To become a member of a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, is a great privilege. Membership is a step that unfolds naturally in the upward trend of one's experience after one becomes an earnest student of Christian Science. To postpone taking this step through a belief of procrastination, a mistaken sense of inferiority, doubt of one's ability, or fear, is detrimental to one's spiritual growth. The membership board or committee of a Church of Christ, Scientist, is appointed to welcome the newcomer and to encourage him with tenderness and kindness in taking his first steps into the fold.
When one makes application to join a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, he is expressing his willingness to take his stand before the world as a Christian Scientist. But, in addition to this expression of desire to join the organized ranks of those who are the active followers of Christian Science, there should be the definite purpose to become an active, obedient, and humble worker in the great Cause called the Christian Science movement. A Church of Christ, Scientist, is a beautiful home in which to find security and peace, happy relationships and joyous activity. Here no limitation of age, educational opportunities, or experience is imposed. Here opportunity for growing in spiritual grace and spiritual beauty is afforded each one who regards his church membership as a vital part of his experience.
Many Christian Scientists today remember that in the churches to which they belonged before becoming students of Christian Science a great effort was made to have people become converted and join the church, since this was regarded as the way to salvation. People were exhorted to profess religion and persuaded to join the church as the way to attain a state of blessedness in a future world, and joining the church may sometimes have appeared to be all that was required.
