To those who have found their way in Christian Science, Church has come to mean more than just a place to go to on Sunday morning or a group in which to obtain membership and thereby become known in the local community. To the person who has been lifted out of the thralldom of material sense through the study of Christian Science, his branch church and the Cause of Christian Science soon become two of the most important factors in his daily affairs. Second only to his search for a clearer understanding of God is his earnest desire to support that organization which Mary Baker Eddy was divinely led to establish.
His experience has furnished him with undeniable proofs that Christian Science is the truth for which he, as well as all mankind, has been seeking; and having found this truth, his gratitude knows no bounds. He finds himself understanding more and more of the might of divine goodness and experiencing joy and happiness hitherto unknown. His spiritual growth and gratitude soon manifest themselves in the desire to do consecrated church work. He soon comes to realize that it is the individual and the collective spiritual growth and gratitude of Christian Scientists the world over which support The Mother Church and its branch churches and forward their progress.
Knowing that self-examination is required for growth in Christian Science (see Miscellaneous Writings 109:8 and The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany 128:32 by Mary Baker Eddy) we should daily ask ourselves if we are entertaining the proper concept of Church. While he "was in the Spirit on the Lord's day," John was able to perceive the peace and permanence of spiritual existence and the powerlessness of mortal mind's mesmerism, which would keep mankind from experiencing the happiness and harmony of heaven here and now. One of the evils which John was inspired to warn us against is recorded in a letter to the members of the Laodicean church, and it deserves our earnest attention: "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot:I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."
