The year that Mary Baker Eddy established The Christian Science Monitor, its Editor-in-Chief, Archibald McLellan, wrote that Christian Scientists were “requested to subscribe for the Monitor” because its success rested solely on their support, though they alone would not be interested in a paper of such high quality and “character” (Christian Science Sentinel, October 17, 1908). More than simply subscribe to the Monitor, or read it, the expectation was that Christian Scientists everywhere would engage with its content on a deeply spiritual level, in order to help meet humanity’s pressing need for stability, justice, peace, and healing, in a challenging world.
During a conference call with Christian Science teachers worldwide, two members of the Christian Science Board of Directors, Skip Phinney and Scott Preller, spoke frankly on this subject in relation to the Church-wide focus on Christ-healing. Scott is also Chair of the Board of Trustees, which has oversight of the business operations of the Monitor and the entire Christian Science Publishing Society. Their conversation was edited for the Journal.
Skip: Scott, in the boardroom I hear about a lot of interesting things that are going on with the Monitor, but they’re just pieces.You have a larger picture, a sense that something very important and different seems to be happening.
