Converted To What?
by Safiyah Fosua, Director of Invitational Preaching, The General Board of Discipleship

Some years ago, I went with my husband, who is also clergy, to worship at a particular United Methodist Church in an unnamed city. That gathering for worship left an indelible impression upon both of us.

It was obvious to us as visitors that this mid-sized congregation had probably been worshiping together for generations, yet they behaved as a room full of strangers. They did not exchange smiles, greetings, or even approving glances. Music, liturgy, and ritual had become routine responses for them, and the pastor's sermon was less than memorable. After the benediction, both the building and the parking lot emptied in a matter of minutes, and no one shook our hands or invited us to come again. And, of course, we didn't.

You can imagine the conversation that we two pastors and preachers had on the way home. What had happened to these people? Were they in the middle of a prolonged church fight? Why do they continue to come; they obviously do not enjoy being together for even an hour on Sunday morning? Finally, one of us blurted out a question that pushed us from fruitless criticism to deeper theological reflection: "Converted to What?"

The extremity of that experience has prompted us both, over the years, to question what our own "religious activities" reveal about the meaning of the Christian faith in our lives.

• Was our conversion just a commitment to mouth new loyalties? I used to be a _____________, but now I am a Methodist.
• Were we just converted to a new habit; merely adding the one-hour meeting on Saturday night or Sunday morning to the long list of other things we do?
• Or were we converted to a new lifestyle, where as forgiven people of God, we persist in looking for ways to live, think, and act as those who follow Christ? We study together, we pray together, we serve together, and, by the way we also worship together on the weekends — you're invited!

Actions speak louder than words. What do your actions, thoughts, and words reveal about the conversion that has taken place in your life?

In no way do I wish to imply that United Methodism has lost its vitality. There are countless numbers of thriving, energetic Christ-focused worshiping communities making a difference all over the world. Unfortunately, it is also possible to relive the experience, described earlier, in far too many places. If you find yourself part of a crowd fleeing from the church parking lot after an exhausting hour of worship, you are invited to consider the question: Converted to what?

The clipart is from www.clipart.com © 2003-2004. Used with permission.

Safiyah Fosua is the director of Invitational Preaching Ministries at the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church.

Posted 7-9-04.