked Questions for Celebration Sunday:

1. What is Celebration Sunday?
   The culmination of 40 Days of Purpose will be Celebration Sunday, a party at Loch Raven High School on Sunday, June 1st from 5:00-7:30 pm. There will be a program in the auditorium followed by a light supper and time to visit together. We will enjoy the stories, celebrate God's Work, rejoice in changed lives and have a Celebration Offering. Everyone is invited. Children in first through fifth grade, students and adults will be together. Infants through kindergarteners will be in childcare at Loch Raven with a separate age appropriate program. Reservations are due 5/25, but no one will be turned away at the door.

2. How do I reserve my place at Celebration Sunday?
   You can get an invitation from your small group leader, at the Welcome Center, and one is also included in your Ministry Fair booklet today. Complete the reservation tear-off (only one needed per family) and return it at the marked table at the Ministry Fair, to the Welcome Center or to your small group leader by May 25th. You can also call or e-mail the church office to reserve your space (410-823-6145 or office@centralpc.org).

3. Will there be food at the Celebration?
   A light supper will be served!

4. When are Celebration Sunday reservations due?
   Invitations are in the pews. Fill out the tear-off response and place it in the offering plate 5/25. We will not turn anyone away at the door, but we need a count for the caterer by 5/26. If you are hoping to attend, but are uncertain, fill out a response saying yes. We would rather have too much than not enough.

More Information:

• Brochure: 40 Days of Purpose (PDF format)
  Read here to learn some of the basics from "What is 40 Days of Purpose?" to schedules of what will be happening and why.

• Sermons: see the Prime Time series meant to prepare us and the Purpose Driven series during 40 days.

• NV: 40 Days Possibilities (6/8)
• NV: From Conversation to Community (6/1)
• NV: Celebrating 40 Days (5/25)
• NV: What Happens After 40 Days? (5/18)
• NV: All Aboard! (5/11)
• NV: Ministry Fair (5/4)
• NV: Teach Us To Pray... (5/4)
• NV: Small Group - Big Purpose (4/27)
• NV: 40 Days With Jesus After the Resurrection (4/20)
• NV: 40 Days of Scripture (4/13)
• NV: 40 Days of Devotions (4/6)
• NV: 40 Days of Friends (3/30)
• NV: 40 Days of Small Groups with Purpose (3/23)
• NV: 40 Days of Prayer (3/16)
• NV: What is "40 Days" All About? (3/9)
• NV: 40 Days of Purpose (3/2)
• NV: Dinner and a Journal (2/23) Lenten Preparation
• Link: PurposeDrivenLife.Com and PurposeDriven.Com
• Book: The Purpose-Driven Life

• Annual Reports: 2003