The challenge of church activity is a spiritual one. Mary Baker Eddy defines "Church" on page 583 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" in two parts. The first part reads, "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle." This relates to the true, spiritual Church, everywhere present. The second part states, "The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick."
This second part deals with the human organization and its purpose to bring to mankind the blessing of the undivided garment, the understanding of God and man, through which healing and salvation are demonstrated. Our Leader's discovery and founding of Christian Science have revealed to the world the meaning of Church in its completeness.
The human activity relating to Church is essential to the student in his practice of Christian Science. This practice involves adherence to a basic concept of this Science, love for God and man. The Church of Christ, Scientist, provides the student with the indispensable avenue for fulfillment of the command to love God and also to love man. The member of a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, must see not only that his love of man is nourished, but that it is expressed as a living desire to bless others by sharing the truth.
