The Mother Church furthers this religious purpose by guiding, supporting and coordinating activities throughout the hierarchy on matters concerning the ministry of religious services, training of clergy and other staff, dissemination and ecclesiastical administration as well as social betterment activities.

Church of Scientology International also sees to the publication and distribution of Scientology Scripture throughout the world through two publishing houses, one located in the United States and the other in Denmark, and one internal division, Golden Era Productions, which produces religious films, videotapes, audio tapes and laser discs at its own film studio.

The churches that provide religious services to parishioners are arranged in a hierarchy that reflects the gradient nature of the religion’s spiritual levels. As discussed below, Scientology religious services are ministered by independent field ministers and churches of all sizes.