Scientology Organization and Hierarchy

The Scientology religion is based exclusively upon L. Ron Hubbard’s research, writings and recorded lectures—all of which constitute the Scripture of the religion. These encompass more than 500,000 pages of writings, nearly 3,000 recorded lectures and more than 100 films. Mr. Hubbard is the only source of the Scientology Scripture, and he has no successor. A fundamental doctrine of Scientology is that spiritual freedom can be attained only if the path outlined in these works is followed without deviation, for it is an intensively researched and workable route.

To comprehend Scientology, one must look past the parameters one might be familiar with, such as those of the Judeo-Christian tradition, and look East. Like the Judeo-Christian religions, Scientology affirms the existence of a Supreme Being and places the Supreme Being at the apex of its cosmology, but like many Eastern religions, salvation in Scientology is attained through personal spiritual enlightenment. This, then, is the essence of Scientology: The Bridge, the auditing and training that takes place every day of the year in every Scientology Church in the world. The mission of Scientology is, after all, nothing less than the rehabilitation of the human spirit. And, in the decades since the Church’s birth, it is because of its ability to unerringly attain this age-old goal that people from all walks of life and diverse cultures in nations throughout the world continue to reach for the promise of the Scientology faith in ever-increasing numbers.

Just as the training and auditing Bridge provides a carefully measured, step-by-step path to spiritual freedom consisting of ever-ascending levels, so the ecclesiastical Organizations of the Scientology religion are arranged in a hierarchical structure that reflects these levels. At the lower levels of this hierarchy are individual field ministers, Groups and Missions who minister beginning auditing and training, and at the upper levels are larger Church Organizations that minister the Advanced Level services.

Spanning all Churches is a system of International Management that supports, coordinates and assists to ensure that the spiritual technology of Dianetics and Scientology developed by L. Ron Hubbard is available to everyone who wishes to receive it and that these services are applied precisely as Mr. Hubbard set forth.

As a general matter, every Scientology Church is separately incorporated and has its own local board of directors and executives responsible for its own activities and well-being, both corporate and ecclesiastical. Together, these Churches form an extensive international network of thousands of Churches, Missions and Groups in 167 countries. There are tens of thousands of Scientologists that serve as staff members of these Churches and Missions and related Groups and Organizations around the world.

The mission of Scientology is, after all, nothing less than the rehabilitation of the human spirit.

For more information about Scientology organization, go to: Scientology.org/ChurchStructure