AMONG the various problems that confront Christian Scientists at the present stage of progress, that of church government is an important one. It is a problem that concerns us both individually and collectively; individually in that the schooling we receive from participation in the activities of church work contributes to our spiritual growth; collectively in that it affords us the means of presenting a united front and concentrated effort against the common enemy,—the belief in a power opposed to God, good.
That which the world regards as the church is but the human approximation to what our Leader defines as "the structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle" (Science and Health, p. 583). The Mother Church and its various branches are approximating that ideal just in the measure that the individual members love God and their neighbors, and are actuated by Principle rather than by personality. In executing the divine commission with which she had been entrusted, our Leader has established the Christian Science church organization on a democratic basis, thereby extending to all its members great privileges and responsibilities. It is indeed a privilege to participate in the solution of the various problems of church government, for it means the disciplining of self. It gives the opportunity of subordinating self-will to the will of God, and on the human plane to that of the majority, and of overcoming self-love by rejoicing in the advancement of others. When an individual unites with The Mother Church or with one of its branches he assumes a sacred responsibility. By this act he openly declares himself to be his brother's keeper, for, as defined by our Leader, "the Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race" (Ibid., p. 583).
Evidently, then, the church is an agency of activity. It is not simply a social organization, nor is it an easy means of conveyance out of discordant mortal conditions into a blissful if idle future. It is an organized force of workers, each individual member of which has taken upon himself a solemn obligation to share actively in the church's work of blessing all mankind. Ambition should have no place in this work, and the desire should not be to rule, but to serve. The officers of the church are not its rulers; they are the servants of all. "Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant," was the command of the great Master who was yet the servant of his people.
