Questions received from the Field indicate a rather general misunderstanding of the present status of Youth Forums and Junior Forums.
No action has ever been taken by The Mother Church either to discourage or to discontinue the activities of the Forums. They have never been official activities of The Mother Church but have always been sponsored by individual Christian Scientists.
For a number of years a Headquarters Secretary's office was maintained in Boston by The Mother Church to set standards for the Forums and to assist in their organization. In 1959 it was felt that the Headquarters Secretary's office had fulfilled its purpose. Also, there was an increasing tendency to assume that the sponsorship and supervision of the Forums was the responsibility of the Headquarters Secretary—a responsibility which this office could not possibly fulfill. The Headquarters Secretary's office was, therefore, discontinued on December 31 of that year.
It was expected that the Forums had been so well established that they would continue to function harmoniously, and many have done so. On the other hand, some Christian Scientists assumed that the closing of the Headquarters Secretary's office indicated official disapproval of the Forums. This definitely was not the case.
The Christian Science Board of Directors is confident that the Youth Forums or similar activities have much to offer our young people when properly conducted. The foundation of their success is strong local sponsorship and supervision. Since the Forums are not properly a branch church activity, this sponsorship must be assumed by local Christian Scientists functioning as individuals.
Today there is a definite need in many localities for well-organized activity of the type provided by the Forums through which our young people may be brought together to share good times in various wholesome ways. Sponsoring such an activity may prove quite demanding as well as rewarding, and the individuals undertaking this sponsorship deserve wholehearted support.
