| Purpose Driven teachings change peoples lives By Barbara Coward
UMConnection Correspondent Several congregations in the Baltimore-Washington Conference are embarking on a journey of discovery and spiritual growth with the help of the New York Times best-selling book, Purpose Driven Life. One of the basic premises of this popular self-help book is that people need to look outward rather than inward to experience greater meaning and fulfillment in life.  The author, the Rev. Rick Warren, is the founding pastor of the Saddleback church in Lake Forest, California. His newest title is Purpose Driven Church.
The philosophy of Warrens teachings has already had far-reaching appeal, capturing the minds and hearts of more than 5 million readers worldwide. Indeed, some 4,000 churches representing 60 denominations in 20 countries have registered for the Purpose Driven challenge. This 40-day campaign, offered at selected intervals throughout the year, is targeted to help churches identify their core purpose and increase discipleship.  The Rev. Barry Hidey, pastor of Bel Air UMC, was inspired by the book after hearing positive feedback from other churches in the conference, including St. Pauls and Trinity UMCs in Prince Frederick.
Wesley Grove UMC in Hanover, will kick off its 40-day program to assist the 90-member congregation in answering the question: What on earth am I here for, said the Rev. Janet Becker. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness. We are taking this time to focus, think and be transformed and empowered by God, she said. During that time the churchs programs education program and worship will revolve around the themes presented in the Purpose Driven Church. Bel Air UMCs calendar has now been cleared for the autumn to focus on the Purpose Driven campaign to enhance worship, discipleship, fellowship, evangelism and mission within the church.  In particular, Hidey sees the process as an intensive spiritual-growth opportunity to increase discipleship within the church.
With average Sunday attendance at approximately 900 and membership at more than 2,000 individuals, he hopes the teachings will help turn Sunday Christians into everyday disciples, increasing the percentage of worshippers who are actively involved in the ministry of their church. A ministry fair will be held in the later stages of the process to encourage members to extend their present service to other ministries within the church. Several church members got the process off to a rolling start by donating funds so that each family in the church could have their own copy of the book, which will be distributed at the kick-off session Oct. 4. However, the initiative has already brought positive changes and energized the church. The planning process, which was completed last spring, was a critical step for ownership. It has brought new enthusiasm to church leaders, increasing attendance and contributions in all areas of the churchs ministry, Hidey said. The leadership team, chaired by lay member Dan Pazdersky, is currently in the process of organizing 50 small study groups, which will meet weekly to review the teachings presented in the sermon series and discuss the chapter devotionals, which each member is requested to read on a daily basis during the 40-day campaign period. According to Pazdersky, this multi-faceted approach is designed to help reinforce the books teachings. The goal, he said, is to have each of the 900 to 1,000 worshippers participate in the small group sessions. Both Hidey and Pazdersky view the sessions as an important way for a large church to connect to each member on a more personal level, bringing worshippers from all walks of life together, including single parents, the elderly and youth. According to Hidey, the small group sessions are intended to increase fellowship as members travel together on the path to discover Gods purpose for their own lives. As the church proceeds through the progressive steps of the process, Hidey says he hopes the initiative will change the life of one person at a time. My greatest hope is that folks will understand and live out Gods purpose. Anyone interested in the Purpose Driven church in invited to the orientation Oct. 4 at 5 p.m. at Wesley Grove UMC, 1320 Dorsey Road, Hanover. A spaghetti dinner proceeds the 90-minute presentation. For more information call (410) 761-9119. | 
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