Last Friday night, I lectured to a packed house at the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Pasadena, CA. It was part of the Southern California Church Alive Summit, and what an evening it was.
Ginny Luedeman, another Christian Science lecturer, and I, each gave 20 minute talks intended to push the boundaries a bit of conventional lecturing on Christian Science.
The new approach for me was to dive straight to the heart of Mary Baker Eddy’s discovery without historical background first and articulate her vision straight out, “Eddy saw, through her study of the Bible and the teachings of Jesus Christ, that we live in a universe of Mind where things are thoughts and ideas are substance; that material things are but limited views of ideas in divine Mind, and when you understand God’s ideas better, you experience their blessings…you are set up to flourish….” I followed with stories to explain the points.
The message went over with ease. People followed the points, and with understanding—newcomer and seasoned student alike. I was so thrilled.
This starts a new era for me in creating content for Christian Science lectures. People want the metaphysics. The public is hungering for the deep truths of divine Mind.
Absolute truths need to be explained with understanding. That is a given. But when they are, the results are awe-inspiring. I saw it in the faces, smiles, and joy-filled greetings of over 800 super-charged eager listeners last Friday night. It was a memorable experience.
This is so thrilling to hear. I have felt for some time that we need to present the pure metaphysics that our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, used in her talks and also in the lectures that I sometimes reread from early workers. People are really hungering to really understand how this Truth heals. Always grateful for everything you present to the public. Vicki
I agree with Vicki! We shouldn’t limit man’s ability to understand profound truths by giving them only pablum. Absolute Truth heals absolutely and there can never be too much of that spoken!~Robyn
I had heard that there were many signed up for the summit! So glad to know they were given what they hungered for. Thanks to you and Ginny and others like you, bravely stating the not-so-obvious, the Truth is leavening world thought at a time of great need.
I was there. It was awesome, Evan. You found just the right combination of informal delivery and deep metaphysics. Keep up the good work!
Great, Evan! It appeals to me to re-think CS Lectures.
(Infinite Mind has so many ways to do things!!)
I’m interested to know how many of the 800 attendees
at the Summit were not students of Christian Science, or completely new to this way of thinking.
Well, either way, I’m sure it was wonderful and healing!
:<))
To above,
I’m not sure on the percentages. I’m sure the majority were students of CS, but I had several individuals approach me after my lecture and tell me they were new to CS and were grateful for the explanations. The Friday evening event where I lectured was open to the public. Anyone could attend whether registered for the Summit on Saturday or not.
Looking forward to having such talks come to a venue near me — and elsewhere beyond the summit!
Evan:
I too attended the Summit and found the concept of the shortened/focused lecture to be a good one, especially in the age of social media and shortened attention spans. This is a wonderful vehicle in which to present Christian Science in a reasoned, focused fashion. Kudos to you and Ginny for pioneering the concept so successfully.
Louie from Los Angeles
Finally! I’m so glad that you as a member of the Board of Lectureship have discerned that people want the “meat” of the teachings of Christian Science just as the early lecturers gave their audiences. Back then, there never seemed to be any concern that the message would be over the listeners’ heads or that it would not be understood. There was something for everyone and wonderful healings happened as a result! Thanks, Evan, for rethinking lectures. I look forward to your next one.
So spot on, Evan, and how uplifting! Our “sense” of deep truths is purely of our natural God bestowed eye, that eye which is in all, allowing us to intuitively “look at those things unseen,” with perfect understanding. Can it be said that the natural appeal of metaphysics, the reason why “people want the metaphysics,” is because it IS us? — Because “..man is not material; he is spiritual.”
You are moving mountains out there, Evan, and I am so glad to be on the same walk in Christ with you.
Hi Ken,
I believe you are spot on! That’s what I’ve decided. The more Truth you speak, the more people want to hear it because it resonates with their real being.
I, too, am happy to hear of your lecture–it is true, people DO want to hear it! Thanks for including some of your comments on your blog! I’m also happy that the CS Journal has been having more ‘meaty’ articles, too; they may take some thinking about, but healing results! Wonderful! 🙂
Your lecture sounds wonderful! Just wondering if it was recorded and if it will be available to either view or hear online? Thanks 🙂
Hi Kate,
It’s not online right now, but if it ever is, I’ll let you know through this blog.
Cheers…