In some respects, service as a Reader in a Church of Christ, Scientist, begins even before being elected by the congregation. Since it's not a permanent post, but one shared over the years by many members of the congregation, there must be many members whose hearts are being prepared for future service, regardless of whoever may be reading at any particular time. The Bible says that "the preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord." Prov. 16:1. In fact, this spiritual preparation of the heart that makes men and women receptive to the Word of God is often going on before people even find their way into a church service.
I know that in my case my heart was being prepared long before I even thought about service as a Reader in my local branch church. In fact, as the time approached for two new Readers to be elected, I was pretty sure I wasn't ready for such service. Many changes had taken place in my career, and I just didn't believe there was any way I could take on additional responsibilities in church.
One small incident at a church preparation meeting for an upcoming Christian Science lecture was a catalyst for me and changed my outlook. There was a small job to do, which involved reading a paper at the meeting. I was asked to do this when I arrived. At first I hesitated, but then learned that others had been unwilling to do it. I asked myself, "What if everyone declined?" So I gladly agreed.
Later that night I pondered what would happen if there were no workers on behalf of Christian Science in our community. I thought about how much Christian Science means to me and how it had shown me what God is and that I am His child. That night was a turning point in my life and in my feelings about service to my church. Little did I expect, however, that I would be elected to serve as a Reader in our branch church at the upcoming meeting. But that's just what happened.
After the election I spent the entire night in prayer. My desire was similar to King Solomon's in the Bible—for God to give me a wise and understanding heart. I was also greatly helped by a statement from Mrs. Eddy's Science and Health, where she writes of the humblest or mightiest disciple not murmuring when either drinks from the Master's cup. I could certainly see myself as one of the humblest! And then she goes on to say about Jesus, "He was to prove that the Christ is not subject to material conditions, but is above the reach of human wrath, and is able, through Truth, Life, and Love, to triumph over sin, sickness, death, and the grave." Science and Health, p. 49. I realized this presence of Christ, Truth, is with each one who serves in God's name.
As the power of Truth is understood, and this is the essential purpose of worship in Christian Science, this understanding does destroy whatever is opposed to God, good. No form of evil can obstruct a Reader of a church service undergirded by spiritual understanding and love for Truth. While there may be some ordeal in any service to God, due to Truth's destruction of error, it is an exalting ordeal that overcomes evil and error. And so it proved in my term as a Reader.
The power of the Word of God is a spiritual power that uplifts human thought to understand the presence and reality of God and of man as His spiritual expression. This power is what is represented in all the elements of a church service: the hymns, the Scriptural Selection that opens the service, the solo, the Bible Lesson, the Benediction on Sunday, the selections chosen by the Reader for midweek testimony meetings, and the Silent Prayer and the Lord's Prayer shared by the whole congregation. All these serve to lead us to an understanding of the omnipotence of God and the powerlessness of evil, whatever form it may claim to take.
The Readership in a Church of Christ, Scientist, can have no element of self-seeking if it is to be true to the Word of God. Rather it is a process of spiritual growth that comes through a deep love for God and for Christian Science, a love that naturally includes our fellowman. It is this spiritual love that enables one joyously to make the effort this position entails. Mrs. Eddy writes, "Never absent from your post, never off guard, never ill-humored, never unready to work for God,—is obedience; being 'faithful over a few things.'" Miscellaneous Writings, p. 116.
One of the early midweek meetings at which I read taught me a great deal about the power of the Word to heal. The first testifier told how a pain in her chest had been healed during the readings from the Bible and Science and Health. Another testified that he had come to the meeting feeling alone and distressed by world problems, but after listening to the readings and the testimonies, he didn't feel alone anymore.
The truths contained in the weekly Bible Lessons from the Christian Science Quarterly are, of course, for Readers and congregation alike. The realization of this frees one from a sense of reading at the congregation. Truth reveals itself to each individual and requires neither overly-dramatized emphasis nor personal interpretations.
I often thought during my term of reading, "What is it that made Christ Jesus, and many of his followers, including Mrs. Eddy, such compelling speakers?"
I often thought during my term of reading, "What is it that made Christ Jesus, and many of his followers, including Mrs. Eddy, such compelling speakers?" Surely it was the conviction they felt and the proof they gave of Truth. Christ Jesus said, "My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me" John 7:16. and "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away." Mark 13:31 Perhaps it would be accurate to say that those who have felt the power of the Word have then conveyed the message as one speaking to a much-loved friend on a subject that they loved with all their heart. It is a true breaking of bread—the bread of Truth.
As the three years progressed in my term as Reader, I found it to be true that as we serve God we will find His outstretched arms to be always present. Once when I was struggling with a physical problem, I realized that since I was serving as a Reader out of obedience to God, I would be able to conform to His requirements. And this proved true— the difficulty was healed.
During the last year I had an experience that proved to me that divine Love is a sure liberator. One Saturday I received a call at work, informing me that my closest friend had passed on. While I never doubted that I would be at my post the next morning, I was struggling with grief and feelings of loss. As I prayed and prepared for the Sunday morning service, I saw that the purpose of the service is to uplift and to heal, to comfort each one there. I actually forgot myself in my love for the congregation. I was lifted above the grief and I read freely.
The quiet time spent in prayer before a church service is, I came to see, indispensable. It became a time of assurance of God's all-embracing and protecting presence. I learned a lesson during those times of preparation that really encompasses the whole experience of serving as a Reader. It is this: the truth that is expressed in the church service through the readings from the Bible and Science and Health is not confined to those within the walls of the church edifice.
The truth that is loved, listened to, and lived goes forth to benefit those who are present as well as those who do not yet realize what these services are. In fact, as people, hungry for an understanding of God and of man's real Godlike nature, gather for worship, what's taking place is an all-inclusive activity. It is a true community happening that is a part of the spiritual preparation of the heart of everyone. Truth itself is limitless and divine Love is unbounded. This is the real reason that the power of the Word is for all. And it does bring healing to the world.
