Christian Science practitioners advertising in The Christian Science Journal are experienced Christian Scientists, members of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, who make themselves publicly available to respond to requests for prayer. In service to God and their neighbour, their work consists entirely of
supporting through prayer alone those who ask for their help. Practitioners work with those from any location, background, culture, or faith. They practice from their highest sense of Christianity and integrity.
Journal-listed Christian Science practitioners are expected to participate annually in continuing education by attending a
Christian Science Association meeting. They also study, regularly, the weekly Christian Science Bible Lesson published in the Christian Science Quarterly.
Christian Science is a system of religion, morals, and metaphysical practice founded by Mary Baker Eddy. This Bible-based religion has been practiced for more than a century. As a prayer-based way of living, Christian Science rests solidly on the spiritual laws illustrated in the teachings and healing examples of Christ Jesus. The fundamental premise of Christian Science is that God, Spirit, is all good, and that each of us is God’s loved, spiritual offspring. Anyone can turn to God in prayer for the moral, physical, and spiritual healing of life’s challenges.
Prayer in Christian Science sets in order and harmonizes daily life in all its aspects.. It is more than a prayer of faith, and reveals to us the perfection of God, of His creation, including man creation, made in His image and likeness. This prayer,
referred to as treatment, purifies consciousness.
All of the God’s creation dwell and is governed in perfect harmony. Christian Scientists often speak of prayer as ‘knowing the truth,’ referring to Christ Jesus’ words when he declared, ‘Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’
(John 8 :32).
The all-presence of God, infinite good, means the exclusive presence of good and, therefore the non-presence of evil.
Christian Science does not ignore the evidence of sense material, but deals with it as did Christ Jesus. Christian Science refutes the lie about a perfect man. The man of God’s creation is as free as is his creator, never touched by any sin, sickness,
death. That is basic of prayer in Christian Science, lifting to healing, and this prayer of understanding acknowledges spiritual reality.
Practitioners work with those from any location, background, culture, or faith. They practice from their highest sense of Christianity and integrity.
The services of a Christian Science practitioner does not include any form of psychological treatment, including counseling or therapy; utilizing any form of medical technology or treatment, including diagnosis, prognosis, drugs (medicated, herbal, vitamin-based products or remedies), or physical therapy; but he or she may document reported conditions for insurance
purposes; any form of physical contact or therapeutic measures, such as laying on of hands or manipulation; any use of a formula for prayer; or hypnotism, witchcraft, or will-power; giving advice about, or assuming responsibility for, any kind of life decision, including decisions regarding finances, health care, or physical care; giving advice about, or interfering with a person’s choice in, the use of medical care; claiming any personal healing power (God is the source of healing power).
For further details see the Scope of Services
Christian Science practitioners advertising in The Christian Science Journal are independent workers who are paid by the individuals who engage them, not by the Church.
Christian Science Journal listed practitioners are in the full-time ministry of healing and charge for their services.
‘These people should not be expected, more than others, to give all their time to Christian Science work, receiving no wages in return, but left to be fed, clothed, and sheltered by charity. Neither can they serve two masters, giving only a portion of their time to God, and still be Christian Scientists. They must give Him all their services, and “owe no man.” To do this, they must at present ask a suitable price for their services, and then conscientiously earn their wages, strictly practicing Divine Science, and healing the sick’ (Mary Baker Eddy, ‘Rudiments of Christian Science,’ p. 13-14).
For further information about charges see services fees.