GETTING STARTED
“Judge not the future advancement of Christian Science by the steps already taken, lest you yourself be condemned for failing to take the first step.”
(Science and Health, p.459)
Starting a CSO begins with a love of Christian Science and a desire to share it with others. Trust and value your desire to bring Christian Science to your campus and watch the practical steps unfold.
The Manual By-Law
You’ll want to begin by familiarizing yourself with the provision for CSOs in the Manual of The
Mother Church. Mrs. Eddy gave her only instructions for CSOs in this By-Law (Article XXIII):
“Privilege of Members. Sect.8. Members in good standing with The Mother Church, who are members of the faculty, instructors, or students in any university or college, can form and conduct a Christian Science organization at such university or college, provided its rules so permit. Also members in good standing with The Mother Church, who are graduates of said university or college, may become members of the organization by application to, and by the unanimous vote of, the active members present, if the rules of the university or college so permit. When called for, a member of the Board of Lectureship may lecture for said university or college organization.”
This By-Law is short and simple. These few words say a lot about the confidence she placed in the members of her Church. She trusted their ability to work out, through prayer, the most effective ways to “form and conduct” CSOs on their campuses. What she has provided is a foundation that invites ideas and encourages a reliance on inspiration rather than tradition.
She included only two basic requirements:
- The CSO must be formed and conducted by a student, professor, or faculty member who is a Mother Church member
- The CSO needs to be officially recognized by the university or college — this is dependent on the requirements of the college or university.
How to Get Officially Recognized by Your University
Check this page out to learn about some of the requirements that official groups frequently need to meet. Also, if you want to understand the difference between established and forming CSOs.
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