con⋅ver⋅sion
[kuh
n-vur-zhuhn, -shuhn] –noun
| 1. | the act or process of converting; state of being converted. |
| 2. | change in character, form, or function. |
| 3. | spiritual change from sinfulness to righteousness. |
| 4. | change from one religion, political belief, viewpoint, etc., to another. |
| 5. | a change of attitude, emotion, or viewpoint from one of indifference, disbelief, or antagonism to one of acceptance, faith, or enthusiastic support, esp. such a change in a person's religion. |
| 6. | a physical transformation from one material or state to another: conversion of coal, water, and air into nylon. |
I think our linear brains want a linear process to describe the transformation that can happen when we choose to live our lives in alignment with Divine purposes. The problem is, life just doesn't work that way! Many folks in existing churches want to draw people into our doors on a Sunday morning, with the hope that they will begin to engage their faith and someday find oneness with the Source of All Life.
God is already at work in the lives of people not connected with a life of faith, and we will never know that unless we go out and meet others where they are. We can no longer afford to have the mindset that people will come to "believe" before they "belong." I believe God is calling us to build the truly deep relationships because, as humans, we need to have a sense that we truly belong before we will ever believe in anything.
Why don't WE go out and build deep and enduring relationships "out there" instead of waiting for them to come "in here"? That way, people can come to have a sense that they BELONG before they come to any particular belief. I think we can (and should) create that sense of belonging wherever we go...
