James Shepherd, public practitioner of Christian Science healing and speaker, gave his talk "Why everyone is needed" on Sunday, October 17th. You can watch a replay below.

The talk

The talk will focus on universal healing precepts found in the Holy Bible, especially in Christ Jesus' life and teachings, showing how they are available for anyone to understand and experience through the lens of Christian Science. The talk will be given in-person at First Church, Madison and simultaneously live-streamed over Zoom. It is sponsored by First Church of Christ, Scientist in Madison, Wisconsin.

This lecture explores the nature of God, infinite Love, as the only cause, and our unbreakable connection to God as God's offspring. It shows how this gives us our purpose and worth; what it means to see everyone from a more God-like, or spiritual, point of view. And why seeing everyone in this way has such an impact on our lives and on the lives of others.

As we get a clearer view of God, that gives us a clear sense of who we really are, and of our inseparable connection to God.

Sharing examples of healing, and of lives that have been transformed and lifted from dark times to healing and progress, Shepherd will explain why Christian Science is both Christian and scientific; meaning that people can prove its effectiveness for themselves, as fully described in the book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, written by the founder of the Christian Science movement, Mary Baker Eddy.

Shepherd will also touch on the life of Mary Baker Eddy, a mid-nineteenth century woman from New England, and how she came to understand, confirm, and teach what she felt was original Christian healing. Eddy herself said she was especially inspired by Jesus' demand, "He that believes on me, the works that I do will he do also; and greater works than these will he do, because I go unto my Father" (found in the Gospel of John 14:12 in the Bible).

For over 150 years, people around the world have also worked to follow Christ Jesus in this practice of Christianity and continue to do so today, with healings of physical ills and personal difficulties for themselves and others.

The speaker

James Shepherd has been a Christian Science practitioner for many years, helping people on a daily basis through this scientific approach to prayer. Based in Eugene, Oregon, he speaks to audiences around the world as a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship.