Christian Unity Ministries

Unity News

May, 2004

"Formed for God's Family"?

ABSOLUTELY!

By Blake Coffee

What a wonderful thing God has done through Pastor Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life material! Literally thousands upon thousands of church bodies around the world have been touched by the "40 Days of Purpose" process. For years to come, my own church will be counting God's blessings received through our recent 40 Days of Purpose. God's hand in the writing and the distribution of that material within the context of today's generations is so very clear--His timing is always perfect, isn't it?

Furthermore, the receptivity of our culture to the Purpose Driven Life material has been a confirmation of our own ministry and the message God has given us to speak. Already, we have had calls from church leaders who have recognized how the Biblical message of unity fits with Warren's second purpose: "Formed for God's Family". Indeed, all five purposes (worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and evangelism) have strong components of Biblical unity within them. The parallels are not coincidental. They are scriptural.

If your church has not yet looked into a "40 Days of Purpose" campaign, I cannot recommend it strongly enough. Its challenges to your membership at every level is remarkable. If, on the other hand, your church has already gone through it, or is preparing to go through it, do not miss the unity principles throughout the Purpose Driven Life message. In fact, as I write this article, I am preparing for a One Body unity conference at a church on its second Sunday of its 40 Days of Purpose: the Sunday devoted to the purpose of Fellowship. What better way to drive home the concept of fellowship? I am anxious to see how God will use our time that day!

I am grateful for Purpose Driven Life. I thank God for Rick Warren and other church leaders like him, whose gifts and talents are devoted unto God and used for the edification of God's church.

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