Q&A

In the local Denver church we continually contemplate the teachings of the New Testament; we annually observe the church year--Advent, Christmas, Easter etc.;  we baptize and christen ; and we periodically celebrate Communion. 

We encourage individuals to ponder deeply the whole Bible, and we regularly hold classes and discussion groups on the Bible, especially various moments in the life of Jesus--the birth, the baptism, the temptation in the wilderness, the ministry, the crucifixion, and the resurrection. We impose no dogma of any kind because we believe the individual's response to the Bible and especially to the life and teaching of Jesus is an intensely private matter. 

We also honor all great religions and all sincere spiritual searches, and we regularly study other religions and Scriptures, believing that to do so is an important part of our spiritual work.  We also honor and study a number of contemporary spiritual movements that are independent of any particular religious affiliation--such as Jungian psychology and the new cosmology. 
 

Is Divine Science the same as Christian Science? 

No. Christian Science and Divine Science have some common roots in the New Thought movement, but they are separate and somewhat different systems of belief.  For a detailed history see the book  Spirits in Rebellion by Charles S. Braden (Southern Methodist University Press). 

Do you go to doctors? 

Avoiding doctors and medications is not part of Divine Science. Believing in the omnipresence of God, we believe that God can and does act through health care professionals and their resources as well as through prayer.  Most of our members probably use the health care system just as you do. 

We do believe in the power of prayer and in the part played in healing processes by mental and spiritual factors. 

What are your Sunday services like? 

The format  will probably seem quite familiar to you. See Sunday Service. 

Are you a New Age church? 

No. We gratefully acknowledge some of  the contributions of the New Age movement to American spirituality. It has led a broad cross section of our generation to a new appreciation of  the inner life, of  Jungian psychology, and of  Eastern traditions of spirituality. But we do not, as a denomination or as a local  church, advocate or engage in channeling, color therapy, astrology, the use of crystals or similar practices associated with the New Age movement.  

Do you believe in prosperity consciousness? 

We believe that mental and spiritual factors are involved in anyone's experience  of supply.  However,  while some New Thought churches emphasize prosperity consciousness and the pursuit of financial and material success, we believe that true prosperity means living a full and spiritually rich life including access to inner guidance, an assured sense of  self-esteem, healthy and loving relationships with other people, and an awakened consciousness of all that life has to offer. When these joys are realized in a life, plentiful supply invariably follows. The reverse is not true. 

What does it cost to attend your Church? 

All donations at the Sunday services are strictly voluntary. There is no charge for becoming a member of the Church. A free-will donation is asked  for many events at the Church, such as classes and lectures. The suggested donation  is usually modest ($5). Ticket prices for special events and  outside speakers fall within the standard range for Denver.