The Mother Church and branch churches

[NancyJ]

Hi there,

Quick question about membership. Can someone be a member of the Mother Church and not a branch church? The commute to Boston is only approx. 20 minutes and if I were to become a member one day I'd like to continue going there even though there is a branch church in my town.

Thanks for the information. I have info regarding application, etc...but not sure about the above.

[Starlight Rider]

I'm a member of the Mother Church but never joined a branch church, and I'm on the opposite coast from Boston.

[NancyJ]

Can you be active in a branch church, but your membership is that of the Mother Church?

Are some members of both?

Does the Mother Church support the branches?

Trying to understand....:) Thx.

Nancy

[shelly]

Hi,

Not only can you be a member, but I'm happy to invite you to be a member.

You want to take a look at the Tenets of the Mother Church. Those tenets will really help you decide if you want to be a member.

WoW. Love to hear how you progress.

[pcook]

Dear Nancy,
To answer your question directly:

You can participate in whatever way you want. Your desire is already leading you; you can trust Love will continue to lead the way!

Yes, many people are members of both The Mother Church and a branch church. As we each grow into our own individual understanding about what church means to us, we find ourselves drawn to express that through joining with others -- both in the worldwide embrace of The Mother Church and in our local communities via branch church membership and activity.

To your other question -- The Manual of The Mother Church specifically describes the relationship of The Mother Church to the branch churches (pages 70-74). Do you have a Manual? You can get one in any Christian Science Reading Room.

Hope this is helpful! How wonderful that you are expressing your love for God in this way!
With love,
Pamela

[shelly]

Hi,

Each branch church follows the Manual of the Mother Church where it applies to branch churches, but each has its own government. Depending on the by-laws of the individual church, you may need to be a member of that branch to be active. Most branch churches require that you join the branch church were you want to participate. I do know of churches where they have many snowbird members, and they allow those members who are only around during the summer to participate and serve. But it depends on each branch.

The Manual of The Mother Church was written by Mary Baker Eddy, and out lines the basic structure and rules to guide services. For example, Readers at each branch church have to be members of The Mother Church.
A Board of Directors oversees the operations of The Mother Church.

Yes, the Mother Church does support the branch churches with prayer, practical assistance, and publications for the Reading Rooms. Yet, as I said before, the government of each branch church is decided by the local membership, and those articles determined in the Manual.

Many people are members of both The Mother Church and a branch church. But one can only be a member of one branch church.

Keep the questions coming!!

[adyer]

It's interesting to note that the first branch church was formed as a measure to handle overcrowding in TMC. So when you consider a second set of Readers, Directors, etc. you can see that a relationship had to be established to allow for growth AND to protect the ability of TMC Directors to continue the administration of the deed of trust from Mrs. Eddy relating to TMC activities such as finances, publishing, lecturing, etc.

I've never considered branches as subservient to TMC in any way. There's innovation going on out in the field and frankly I think TMC should occasionally follow some of US.

There is nothing a branch church does that should be because of blindly following the lead of any other church. If we do not consider truth and consequences we should not be making many of the decisions we make.

[NancyJ]

Thank you all for explaining the Mother Church and the branch churches.
I do have the Manuel. I bought it the other day to have the daily prayer to read. I'm going to look through it again. Thanks for your help.:)
Nancy

[mcatem]

Forgive me if this has already been addressed in this thread. I didn't see it if it was. My understanding (through friends in Boston) is that in addition to Mother Church membership you can join that church as a "local member". In other words, that's your branch. Those are the people who serve as ushers and in the child care rooms and teach Sunday School there, and carry out the duties and activities anyone would in a branch church that wasn't the Mother Church.

When you feel ready for branch membership it might not be in the church closest to you. For a couple of years I drove 40 minutes to church when there was a branch church (I'm not even exagerating a little bit) on the other side of my driveway.