Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to header Skip to footer

Church Alive

No match for the winds of Spirit

In the middle of the night, it came roaring through like a locomotive at approximately 100 miles per hour. The next morning the Monrovia, California, town square was filled with grand evergreen trees lying flat on the ground, roots completely upended.

An eye to Africa

The African continent, rich in spiritual resources and cultural diversity, has been a focus for The Mother Church in recent years. Currently there is Christian Science activity in 28 countries on the continent, largely in sub-Saharan Africa, resulting in many new Mother Church and branch members.

The 'progress' of Church: an expanded view

Recently, I asked myself how well I thought the current Christian Science Church, whether The Mother Church in Boston or its branch churches, is fulfilling its purpose. Mary Baker Eddy described the purpose of Church as nothing less than “ … healing and saving the world from sin and death; thus to reflect in some degree the Church Universal and Triumphant” ( Church Manual , p.

An 'unprejudiced mind' touched by a lecture

When First Church of Christ, Scientist, Laguna Niguel, California, decided to give a Christian Science lecture, they chose to ask members to bring someone they knew to the lecture rather than launching into a big advertising campaign.   In the lecture preparatory meeting, the lecturer spoke about how to talk to others about Christian Science and encouraged members to do that more often.

Invitation to worship

Our community has an interfaith group called the Mercer Island Clergy Association, which meets every month. We sponsor the baccalaureate service in June for our local high school, and we also provide an interfaith Thanksgiving Service on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving.

Church and generic man

Some time ago a friend of mine who has demonstrated Christian Science consistently—and in some instances dramatically—told me she didn’t need church. She had joined one or two branch churches at different times and places over the course of many years, but had decided it wasn’t her cup of tea.

Numbering the people

I’ve listened to both sides of the debate as to the best way to promote church growth. Some say updates, modernized appearances, relaxed atmospheres, new music, relaxed membership qualifications, and so on, are needed.

Prepared for new members?

When someone wants to join a Christian Science branch church, he or she generally fills out an application form generated by that branch. Each branch church has a different procedure for new applicants based on its bylaws, but many churches have membership committees that then meet with the applicant to discuss his or her commitment to Church and to Christian Science.

Saving a church

“I would love to know more about how to save a closing Christian Science church or society. There are only a few members left at this church, and it will be sold if something doesn’t happen quickly.

Christ's call to the stranger

“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. ” These words found in Isaiah ( 55:1 ) typify the call of the Christ, God’s divine manifestation or ideal, to suffering humanity throughout all ages.