Democracy as practiced in any branch Church of Christ, Scientist, makes special demands upon its members. The most important rule of democratic procedure allows a majority to pass decisions for ultimate action and implies that the minority will then support the joint purpose. Christian Scientists observe this rule but accept necessities far in excess of it.
Speaking of what she calls "the Magna Charta of Christian Science," Mary Baker Eddy writes, "Essentially democratic, its government is administered by the common consent of the governed, wherein and whereby man governed by his creator is self-governed." The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 247
Christ Jesus provided the perfect example of this God-governed self-government. He said of his relationship with the Father, "I do always those things that please him" John 8:29 and "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." 5:30 In order to hear, he must have listened; then he acted accordingly. Listening to what the creator is constantly saying to His creation is the key to effective church work.
