A growing number of Christian Scientists are learning how to answer inquiries about their religion in ways that produce insight rather than argument; they are learning to communicate with rather than preach at. They are being called upon by the Manager of Christian Science Committees on Publication to share with non-Scientists something of what it means to be a Christian Scientist, the part healing plays in a Scientist's life, and an idea of the history and organization of the Church of Christ, Scientist.
They have been guests of youth groups, service clubs, theological students, ministerial groups, medical students, doctors and nurses, interracial groups, ecumenical gatherings, high school students, and philosophy, sociology, and comparative religion classes. One talk was given for some retarded children. Another was in process at a fire station when the alarm sounded. In a snap the room emptied as firemen slid down the brass pole and jumped onto the engines; but before too long they were back, eager to resume with their questions about Christian Science.
More than twelve hundred talks were given this past year by Committees on Publication, their assistants, or appointees. Selected Committees are now holding regional speakers' seminars around the United States to train small groups of potential speakers. "If a non-Scientist audience just catches something of our sense of God and the reality of Spirit," said one experienced speaker, "I feel that the mission has been successful."
