A branch Church of Christ, Scientist, grows in the measure that it demonstrates the spiritual idea of Church. This demonstration includes realizing the power and all-inclusiveness of the divine idea, Church, practicing the qualities of God expressive of the idea, and sharing divine Science, the promised Comforter, in a meaningful and healing way with the community.
As God is perfect Mind, every expression of His must be perfect—including Church. Mrs. Eddy discerned the spiritual, perfect Church. In the Glossary of Science and Health she defines it this way: "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle."Science and Health, p. 583; In absolute reality, the infinite, eternal, spiritual nature of Church is a present fact, for Truth, God, is ever present.
To understand better "the structure of Truth and Love," I studied the synonyms for God (Love, Truth, Principle) found in the definition of "Church." This helps reveal the attributes of God comprising the elements and form of the idea. Here are just a few of the thoughts that came into focus for me:
