As mortal history ticks off passing years, it is good occasionally to evaluate where we stand on the question of age. Many of us are familiar with Mrs. Eddy's admonition "Never record ages." Science and Health, p. 246. Some of us may have given up birthday remembrances in an effort to be strictly obedient to this command. Perhaps we deny the beliefs of old age each morning in our daily prayers. We declare ourselves to be made in the likeness of God, who is eternal Life, and accept our strength, spontaneity, and vitality as intact in Spirit.
But how are we doing when it comes to the age of our church?
When we look at our branch Church of Christ, Scientist, or one in a nearby community, do we see signs commonly associated with old age—apathy, retirement from the mainstream of life, being out of touch with the concerns of youth, loss of vitality and enthusiasm, a tendency to make excuses for decline and become resigned to it, an inclination to look back nostalgically on past activity rather than put energy into present growth? These negative states of thought are all part of the belief that church is an aging mortal institution with a beginning, a middle, and an end. In the book of Revelation, we find a pertinent warning to the church in Sardis: "I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die." Rev. 3:1,2. This is a challenge today that must be met by any church finding itself tempted by suggestions of decline.
Church members whose families have practiced Christian Science for several generations may sometimes be lulled into taking this Science for granted, and those who know little about it may write it off as a nineteenth-century religion. But the Science remains every bit as contemporary and revolutionary as when Mrs. Eddy first published her discovery of it in Science and Health in 1875 and stirred the interest of many thinkers; and as when Christ Jesus lived it two thousand years ago and shook the stereotypes of old religious theology.
As church members, we need to examine our attitudes toward ourselves and our religion. Do we ever think of ourselves or of fellow church members as being a little out of date? We shouldn't. As students of the Science that is pushing the frontiers of modern thought far beyond computer technology to an understanding of spiritual reality, we have no excuse for outdated thinking and nothing to apologize for as contemporary Scientists. The revolutionary impact of Christian Science remains uneclipsed by rapid developments in material technology or growing interest in parapsychology. This Science presents a vast frontier for any modern explorer seeking a challenge that could help spiritually transform the world in which we live.
But how do we bring this inquisitive, exploratory attitude—generally associated with youth—into churches that appear to be nodding off under beliefs of age? By recognizing Christian Science as the revolutionary force it really is and letting it stir us into more active love for God and man; by giving up self-centered living and pushing our thoughts out beyond the confines of materiality into a new dimension of spiritual reality.
As we pray specifically to counteract beliefs of age, it is helpful to be alert to certain tendencies. Selfishness, complaint, adherence to mere routine, allowing human opinions to override spiritual love and wisdom—these partake of materiality, not spirituality. To the extent that we let such things creep into our church work, our churches experience aging, progress loses momentum, those seeking healing look elsewhere. This downward trend cannot be reversed simply by filling our churches with "young" mortals who will in turn someday become "old" mortals, but by turning from mortality—either young or old—and seeing church as comprising the ageless qualities of Spirit. We need to better understand Mrs. Eddy's definition of "Church": "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle.
"The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick." Science and Health, p. 583.
According to general belief, the process of aging creeps up on us year by year and cannot be avoided, but Science and Health implies a reverse process. It states: "When outgrowing the old, you should not fear to put on the new." Ibid., p. 452. Think of what that actually says! We outgrow the old rather than grow into it. This is the only logical direction for growth to take. With increasing experience in church work, we can learn to express the love that prevents feuds, the humility that avoids forcing human opinions on others, the inspiration that cuts through routine, the gratitude that silences complaint. These timeless lessons can lift a church out of apathy into the unrestricted growth of ageless being.
Every member can contribute to this work. Even if you seem to be the only one in your church who understands the need for more lively dedication to the teachings of Christ, Truth, your impact can be significant. Your unselfish service, Christian living, brotherly love, and healing works can help rejuvenate your church and forward the growth of the Cause of Christian Science. Commenting on the importance of each individual, Mrs. Eddy writes in Pulpit and Press, "A single drop of water may help to hide the stars, or crown the tree with blossoms." Pul, p. 4.
If we see any stretches of parched desert in our church activities, let's not be reluctant "drops," withholding the outpouring of love that brings renewal. Let's let our love, rather than our criticism, rain gently on those who seem to have fallen asleep at the altar, as well as on the eager newcomers who seek Christ's healing touch for the first time.
As we live our lives, in church and out, in a more Christly way—giving up self-absorption and critical reserve for the unselfish adventure of loving our neighbors and healing as Christ Jesus taught—we will inevitably find more inquirers responding enthusiastically to the attractions of spiritual life. But if we are plodding along complacently, pausing for only occasional moments of inspiration and then returning to the old human routine, we should not be surprised if our churches appear less attractive to our neighbors than the latest science fiction movie. As we live daily on the forefront of Christianly scientific exploration, demonstrating the truth that shatters mortal limitations and reveals greater capabilities and freedom for mankind, our churches will manifest the lively spirit of ageless progress. This is the means by which a church can meet the challenge of the Revelator's message to the church at Sardis: "Strengthen the things which remain."
Perhaps some people, hearing Christian Science referred to as the "final" revelation of Truth or as a "complete" revelation, may think this means the adventure is all over and there is no more opportunity for scientific research in this field. Far from it. The discovery of Christian Science has been made, yes; the complete statement of Principle has been recorded; but the full demonstration of this Science remains to be accomplished— and the attainment of this goal involves ample opportunities for any willing adventurer. Let's approach this work in our churches with a vitality that draws its continuity from inexhaustible Life. This activity not only releases our churches from historical beliefs of aging and cycles of growth and decline, but helps bring fullness and inspiration to the life of each member or inquirer who enters our church doors.
