Article January 31, 1994 Issue

The boundless shepherding of the pastor

There is a message of love that reaches beyond the walls of churches. Each of us can play a significant part in that outreach.

Marian C. English

Small beginnings sometimes have far-reaching influence. For instance, an unpretentious shepherd boy named David tended sheep on the hills near Bethlehem. The simple shepherding qualities of strength, watchfulness, and wisdom he developed there ultimately touched many people. Not only did he become king of Israel, but his career as one anointed by God ensured his place in the Scriptures, and centuries later his story continues to teach countless Bible readers all over the world.

Like David, the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health, had a meek beginning. It developed in the thought of its author, Mary Baker Eddy, through prayer, spiritual revelation and inspiration, a deep searching of the Bible, and earnest Christian practice of what she was learning of God's allness and power. Yearning to defend the purity of the message of truth she had discovered, and at the same time protect the public from harmful misrepresentations of it, she ordained the textbook, together with the Bible, as pastor over The Mother Church, including all of its branch churches. Her intent for the unlimited outreach of these two books becomes clear when we read what she says of them in the Manual of The Mother Church: ... they will continue to preach for this Church and the world" (Art. XIV, Sect. 1).

This unconfined preaching courageously speaks out, declaring without compromise the message of salvation through Christ, Truth. At the same time, this preaching gently embraces all mankind in healing love. My first glimpse of such shepherding care came one Sunday morning when I was compelled to remain at home instead of attending services at our local Christian Science church.

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