This discussion is the first of two on the subject of associations that will appear in the Journal. It will address issues having to do with teacher/pupil relationships within Christian Science associations. The second article will cover issues related to associations without teachers. The Christian Science Board of Directors has charged the Board of Education to address both of these subjects. To this end, the Board of Education invited (who's currently serving as President of The Mother Church) to participate in this wide-ranging discussion and to research the second subject. The Board of Education presently consists of Board of Education president; , Board vice president and a member of the Board of Directors; and Normal class teacher.
TOM BLACK: Maybe we could start by defining what an association is.
OLGA CHAFFEE: It's one of the provisions that Mary Baker Eddy put in place within the system of continuing spiritual education for Christian Scientists. It's just as important as Primary class instruction, because it's inconceivable to have class instruction and then... that's it. There needs to be follow up, continuity, which gives the opportunity for both teacher and pupil to continue this spiritual education. And it's a lifetime process of education.
