Business meetings of a Church of Christ, Scientist, are established for the purpose of transacting such matters as are essential to the maintenance and progress of the church. When the members realize that every activity of the church functions directly or indirectly as a result of decisions made at these meetings, they understand that the importance of attending them cannot be overestimated. The business to be transacted will be lovingly and harmoniously expedited as the members come duly prepared with Godlike thoughts and motives and an understanding of the definition of "Church" as given on page 583 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. The success of a meeting largely depends on how well the members realize that in reality the divine Mind is the only Mind present and that this Mind is forever unfolding its ideas, which, when understood, effect the solution of any problem.
To provide a Soul-inspired atmosphere in a church meeting, an atmosphere endowed with such spiritual qualities as humility, unselfishness, patience, love, and peace, it should usually be prefaced with good selections read by the chairman from the Scriptures and Mrs. Eddy's writings. The Christian Scientist knows that through spiritual-mindedness the members can reach a quick and effective decision, whereas when human will and opinions are rife they may spend much time and effort in a futile attempt to arrive at some definite conclusion. A great need for each member is to realize clearly his true status as the image and likeness of God, omnipotent good, in whom there are no beliefs of impatience, confusion, or resentment. Each needs also to realize that his true being remains undisturbed under the law of Love. Then not only will harmony be obtained, but it will be maintained by divine Principle.
For a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, to continue satisfactorily its blessed mission of disseminating the truth to the world, its business meetings must function in an orderly manner under the high ideals of democratic government. This means, therefore, that each member must be accorded the opportunity of voicing his opinions and voting at business meetings. When the love of God motivates the thoughts of a Christian Scientist, he can act only to comfort, bless, and heal those with whom he associates. The truth that God's idea, man, is loving and lovable is always possible of demonstration in our daily affairs under every circumstance.
