Article June 2, 1997 Issue

Church: a complete idea

[Excerpted from Der Christian Science Herold; original in German]

Ursula Jahn

Several years ago the members of a local church thought their church's continued existence was in question. The membership was composed predominantly of older people. For some time there had not been any applications for membership, nor were any young people ever seen at the church services. Since most of the older members thought they no longer possessed the capabilities appropriate for certain offices, they didn't accept any church assignments. There was a lack of workers all around. The most essential offices could just barely be filled, and the members did not know how much longer they could continue in this way. Apathy had entered in.

It became apparent that a greater understanding of Church was needed—as "the structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle" (Science and Health, p. 583). Praying about this brought helpful insights. Among them was the recognition of Church as a spiritual idea that is absolutely complete, just as God, from whom it proceeds, is complete. Consequently, it must include within itself every quality, opportunity, and capability necessary for the fulfillment of its tasks and for its full unfoldment. Not a single one can be lacking.

This meant there was no need to wait for freshness, joy, courage, and a readiness for active involvement to be expressed in church. These insights brought calm and confidence and led to asking the older members again for their active participation in church work. And now all of them accepted.

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