New Thought has never had trouble producing someone worth listening to. What we have struggled to build is anything that lasts once that person steps away. In my newest essay for New Thought Media Network, I look at why the tradition keeps generating charisma but not structure, and what it would mean to be led by someone formed rather than merely gifted. I write about the difference between the gift a person is given and the character they become under real accountability, and why sound, durable institutions may be the most faithful expression of the oneness we say we believe. This one sits close to the book I am writing, and it names a cost I think the movement is finally ready to weigh.
Yeah, I don’t think Emma Curtis Hopkins had any intention of being a charismatic teacher. I know the Fillmores didn’t really want that either. They also didn’t want to create centers and churches. ECH in particular, she closed the school with intention. She didn’t want the movement to be institutionalized. She wanted it to be transmitted person to person.
Unity was a hub for prayer. That was the original intention. I don’t know about Holmes’ goals, but I’ve been told by CSL leaders that he too didn’t want to start churches.
I still go to church, but it’s a Quaker meeting. This seems a bit more consistent with the underlining intent of the founders and seems to align better with what I want.
I’m not poo-pooing on institutions. They are great at preserving information. Yet, it seems that churches tend to separate more than they bring people together. Even within our own movement. Most people I met in my time within church circles (2020-early 2026) seemed to be disenfranchised with the religion of their youth and were looking for a more open place. The challenge is that this can often separate families and certainly separates communities.
I know the Fillmores intention for creating a school was to teach people to practice the principles and then take them to their communities and churches. That didn’t quite play out that way. Eric Butterworth, a prominent Unity teacher argued against the churchification of the movement as well.
I’m not saying churches are bad or wrong. Yet, the whole point of the initial movement was practical spirituality rooted in principles. I don’t know. I haven’t quite landed on any of these ideas. I just wonder if a more dominant institution is the right path forward. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a huge fan of marketplace spirituality either. I don’t have a solution. I pray regularly for one. LOL
“ Whew. This is powerful, Rev. David. This phrase—“because the excuse flatters us”—lands especially hard.
There is a version of metaphysics that can become so centered on personal consciousness, personal alignment, personal vibration, and personal freedom that it quietly removes us from any meaningful responsibility to one another. Liberation then becomes privatized: I am free, I am whole, I am creating my reality—while the suffering of others is explained away as something they attracted, chose, manifested, or simply have not become conscious enough to transcend.
And that is where metaphysics can cease being liberating and become another form of spiritual insulation.
If what I understand about the Divine leads me only deeper into myself but never enlarges my capacity for compassion, justice, responsibility, and relationship, then I have to question what exactly I have awakened to.
Perhaps genuine spiritual freedom does not absolve us from one another. Perhaps it frees us from the fear, ego, and illusion that prevent us from recognizing ourselves in one another.
The individual matters profoundly—but never in isolation. If the Divine is truly expressing as all of us, then another person’s humanity can never be entirely separate from my own.
That is the tension worth sitting with. — @rubengoff
Well said. My understanding is that Holmes argued for becoming an educational organization vs a church. Educational organizations have their own challenges, of course.
What I have tried to hold as my personal guide is Troward's statement of Principle over Personality. It is the teaching that needs to be at the Center of what we do - not the "leading lights" or the goal of organizational growth.
I have had the gift of learning from a wide variety of wonderful teachers and that has helped me focus on the teaching vs the teacher.
Organizational stability, however, provides a needed platform to support teachers - whether from the pulpit or the classroom - so leaders need to be organizationally competent. Or able to build solid working relationships with those who have those competencies.
Great conversation!!! I look forward to it continuing.
Thank you David. You may have said this and I missed it and I have found when the leader is charismatic the people hand over their personal and don't do the work. I'm excited for your book and I hope class offering is imminent
What a beautiful read, my dear friend, Robert. Positivity is charismatic, too, and has a shadow in this movement…..it’s not a solid foundation for one’s spiritual journey, but a damm sticky web. Thanks for your voice.
Sir! This. Oh my. I know some centers staring down succession planing that need to read this. Well done.
Yeah, I don’t think Emma Curtis Hopkins had any intention of being a charismatic teacher. I know the Fillmores didn’t really want that either. They also didn’t want to create centers and churches. ECH in particular, she closed the school with intention. She didn’t want the movement to be institutionalized. She wanted it to be transmitted person to person.
Unity was a hub for prayer. That was the original intention. I don’t know about Holmes’ goals, but I’ve been told by CSL leaders that he too didn’t want to start churches.
I still go to church, but it’s a Quaker meeting. This seems a bit more consistent with the underlining intent of the founders and seems to align better with what I want.
I’m not poo-pooing on institutions. They are great at preserving information. Yet, it seems that churches tend to separate more than they bring people together. Even within our own movement. Most people I met in my time within church circles (2020-early 2026) seemed to be disenfranchised with the religion of their youth and were looking for a more open place. The challenge is that this can often separate families and certainly separates communities.
I know the Fillmores intention for creating a school was to teach people to practice the principles and then take them to their communities and churches. That didn’t quite play out that way. Eric Butterworth, a prominent Unity teacher argued against the churchification of the movement as well.
I’m not saying churches are bad or wrong. Yet, the whole point of the initial movement was practical spirituality rooted in principles. I don’t know. I haven’t quite landed on any of these ideas. I just wonder if a more dominant institution is the right path forward. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a huge fan of marketplace spirituality either. I don’t have a solution. I pray regularly for one. LOL
The conversation will continue..and I;m glad you are part of the conversation.
“ Whew. This is powerful, Rev. David. This phrase—“because the excuse flatters us”—lands especially hard.
There is a version of metaphysics that can become so centered on personal consciousness, personal alignment, personal vibration, and personal freedom that it quietly removes us from any meaningful responsibility to one another. Liberation then becomes privatized: I am free, I am whole, I am creating my reality—while the suffering of others is explained away as something they attracted, chose, manifested, or simply have not become conscious enough to transcend.
And that is where metaphysics can cease being liberating and become another form of spiritual insulation.
If what I understand about the Divine leads me only deeper into myself but never enlarges my capacity for compassion, justice, responsibility, and relationship, then I have to question what exactly I have awakened to.
Perhaps genuine spiritual freedom does not absolve us from one another. Perhaps it frees us from the fear, ego, and illusion that prevent us from recognizing ourselves in one another.
The individual matters profoundly—but never in isolation. If the Divine is truly expressing as all of us, then another person’s humanity can never be entirely separate from my own.
That is the tension worth sitting with. — @rubengoff
I'm glad you are finding value in my work and writings.. You can learn more about my soon to be published book at https://givebutter.com/next-evolution-of-new-thought
This is beautiful. Excuse me while I go find the socks you blew off my feet. ❤️👏❤️👏❤️👏
I'll send you some new socks..just let me know what color.
I like those Bombas socks. 😆
Well said. My understanding is that Holmes argued for becoming an educational organization vs a church. Educational organizations have their own challenges, of course.
What I have tried to hold as my personal guide is Troward's statement of Principle over Personality. It is the teaching that needs to be at the Center of what we do - not the "leading lights" or the goal of organizational growth.
I have had the gift of learning from a wide variety of wonderful teachers and that has helped me focus on the teaching vs the teacher.
Organizational stability, however, provides a needed platform to support teachers - whether from the pulpit or the classroom - so leaders need to be organizationally competent. Or able to build solid working relationships with those who have those competencies.
Great conversation!!! I look forward to it continuing.
Thank you David. You may have said this and I missed it and I have found when the leader is charismatic the people hand over their personal and don't do the work. I'm excited for your book and I hope class offering is imminent
Thanks Gayle...You cangrab a launch copy fo the book here: https://givebutter.com/next-evolution-of-new-thought and I am workign on a class, actually a series of classes to compliment my work. Peace Robert
And forgive me for calling you by the wrong name
And forgive me for calling you by the wrong name
What a beautiful read, my dear friend, Robert. Positivity is charismatic, too, and has a shadow in this movement…..it’s not a solid foundation for one’s spiritual journey, but a damm sticky web. Thanks for your voice.