What's required for someone to unite with a branch Church of Christ, Scientist, will vary from one church to another, often reflecting the particular culture or times. This individuality is a reflection of "Local Self-government," which Mary Baker Eddy provided for in her Church Manual, under the section "The Mother Church and Branch Churches." The Manual says that "each Church of Christ, Scientist, shall have its own form of government" Manual, p. 70. and that "in Christian Science each branch church shall be distinctly democratic in its government, and no individual, and no other church shall interfere with its affairs." Ibid., p. 74.It's in this context that branches sometimes rethink the process for accepting the new members to their congregations who will join in bringing the message of Science and Health to their neighbors.
Take Fifth Church, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Member Mayal Tshiabuila points to "the new spirit in which Fifth Church admits applicants for membership. At the last session, it was more the love of Christian Science, the desire to grow spiritually and support the church ideal that were considered, instead of testing applicants in any way."
