Our Pastor

Our Pastor

THE BIBLE
and
SCIENCE AND HEALTH
with Key to the Scriptures

Whereas many Churches have a minister, preacher, or pastor whose duty it is to watch over, guide and preach to his/her parishioners, the Christian Science Church has a unique pastor, which is available every moment of every day, to provide comfort, guidance, instruction, consolation and spiritual inspiration. This Pastor is The Bible, and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy. It is to prayer, and these loved books, that we turn for counsel and healing.

Very early in the Christian Science Church there was personal preaching, but in 1894, Mary Baker Eddy appointed a new and unique pastor.

She wrote, "Your dual and impersonal pastor, The Bible, and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, is with you, and the Life these give, the Truth they illustrate, the Love they demonstrate, is the great Shepherd that feedeth my flock, and leadeth them "beside still waters.""

(Miscellaneous Writings p. 322)

As a shepherd leads his flock, these books lead and guide receptive thought in the Christly path. As a shepherd provides shelter, comfort and protection for his flock, so our Pastor reveals to us God's sheltering love.

Because ours is a lay church in which every member has equal standing, and there is no ordained minister, the Sunday Service is conducted by two Readers, who read a Lesson-Sermon consisting of passages from The Bible and Science and Health. Each service also includes organ music, a vocal solo, congregational singing, a collection, Scriptural readings, and silent prayer followed by The Lord's Prayer.

Weekly Testimony meetings are held on Wednesday evenings, where, after congregational singing, readings from The Bible and Science and Health, and silent prayer followed by The Lord's Prayer, a period is set aside for the sharing of healings, thoughts, remarks and experiences.

A Sunday School is also held weekly at the same time as the morning service, and small children and young people, up to age 20, are welcome to come and share ideas.

The public is most welcome at Sunday services, Wednesday testimony meetings, and the Sunday School.

"Humbly, and, as I believe, divinely directed, I hereby ordain the Bible,
and "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,"
to be hereafter the only pastor of The Church of Christ, Scientist,
throughout our land and in other lands."

Mary Baker Eddy
Miscellaneous Writings p.313