A major revitalization project is underway on the 14.5-acre site surrounding The Mother Church in Boston. Recently Barbara Burley, Harley Gates, and Robert Herlinger discussed both the spiritual foundations and practical steps of the work. Barb and Harley are the Church’s Senior Managers of Real Estate Planning and Business Operations, respectively. Bob is Chief Architect and Strategist.
Barbara Burley: In her definition of Church, Mary Baker Eddy wrote that it “affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race” (Science and Health, p. 583). I have found praying with these concepts to be the basis for the full practical benefits we’ve witnessed in our work. Utility can mean seeing God’s abundant good around us and the continuous divine balance of supply and demand.
An example of managing Church resources for greater utility was consolidating employees from three buildings into one (the Christian Science Publishing House) in 2008. Because of changes in the way we work today, the Church doesn’t need as many employees in Boston or the amount of space we did 20 years ago. We now lease unused space in two buildings to third parties. This has had many benefits, including bringing employees closer to one another and enabling more efficient teamwork; adding a significant revenue stream to the Church; providing unique and beautiful office space to our lessees; and contributing to the well-being of the City of Boston, which receives increased property taxes from the commercial leasing.
