Outreach I

February 24, 2000

He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me.

For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.

Psalms

Our topic grew out of last week's discussion of Attraction and an expanded view of the practice as making Christian Science available to others. Those of us who have been members of branch churches recalled the much effort going into outreach — e.g., metaphysical meetings, literature distribution and advertising. Similar efforts are exerted by other religious institutions — and yet many of them, along with Christian Science churches, continue to shrink.

Let's face it, people go where something of value is offered; prayer and advertising, if not backed up by something real, are useless — or worse. They may even mask lack of spiritual growth and deep uncertainty among the current members as to the validity of their spiritual pursuit.

One member mentioned attraction to 12-Step programs, which is based on the promise of spiritual recovery and not mere promotion. Can a Christian Science group offer something of value? And if so, how do we share it?

For those who come to our meetings regularly, something of value does appear to transpire. And it is specifically in the sharing that it happens. For those new to us, our methods can be a bit disorienting, as we grapple with a topic to get some truth from it, throwing off sparks in all directions and perhaps hurting some feelings in the process. But what goes on at our weekly meetings is only part of our story — there are many calmer, kinder moments on the phone or the internet or at dinner. Those who can't endure the rigors of our meetings still have many other ways to interact.

Years ago a member observed that our meetings actually work best with say eight people in attendance — any more and we become unwieldy and prone to share only the most obvious, surface level stuff. In a somewhat tense, "prayed up" atmosphere, we often reach startling conclusions, which can then be shared with our internet friends and in our individual lives in the community.

A member complaining to a practitioner about how few people participated in the work of his church was questioned, "About how many would it take to do the work?" "About ten," said he. To which she responded, "How about one? Remember. Christ Jesus started as one, and so did Mrs. Eddy." This recounting opened up another member to see that "Christ Jesus was God's outreach to mankind — as is Christian Science." Then quoting from Science and Health, page 174: 20-21 he said, "Truth is revealed. It needs only to be practised."

How do practice and outreach interface? Is practice merely someone treating others to heal them of sickness or error? Or is it broader? Is outreach about herding people into a church or rented room to make them aware of the truth? Or is it something deeper? It seemed to us that the true practice of Christian Science is the fullest and firmest outreach possible. Here are some points that occurred to us:

1) Are we carefully practicing the Ninth Commandment — i. e., not bearing false witness against our others? Thus, if mortal sense proclaims another good or bad, pretty or ugly, smart or dumb—whatever—do we drift with the popular current of belief or do we go for the non-bifurcated reality of that person (or thing or place too) and live that?

2) Do we understand that everyone is in reality already saved, already perfect before they came to us for enlightenment? Do we seek for and rejoice in the present perfection or do we pound them with the truth?

3) Do we have enough spiritual assurance ourselves to be able to relax with the material representation — seeing it perhaps as merely a dualistic way of accessing the absolute Truth, and keeping it right there until it can be cleared off. For instance one member who has not been to the group in a long time wanted to know what we thought of HIV testing. We provided a holding atmosphere for him to reach his own conclusion in the matter, while knowing (and even saying) absolute Truth. One member thought of materia medica as a kind of Jesus — very interesting of course, but indicating the Christ, which is the real healer. The Christ will always evolve finer forms to represent it. Luke 9: 49, 50 was quoted. One member reported he's working closely with a person with AIDS.

4) We noted the outreach of the Christian Science movement to the medical profession at the recent mind-body conferences in Boston and other cities. This is an example of moving through the milieu which deems the human mind a curative agent, while still maintaining the fact that the divine Mind alone heals. Our group is particularly interested in dialoguing with people of different faiths. Recently we've talked to several people involved in Religious Science and found this stimulating us to new views of our own religion.

The outreach of Christian Science is both less and more than that of other religions. It is less in the sense of much herding activity but much more in terms of the understanding that we all live in Heaven right now. What greater church rite could one attend or crusade lead than to just walk the streets knowing that?

Two healings were reported:

1) A member who has a minority interest in a real estate asset worked with our topic as others in his ownership group pushed to sell at a rather depressed price. Rather than talking at length to the others, and perhaps haranguing them a bit — his previous idea of outreach — he prayed to realize one Mind — a newer view of outreach — and was surprised to find that a piece of land is a divine idea, with its own divine requirements, which the so called owners must listen to. Almost immediately a new plan for sale was developed, involving a higher price and a very nice facility for the community.

2) Another member described his interaction with a fellow artist who came to him apparently for pity because of poor audience reactions. He was able to use his understanding of Christian Science to set an atmosphere where some quite blunt truths could be uttered. At the conclusion, the other person's mood and outlook seemed greatly improved.

We'll continue with Outreach for next week.

The Bible

God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend.

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Miscellaneous Writings, by Mary Baker Eddy

Above the waves of Jordan, dashing against the receding shore, is heard the Father and Mother's welcome, saying forever to the baptized of Spirit: "This is my beloved Son." What but divine Science can interpret man's eternal existence, God's allness, and the scientific indestructibility of the universe?

Three times a day, I retire to seek the divine blessing on the sick and sorrowing, with my face toward the Jerusalem of Love and Truth, in silent prayer to the Father which "seeth in secret," and with childlike confidence that He will reward "openly." In the midst of depressing care and labor I turn constantly to divine Love for guidance, and find rest. It affords me great joy to be able to attest to the truth of Jesus' words. Love makes all burdens light, it giveth a peace that passeth understanding, and with "signs following." As to the peace, it is unutterable; as to "signs," behold the sick who are healed, the sorrowful who are made hopeful, and the sinful and ignorant who have become "wise unto salvation"!

Manual of The Mother Church, by Mary Baker Eddy

The Leader's Welcome. SECTION 1. Mrs. Eddy welcomes to her seats in the church, persons of all sects and denominations who come to listen to the Sunday sermon and are not otherwise provided with seats.

The Local Members' Welcome. SECT. 2. It shall be the duty and privilege of the local members of The Mother Church to give their seats, if necessary, to strangers who may come to attend the morning services.

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