The 40 Days of Purpose is just around the corner and I need to give you a quick update on a few important things:

• Pray for Pastor Tim, for Parkview, for the members (and prospective members) of your group.
• If you’re looking for a few more members…we could use your help at 40 Days Central this weekend!  Pastor Tim will be really stressing the importance of joining a 40 Days of Purpose Small Group in all four services.  There will be definitely be people coming out to the kiosk right after every service.  You could be the one they talk to!
• Fill out your invitations and bring them to the service this weekend.  What better time to hand them to someone than while you’re here with several thousand people who all know they need to be in a group?
• The largest number of people looking for a group online is going to happen this weekend.  Make sure your info is completely accurate and as inviting as possible.  Planning on having homemade pie?  Put that in your description.
• VERY IMPORTANT: Don’t get hung up trying to add new members to your online roster.  Much more important to exchange an email with them and actually communicate.  I’ve had 5 people express interest in joining my group.  I clicked “Accept.”  I ALSO SENT THEM AN EMAIL WITH THE DAY AND TIME AND THE ADDRESS OF OUR MEETING.  That gave them my email and info.
• I will be adding the host tips and ideas for session one of the 40 Days tomorrow a.m.  If you’re subscribed by email it will come to you just like this one.  To be sure you’re getting all of the info, you might want to also bookmark our blog site:  http://www.parkviewgrouplife.com
• If you’re wondering what to do about childcare…here are the four most common solutions.
• Pray.

Just a few quick details today.  Very important details though, so hope you’re on top of things!

First, we’ll be sending out another all church email on Tuesday afternoon letting everyone know that it’s easy to find a 40 Days of Purpose small group with our new small group finder.  Is your group listed?  It’s not hard to get started.  Let me know if I can help you take the first few steps.  You can Email Me to get things started!

Not absolutely positive that your group is listed? Take a moment and check out our new small group finder.  The searchable groups are listed alphabetically by last name right here.

Second, I know some of you have decided not to join with the rest of the church in the 40 Days study.  I really, REALLY, want to encourage you to rethink that.  Even if you’ve done the study in the past, it is sure to be a season that people will be talking about for a long, long time here at Parkview.  God frequently uses unexpected things to get our attention in a new way.  It would really be a shame if your small group members missed out on something they really need to know (like their purpose).  It’s not too late! Email Me if you want to jump in after all!

P.S. Our email was down all day today at Parkview.  If you tried to call or email us, our electricity was a no show for most of the day!

Here are a few important details as we get ready for 40 Days.

• If your group is listed on the small group finder, please take a moment right now and make sure that everything looks the way you intend.  Here’s a link to check it out: Click Here to Take a Look If there’s anything not completed, today is the time the correct it.  If your group is not listed, Email Me ASAP to get it corrected.
• The weekend message series begins on October 2nd and 3rd.  Although there are only 6 weekend messages that are part of the series, it will actually extend to an 8 week period.  Our special guest Nick Vujicic will be featured on October 23-24 and the 40 Days will conclude on November 20-21 with a special 40 Days Celebration.
• 40 Days of Purpose Small Groups will begin meeting the week of Sunday, October 3rd.  The normal pattern will attend the weekend service and then come to small group meeting.
• As the host, you’ll distribute copies of the Purpose Driven Life and the study guides at the first meeting.  There is no preparation required to participate in the meeting.  The study guide is used during the meeting to take notes and engage in discussion.  The Purpose Driven Life will be read as a daily devotional beginning the day after your first meeting.
• Remember, Parkview has made a significant investment in curriculum (about $15 per participant) to make it easy for you to invite friends and neighbors without the pressure of the cost.   Although your 40 Days of Purpose Host Kit includes an envelope to be used if anyone would like to contribute towards the expense of providing the curriculum, please handle that with sensitivity.  Don’t let that become an obstacle to anyone.
• If your group is listed in the Small Group Finder, please do everything possible to check your email twice a day beginning Tuesday, September 21st.  We will be sending out an all church email on September 21st and 28th with a link into the Finder.  It will be easy for your group to be chosen.  When that happens, please be prompt at responding.

Be sure you’ve updated your Group Description to say 40 Days of Purpose (if you’re joining in the church-wide 40 Days study).  The small group finder is live now (you can see it right here) and groups that have clearly indicated they’re doing the study will probably begin getting contacts this weekend.

In worship services this weekend everyone will hear that you can go to the ParkviewChurch.com site and click where it says “Join A SMALL GROUP” to find a group that fits them.

Remember…IF YOU’VE ALREADY CREATED YOUR GROUP IN THE FINDER…you can log in right here and update your description.  If you haven’t created your group in the finder, it’s not too late.  Email Me to get started and I’ll try and help you ASAP.

Need to make sure you’re totally up to speed on all that’s coming your way in the next few weeks at Parkview.  There are several really important items:

• First, be sure you’ve registered your group to participate in 40 Days.  As of this morning 39 of our existing small groups at Parkview have registered.  You can sign up right here.  Groups that have signed up will receive priority when we are distributing materials.
• Second, make it a priority to set up your group in our new small group finder.  Our new finder will be live on the Parkview website beginning Saturday, September 18th.  Especially if you’re open and looking for people to join you…you don’t want to miss this opportunity.  You can find out everything you need to know right here.

Can I ask a favor?  Take care of these two things ASAP.  Don’t wait until the last minute.  We’ll have close to 300 groups participating in the 40 Days.  Please take advantage of this week to get your info up to date.

Thanks!