Article May 19, 1934 Issue

Church Work

GEORGE VIRGIL STEED

Church work in Christian Science demands consecrated selflessness and true humility; and in all our work we are called upon to see for our neighbor, as well as for ourselves, that there is no true selfhood apart from God. Active membership in a Christian Science church offers untold opportunity for spiritual growth through selfless service, and furnishes a perfect antidote for selfish ambition. If one desires to render the very highest service to his fellow men, he will seek to dwell "in the secret place of the most High," to remain in the atmosphere of Spirit, to enlarge his understanding of Truth and Love. One of the avenues through which this enlargement can be gained is that of church work; for therein is constant demand for patience, tolerance, promptness, faithfulness, loving-kindness, forgiveness, purity, humility; and are not all these expressions of Truth and Love?

In the Beatitudes we read, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." As the real Church is spiritual, only the pure in heart can behold it; and as this vision is essential to harmonious and successful church activity, it is imperative that we, as church members, maintain purity of thought and motive. This clarified vision uplifts our consciousness to discern the truth, spiritualizes our motives and purposes, and harmonizes all our activities. In order that the activity of each individual member shall be profitable to the Cause of Christian Science, each one must have a clear perception of the true idea, Church, which shows forth the omnipotence and omnipresence of God, divine Truth and Love; and this vision of the true Church excludes the false sense of a selfhood apart from God, which would strive for place or power in the organization.

Since God is All, and man is the emanation of God, His full expression, man already has all of good, and does not need to get anything; and since the omnipotent power of God is expressed through His creation, man does not have to struggle for power or place. Any member, then, who would strive for place or power in a Christian Science church would by such selfish or fearful striving be denying the allness, the omnipotence and omnipresence, of God, the understanding of which alone prepares one to fill any position of trust in the church organization.

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