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FORT HUACHUCA — In the Bible, 40-day events have special meanings.
On Sunday, a program designed to help the fort’s Christian community to strengthen their beliefs started 40 Days of Purpose on the post, Chaplain (Col.) Glenn Woodson said.
“Forty days is significant. There are a number of examples of that number of days in the Bible,” he said Monday.
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In the Old Testament, Noah experienced 40 days of rain, and Moses spent 40 days on Mount Sinai before returning with the 10 commandments.
In the New Testament, Jesus wandered in the wilderness for 40 days and spent the same period of time with his disciples after his resurrection.
The genesis for the fort program, available to all of the post’s Christian community during 2007, is to find answers postulated in Rick Warren’s book “The Purpose Driven Life,” the colonel said. The 2002 book once was No. 1 on the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list.
This is the second time the 40-day program has been done on the fort. This year’s event will cost about $2,000 and includes books and other materials.
“Each week has a theme, and each week there are chapters to be read and discussed in small-group discussions,” Woodson said.
Each Sunday the ministers of the various Christian services on the fort will sermonize about the main subject for the week.
On Sunday, his sermon was to ask a question poised by Warren’s subtitle “What on earth am I here for?” and to answer it, said the chaplain, who is the post’s religious activities coordinator.
Within his sermon, Woodson said the three points, which were questions. They were: Why am I alive? Does my life matter? What is my purpose in life?
In order, the answers he provided were, “We were created to be loved by God, we were created to live forever and the purpose is to worship, have fellowship, be engaged in discipleship, to minister and to evangelize.”
Worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and evangelism are the other main purposes of the program.
Each person who takes part is provided a copy of Warren’s book, which is the study program for the 40 Days of Purpose.
Not everyone will take part in the program, but they will get snippets by attending the main Sunday services.
Those who want to take part in the small discussion groups, which he expects to number about six, each with a dozen or more members, will talk about the different chapters in the book.
Much like Bible study classes many churches have, the book uses scripture passages as part of the focus for discussions.
The majority of the Christian services on the fort have started the 40-day program.
The program is not mandatory, Woodson emphasized, but is for anyone who wants to strengthen his or her belief foundation and to have a better understanding of Christianity.
The entire post Christian community is involved, said the United Methodist-ordained pastor.
The impact of the program is designed to help individuals and congregations. It is hoped the program will create “a greater sense of community and fellowship within and among the various chapels on Fort Huachuca,” he said.
From youth to retirees who use the fort’s chapel services, Woodson sees those involved in the program as having a closer relationship with God and strengthening and developing fellowship with others.
“It’s a guideline for teaching Christianity,” he said.
Each of the post’s Christian leaders will incorporate the messages the 40 Days of Purpose is seeking to provide based on their faith-based beliefs.
That means the Roman Catholic chaplain will discuss the program in ways fellow co-religionists understand, and Protestants and Orthodox leaders will do the same.
What is important is that the basic Christian roots will be discussed by everyone, and that will strengthen everyone, Woodson said.
“I’m excited about it (the program),” he said. “It is designed by Christians for Christians to benefit Christians.”
HERALD/REVIEW senior reporter Bill Hess can be reached at 515-4615 or by e-mail at bill.hess@svherald.com.
Tony P wrote on Nov 25, 2008 12:24 AM: