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Angry online rhetoric by different faith perspectives may feed a narrative that churches and people of faith contribute to the divisive and polarizing climate of today’s world. Indeed, many people in this country have left various faith institutions in recent years feeling that they were not a safe-haven from worldly troubles, but actually perpetuated a sense of hatred and harm. And yet, there are millions who, for good reason, still attend and engage with faith organizations. Despite haughty online discussions or the personal experiences of some former attendees, communities of faith continue to provide refuge, hope, strength, compassion, care, love, and healing to a world in need. They remain a vital spiritual resource for so many in our community and this calls on each of us to better fulfill their promise.
I recognize that no institution has ever been perfect, houses of worship included, and needed changes must happen. However, I do feel that there is another narrative about being a member of a faith community that is worth sharing. There are strong reasons why I, and others, remain engaged in church. As a member of the Christian Science church and a regular participant in interfaith and ecumenical activity, I have grown tremendously from working side by side with those in my congregation and with those of other faiths. I have learned to listen with love, to hear another’s heart, to patiently, prayerfully wait for clear solutions to difficult challenges, and to be compassionate and forgiving towards those with whom I may disagree. This type of engagement is not always easy and doesn’t contain the instant gratification of Instagram, but to the degree I am willing to humbly practice this spiritual approach, it has blessed me beyond the church walls. I feel strengthened by grace and grounded with a more unshakeable peace which allows me to better serve the world around me. As I have felt ministered to by God, I naturally find myself ready to minister to the needs of others.
Recently, I attended online the Annual Meeting for The First Church of Christ, Scientist and much of what was shared that day expressed what I have come to value about church. A church member from the Republic of the Congo shared, “If I don’t want others to offend me then I should not offend my neighbor. Every action I take I should always put myself in another’s place.” She continued, “to be effective listeners to others – to hear them, to share ideas with them, not to brush aside young people, nor ignore other’s ideas, but rather to take each idea and to discuss it…and in this way only, can we grow, can we truly cherish the Christ idea, can we extend and outreach to include all mankind.” Another participant articulated how we can live this love of God. “We support each other mutually when we understand that God’s creation is one.” Finally, a church official, Kevin Ness, said, “Divine Love brings a true sense of…church to light…The church’s vitality is more than a narrative about numbers but about heart, sincerity and healing.”
This focus on heart, sincerity and healing is worth understanding. We don’t need to see the worst that an institution has to offer. When done well, churches serve as a bedrock for society, strengthening and buoying individuals and families. I cannot begin to express how grateful I am for how my church has been there for me and my loved ones in supportive ways. My family and I have been healed in church services — from physical illnesses to relationship difficulties and financial worries. Churches should ultimately be places where all of us are working “shoulder to shoulder” in response to what God, Spirit, is revealing and enabling.
So is there a place for faith institutions today? Yes, and not just for all the good they are doing from feeding the physically and spiritually hungry, comforting and healing the sick, and visiting and uplifting those in material or mental prisons. In a world plagued with isolation and loneliness, members of a spiritual family can walk beside one another as we discover the effective reach of God’s goodness and as my church’s founder, Mary Baker Eddy, states let “divine Love…meet every human need” and heal our hearts.
About Anne Cooling
Anne Cooling is Christian Science Practitioner and Committee on Publication for Southern California. She is a member of First Church of Christ, Scientist, Laguna Niguel. She is on the planning committee for her local interfaith group and has participated in a variety of interfaith and ecumenical activities. She has her Master of Arts in Theology from New Theological Seminary of the West and published her Master’s thesis as a book, The Relevancy of Christian Healing Today. Anne has been a speaker in public and church functions on the subject of biblical studies, Christian Science, and healing.
Photo Credit: First Church of Christ, Scientist, Laguna Niguel
