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.
