Article June 3, 2002 Issue

'Church . . . is found'

By Lois Rae Carlson

Many churches today are going through rough times. Scandals, in-fighting, and a perceived lack of relevance have shaken the traditional church-centered picture of American life. In most of the mainline denominations, attendance and membership are down. But polls show that interest in spirituality is on the rise. What's going on?

As a lifelong churchgoer, I, too, have sometimes asked myself, "Why bother with church? Is the effort to love and connect with these people really worth it? Can't I have a fine relationship with God and keep good relationships with my neighbors without a formal organization to belong to?"

In her seminal work, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy wrote about church in both its spiritual and practical meanings. There she describes Church as, "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle." She continues, "The Church is that institution, which affords proof of its utility and is found elevating the race, rousing the dormant understanding from material beliefs to the apprehension of spiritual ideas and the demonstration of divine Science, thereby casting out devils, or error, and healing the sick" (p. 583).

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