Church Alive February 21, 2011 Issue

The following was written in support of Church Alive, a focus of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, that explores the meaning and possibilities of awakening to the spiritual basis and impact of Church. 

Strike resolved, church uninterrupted

By Louis Benjamin

During my business career, a strike occurred at one of the company’s factories where I worked. The employees were demanding better working conditions and higher wages. 

The strike started on a Monday. The department that handled these crises was sent to resolve the problem. In spite of protracted negotiations, Monday and Tuesday came and went with no resolution. Wednesday came, and the negotiations continued.

At 4:00 p.m. on that Wednesday, management phoned me and told me to go to the factory and resolve the situation. I had no special mandate. I was simply expected to continue the negotiations. At that time I was the First Reader for my church, and the Wednesday testimony meeting started at 7:30 p.m. So my first thought was to phone the clerk of the church and get someone to stand in for me.