Where shall we build it? How shall it be designed? Whom shall we engage as architect and builder? How large shall it be? How shall we finance it? These are a few of the questions with which a church membership may begin to consider a new church edifice. But there is one question that provides the key to the success of the entire project. It is Why? What is the purpose of the membership in considering these questions?
The "why" governs the "where" and the "how" and the "whom." In fact it is the difference between a demonstration of the power and love of God and an illustration of human will at work. For example: if the leading thought on the location is to place the building in Mind, the prayers of the members will be directed toward the exemplification of the activity of Mind in every detail of the work. The business of selecting a site will then proceed with wisdom and perception gained from conscious communion with Mind.
Because Mind is God, and man is in reality His image or reflection, every moment spent in acknowledging God as the only Mind and in submitting meekly to the guidance of that Mind results in spiritualization of thought. And with spiritualized thought the members of the church, and the members of the building committee in particular, will be spiritually perceptive. The practicality of their wisdom will be enhanced. They will be more than commonly alert, and they will be guided divinely.
If it is understood that God is Love, then locating the church in Mind will necessarily include placing it where it will serve Love's purpose. Remembering that Love's purpose for mankind is being fulfilled in this age through Mrs. Eddy's revelation and her founding of the Church of Christ, Scientist, we see each branch church as part of this fulfillment. But the particular role played by the individual church depends upon the demonstration of its members.
In Revelation (12:15, 16) we read: "And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. And the earth helped the woman."
Explaining this passage, our Leader writes in Science and Health (p. 570): "Millions of unprejudiced minds—simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert—are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name, and never fear the consequences." She continues: "What if the old dragon should send forth a new flood to drown the Christ-idea? He can neither drown your voice with its roar, nor again sink the world into the deep waters of chaos and old night. In this age the earth will help the woman; the spiritual idea will be understood."
Shall we find a site for our church where the Christian Scientists are, or shall we locate it where the "unprejudiced minds" are? Where shall our voice be heard above the roar of error? When these questions are answered in the heart of each member, the power of God, Truth and Love, will move mountains to make room for our church. The self-satisfied, easeseeking thought will vanish, and a healing, saving church, dedicated to the Christ-idea, will take form.
Why shall it be designed? To please ourselves or to make Truth available to the community? A love-motivated church will appeal to the thought of the community today and to the thought of generations to come. If the "why" is love, the members will look with love on the changing thoughts and needs of changing times; and in building a church, they will find a way to contribute to the meeting of these needs.
The building of a branch church is a human project. It is successful if it expresses spiritualized motives of prayerful members. What is expressed is spiritual reality, but the manifestation is human. Efficiency, orderliness, usefulness, beauty, attractiveness—these qualities manifest the perfection and harmony of divine Principle.
In the Glossary of Science and Health (p. 583), Mrs. Eddy gives the definition of "Church" as follows:
"The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle.
"The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick."
When a church is built according to this pattern, personal opinions will yield to the thoughts which best express the desires of the membership as a whole. There may be many personal opinions stemming from different backgrounds and different stages of growth, but prayer will establish unity of thought on the basis of the one Mind, divine Love. The exchange of thoughts will be constructive, and each will learn from the other and learn too how to understand the needs of the whole.
As the work proceeds it will be evident that the structure is being erected, not only on a site of land, but in the hearts of individual members. The very appearance of the resulting edifice will enrich the community. It will stand as a welcome to every man, woman, and child to come and drink of the living water of Truth. It will stand as a base of operations for giving "a cup of cold water in Christ's name" and for "rousing the dormant understanding."
In other words, completion of the structure will be only the beginning of the building activity. This activity will continue, if it is rightly begun, and it will fulfill the purpose for which the idea of a branch church was conceived by our Leader.
