Church Communities
and Their Many Ministries

“… watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist,
make full proof of thy ministry.” (II Tim 4:5 KJV)

To minister is to serve God and the needs of mankind. Anytime you take what you know about God’s love for man and his perfectibility as the image and likeness of God, and apply it to the human needs of others, you are engaging in a Christian ministry.

Examples of ministries of
Christian Science church communities

Or, go directly to “The Simple Needs Ministry Project.”

1. Church Manual-based ministries

Ministries established by the Manual of the Mother Church include the public practice of Christian Science (healing and teaching), Christian Science nursing, Committee on Publication (and assistant committee), The Christian Science Monitor, The Christian Science Publishing Society, Church readership, Sunday school teaching, Reading room activities, and Christian Science lecture activities. The Mother Church provides substantial resources in support of these ministries, which can be found at ChristianScience.com.

2. Branch Church-based Ministries

There are also ministries established at the branch church level, such as care committees, metaphysical committees, literature distribution committees, institutional (prison) ministry committees, interfaith community activities, and others. Although these activities are not specifically addressed in the Manual of the Mother Church, many branch churches have felt the calling to pursue efforts in these areas.

3. Ministerial Activities Organized by Members of The Mother Church

These organizations are established by individual members of The Mother Church, who have come together on their own, to support the various and specific needs of Christian Scientists. Examples of these organizations include Christian Science nursing facilities and visiting Christian Science nurse services, benevolence organizations (which provide financial support to Christian Scientists for various needs, such as the National Fund for Christian Science nursing). More information about the life of Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer of Christian Science, and the history of the Christian Science church can be found through organizations like “The Longyear Museum.” All of these and other organizations support both Christian Science churches and individual Christian Scientists.

4. Individual Christian Scientists Ministering to the Simple Needs of their family, friends, fellow church members, and their community at large.

This fourth category of ministries addresses the ministerial work that naturally flows from individuals who are helping to meet, in Christian fellowship, the simple needs of their “neighbors”. These “Christian Fellowship” ministers, on their own initiative, take time to be aware of the needs of their church community, pray, and listen for how they may be called to comfort and support healing.

A large part of what CoCC has to give is in support of this Christian Fellowship ministry, as well as some of the branch church ministries and the other organizational ministries not specifically mentioned in the Manual of the Mother Church.

Go to The Simple Needs Ministry Project.