Article May 9, 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. 

Prayer in church

By Anne Melville

Prayer in Church. SECT. 5. The prayers in Christian Science churches shall be offered for the congregations collectively and exclusively. (Mary Baker Eddy, Church Manual, p. 42)

Recently several members of the church I attend had a very interesting discussion about this By-Law, so I decided to dig in and find out more. This is what I came up with.

So, who are the “congregations”?
Well, Mary Baker Eddy, in Science and Health, defines Church, in part, as “that institution which affords proof of its utility, and is found elevating the race . . .” (p. 583). So, Church is more than just a place of worship. Schools, government bodies, plumbers even, are institutions. The congregation we call school is everyone involved in its activities and governance.