Appointment and government

The officers of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, are appointed by the Christian Science Board of Directors and governed by the Church Manual By-Laws provided by Mary Baker Eddy.

Mary Baker Eddy — Pastor Emeritus

Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) discovered and founded Christian Science and is Pastor Emeritus for The First Church of Christ, Scientist. more

Christian Science Board of Directors

The Christian Science Board of Directors has five members—each with an equal voice in overseeing both the Church’s long-term direction and day-to-day operations. The current members are: Michael Pabst, Margaret Rogers, Nate Talbot, Mary Trammell, and Lyle Young. All five board members are, first and foremost, Christian Science healers. That means they are all Christian Science practitioners, providing professional healing services to the public. Each is also a teacher of Christian Science (hence the "C.S.B." after each of their names), which means each one conducts an annual in-depth course of spiritual study. According to the By-Laws in the Church Manual, the Directors fill any vacancy occurring on that Board. Below are short bios for each Board member.

Michael Pabst, C.S.B. — Director

Michael is a native of Germany, as well as a citizen of the USA, and has a degree in civil engineering. After his study, he conducted research projects on the containment of hazardous waste for the Technische Universität München (University of Technology, Munich) for several years. He was asked to move to Boston where he served for 14 years as Producer of the radio programs associated with Der Herold der Christlichen Wissenschaft, Managing Editor for the print edition of the Herold, and Manager of Practitioner Services. Before his election to the Board of Directors, Michael also served on the Board of Lectureship for four years. more

Margaret Rogers, C.S.B. — Director

As a teenager, Margaret volunteered in programs to help children of migrant workers. This interest in humanity grew into a career in Christian Science, which started with Christian Science nursing and led to public speaking on Christian Science healing as a member of the Board of Lectureship. Margaret’s audiences included college students and professionals in medicine and religious studies. She has also managed the office of Christian Science practitioner activities, in which she supported professional healers around the world. Margaret currently chairs the Board of Trustees of The Mary Baker Eddy Library for the Betterment of Humanity. more

Nathan Talbot, C.S.B. — Director, Clerk

Nate earned a law degree at Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, before coming to work at The First Church of Christ, Scientist. Prior to his election to the Christian Science Board of Directors, he wrote and spoke for the Church in a variety of capacities. He has been Executive Editor of the Church’s religious magazines and also managed the Church’s office of legislative and media relations – the Committee on Publication. He has a lifelong interest in traveling and exploring mountains and the wilderness. more 

Mary Trammell, C.S.B. — Director

Mary holds a PhD. in Literature and Bible history, and wrote her dissertation on the King James Bible. She taught at the University of Miami and Florida Atlantic University. Before election to the Board, Mary was Church Historian and, later, Editor of the Church’s religious magazines. During this time as Editor, she co-authored the book, The Reforming Power of the Scriptures. Mary is currently Editor-in-Chief of the Church’s periodicals, including The Christian Science Monitor. more

Lyle Young, C.S.B. — Director

Lyle, a native of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, first learned of Christian Science at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, where he received a degree in music performance. After graduation he began studying Christian Science, and several years later went into the public healing practice.  He became a Christian Science teacher in 1991, later managed the Church’s legislative and media relations for Canada, and served as First Reader of The Mother Church in Boston from 2004-2007. Lyle has given public lectures and facilitated workshops on the subject of Christian Science healing in English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish in some 35 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. more

Channing Walker, C.S. — President

Channing is devoted to the full-time practice of Christian Science healing. His longtime dedication to the public practice began while living in New York City several decades ago. He later returned to his native Southern California. Many of you will know of Channing’s substantial service to our Cause from his hundreds of articles published in the Christian Science periodicals, some of which have been unsigned editorials.  He has also served as a member of the Board of Lectureship. Channing participates actively in church from a small town nestled in the mountains near San Bernardino National Forest. From this quiet spot, he’s looking forward to fulfilling this office, prayerfully supporting the Church officers and members, and he invites us all to join him in this prayer.

Karl S. Sandberg, C.S.B. — First Reader

Sandy’s service to The Mother Church began in 1967 when he entered the Church’s Chaplain Training Program. After serving as a Chaplain in the United States Army, he became listed as a practitioner in The Christian Science Journal in 1981. He became a teacher of Christian Science in 1988. He has served the Church in many capacities, including service as a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship; as Vice President, President, and Teacher of the Board of Education; and as guest Reader for services at The Mother Church. more

Marian C. English, C.S.B. — Second Reader

Marian’s early religious training was in the Methodist Church. She is a graduate of the University of Nebraska, where she majored in modern languages, journalism, and English composition. She served on the Christian Science Board of Lectureship for nine years, followed by a term as President of The Mother Church for one year. Marian is a Christian Science teacher and has had 20 years of Christian Science healing practice in the Colorado Springs area. She has contributed many articles to the Christian Science periodicals and also reads some of the live text submissions that come in from people around the world during online Wednesday testimony meetings. more

Henry "Lyon" Osborn — Treasurer

As a child, Lyon was introduced to Christian Science when his mother was healed of broken vertebrae and a spinal arthritic condition by reading Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. In college, he was president of the Christian Science Organization at Yale University, where he majored in Political Science and graduated with honors. Lyon also earned an M.B.A. from Babson College. He has served as First Reader, board member, and Sunday School teacher in his local branch church. Lyon has held a variety of roles at The Mother Church, including Senior Manager of the Clerk’s Office and Manager of The Christian Science Publishing Society.

Link to Church Manual inserts (they'll be on the right side of the webpage)