Article June 6, 2005 ISSUE

'WHAT HAST THOU IN THE HOUSE?'

By Arno Preller

One of the elements that unite the members of the Church of Christ, Scientist, is their joint effort to help the world feel the presence of the Comforter that Christ Jesus referred to (see John 14:16, 26; 16:7). Why do people join church? There are many reasons, some of them personal, such as getting a boost from others in getting closer to God and praying more effectively. The more important reason is that membership offers an opportunity to join in reaching out to the community. The Founder of the Church of Christ, Scientist, Mary Baker Eddy, once said to a convention of Christian Scientists that they came together "... mutually to aid one another in finding ways and means for helping the whole human family ..." (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, p. 98). The master Christian expected his followers to act as "the light of the world" (Matt. 5:14).

It is natural for us to want to share the light of Christ with our community and the world, but there are times when church members are overwhelmed by this task. They feel they don't have sufficient means to make any kind of impact. Not enough members, not enough money, or not enough inspiration to come up with fresh ideas. The Bible's example of the prophet Elisha offers insights on how to pray about this.