Church Alive April 30, 2012 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.

Stay in Church

Evan Mehlenbacher
Church Alive

While praying for a better understanding of Church recently, I pondered Mary Baker Eddy’s definition of Church, in part, as “the structure of Truth and Love; . . .” (Science and Health, p. 583).

“The structure of Truth and Love,” is very large, I concluded. It’s so large that it includes all of God’s creation, for Truth and Love is God. There isn’t anything that exists outside of this infinite construct, I could see.

Wow! This view certainly challenged a common notion that Church is a place to drive to or walk to on occasion to attend services.

I pondered further . . . .

Church, in its highest sense, is not a human organization, then. It’s not a bricks-and-mortar building or a hierarchal government. It’s not rituals, or time-honored traditions. It’s the house divine Love built for God’s children to live in. It is the biggest abode of all—God’s whole universe.

Church is the presence of God, I grasped. Church is divine Mind. Church is Love. Church is where you find health, strength, joy, freedom, and life. Church includes all of God’s goodness. Church is a very good place to be, indeed, I agreed.

I halted my plummet in outlook and abruptly declared, "I'm going to stay in Church today!"

In the middle of the above prayer, my attention got diverted to some pressing issues that needed to be resolved that day. As I felt a sinking feeling of, “There is so much to do, so much healing to accomplish,” I halted my plummet in outlook and abruptly declared, “I’m going to stay in Church today!”

I committed to staying in a consciousness of God’s omnipresent love and refused to let error take me elsewhere. I decided not to leave my Church. Church was the wisest place to be. It was peaceful, full of health and harmony, peace and joy, hope and inspiration. God’s presence was easy to find in Church, I knew.

The sinking feeling lifted instantly.

Since the above prayer, I’ve practiced bringing Church to church more frequently when I attend local services. And it helps! It puts me in a more inspired state of thought to help others before I get there so I can help them find Church, too.

At any rate, if you want to be in a positive place today, whether at home, at work, running errands, standing in line somewhere, or in church, stay in Church! The effect is uplifting and joyously restorative.

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