The Growth of the Church

JOHN A. BARRON

To speak of the growth of the Christian Science church is another way of referring to the growth in spiritual understanding of its members. By recalling Mrs. Eddy's statement in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 450), "The Christian Scientist has enlisted to lessen evil, disease, and death; and he will overcome them by understanding their nothingness and the allness of God, or good," it is seen that every member of a Church of Christ, Scientist, accepts very definite responsibility.

A call goes forth to groups of like-minded individuals in communities to provide, through church activity, a means whereby other Truth-seekers may have an opportunity to learn of the blessings of Christian Science. As each individual member thus associated demonstrates in thought, word, and deed more of Truth and Love, the Church, which our Leader defines in part as "the structure of Truth and Love" (Science and Health, p. 583), is expressed in fact, and is found accomplishing its lofty purpose, elevating mankind by destroying the beliefs of mortal mind, and replacing these falsities with an understanding of God, divine Mind, and of man as made in God's likeness.

As the church expresses the truth as taught in Christian Science, and demonstrates the Christ, growth is found as a fulfillment of the promise Jesus gave, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." By lifting thought from material concepts to the spiritual consciousness of Christ, Truth, it is possible to see a degree of completeness expressed in every department of church work, thus proving that God is an unfailing source of supply, meeting every rightful need as the church progresses.

At a certain point of development, the activity of the church is expressed in the building or purchase of an edifice or church home. This period of growth needs practical and constant application of the truth of Christian Science, in order that progress may be made step by step according to spiritual unfoldment. The demonstration is expressed in outward form, visible as a beacon light of Truth in the community.

Those who have read the book entitled, "The Mother Church," by Joseph Armstrong, understand some of the problems to be met with during the construction of such an edifice. While the problems may not always take the same form as those which presented themselves in building the edifice of The Mother Church, nevertheless the errors which would try to obstruct progress are always mentally similar, and must be handled and destroyed.

Each member of the church, endeavoring to follow the commands of Christ Jesus to go into the world, preach the gospel, and heal the sick, should do his part in daily work for both himself and the church. Loyally supporting and obediently following the direction found in consecrated study of church building, the members of a Church of Christ, Scientist, are carrying out the wishes of our beloved Leader, as given on page 50 of "Retrospection and Introspection" where she says, "I see clearly that students in Christian Science should, at present, continue to organize churches, schools, and associations for the furtherance and unfolding of Truth."

The unfoldment of divine ideas brings to the members of the church an understanding of the brotherhood of man, and of the means whereby Christ Jesus' words, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them," may be practically demonstrated. One important service is this building and maintenance of a church home, as a haven for those seeking to know God. Those who have experienced healing and comfort through the ministrations of Christian Science find it a joyful privilege to aid new seekers to attain these blessings. And this aid is given most practically through the channels afforded in church organization. Thus, as each member grows in good deeds, the church expresses true growth, and is found reaping the harvest with songs of thanksgiving to God.

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On Practicing What We Have Learned

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