Suppose you are a new member, attending your first business meeting, eager to learn how a Christian Science branch church operates. Longing to be a participant in the advancement of Christian Science, you may wonder just how a church serves the community and what your contribution might be.
Someone sets the tone for the meeting with brief readings from the Bible and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy. The clerk reads the minutes of the last meeting. You attentively listen to reports and other current transactions and become aware of functioning committees.
Would a "distinctly democratic" organization, as branch church government is designated in the Manual of The Mother Church by Mrs. Eddy,See Man., Art. XXIII, Sect. 10. appear to be in operation to you as that newcomer? Would the membership body appear interested and alert to the proceedings? Would there be lively, thoughtful discussions when appropriate? Would brotherly love be exemplified? Then you would be seeing a thriving church, a church growing as each member progresses and participates.
