I Was Religous, Then I Got Converted

REFLECTIONS
February 15, 2009

Any of us who have studied higher math (or at least attempted) know that knowledge of conversion is essential. Without an understanding of formulaic expression this field of study becomes laborious and quite frustrating. Anyone who has traveled can recall at least one strange experience where attempts to convert currency was neither easy nor fruitful. We now live in this wonderful age where we are converting our televisions from analog to digital signals. I haven’t a clue what this means except that from what I have read it is supposed to be a good thing. The word conversion has a variety of meanings. The first listing in my Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary says, “The act of converting: the process of being converted - compare gene conversion” The second listing reads, “An experience associated with a definite and decisive adoption of religion.”

In Mark 1:40-45 we find a type of conversion. We would be quick to say it is purely a religious experience, however, it seems to be so much more. A leper comes to Jesus and begs to be healed, saying “If you choose, you can make me clean.” Jesus is moved to heal the man, but issues instructions to obey the Law of Moses regarding healing which required going to the chief priest before talking to anyone and receiving a blessing and ritual cleansing. The leper ignores Jesus’ instructions, instead telling all about his healing. Jesus knew there were a variety of professional prophets and healers in the region, but he saw himself not as part of a traveling medicine show, but as an agent of God linked to an historic faith, hence the instructions to see the priest. We are not told whether the leper is a person of faith. Clearly, Jesus linked faith with the process of being healed.

The conversion which takes place in this story is multilayered. From a math standpoint the life of a leper did not add up to much. He would have been an outcast, cut off from family, friends and society at large. Healing meant being counted, belonging. Being converted, a leper now had currency in community, as a member to be appreciated, rather than one diseased and despised. As one healed, the leper became converted scientifically from one person to a totally different person. The fact that the leper did not remain silent is either a clear indication of his faithlessness or absolute proof of his religious zeal. If one has to choose between being rigidly religious or whole heartedly converted, the latter seems the finer choice.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

The Weight of Opinions and a $3.00 Cup of Coffee

REFLECTIONS
February 8, 2009

In the two letters which the Apostle Paul wrote the people of Corinth the questions and concerns of both parties come out of perceptions and opinions surrounding issues of doctrine and ethics relative to the faith community. What does the Church look like in terms of who we say we are, and how do we relate to each other and the world? Since Paul first brought the message of Christ to Corinth, he held a deep affection for them. Scholars surmise this was reciprocal, for his letters appear to be in response to letters first sent to him. This does not mean they agreed on everything. Hence Paul’s direct language in reminding the people that the life they have accepted in Christ is very different than the one they left as non believers.

Have you ever disagreed with someone for whom you had respect, perhaps even loved? I would be surprised if your response was no. After all who among us has not had words with a friend or family member over politics, religion, philosophy or culture to name a short list. Who doesn’t have an Uncle or Cousin with whom we carried on verbal battle over what seemed clear and important differences of opinion. The information we ingest whether it be read or heard, and how we process it, informs our thought, having a great deal to do with how we perceive the world. It is then through our perceptions that we formulate opinions. Which is to say that opinions often have little or no basis in fact or reality. This means if we perceive someone to be bad they become so. If we think something is wrong or for that matter idiotic, it becomes so, through perception. In this process perception becomes thought, thought becomes opinion and opinion held as dogma becomes a point of conflict when we encounter opinion different from our own.

One of my favorite professors when class dialogue and discourse had moved in debate and diatribe would caution us to curb our opinions. He would say, “For opinions are like armpits and each of us has two, however, one is liable to stink at any given time. Besides, he would go on, a strident and well thought opinion and fifty cents will buy you a cup of coffee.” Though the price of a cup of coffee has gone up considerably, the principle still holds. I hear that phrase from time to time from a voice inside my head. It usually comes when I am at my strident best, railing against some opinion I perceive an affront to my humanity. It never fails to cause me to smile. Then I head off to find a good $3.00 cup of coffee.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601

The Charge of the Methodist Church

REFLECTIONS
February 1, 2009

In his first letter to the people of Thessalonica, Paul writes: “We thank God for and always mention you in our prayers. Each time
we pray, we tell God about your faith and loving work and about
your firm hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” CEV

Today is Charge Conference Sunday. An important day in the life of any United Methodist Congregation. When we meet each year at charge conference, part of our task is to accomplish the same thing Paul desired for the early Church. Be it Phillippi, Rome or Galatia, Paul hoped the early churches would not let up or let go of their mission focus. Those early believers worked at understanding, communicating, worshiping and working their faith. Our task today remains much the same. It is important that we share plans and details with regard to our property, programs and personnel. The finances are part of United Methodist polity and tradition. That we encourage as many people to attend as possible is important as well. That the information is presented in an entertaining and inviting manner is helpful.

However, through it all our focus must be clear. We do not meet just to gather for a party, and we do not report to simply give information. We meet because as the Body of Christ, we are a gathered community. We report because as a body of believers, we are accountable to each other. We celebrate, share, encourage and empower to one end; that the love of God might flourish. That the facts and figures we share in our charge conference report only have merit and import if they are written in the ink of grace upon a parchment of hope and bound with a winsome will to share the goodness of God. Otherwise, we are simply covering our backsides or whistling in the dark.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601