What is church? Is it the place we go to on Sunday morning, or is it something much bigger than four walls could possibly hold? Churches come in many shapes and sizes, as we can see in the pictures above, but when we gain a spiritual understanding of the meaning of church we realize that it is a powerful, active force in our lives, wherever we are.
Very early in the Bible there is an example of the activity of church illustrated in an unusual way. From the time that Jacob and his twin brother Esau were in the womb they were fighting. As a young man Jacob tricked his father into giving him the blessing that was meant for his brother, enraging Esau and forcing Jacob to flee for fear of his life. Years later Jacob travelled back to his home, and on the night before he was to meet his brother, he found himself struggling for his life. Jacob felt that he was wrestling in the dark with a man, but he was really wrestling with a false concept about himself and his brother that needed healing. When Jacob finally caught hold of the angel message, his thought about his brother and their relationship was healed allowing Jacob and Esau to reconcile in peace.
Jacob actively engaged in church by deepening his understanding about his brother and demonstrating harmony in their relationship. Real church isn’t a place we go, it is the active struggle to overcome error in our daily lives. On page 583 of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy writes “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.” By this definition, we can have church with us wherever we go. Join us this Wednesday, March 25th at 7:00pm for readings from the Bible and the Christian Science Textbook on the subject of “church,” as well as testimonies of healing from individuals. Can’t come in person? Join us on the phone!
