A friend once told of a time when she had a key to the church to which she belonged and could come and go as she needed. She attributed this to being an active member. I replied that perhaps she had hit upon a way to help inactive church members become more involved. Give all members keys to the church!
As I thought about this later on, it occurred to me that there is a better answer to the problem of inactive membership. For doesn't every member of a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, already have his own key to the church available to him? A key that the doors to unselfish service and spiritual growth can never resist! What is this key and how can each member claim and employ it?
In the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy writes: "Our church is built on the divine Principle, Love. We can unite with this church only as we are new-born of Spirit, as we reach the Life which is Truth and the Truth which is Life by bringing forth the fruits of Love,—casting out error and healing the sick." Science and Health, p. 35 That word unite identifies the key available to each member. He will find his active status as he truly unites with church by being "new-born of Spirit," rather than only joining through meeting formal requirements and signing a membership book.
