In Theory: It begins with each of us

CNN recently reported that America is a “less Christian nation than it was 20 years ago.” There has also been an increase in the number of people expressing no religious affiliation at all, according to the report. What do you believe is the reason or reasons some people are stepping away from the church? And what can we do to encourage those people to come back?

Many churches have been asking themselves these questions over several decades. Society is changing faster than at any time in history, and people today are not thinking, communicating, or participating as they once did. Many have loosed themselves from what they regard as mere tradition and are looking beyond what they perceive as the limited scope of previous generations.

The response from our established churches will be most effective if based upon a transformation of thought and approach, not just changed rules. Mary Baker Eddy, who founded the Christian Science movement, wrote a definition of the word Church that includes these words: “Whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle,” that is, from God. This wording isn’t confined to an institution, but to everything we do, individually and collectively.

It begins with each of us, and there is much we can do. If it had to be summarized in a single statement, it would be that we must simply love more, expressing the love of Love, of God, in everything we do, with ourselves, towards others in our churches, and to everyone outside. Love, based on the Christ-inspiration that we all can feel, fosters friendship, respect, and appreciation that cuts across borders of all kinds. This love does not attempt to convert others to one’s own opinions or beliefs, but seeks to realize the Love that is God, as an ever-present flow that can never cease. Seeing that all mankind are the “image and likeness of God,” as Mrs. Eddy phrased it, based on the words in Genesis, “So God created man in his own image,” leaves no room for excuses, self-limitation, or reaction.

As Paul wrote, “We are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.” The transformation of our own thought to express and experience God’s Father-Mother love at all times, the realization of this by all congregations, and its active manifestation in whatever ways we see appropriate, will do much to bring us to the community, and the community to us.