CHURCH is spiritually defined in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy (p. 583), as "the structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle." Church is indispensable to man, for man cannot do without that which proceeds from divine Principle. Church is often referred to as the house of God.
"I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness," sang the Psalmist centuries ago (Ps. 84:10). As doorkeepers in God's house we have to watch that no false concept of Church enters our consciousness.
The Psalmist speaks of "the tents of wickedness." A tent is only a temporary dwelling place. He who allows thought to dwell in wickedness—material thinking—finds it a very impermanent dwelling, the opposite of the house of God, and sooner or later he is forced to abandon it.
Realizing the truth about Church brings a better expression of Church into our experience, just as realizing the scientific truth concerning health brings a fuller expression of health into our life. As alert doorkeepers we should dwell on the spiritual facts regarding Church, and in proportion as we do, will the purpose of the Church of Christ, Scientist, be furthered.
Occasionally we hear of someone who has broken away from active church membership. Perhaps because of some disagreement with other church members or because of lethargy he stopped his church activity and gradually lost interest in attending. After a while he stopped studying. He accepted the evil suggestion that he did not need the church. Finally he may have found himself faced with trouble. Only then was he willing to leave the impermanent dwelling of his own false concepts and lay hold of the true idea of being which the church proclaims. How much the errant one could have been spared had he been an alert doorkeeper and refused to admit into thought the first suggestion of inharmony that led him to separate himself from his unity with the church.
Recognizing the Christly mission of the Christian Science church, the earnest student naturally desires to have some part in its work. Many at first accept participation in church activity out of deep gratitude that there is a Christian Science organization which promotes the teaching of its Discoverer and Founder. One student reasoned thus: "Without the human organization which publishes and protects the writings of Mrs. Eddy that cheer, counsel, and heal, this precious revelation might not have come to me. Because countless unknown Christian Scientists have faithfully served their church, the truth became available to me. Out of gratitude for this heaven-sent revelation and the earnest workers who have made it possible for me to have it, I desire to do my share that others may have Christian Science also."
The student soon finds that the service he gives out of gratitude brings him many blessings, not the least of which is the opportunity to know and associate with other active Christian Scientists. Those who truly desire to serve the Cause find the way open for such service regardless of what their circumstances may be. If at present they cannot serve actively, they can be mental doorkeepers and support those who are serving.
An experience along this line was that of a Christian Scientist who had moved to a new locality and transferred her membership to the local branch church. She had had the privilege of teaching in the Sunday School for several years. Because this work had brought her much joy and spiritual growth, she wanted to serve in the same capacity in her new church; but she was not appointed a teacher.
After some months a member told her that there was a need of teachers and recommended that she offer her services to the Sunday School committee. This she did, but still she was not given a class. Many more months passed, and she became resentful because she felt that her offer to serve had been unappreciated. Then one day it occurred to her that she was not being an alert doorkeeper, that her thinking was not in accord with what she had taught or been taught in Sunday School.
She recalled that each Sunday when she had served as a teacher in the former Sunday School, she had silently declared, "God alone is the Teacher." Then she thought: "God is always the Teacher and provides for the teaching here as there. What difference does it make whether or not I have a class? Is it not my duty to do prayerful work for the Sunday School the same as if I were a teacher?" Earnest declarations of truth regarding the Sunday School activity were made from then on whenever she thought of teaching. Very shortly thereafter, without having taken any further footsteps, she was asked to serve as a Sunday School teacher.
In the kingdom of heaven there is no rivalry. The realization that in reality he is God's reflection enables one to perform his church duties efficiently, without concerning himself as to whether he is carrying them out better than someone else. Human education falsely teaches that man has a mind and a life separate from God, and that if one is to be successful he must outdo his fellow man; whereas Christian Science teaches that God is the Mind and Life of man, and that He impartially imparts intelligence to all of His ideas.
The belief that one reflects more intelligence than another culminates in envy, which is "discontent, or uneasiness at the sight of another's excellence or good fortune." One striving consciously or unconsciously to be "best" often feels uneasiness if someone else's work appears to be better than his. Christian Science wipes out the false belief of envy with the truth that God is the source of all good and all impartially express good. As we grasp this fact, we can freely enjoy and appreciate the good work done by another for the church.
As watchful doorkeepers we do not strive to excel our fellow man, but find our work for our church is much more effective when we recognize that "there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all" (I Cor. 12:6). The earnest church worker appreciates the good which has been accomplished by his predecessors in office; and when his own term of office is finished, he turns it over to his successor, knowing that ever-present Mind will guide and protect this one and will continue to advance God's purpose through the activity of the church.
Just as all members need the church, so the church needs all its members, needs their active and loving support. Perhaps there are those who feel that they have served the church long enough, and that someone else should be given the opportunity to serve in their place. This, of course, may sometimes be true, but one needs to guard his thought against what may be an evil suggestion that would deprive the church of his useful service.
An appropriate term of service in a minor office is not to be determined entirely by the question of time one has served, but by the need of the church for the individual's service. Relying humbly on divine guidance, one will know when to accept or leave an office. He will not base his decision as to continuing in the office merely on the length of time that he has served unless, of course, the by-laws of his branch church rule otherwise.
The writer one day observed on the ushers' staff of a large metropolitan church three former First Readers, five former members of the Board of Directors, several men who had served on the ushers' staff for ten years or more, several who were comparatively new members of the church, and one who had been studying Christian Science for only two years. Here truly was democracy in church activity. Experienced workers were using the fruits of their experience to advance the good of their church, training and helping those with lesser experience. Each was working side by side in the Cause of Christian Science, and all were progressing together.
In our homes we are often called upon to express loving compassion toward some erring member, to deny the material sense testimony and see this one as he really is— spiritual and perfect. Likewise in our church home, we may sometimes be called upon to deny the material sense testimony which claims that a fellow member is manifesting undesirable traits and realize what we know to be spiritually true about man.
Christian Science teaches that love is the way of peace and harmony. Without the expression of love, home ceases to be a home. It is important in our work as doorkeepers in the house of God that we love our fellow members, for by reflecting love we demonstrate peace and harmony in our church.
When church members hold to the true idea of Church, the truth of the Psalmist's words is seen (Ps. 84:1): "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts!"
