Article August 10, 1974 Issue

I Argued It Out with Myself

SUSAN ZILLIAX

How important is membership in a branch Church of Christ, Scientist? Can't I be just as effective a Christian Scientist without taking this step?

Not too long ago I asked myself these questions. To delay taking any step toward branch church membership, I used the excuse that I was never very long in the same place. But when I had graduated from college and returned home to stay, there was no longer any reason for my not joining a church. Still I delayed, however, and rationalized.

Though I wasn't a member, I argued with myself, I attended Sunday services regularly, the Wednesday evening testimony meetings, and could even give my own testimonies. I had often found peace during a hectic day by spending an hour in a Reading Room supported by a branch church, but I didn't have to be a member of the church to do so. I could read the periodicals and study the Lesson-Sermons in the Christian Science Quarterly and still not be a church member. I could go to the public lectures, where everyone is welcome. And I needn't be a church member in order to help my neighbor or invite him to a service.

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