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Church Directors announce Church Alive focus

September 7, 2010. The Christian Science Board of Directors sent the following email message to members and friends of the Church. “We’d like to tell you about CHURCH ALIVE, the theme we have decided to focus on in the upcoming year.

“Church is an idea that has been defined in many ways over the centuries within the Christian tradition. For some, the idea of church may conjure up images of a safe and peaceful place to commune with the Divine. For others, church may be more aligned with a like-minded community and fellowship. For Christian Scientists, church is much more than a place or a community. We look forward to exploring together the spiritual basis and awakening impact of Church.

“Mary Baker Eddy recognized that the only way to unite with this higher sense of Church is through being “new-born of Spirit” and through “healing” (Science and Health, p. 35). In its purest form, Church is the spiritual structure of Truth’s infinite ideas and Love’s boundless activities anchored in the timeless wisdom of divine Principle. We all have the gift of discovering and practicing more of this unlimited divine idea.

“Over the next 12 months, we’ll work with Christian Scientists in two or three locations to organize regional Church Summits open to all. These meetings will consist of talks and discussions designed to address the Field’s needs and will be guided by the Church Manual’s simple, inspired direction. There will also be Church Summit activities in areas that wish to participate, including Boston, during the weekend before Annual Meeting. (This will be discussed more fully on christianscience.com.) And beginning this October, we’ll host a special section on christianscience.com for sharing your insights, inspiration, and experiences about the rousing power of Church.

“Today is our launch of CHURCH ALIVE. We hope you’ll join us as we explore the meaning and possibilities of awakening to Spirit’s Church—to Love’s rich harvest awaiting our communities and the world.”

Posted: September 8, 2010 | 9:41 am

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Comments:

1. Douglas Buettner, USA says:

To me CHURCH is something I can take anywhere I go, to practice its principles and demonstrate its ability to provide positive powerful solutions. It is more than a structure of physical dimensions. There is richness in the whole spiritual world of Christian believers or congregations that follow and master infinite healing and blessings to all with good thoughts and harmony combined. It is the sharing of thanksgiving to every right occasion. Church is that institution that affords proof of a meeting of hearts and Mind that is the union of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost that reins in divine Truth, Life, and Love.

2. Brad Thurber says:

I am delighted to hear of the “Church Alive” activity over the next twelve months. However, I do have one thought. It seems that the focus (at least this is the way I see it) is to be entirely metaphysical. I sincerely hope that there will be some discussion of more earthly and mundane matters. Many of the branches are in a precarious state and I would hope that there will be some input and discussion of practical ways to hopefully revitalize these dwindling church organizations..

3. Les O. says:

“Church Alive” what a vibrant topic! There are so many aspects to the Christian Science Church that I hope such an undertaking will properly address. A vibrant Sunday church service, a vibrant Wednesday testimony service, a vibrant Sunday School for children to adults up to age 20, a vibrant Reading Room, and vibrant Christian Science lectures/talks are what come to mind when I think of “Church Alive.” Branch churches are meant to be self-governing, so I do hope this effort won’t impose heavily on the individualism and uniqueness which enables each branch church to demonstrate “church” in their own way. One website on Christian Science says it best: “While other websites are focused on CS teens and college-aged folks …(csdirectory.com).” This effort should NOT be for a particular class of Christian Scientists. Nobody should be left out. Church should be all-inclusive, from the youngest to the oldest.

Personally, I feel most branch churches are doing an excellent job of keeping “Church Alive!” Healing is the heart and soul of Christian Science. Healing is the Life of Christian Science which allows this church to be “alive.” I continue to see much evidence of healing taking place in the Christian Sciences churches.

4. NJL, Minneapolis says:

What a wonderful focus. The more we embrace the healing and regenerating ideas as taught in Christian Science, the more we feel the union with fellow church members, our Associations, and fellow seekers & participants. And ultimately our spiritual structures are strengthened, which is bound to have effects physically.

5. Jill Uk says:

Just a a little thought to share:
Reading hymn 203 , gave me a great inspiration – when thinking about the activity we are involved in as a “Church Alive”. Particularly the line:

“The living Truth that makes men free”

Also the Maginal heading in S&H “Condition of progress” where we are guided to a question:

“Am I demonstrating the healing power of Truth and Love? If so, then the way will grow brighter “unto the perfect day.” ” S&H496

Thankyou for this focus and impetus to “be” church alive.

6. Pamela Cook says:

Thank you for this inspired topic!

In praying to support it, I’ve been drawn to the closing phrases of the definition of “CHURCH” in the Glossary of Science and Health. It is full of active verbs! “rousing…casting out…healing….” This seems to say that church is an active concept, not a physical building or a time each week. It puts demands on us, too, if we are to demonstrate church, to “afford proof” of the usefulness of church.

If we guard against the lure of sleepiness — making sure we do not let our thoughts and actions lie dormant — I think we will necessarily see more and more evidence of the church that is alive — and lives forever.

7. Brad Thurber says:

I have been waiting to see the “special section” referred to in the original announcement from the Mother Church. It is already October 16th, and so far I have not seen any evidence of this “special section”. Has there been some kind of delay in the program? Please let me know.

8. hedrickj says:

Brad,

Yes, there was a delay in launching the special section. However it is ready now at http://christianscience.com/church-alive/. Or you can click on the Church Alive link on the home page.

There will be an official launch in a day or two.