The beautiful Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles is a wonder of architecture. All aspects of its design combine to create a harmonious whole—and an amazing space for concerts. The acoustics are designed to produce a superb audio experience. Everything works together. 

Do we think of our churches in a similar way? Not the buildings themselves—which may be very modest compared to a concert hall! But seen as a spiritual structure rather than a physical one, Church can be viewed as a blending of many elements working together in harmony for a higher purpose.

We find refuge there from life’s stresses and challenges. It is a safe place where we can experience God. Church, you could say, is a spiritual structure designed to support and effect healing.

Mary Baker Eddy, who founded the Church of Christ, Scientist, captured this inspired sense of Church in this definition from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures: “The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle” (p. 583). She emphasizes the divine nature of Church by including some synonyms for God—Truth, Love, and Principle—in her definition. 

What aspects of structure might Truth provide? Maybe security, clarity, a place where unvarnished spiritual reality is evident? Church also provides comfort, healing balm, and all of Love’s embracing, supporting heart qualities that promise forgiveness, rest, and sanctuary. The foundation of Church, being divine Principle, ensures its eternal, indestructible nature.

Of course, there is a practical aspect to this spiritual structure called Church, which is explained in the second part of the definition: “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.”

The church organization is made up of various activities, bringing together different thoughts, talents, and prayers. It is a collective, comprising unique individual expressions of worship that add up to a space where healing can be experienced. It’s more than a bunch of like-minded folks congregating for their own benefit; it’s a joyous witnessing of God’s presence, which includes healing. And because of our spiritual origin, we can expect healing at church. 

A branch Church of Christ, Scientist, in California invited the community’s Chief of Police to talk with its members about factors affecting the neighborhood that were in need of prayer. When he arrived he apologized, saying that he had a bad cold and probably wouldn’t stay long. As the meeting progressed, however, it was noticeable that the symptoms faded until he was completely free. After his presentation, he seemed surprised and commented on how much better he felt. 

What happened? The spiritual atmosphere provided by “the structure of Truth and Love” and prayerfully cherished by the members was palpable—was actually felt. This is just one example of how the coming together of individuals in this spiritual structure brings healing. 

In Christ Jesus’ day, much of his ministry took place outside the walls of the synagogue. Large crowds gathered on hillsides or on the seashore to listen and be healed. Could it be said that his crowds were experiencing Church? Undoubtedly. What would the structure have been in those circumstances? Certainly not stone enclosures. Maybe we could say that the structure of Church was provided by the eager hearts of everyone present. It was a collective demonstration of spiritual receptivity, each one contributing to the whole. Can you imagine the tangible reverence everyone must have felt?

Today, we often find Church taking place in buildings. And we have the Manual of The Mother Church by Mary Baker Eddy to guide our various activities. But the Manual By-Laws themselves aren’t Church. More is needed than guiding rules. Church is a living structure only as each individual attendee brings the elements of Church with them. It is a coming together of eager ears, receptive hearts, and a spirit of unselfed love combining to form an atmosphere where healing happens. Mrs. Eddy describes it perfectly in a message to students of Christian Science: “Building on the rock of Christ’s teachings, we have a superstructure eternal in the heavens, omnipotent on earth, encompassing time and eternity” (Message to The Mother Church for 1901, p. 25).

We often hear the term “brick and mortar” church. How inspiring to have a spiritual definition of Church that enables each of us to be part of a structure that is designed to heal the world.

Deborah Huebsch, Guest Editorial Writer