Friends (Quakers)

The conviction of Quakers, or the Society of Friends, is that genuine worship results in a change of attitude that has implications for all of life, especially areas of personal integrity and sensitivity to suffering and injustice. Therefore, Quakers have developed specific personal and corporate disciplines which help the worshiper to live out his or her faith.

In a publication called Friends Worship in a Pastoral Meeting, one Quaker expressed his group's vision for worship as follows:

True worship is as leaven in life. It permeates the soul or spirit and becomes the chief factor in determining the attitudes of life .… Participating in real worship, meeting God in worship, results in profound changes in our attitudes. Since attitudes determine our actions, worship can leaven all of life.

The impact of worship on Quaker life and ministry is rooted in two fundamental beliefs. The first is the belief that the ultimate purpose of worship is to conform human beings to God's image and that "?no part of our lives can remain untouched … [because] religion and life are of one stuff?" (Punshon, Encounter with Silence [Richmond, Ind.: Friends United Press, 1987]). True worship helps mold Christian values and attitudes toward injustice and suffering, making the worshiper aware of and sensitive to these aspects of life. Second, Quakers believe that all people are equal—regardless of gender, race, social status, or any other human distinction, including religious office—and that all people possess the potential for good. These beliefs have been augmented by the Friends' commitment to a high level of personal piety and biblical literacy. A survey of Quaker life and ministry reveals that the worship experience of Quakers has led them to practice family Bible reading and devotions, to treat women as equals, to maintain a commitment to social reform, to oppose slavery, to link worship and justice, to establish "?first-day?" schools for religious education, and to spread the gospel through world missions. The life and ministry of Quakers, like their worship, have taken unique forms. Liturgical scholar James F. White describes the Friends' lifestyle as a kind of "?worldly asceticism. But unlike most ascetics, they have lived married lives within the world?" (Protestant Worship: Traditions in Transition [Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1989]). In their attempt to live out their worship, the Friends developed unique forms and a vocabulary that includes words such as queries, concerns, testimonies, the manner of Friends and other terms. The Book of Discipline or Faith and Practice of each of the regional Quaker bodies—called yearly meetings—contains a series of questions or queries. The queries are formulated to help each member determine through self-examination whether he or she is living a consistent Christian life. They are arranged topically and focus on issues such as spiritual growth, meetings for worship and business, Christian fellowship, home and family, youth and the church, standards of life, business responsibility, missions, peace, race relations, and social conscience. Quakers are encouraged to read the queries regularly in private devotions as well as at public meetings. Quakers have always been sensitive to human needs. Under a sense of concern, an inner prompting of the Spirit that calls for obedience and sense of urgency, Friends have developed education and evangelism programs, carried out service projects, and initiated other kinds of spiritual and humanitarian actions. The Quaker testimonies, or public Christian witness, have been displayed historically in their simple lifestyle, their integrity in personal and business relations, and often their controversial stands on public issues. The testimonies have included opposition to war, slavery, and racial inequality. The Quaker way or the manner of Friends describes the way in which Friends try consciously to put their beliefs into practice in ministry and service to others. They identify and work with people in need and respond nonviolently when wronged. Today, commitment to the Good News of the gospel and its implications for all of life motivates evangelical Friends to witness for Christ through missions and evangelism. Many Quaker churches have strong outreach programs, and Bible study and accountability groups. In addition, Quakers continue to work for the spiritual and general welfare of ethnic groups and indigenous peoples throughout the world through both Quaker and other mission and relief organizations.