I was working in my office early one Saturday morning as I noticed two missionaries walking up our sidewalk. At first, I felt dread, at having to stop my work to deal with them. Our neighborhood is frequented by missionaries from two different faiths. But then I had a change of heart. I thought, “I’m going to share Christian Science with them.”
So, with a joyful and cheerful attitude, I opened the door and greeted them with a happy welcome. They quickly asked if I wanted a paper on finding salvation. I thanked them for the offer and said that I had something even better to share with them.
I assured them of my respect for their faith and showed my appreciation for their love of the Bible, and that I had a strong faith in God and love of the Bible too. But that I had also discovered Christian Science, which had taught me more about the Bible and more about the healing power of God than any other faith I had studied or known.
They didn’t know anything about Christian Science, so I continued to share my understanding of this amazing religion with them.
I explained that Christian Science takes prayer very seriously. It’s not just for the healing of sin, but for healing of the body too, just like Jesus Christ expected his followers to practice.
Their eyes started to widen.
There is so much more to the Bible than you may have ever realized, I said. Christian Science can take your understanding of the healing power of God to a higher level. It reveals how to pray like Jesus taught us to pray and expected his followers to pray and heal.
They were respectful and continued to listen. So, I shared some of my experience over the decades with not having to race to the hospital or the drug store when I had a health problem. But that Christian Science had taught me how to pray when ill and be healed.
One lady asked, “Does that mean if you get in a serious car accident and all broken up and bleeding that you wouldn’t go to the hospital?” “I’d go to the hospital if I thought I needed too,” I said. “Anytime I have a health problem, I pray and listen for God’s direction first, and then decide what to do,” I added. “And God’s help has always been there for me,” I assured them. I told them that in over 50 years, I’ve never had to go to a hospital or visit a drug store because of what Christian Science has done for me.
Then I said, “I can give you a book that explains how to do all this, if you’d like.” They declined my offer but parted with respect and a new perspective they had not known before.
I was happy I freely shared and grateful to do some missionary work of my own that day.
My response to missionaries at my door
July 2, 2020 | 27 comments
What a super experience for you Evan…and an even better one for your visitors especially if they choose to investigate Christian Science more deeply. It’s like a pebble in a pool. I had monthly visits from church goers when living in Scotland. I told them I was studying CS and tried to explain that I had found what I needed and believed we are all the spiritual children of God regardless of faith. They asked if they could leave literature ..I said of course and gave them a journal in return. Well they continued to come every month and asked how we were etc but never again tried to impress their beliefs on me. We just have to keep loving everyone and know Our prayers can never come back empty. Great post today..❣️
When I’ve been visited by others proselytizing, I’ve offered to exchange a Sentinel or Journal, or whatever I had handy, and have tried to share – not so beautifully thorough as Evan— but as well as I could. It is so important to show respect to others. Just yesterday a young cousin came who us quite a fundamentalist Christian, and we had a very loving time together. She knew nothing about Christian Science and I was delighted to share our precious Knowledge with her. She graciously and excitedly listened. It was a holy experience.
Thank you so much.
Thank you Evan for sharing your experience. I think we’ve all been there! Yes, it’s easy to get frustrated when others try to promote their beliefs on us uninvited. A loving response is always the answer. I just let them know I already have found salvation. That’s usually it. If not I just continue sharing Christian Science with them and, as Evan found, it is a wonderful opportunity. If you offer to share some of our literature they are usually outta there! I try to follow up with seeing “the perfect man” of God’s creating. And send them off with a loving thought, spoken or silent.
This did not come to my inbox today, as by the response to comments, it probably didn’t to others either, as sometimes happens, like yesterday, too…so came here directly today.
I have had wonderful discussions with ‘visitors’ of other faiths that have come, when I was out in the front yard (and didn’t have a choice but to talk to them). One time I had been feeling down and was trying to think spiritually when they appeared and our discussion helped uplift my thought as well as theirs. They have come back several times but are more like friends, listening and agreeing and not trying to push their way of thinking. I think we are all trying to get to the same place, but have varying pathways and journeys in getting there. They are trying to make the world a better place in the way they know how. I think it is refreshing discussing ideas and find we agree with more than what we disagree.
I love your comment about talking with visitors in the front yard. I think it’s an age-old tradition. I’ve read about the discussions that used to go on freely and full of life back in the 1100’s between Jews and Christians and Muslims. How lovely to have such discussions in your own yard in 2020!
What strikes me most about this encounter was your shift from dread to acceptance of God’s opportunity to bless. I have been recognizing that interruptions and distractions really are an important part of God’s work for us. Even if, like in this instance you were doing some other divinely directed, important work that was God appointed. I am working to also recognize these precious moments where we can turn from annoyance or dread and express love and patience. It clearly blesses both us and whoever or whatever we need to pause and interact with. Very cool experience! So grateful for all you share with us.
I love that you shared this, Evan, thank you. Many times in the past I would be fearful when I’d see missionaries coming to my house,. When I was in my early adult years I had a bad experience with one being very pushy when I declined. Almost like the “foot in the door” method. Later in the years, after studying with another faith, I was encouraged by my mother to come back to CS. When a fellow from that other faith had come to my door I was led to explain to him that I felt they missed the healing aspect and that I was happy in my learning about that. He listened respectfully and I never saw him again. Yes, I too am very grateful for all that you share with us, and encourage us to comment and share with each other. It’s like a big family.
One of my responses has been to point out not just reading the Bible daily but thinking about what is being said and not accepting all of the words as the truth using Genesis 1 and 2 as an example, as they are opposites. And then if Genesis 2 was true and if God made man as capable of sinning and then punishing him for sinning, He wouldn’t be a God of Love and I wouldn’t trust Him or have any faith in Him. But knowing that God is Love and always loving me, I could trust Him completely to heal, protect, guide and govern all aspects of my life and that is what I did as a Christian Scientist. It was what my religion taught and I wouldn’t consider any other religion.
I did not receive this in my box today but had to look for it on an older one. So glad I found it.
Many years ago going through a divorce many missionaries of a particular faith kept coming to my door. When they finally would leave I needed to spend quite a lot of time reaffirming what I was learning in Christian Science as I clung desperately to he truth to keep my hourly and daily equilibrium. One day during this time I realized I had not seen the missionaries for some time. It was many years before I saw any and then I was always happy to see them and share. I’ve always cherished this healing.
Thank you all for sharing.
Whenever I have had visits by young people who are missionaries for their faith, I always begin by telling them how impressed and grateful I am to welcome them. I tell them that it cannot be easy to go out into the world to share their message even though they love the sharing. How courageous they are to express God’s love to all his children. I have been able to share Sentinels and Journals and made sure I invited them to a Wednesday Evening Meeting…and they came. Two different pairs of guys were gracious enough to come. They loved what they heard and accepted the truth expressed by members at the end of the service. They knew that we cared for them and certainly took away a good feeling about Christian Scientists.
Thanks for the opportunity to relate an exact replica of your experience a short few years ago. Always meet other faiths with respect for their experience a s a believer in our one God. Love thy neighbor and preach the gospel to everyone , even to animals and flowers , plants and trees. Love is the answer!!!
Wow Evan, this did not arrive until after 5:00 in the afternoon today but boy oh boy was it worth waiting for. Thank you for taking the time to Welcome your uninvited visitors, for lovingly listening and then being willingly to give even More time in sharing CS with them. Your loving thought change prepared you and then the experience was shared with all of us in today’s beautiful blog. I’m sure these uninvited guests will be handled better by me, the next time they appear at my door. I will remember…I Too have something to Share and not be afraid to offer up that “cup of cold water” which may be just the thing needed in each one of there experiences. God gives us many many opportunities to share His/her Truth as He is such a loving God
Thank you everyday for all the good you share with us!!
Most lovingly, CayDee
Thank you Evan for sharing your experience. This validates that I too did the right thing is discussing Christian Science with missionaries at my front door. I remember a time when a major issue was going on in our country. I spoke about how my religious teaches us how to pray and expect healing. I spoke how I prayed. Their eyes also were wide open. At the end they both agreed that they didn’t have anything more to add and that I was doing well in what I was doing. I think I may have given them a Sentinel as I graciously accepted their magazine and thanked them for their prayers.
What a beautiful response. Thank you for sharing,
Karen
Wow, thank you so much for this! I have never been able to get much of anywhere with those like them.
A couple of years ago, I tried to share CS with someone who might be a long-lost biological relative of mine when she told me about her acceptance of Jesus as her personal savior. I tried to do so on the 10 Commandments, particularly trying to show her the spiritual interpretation of the 7th one beyond just cheating on your spouse. But she just accused me of going against the Bible and only then told me that she’d had friends who were CS’s before and that they’d simply agreed to not discuss religion. But I have mostly stayed away from her ever since because she’s so stubbornly toxic in her thinking-she’s one of those who’s very conservative and is VERY intolerant of ways of thinking that are different from her own. It’s not that I don’t do my best to see them as God’s reflections and all. I’ve just always had a very difficult time getting anywhere with them.
When I’ve had visits like this in the past I’ve always been respectful and kind to these people. I feel genuine appreciation and love for them as I know they love the One God. It’s not easy to put yourself out there the way they do, and I find that to be courageous.. I don’t say much, just smile and accept their literature and say I am a believer and love God too. I bless them silently as they leave. They are expressions of Love and goodness. The world needs spirituality and God now more than ever. Each in his/her own way. So grateful for CS and all that I continue to learn. Thanks Evan and all commenters.
It is awesome, Evan, your God inspired talk with the Missionaries about Christian Science and it’s higher understanding of the Holy Bible. Thank you for sharing with us this loving experience. Surely these missionaries parted from you with an enriched understanding of the Bible and CS.
Thank you for the beautiful foto of your entrance.
Thank you all for your inspired comments.
Thank you Evan! I’m very impressed that you took the time to talk to them like you did, that’s what a true Christian is about! I’m sure they have a very good starter knowledge about Christian Science and see it in a very good light after your conversation.
In the past when missionaries came I would just respectfully take their literature and thank them. But then I decided to keep a Science and Health by the door and if they offered me literature I offered to trade. They always turned me down and soon no missionaries were visiting. Now I have installed a “Little Free Library” in my front yard and always keep a Science and Health available.. I have had to buy S&H by the case.
What a great way to share Science and Health through the “Little Library” format! That certainly blesses the neighborhood and those seeking new ideas. What blesses one blesses all! Love is always the answer here I think!
I shared a Science and Health with two young gentlemen missionaries and accepted their book offered. They kept SH for over a week and then returned it to my front door but I felt they at least had an introduction to Christian Science through our discussion and if they also read some of the book!
Awesome, Evan! Dare I say that those missionaries didn’t stand a chance!
I remember a time in Paris when 2 missionaries – Mormons- came to my door. From a friend who’d been on a mission to Sweden, I knew that they relied on the kindness of strangers to eat on a daily basis. So invited them in for dinner and after putting our son to bed, shared Gen 1 vs 2 with them, and what Science and Health has to say on the subject. I do not recall the exchange of literature, but they left several hours later Fed and nourished by the Word of God. I don’t ever remember them coming to my door again. I did relate this to my friend who is a Mormon and she expressed her thanks for my hospitality to them. Love is what it is all about.
Dear Evan and those sharing their heartfelt comments, I grew up in a home that loved Christian Science. We moved fourteen times and I attended ten schools by the time I went away to college. We had missionaries welcome us and/or urge us to join their faith many times Like Evan, my mother felt that it was an opportunity to share her love of God and CS when they came. She accepted their literature nut also she gave them cooies of the CS Sentinel or a CS pamphlet- featuring articles from our periodicals which were put into a collection on a specific topic that arose in the conversation. I learned so much about loving mankind through these simple exchanges I love the way Evan responded to this exchange. The spontaneity enthusiam respect and kindness Evan showed along with his sharing of a spiritual viewpoint is truly a deeper out pouring of Love. Spontaneity is a quality of Christ Jesus’ healing work- the spontaneous recognition of the Christ-selfhood present within each individual idea, man. Thank you, Evan and all respondents I feel cheered in this divine recognition you all make apparent.
Lovingly
Emilie Anne
I’m really late on this, but I have to share what comes from my years of experience working in Reading Rooms.
There’s no ‘us’ and ‘them’. Christian Science is not a religion, it’s the truth of everyone’s oneness with infinite Love, now and forever. Thinking of others as having different religions is the thinking of many minds. I know this is really absolute, but it’s the only place to start.
When I greet people in the RR I am greeting the expressions of infinite Mind, the one ‘I AM”
and these expressions are to be honored for the journey they’ve taken to that door.
I never use the term “We believe that . . .” If I do I’ve immediately categorized him or her as a ‘them’, outside of “we,” outside the club. After learning what their needs are (usually it’s for a Bible), I honor them for that! I share my love of the Bible. After they decide on a Bible, or not, I ask, Were they searching for a deeper understanding of the Bible? Here is the most amazing book about the Bible ever written. See all those books against the wall? That’s over 140 years of people reading this book and finding they have such an understanding of the Bible, of what Jesus was teaching, that they find it heals them and others of all sorts of illnesses and issues, without drugs!
I say. “This book’s explanation of the Bible and Jesus’ words makes me feel so close to God, I feel God’s love for me and all. It makes the whole Bible make sense! I know your pastor and everyone in your church would love this book, if they understood it.”
So as others have said, I honor their love and courage, and I love them, and I share what I love what the Christ is telling me about them, as I’ve learned from this book, this key to the Bible. And it’s felt. Mormons and others have welcomed it.
Well, that is wonderful! Thank you for the tips on this problem. It beats the tactic I used one time when I offered $5. for the cause and the callers left soon after. I believe I tried giving a pamphlet too but don’t remember the reaction. Many thanks for sharing, I admit I laughed out loud at the initial dread – not uncommon.
Good job, Evan!