Editor's note:Both the report of the Annual Meeting of The Mother Church in the July Journal, and the article "Why now?" in August raised three essential demands for the Church of Christ, Scientist, today. First, as it was made clear, this must be a Church that remains awake and active in facing head-on the impositions that would try to distance humanity from the saving Christ, Truth, which Christian Science is here to reveal. Second, the Christian Science movement must be listening, attuned and responsive to the hearts hungering for spiritual sustenance, to those who are reaching out to touch the hem of Christ's garment. And third, members must be animated by the spirit of genuine evangelism, willing and ready to share the "good news" of Christ-healing with their neighbors, with the world.
Many of the articles and the features in the Journal over the years have shown the necessary metaphysical foundation and the practical results of a Church confronting and meeting the challenges of the times through prayer, spiritual courage, and the inspired efforts of its members. From time to time, as in this issue, we will focus specifically on metaphysical articles and ideas shared by members that show clearly the basis for demonstrating a church awake and active; a movement attuned, listening; a membership alive with the spirit of genuine evangelism.
The articles "Church—instrumental to spiritual growth" by Sharon R. Maxwell, "Giving thanks in church" by Nathan A. Talbot, and "The relevance of church today" show some of the essential elements of an active church. "Community, communication, and communion" by Clifford Kapps Eriksen discusses Christian Science lectures and points to how branch churches can be listening and responding to the needs of their local communities. And finally, "Notes from Romania" by Verena Linning and "A letter from Ecuador" offer some modest examples of "evangelists" at work.
