Centers for Spiritual Living
| Centers for Spiritual Living | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Religious Science |
| Orientation | New Thought |
| Associations | Affiliated New Thought Network, International New Thought Alliance |
| Origin | 1949 Los Angeles, California |
| Separated from | Religious Science International |
| Merger of | United Centers for Spiritual Living and International Centers for Spiritual Living, 2011 |
| Congregations | 400 |
| Official website | centersforspiritualliving.org |
The Centers for Spiritual Living, or CSL, is a religious denomination promoting Religious Science that was founded by Ernest Holmes in 1949. Before 2011, it was two organizations known as United Centers for Spiritual Living (formally, United Church of Religious Science) and International Centers for Spiritual Living (formally, Religious Science International).
Holmes and his brother Fenwicke learned about New Thought in Boston with Mary Baker Eddy, and later in Los Angeles were drawn to the belief in the power of the mind for healing and fulfillment of life. In 1926, Holmes's major work, The Science of Mind, was published, and in 1927 he founded the Institute of Religious Science and Philosophy in Los Angeles to teach his principles. After a growing number of the Institute's graduates established churches on teachings by Holmes, it was reorganized in 1949 as the Church of Religious Science. In the 1950s it split into two organizations that were originally called the United Church of Religious Science and Religious Science International.
The International Centers for Spiritual Living and United Centers for Spiritual Living reunited in 2011 after more than 50 years apart. After an eight-year process, the two organizations used a shared leadership model including nearly 400 volunteers. As of 2011, the organization has over 400 churches across North America.
In 2012 the newly merged Centers for Spiritual Living, elected Dr. Kenn Gordon as its first Spiritual Leader, having served in numerous capacities on the board of directors, including President of the former International Centers for Spiritual Living since 1999. In 2005 he was named Minister of the Year and received his Doctorate of Humanities. Dr. Kenn, along with wife Dr. Deborah Gordon, pastors the Centre for Spiritual Living Kelowna.
Holmes originally authored the organization's primary statement in his 1927 book, The Science of Mind. It has been adapted as the organization's statement called, "What We Believe".
In addition to hundreds of local centers on the world, the Centers for Spiritual Living have several major activities. They include operating the World Ministry of Prayer, publishing the Science of Mind magazine and Creative Thought magazine, and operating the Holmes Institute. The magazine started its publication in 1927, and the Institute was opened in 1972. The Holmes Institute is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council and is a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. It provides a Master's Degree program whose mission is to prepare spiritual leaders for service in the global community.
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