Michelle discovered Religious Science at age 15. Upon walking into the Mile Hi Church of Religious Science in Denver, Colorado, she knew she was “home.”

As an energetic teenager with a never-ending desire to learn more, Michelle started volunteering at that church and eventually joined its administrative staff where she worked for six years. She continued her studies and soon became a Science of Mind Practitioner. In 1991, after receiving her degree from Ernest Holmes College, Michelle became a minister.Michelle moved forward as an assistant minister at the Huntington Beach Church of Religious Science. She served there for four years in many capacities. In 1995, she moved to Arizona and joined New Vision Center for Spiritual Living as senior minister. Her vigorous involvement in her local community is matched by her work on the international committees of our denomination. She has served on The Standing Advisory for Practitioner Policy, United Clergy of Religious Science, The Nomination Core, and the Asilomar Planning Team. She is also an Advisor for the Association of Global New Thought, and serving on the Core Council for United Centers For Spiritual Living.

In her congregation and in the many churches and organizations she visits each year, she is known as an inspiring teacher and leader who deeply touches her audiences with her humor and profound insights.

Q. How does Science of Mind approach the use of drugs, etc in healing? If we truly believe in health is the true natural state of our being?

A. We do believe that health is our natural state of being.  We also believe that there is only God.  This means that all things are God….a prayer, a pill, a procedure, a remedy.  When our natural state of health is not expressing itself fully, we teach the use of prayer as the ideal way to get aligned.  Yet if it is all God, and I feel guided to the use of God as a pill to assist me in manifesting that natural state of health, then there is no contradiction. 

However, I know that what most of us do when it comes to manifesting our ideal health is the opposite.  We make the pills, the procedures, the remedies, the doctors, the diets our SOURCE.  They alone cannot heal anything.  Yet, any of them combined with clarity of consciousness, can contribute to the realization of ideal health. 

Thanks for that great question!

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Q. How do we find our true purpose in life, and then align our priorities to it?

A. On the one hand, I believe we all share a common purpose.  It is that we are here to experience and express the Divine as us.  I believe that everything in our life is an invitation to live that purpose; the good, the bad, and the ugly!  I also think that each of us has unique ways in which we specialize the Divine.  The way we find that out is to become mindful of that which we are naturally and easily good at and/or that we LOVE to do or be.  Most of us have one or two of those aspects of expression that we could do happily and never get bored.  They sometimes point to a career, or way to make a living, and they sometimes don’t.  For example:  A person might get that their purpose is all about being a powerful and effective parent.  They may choose to live their entire life joyfully expressing that purpose.  Or they may choose to use their experiences to write a book or teach a class.  The purpose is fulfilled either way.

Once we have a sense of our purpose to express and experience the divine and be or express whatever else might show up for us, the way we keep that as a priority is one very simple, yet powerful question.  It is to look at the choices we are making and ask if we are making choices that support and fulfill our purpose.  So often just asking that simple question can help create great clarity.  The intention to live “on purpose” calls us to let go of that which is not supporting our purpose, or to adjust it or whatever it takes.  When we live on purpose, we are happy, and there is a greater flow to our living.

Thanks for wanting to be on purpose!

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Q. How do we remain positive when surrounded by negative energy?

A. It can take a fierce sense of self worth to remain positive in the face of negativity, especially in the face of other people’s negativity!  I say self worth because to really do this means that I have to be willing to care more about my sense of happiness and choice to be positive, and have compassion and understanding for another’s inability to do that without being arrogant, or making them wrong.  Sometimes we get really out of balance about this.  We fight for our positive viewpoint by having negative and judgmental thoughts about the “other” who is being negative.  Or we feel at the effect of the “other’s” negative energy and cannot stand in our own choice to be positive, and then we make them wrong. 

Staying positive in the face of anything, person, or condition is the state of saying that we accept that there is nothing more important in my life than being happy and joyful.  I choose this state over and over again.  I let others be as negative as they feel they need to be, yet realize that I am always 100% responsible for my happiness and joy.  No one can take it from me, or rob me of it, unless I give it away.  That was really easy to type…now let’s get about doing it!

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Q. Does New Vision follow the ways of the 'law of attraction'? Is this the foundation and vision for New Vision? Not sure how to pose the question any other way, and appreciate your response.

A. Thanks for your question.  Yes, New Vision does teach the Law of Attraction.  It is one of the main Universal Laws that we teach and seek to work with in our lives.  The founder of our teaching, Ernest Holmes, was writing about this Law back in the early 1900’s.  He has chapters devoted to this Law.  So, it is much a part of our teaching. 

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Q. According to the website, I am seeing and feeling confused about the abbreviations. I do not want to assume the knowledge of accuracy, clarity, and fact on my own. Please help me understand the 'real' meaning of each and which one(s) apply. They are: Rev., Dr., DD, Rev.Dr.

A. I received my ministerial degree in 1991, which entitles me to be called Reverend Michelle Medrano or of course, the abbreviation, Rev.  Then I was awarded a Doctorate of Divinity by United, which entitles me to be called Doctor Michelle Medrano, or abbreviation Dr.  The formal title for me would be The Reverend Doctor Michelle Medrano, which is hardly ever used, except in writing.  Otherwise, any of those titles you listed can be used in referring to me.  D.D. meaning Doctor of Divinity. Most often just Michelle will do.

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