Visit “Let’s talk about lectures,” the Board of Lectureship’s discussion forum. Read inspiring lecture accounts posted by fellow members.
Develop a plan to include the whole church membership in metaphysical support of your Manual-based lecture activity.
Work together as a church to know that your community is receptive to the Christ, Truth, and that a Christian Science lecture will bring healing to any problem faced by your community.
Consult the lecturers’ biographical information and titles and prayerfully select a lecturer to contact. Call or email your first choice only. If he/she isn’t available, then contact another one rather than contacting more than one at a time.
Discuss with the lecturer your goal, possible type of event(s) and location(s), date(s), lecture fee, expenses, etc., and keep in touch with your lecturer about any new developments, concerns, or needs that arise throughout the planning process.
Secure a location for your event, or multiple events if you plan to give more than one lecture.
If you have a CSO (Christian Science Organization) at a local college or university in your area, let them know about your lecture. CSO members may be able to promote your lecture on campus or schedule their own lecture when the lecturer is in town.
Determine whether to charge an admission fee and/or sell copies of Science and Health, other writings or biographies of Mary Baker Eddy, and copies or subscriptions to the periodicals. If you would like to copy a specific article from one of the periodicals, check the issue your article is in to find out whether those pages may be reprinted. Each periodical has a page that details reprint information (usually page 27 of the Sentinel and page 2 or 3 of the Journal). Usually up to 100 reprints of any article are allowed without permission. All credits must be preserved. If you want to make more than 100 copies or want more information, please email copyright@csps.com.
Complete one lecture application form for each lecture and send each to the lecturer and the Board of Lectureship Office.
Plan a metaphysical prep meeting for your members. You may wish to invite the lecturer to participate in your meeting, they may join either in person or by speaker phone.
Determine how to handle publicity and advertising and implement your plan. Check to see if your lecturer has a publicity kit for your lecture topic on their Internet biography. Be sure to get the lecturer’s approval for wording on any new fliers, invitations, press releases, media advisories, or public advertising you create for the lecture. Check with the newspaper to see if it would be interested in a post-event press release including details of the lecture.
If you would like to use an image of Science and Health on your lecture materials, please contact the Lecture/Publicity Consultant at lecture@thebol.com or 1-617-450-3669. We can provide crisp, clear electronic images of a number of editions of Science and Health. Permission to use this image is required through the Board of Lectureship.
Logistics prior to the day of the lecture (depending on nature of the event):
Check out the facility and parking—is it open to the public that day?
Plan room set-up in an informal, welcoming way
Rent and test wireless lavaliere microphone for the lecturer before the day of lecture
Buy extra microphone batteries
Arrange for lecturer’s needs: e.g., table/podium for books, glass for water, flip chart, etc.
Assign roles for day of lecture (depending on nature of event):
Someone to open, set-up, and close the facility
Transportation for lecturer
Ushers and parking attendants
Child care?
Literature table?
Introducer?
Someone to bring signed checks to pay lecturer (one check for fees; one check for travel expenses)
Expect healing!
Consider following up with new visitors:
Get contact information from interested attendees
Invite them to services and future lectures
Tell them about your Reading Room
Make an appointment to talk later and get to know them
After the lecture, plan a fruitage sharing meeting with the membership. Post your fruitage, comments, and ideas on the “Let’s talk about lectures” discussion forum.
Submit a post-event press release to the newspaper with details of the lecture.
