First Church of Christ, Scientist in Dayton, Ohio
Church services provide a healing space for the community
Church is a community for anyone who wants to grow spiritually, whether you’re attending a service or participating in the various activities churches offer locally.
Christian Science churches (also known as Churches of Christ, Scientist) and Christian Science societies:
Expect that spiritual growth will result in healing.
Provide a space to ask life’s most basic questions.
Welcome anyone—whether or not you know anything about Christian Science.
Are located all over the world, and each has a unique look and feel.
Are meant to serve their local community.
A sermon from the books—not a preacher
A Christian Science church service includes hymns, prayer, and a sermon. What’s distinctive about Christian Science services is that there's no personal preaching. Instead, the sermon, based on a specific subject, consists of passages from the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. These passages are read by Readers elected by the congregation.
On Sundays, every Christian Science church around the world listens to the same sermon—drawn from that week’s Bible Lesson. There is a continuity about studying the Bible Lesson all week, and then getting to hear it as the Sunday sermon. And it is unifying and strengthening to know that the same sermon is being preached around the world.
Wednesday testimony meetings follow a similar format, but with a topic chosen by a local lay member, who selects readings from the Bible and Science and Health to address it. The congregation is then invited to share their own experiences, testimonies of healings, and remarks on Christian Science.
All are welcome at Sunday church services and Wednesday testimony meetings.
Getting involved in a church community
As much as a church supports the individual, individuals also have the opportunity to support a church. Becoming a member of a branch church can be a fulfilling way to give back to your church and support your community. Membership in a branch church is different than membership in The Mother Church. Branch churches are run democratically by members of each individual church in their community. The Mother Church is the global headquarters of the Christian Science Church. Christian Scientists can be members of both a local branch church and The Mother Church.
First Church of Christ, Scientist in Accra, Ghana
Christian Science Society in Andover, Massachusetts
First Church of Christ, Scientist in Paris, France