What to Expect in Quaker Meeting for Worship
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- What can you expect in a Quaker Worship Service? This is a guide for newcomers on the basics: what to expect in Quaker Meeting for Worship.
Quaker Speak is a weekly video series. Subscribe so you never miss a video! QuakerSpeak.com...
Thanks to Downingtown Friends Meeting for allowing us to film there!
downingtownfrie...
More Videos on Quaker Meeting for Worship:
• Quaker Meeting for Wor...
Explore the Quaker Way:
www.fgcquaker.o...
Read Friends Journal to see how other Friends describe the substance of Quaker spirituality
www.FriendsJour...
Come worship with Friends! Find Quakers near you on QuakerFinder and Friends Journal's meeting listings
www.fgcquaker.o...
www.friendsjour...
Music:
“Steamboat” by How How
freemusicarchiv...
Transcript:
Josh Brown
Quakers believe that if you want to find out what God has to say, you need to listen. And so we spend a lot of time listening in quiet prayer. That quiet prayer time, which can happen anytime, anywhere, is the heart of the Quaker religious experience.
What to Expect in Quaker Meeting for Worship
Maggie Harrison
If you are going to go into Quaker Meeting for the first time, first of all, congratulations. So you walk in, sit down, be quiet. What to expect when you’re there, besides just “go with the flow” is different things depending on where you are.
What Should I Wear?
Vanessa Julye
Unlike some other churches, you don’t need to dress up with suit and tie or a fancy dress. Most of the folks come in jeans, t-shirts, or shorts/t-shirts. Whatever you’re comfortable in.
Should I Bring My Kids?
Maggie Harrison
So you’re thinking about coming to Meeting and you have children. You really need to know that you have to bring them. They may or may not enjoy themselves but we’re always so thrilled to have young people join us. They come and they’re bringing their alive-ness and their love and their genuine-ness. So please, yes, bring them.
Entering The Space:
A Plain Setting
Maggie Harrison
So if you come into this space and you’re looking for images or words on the walls, some kind of direction, and you’re going to notice that there isn’t going to be any there. From the very beginning of Quakerism, its about the inside. So it’s about you not looking around you for that, but really going inward for your own wisdom, for your own piece of the divine that’s been given to you.
Kody Hersh
Sometimes a worship room will look like a really old building with benches that have been sat on by thousands of Quakers over hundreds of years and sometimes it will look like the basement of another local church.
Entering the Space:
Where Should I Sit?
Kody Hersh
Something that’s common to them is that people often will enter already in silence, find a place in the room and sit down in silence. Anyone coming into the room can sit anywhere, there’s not a right place or a wrong place to sit.
The Service:
Learning to Listen
Christie Duncan-Tessmer
So before you go into Meeting for Worship for the first time, I’ll tell you what I’ve always told my kids when they were little, every week before we went in, which is just, “remember when you go in, to just sit down and listen for God. God is here with us and this is a space to listen.”
Charlotte Cloyd
The first time I went to Quaker Meeting I didn’t know how to listen. Because I had never listened in church before. I had to work on that process of figuring out: what am I listening for? Am I listening to myself? What’s going on? What is everyone else listening to and how does that affect the community and me?
Maggie Harrison
So in that quiet-ness you walk in, you say, “Ok, everyone is sitting there quietly, when are the directions going to come? What am I going to do?” Just follow suit.
Christie Duncan-Tessmer
Just sit down in that space. Just feel the space and the people around you and open yourself as much as you can. Just continue to notice how you can be aware of all that’s around you and all that’s within you, and how that’s all connected to everybody else in the room.
More:
QuakerSpeak.com...
SUBSCRIBE for a new video every week! fdsj.nl/QS-Subscribe
WATCH all our videos: fdsj.nl/qs-all-videos
FILMED & EDITED by Jon Watts: jonwatts.com
This is every introvert's dream church. I grew up as a pentecostal and feel stressed with the hype, bright lights, monitors, sound systems. How can you possibly listen to anyone let alone God with all that over sensory chaos?
I agree! I grew up Pentecostal and am also an extreme introvert and this appeals to me so much!
There’s a lot of small Pentecostal churches with no lights, heavy sounds, and people screaming. Just gotta find another one.
Yes
🥱
I never grew up as a Pentecostal, but I do feel anxiety during the pomp and circumstance of religious services. It makes me look for the exit.
I am a Muslim and I looooved it seriously.
I just started watching videos on Quakers and it is pretty cool. I will definitely going to check out their church for sure.
remember to be focusing on Allah the whole time no matter what :)
@Boxey collectey
Lol thanks for writing. Great to hear you like them. Lol yabo bayo likes them lol he's Muslim or Arab. The Arabs are really cool and love sharing. Totally opposite of the jews
@Boxey collectey
Thanks for commenting nice to meet you.
@@studiodevelopers2467 Are you denigrating Jewish people?
@@studiodevelopers2467 The Jews I've met must be very different from the ones you meet
“If God has ever spoken, then God is still speaking.”
Think about what that means. That's powerful stuff ❤
In my opinion silence is probably the best way to truly connect with God and feel the warmth and love surrounding you...Especially when you have people to experience it with just adds to the energy and spirit.
There is a place for everything before God, silence, prayer, praise, dance and even shouting if you check the scriptures. There is a time for all these things. Not just silence.
+Tony Conrad. The Quakers share all of those activities too during their many social activities within the Quaker organisation. But the Meetings are for silent assembly. When it comes to connecting with God silent assembly makes a lot more sense to me than gathering to hear endless man-made dogma and rules of behaviour. Thankfully in this world there are many organisations with different preferences on how best to connect with God. The Quakers' way appeals to me and doesn't appeal to you and this should be perfectly fine. I hope you have already found, or will eventually find, whatever way suits you best.
Listening in silence is a good way to hear the Lord tell you about sin in your life too.
@@betsywoolbright8059 Oh, blow off.
I am quite impressed by this, I never knew much about Quakers before today but I like the simple way in which they worship, without all the usual rights and rituals. It looks like a really peaceful and straightforward religion.
Hi Ur gulp. I agree. I am not a member but I have been attending Quaker meetings for about eighteen months. I feel completely "at home" with the people in this organisation... they are so kind and positive I also love that they actively live their beliefs. For example, they protest peacefully against the wrongs in society. They are 100% anti-war. Their full name is "The Society of Friends" and they truly are friends to one another... and to me from the first day I went along to a meeting. They believe in living simple but fulfilling lives by being industrious and helping others less fortunate. There is no hierarchy, so everyone has an equal standing. Women are treated equally to men and always have been since the day it was founded several centuries ago. There is no list of "rules of behaviour" like we find in other Christian religions. It is just a wonderful organisation that acknowledges the spiritual freedom and equality of the individual. And of course because it is not run by strict discipline and dogma it doesn't attract control freaks. The nicest, most balanced and intelligent people I've ever met are the Quakers I met since I started attending meetings.
Lovely to hear :) My father used to attend Quaker meetings many years ago after moving to a new town, they helped him find employment as well as settle in to a new community where he didn't know anybody. He still speaks very fondly of them to this day, although he has moved in a more Eastern religious direction.
Helenaville how do you mean you're not a member but you've been attending the meetings?
@@riskromer9773 most religions allow non-members to attend and practice as much or as little as they like, sort of try it out for however long you want to before deciding to formally join or not. I suppose it is like people "dating" or even "living together" without making the formal commitment of "marriage". Often the only difference between being a formal "member" and not is that members can vote on things the church does while non-members do not have voting rights. Another analogy might be people who live in a given country without becoming official "citizens" (like "ex-pats" living abroad or people in the USA who are here on visas).
You can stay home and do the same thing.
Looked up info about modern Quakers after reading about it in AP U.S History. I’m honestly shocked by how much I love these ideas. It seems like something I would love to be a part of. Oops.
That happened to me too! We were just talking about it in class today and my teacher explained how the meetings worked and I thought "That's so cool! I wanna check that out!"
Same here LOL. They seem really cool.
I went to a Quaker meetings a couple of times. The people were very friendly and open minded. It's nice to see people genuinely interested in welcoming you. A very compassionate and humble bunch.
Reminds me of mediation, listening inside for answers coming from God.
Well god is within you therefor you are god, and our god does not judge so there is no place for us to judge anyone or anything.
@@TheForkedtoungueyou're completely incorrect
There are different kinds of Quakers. Where I live most Quakers are of the evangelical variety. They have 10 or 15 minutes of silent worship but they also have sermons, hymns, and a hierarchy. It was okay for a while, but after an elder told me I should move to another country because I didn't agree with his conservative political views, I left. Now I practice this on my own every day.
That feels like a group of Quakers who lost their way. There should never be a hierarchy in Quakerism. We all have a piece of light in us.
I’m so sorry for your bad experience, I’m glad you continued your relationship with God. I hope and pray He directs your path to a fellowship near you. God has called us to be a connected body....❤️🙏🏻
People will let you down. Jesus never will. As for conservative political views. If you take the time you will find that you are on the side of Jesus or the side of the devil. Hate the sin. Not the person.
There was a division of the quakers just as modern religion. Some became about self than God.
Never let individuals deter you from your seeking to connect with God. Even the " godly" can produce short sighted people. Believe me I'm 72 and have met a few. Humans will be humans. God is the constant.
Who else is here because of Jessica
Me! I didn't know what Quakerism was but when she explained what it was I found it so interesting. Btw Jessica is awesome.
me!
who is Jessica?
Jalemakila a youtuber that happens to be a Quaker
Me 😁
I just realized that I like the Quakers :-)
I like their oats
@@kernowarty And their Cadburys chocolate.
... and Greenpeace, Amnesty international and Oxfam all founded and funded by Quakers.
This is what I think God was talking about. (Gathering with others to worship and pray) you don't need big money sound systems, light set up, dj booth, etc...
What a simple beautiful belief system. Profound spirituality.
I grew up in the Methodist Church, and have gone through phases in the decades since then, including various shades of atheism and Zen Buddhism, and nothing has quite set right. I'd enjoy attending a Quaker service, once it's safe again. My great-grandmother was descended from Quaker settlers in North Carolina who were conscientious objectors during the Civil War, so it would be meaningful to feel that connection as well. Thank you for posting these helpful videos.
I pray that you have found your way into the arms of Jesus! Because he's coming back soon!
My first Quaker meeting was the Sunday after 9/11. It was the deepest collective silence I've ever experienced - perhaps the only one. The peace thrummed through my body until it landed in a space of no noise at all. It was pleasant and, at the time, unfamiliar. 💫☺️
The place was full that day, too. Our grief was immense and palpable, but relieved somewhat in the 'we', in the comfort of the gathering.
Fwiw, it seemed that every age, ethnicity and even nationality was represented.
For anyone who's ever wondered what a gathering of humans focused on inner light would feel like, I guess Quakers are doing it as well as anyone.
Lastly, I believe that the vibrations in those quiet meetings ramp up the world's heart. And perhaps that the spirits of our beloved who have passed away are near, as well.
Thanks for your kind forbearance in reading this if anyone's gotten this far. ☺️ I send us all light, extra angels and hope.
🌏💫💙🙏📿
I grew up in suburban Philly, surrounded by very old meetings and steeped in the Quaker tradition which I found fascinating. My Scout troop was evenly divided between Catholics like me and Protestants. When we went camping we Catholics would be taken to the nearest Catholic church while the Scoutmaster, a licensed Sunday School teacher, would lead a service in the campsite. Meanwhile the one Quaker kid and his father would go off to the woods to meditate. I eventually became a priest, very happy in my own tradition but always trying to observe the times of silence called for in the liturgy, with decidedly mixed outcomes. One Monday morning the parish secretary said that at the silence after Communion her 8-year-old daughter whispered, "Father's taking his nap now." Oh well.
That's a wonderful story. You're a Catholic priest ? Are you a parish priest ? I have a friend who is, right now, in the process of becoming a Dominican brother. I think his title is Brother but he is not ordained yet.
I feel really drawn to this, there's just a goodness that puts a warmth in my heart.
i took a few online quizzes, they said I should be a Quaker, after watching this. I think I am. never been a fan of gold and glitz. idols and rituals. prayer is communication between the self and God.
Literally the same reason Im here lol
What test?
Seriously me too!! Lol.
I spend my daily Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament. Learned it by reading Venerable Fulton Sheen's books. Good to know that I am also a Quaker. An RC one.
I will be calling myself as such. Thank you for sharing.
My grandmothers family had deep roots in the North Carolina Quakers (Britt Family). They are usually good, hardworking, solid people, without all the frills or expectations that some religions have. Very accepting of everyone, never above or below anyone. You are taught that growing up, over and over and over. Most Quakers were anti-slavery and saw it as it was, an "evil".
"See? We were the cool religion back *hundreds* of years ago. We believed Black ppl had rights just like you and me." Hardly a rallying cry. Quakers owned slaves, too. Until they formally banned it among their members. Other religions, like Catholicism, ALWAYS maintained that outright slavery was morally wrong from the very beginning. Yes, there was discussion surrounding it amongst some - but our theological underpinnings were always strong as far as teaching goes and the dignity of each and every person.
@@InFideScientiam interesting seeing how Catholicism was the banner under which most of Central and South America were raped, pillaged, and enslaved, at least economically, and still suffer poverty to this day because of it! I'm Catholic but I don't agree with a large majority of the Church's history. It's disguising how people are starving in the streets of Mexico but the Catholic churches are guilded in gold from all the wealth they stole.
Pobody's nerfect!
They seem super nice and humble, yet full of joy.
I went to Quaker Friends church growing up, we sung hymns , and listened to our preachers sermons,and were lead in prayers and prayed to our holyfather , we did not just sit and listen from what I remember
There are several "streams" in the Quaker river. If a community calls itself a church rather than a meeting, it likely is part of the "evangelical" stream. Evangelical Quakers typically have "programmed worship," which follows a format similar to the standard Protestant service, with hymns and a sermon. The "liberal" and "conservative" streams have retained the older practice of "unprogrammed worship," which is the subject of this video. Some meetings borrow from both programmed and unprogrammed worship, and might start their silent worship with a Bible reading and end with a hymn, for example.
This video does give the impression that all Quaker worship is unprogrammed, which can be chalked up to this being the first season of the video series. Later videos have done a much better job of including the diversity of Quaker faith and practice.
That is very beautiful. May our Lord Jesus Christ bless these Quakers in full.
May He bless you too friend
I’ve secretly been Quaker all of my life❤️
Me too!
i used to go to a friends school and every wednesday we would have meeting for worship and it was actually pretty comforting. people would stand up and say nice things and sometimes the whole school would have meeting for worship together and the pre-k kids always said something cute
Yeah why was it always Wednesday? XD
A true communion. They move me.
This resonates with me greatly. Someone asked what is the point of going to church just to sit and be quiet...why not stay home and meditate? I think it takes more DISCIPLINE to be silent in a group...especially if you are a social butterfly in other settings.
It can be hard, especially if you're used to the distraction of noise. Harder than it looks. Sitting in silence can be intimidating. It can force us to look within ourselves at things we may have been blocking out. But it can also lead us to hear the still, small voice that we might otherwise have never heard.
This truly resonates with me; peaceful, loving, just being x
This seems like meditation and listing for God/the universal energy in that meditation. Lovely.
I don’t agree with Christianity as a whole. But one hour of quiet meditation and prayer where anybody can spontaneously speak what the Divine is saying to them without any external coercion? I can get behind that.
My family is Quaker but I like preaching the word of God. I believe a person should read the Bible before sharing what God has in mind for each believer in Christ Jesus. I like singing, fellowship, and prayer during each service.
You would probably love the Evangelical Quakers. Check them out
I plan on visiting my first Quaker meeting this Sunday, something I've wanted to do for 16 years.
Some of my ancestors were quakers, so I was interested to know about the quakers.
I went to my first meeting a few months ago. It was very welcoming.
Zazen Christ style. I love it!
i love how simple and straightforward this is.
These are of the mystical essence of Christianity. George Fox to me; after studying his works - was a true mystic!!
This sounds great. I’m very shy but I’m looking for a place to worship
What an open and peaceful-sounding religion. I'm agnostic but can definitely value this way of faith. Very interesting. Thanks for the educational video.
What nice religion :) I had know idea what Quakers were like
Sitting there in silence waiting for someone to think of something to say only to have some Bozo go into discriminatory Trumpian diatribe under the guise of being inspired isn't exactly what I consider worship.
@@radrook4481 huh? Trumpian? Where? Ive been reading theyre rather liberal
Old Quakers: th-cam.com/video/HsDA5PiSllE/w-d-xo.html
this is what true prayer is all about, not saying Amen after someone else’s prayer, to be still, quiet and truly focus
So a good place to take a nap.
A good place to hope and pray that some racist Bozo who now feels empowered doesn't use the speaking opportunity to push Trumpian ideals while some minority member, who was stupid enough to have attended, has to sit there and squirm or else leave.
Radrook well you better vote for a non democrat in the coming election and vote Green or some other party because democrats say they're against racism but they're only for corporate gains, the same as Shit head republicans. The only way to change America is vote for something other than democrat or republican.
I am curious about this! And also, this doesn't scare me like normal churches do (because of all the dogmas and abuse of power).
I would love to connect with others, so I might actually go to a meeting...
So quick question. What is the difference between being quiet with a bunch of people versus being quiet with just myself? Why not stay home, and then hang out with friends or family afterwards? I recognize the communal aspect afterwards, but that can be done truly anywhere.
Quakers hold that God speaks to each of us individually. We also hold that God speaks to all of us communally. The premise for Meeting for Worship is to allow God to speak to us all, as a community.
For this reason, Meeting for Worship (at least in unprogrammed Meetings) is often not very quiet. Someone may be moved to say a few words about forgiveness, or give an impromptu prayer about patience, or belt out a verse or two of "Amazing Grace," or just comment about how beautiful the tree in the front yard is because it is spring and the tree is in bloom, and it will be what another person there needed to hear. As important as private reflection is, it cannot replace the experience of Meeting for Worship.
@@TechBearSeattle So is there any reference to the early church's teachings and form of worship when this is brought up? (thanks for answering my questions by the way, I've always thought quakers were interesting)
@@eduardovalentin9416 Quaker Meeting for Worship is not based on ancient forms. Then again, neither is more general Protestant worship. If you are interested in the practices of the ancient Church, you may want to track down a translation of the Didache, one of the earliest worship manuals we have (it was most likely written in the 2nd century.)
@@TechBearSeattle love the didache. And thanks. I figured, and I knew that about protestant worship. But truly appreciate the clarification on Quakers
Because humans need shared experiences.
What’s the catholic equivalent? An adoration session?
But how do people know what to do? Sounds like waiting to be possessed...or have a Native American Spiritual Awakening...in the forest. Also, very very very cheap - you can meet anywhere that has no adornment. Like Corporate America's waiting room.
I love Quaker Oates cereal.
This is a very good video and I highly recommend it and will use it in introducing some others to our Society. I love each person speaking and each of their voices. And I have a concern and a suggestion for future videos and expressions about Quakers.
First, Josh Brown is wise and has been courageous in my home state of Indiana. I have had the pleasure of being in worship with him on a few occasions. He has helped me think about and explore facets of ministry, recording, and call. However opening with his over broad statement that "Quakers believe . . ." is not fully accurate. Perhaps saying "many Quakers have believed" or "many Quakers do believe" would be more accurate, but even then opening with belief seems different than experiential opening to the inner guide. For many of us praxis supersedes any notion of belief. There are plenty of Quakers that fall into categories where "belief" is not a main guide, and these I'd want to include in our descriptors, or, at least, not exclude them. We have thoughtful and cherished post-theists, non-theists, agnostics, not sure that I need to be sure positions, etc. in our midst. I want the theists, the Christ-centered, and others who find Josh's frame easy to have a voice and be included, but not with using language that excludes the many of us who fall outside his frame. I have heard this same sentiment in the reverse spoken by Christ-centered Friends who feel excluded. Both expressions of concern are correct.
Second, you have certainly found many articulate Friends to show to ourselves and the wider world. This is to be lauded. I would hope that we also show other faces, even some less articulate persons, who, with your fine editing can show that seeking quality that exists in great numbers of us, some of whom stay and some of whom leave. It is my experience that more seekers would stay if their uncertainties were validated as something true to be experienced with the community's support. And I would like to hear more voices. You can and should continue to explore the gifts of some of the oft used, telegenic, and gifted speakers, and I would like to hear more range, from Peggy Senger Morrison (creative mixing of element from the Quaker tradition) to Charley Earp (Jesus made me a communist); from the influential civil rights and labor leaders, Alice and Staughton Lynd (before it is too late!) to Edwina Assan (of Hill House Friends in Accra, Ghana).
That being said, I am a huge fan of this series. Keep up the good work. I look forward to future productions. I hold you all in the Light.
Peace, Justice, and Mercy,
Brad Laird
South Bend (IN) Friends, ILYM
sojourning for a time in Ghana
To me, this seems so much more appealing than a church service where a preacher is yelling at you, telling you what to do and how to feel and what God wants. It's the arrogance of most religious people that puts me off. Quakers seem so calm and peaceful. I've been thinking for some time of going to a meeting, but didn't know what to expect. Thanks for this.
At first I thought he meant that afterwards quakers meet for coffee, tea, ketchup
I read about George fox and what I see now it's totally different because he believes in Jesus Christ and relying on the holy Spirit it reminds me of the spiritual Baptist Church in Trinidad when I read about George fox and everything now people change he and naylar preach God's word so this I see is different because man change everything compare to back then
The conversations have really blessed me. It is always good to know how fellow Quaker believers practice their faith.
I wish I had this by me, I know I would sit in a corner on the floor, Not being alone when having to conform to regular society ways of rights and wrongs with communication with God would be my dream gathering
This makes so much sense, imagine everyone stopping and saying I’m listening. That’s so powerful. I’ve never felt okay with others rules about something as personal as religion, but this feels very welcoming.
what about the 613 rules given in the torah and the many extra rules given in the gospel
@@moorooster223 Did you read what she wrote? Obviously, not.
I'm an atheist and I think I'm a Quaker!
I love Quakers and if I were a Christian, I'd follow it, but in every similar situation I've ever been in, there's inevitably some weird, neurotic loudmouth who overshares and ruins it for the rest. Wonder how they handle that.
This is a great video. Once again, I'm a big fan of AJ and his insights!
There is That of God in everyone.
I've been to a completely silent, gathered meeting. At the rise of Meeting people asked each other, "Did you feel it?" "Did you?" Yes, I did. We all did.
I honestly was just looking for a church where I didn't have to pray or recite something. But I rather dress nice and have a pretty building and be in the popular church than cast out in some field in Pennsylvania....lol
I like this religion. What should I do in order to become a Quaker?
Look into a local meeting or church in your area. People are very approachable and Friendly (The Society of Friends). Don't be afraid to ask questions--- we get it all the time. Ask to talk to the "clerk" or pastor. The are 4 branches of Qism so I don't know who is in your area.
Thank you Bill, very nice your answer. Maybe here in Spain there is a Quaker community, a Society of Friends. Have a nice day.Bill Riccobono
Bill Riccobono What happens if you don't find any Society near you?
Do you have to get baptised into it
@@ngatihine6072 no, they do not believe in rituals of this nature
I came here because of Fleabag S02E04.
I will try a Meeting for Worship in my congregation.
Blessings!
so quakers believe in Revelation too. That is still happens. Because if we believe God answers us we hear him through our minds our hearts that is revelation
The world could use more quiet reflection and humility. There’s nobody there up on a podium telling you what to think or do, just yourself and God.
I don't know yet how I feel I think the idea great but not so much. Because unless people stay in the word and are sanctified and live holy. God ain't gonna speak to you unless your a born again Christian. As Christians we are suppose to already have a prayer closet to pray and meditate and try to listen to God. But if you don't know the word how can you hear God? You can't always.
Look, please read the Bible.
“nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”- Gospel according to Luke.
“Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.”- Acts of the Apostles
So God didn’t speak to all those people during the Pentecost? Stop saying where the Kingdom of God is like you know better. The scriptures say it, in The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (inner light). No offense, but you should read the word of God instead of rambling like you understand any better than these folk.
I think the silent atmosphere offers an opportunity to actually listen to our own conscionce. Personally having a large family and working multiple jobs I don't have time to think I sounds crazy but if I didn't have a digital watch I'd have no idea what day or time it is. I recently attended a church of Christ service and like the quiet simple service and focus on the word and not the commercialized worship loved it but my wife is opposed to leaving current church. While church of Christ isn't the same thing it seems the quakers take it further which intrigues me. I'd definitely checkout a meeting if there was one close.
You don't have to be part of religion to meditate. No nihilism behind my statement.
What do people with social anxiety or ADD do to calm themselves? How do they make it through the meetings that seem mostly silent?
That social anxiety might be misunderstood by other members as undesirable.
If you can't fit in by sitting quietly and breathing silently despite having clogged sinuses, deviated nasal septum and Asthma then best not to go. Misinterpretations will inevitably abound.
God has given us his Word in the Holy Scriptures, if you want to hear from God, then you search the Holy Scriptures. Jesus said search the scriptures, in them you will have eternal life.
Who says Quakers don't read and study scripture??
Beautiful ! Funny to notice the similarity we experience as we meet every week with 3/4 friends to meditate quietly for 40 minutes and enjoy sharing afterwards whatever comes in anyone's mind.
Would it be inappropriate to journal during the meeting?
Any religious gathering intimidated me with the expectation of a dress code. My curiosity "what am I suppose to wear to this church?!" usually comes up in my mind.
Interesting. Many Protestant groups came out of the desire to go back to a simpler form of Christianity with less ritual and more emphasis on the individual's personal relationship to God without mediators or creeds but the danger in that is becoming too broad in one's acceptance of a variety of approaches is that we lose sight of the core tenets that hold our belief together. I admire the Quakers steadfast pacifism under trying circumstances in many cases and their social activism in human rights.They were true advocates along with others for the ideas embodied in our First Amendment.
Gostaria de entrar em contato com cristãos quakers. Pr. Cássio Roberto.
I couldn't worship like that. The Bible says "make a joyful noise unto the Lord" "praise God in the sanctuary " praise God with the timbrel and the harp" (it mentions many different instruments) it says " shout out to the Lord" "sing out to the Lord" dance to the lord. It does also say pick a quiet place and go pray. So I don't think that it's wrong to be quiet and listen for Gods direction But hundreds of times more it mentions joyful and exuberant worship. The Bible says we come to church to edify the body of Christ and to edify God and it also says we must hear preaching and teachings. Jesus taught his disciples only needed to know then he told the disciples to go out and teach people therefore the disciples taught the word of God so you need a preacher. The Bible also says many many times to worship and praise God. God bless all
The wonderful thing is that there are many ways for people to worship, depending on what speaks to them. For some, it's the emotionalism of a Pentecostal service. For others, it's the liturgical earnestness of a Catholic Mass. For others, it's the silence of a Quaker meeting.
It also says to worship God in everything you do, and to “be still and know I am God.” I have never EVER been into the arm waving, singing, crying stuff you see in other churches and it felt wholly dishonest for me to do this. What would God prefer-me sitting and thinking on Him and His Word or just pretending? What’s “real” worship?
What's the point of Quakerism? How does one deal with one's own sin? If God is real and has definable attributes, He must communicate in a less subjective way than impressions - like the Bible. Who judges if what is said in service is true? This seems very human-oriented. Is God just a construct to foster community or is there a knowable deity who has definable attributes? Forgive me, but this seems like a low-commitment way to play church and have community. When you die and stand before Him, why should he let you into His presence? I suspect He won't unless you trust in the substitutionary atonement that Christ provided on the cross. The point of true religion is reconciliation with God - not mystical human experiences.
Sit. Shut up. Listen. God will show you how. In fact you can read. I bring my Bible to meeting for worship all the time. It isn’t low commitment, Quakers are constantly on committees about stuff. You judge whether what is said is true or not because the kingdom of God is within you and you are made in His image. You have reasoning. I’m sorry but you’re not forgiven. At least not by me, not yet. Lord forgive me but you sound remarkably condescending and judge mental. I don’t appreciate that.
Be still - wonderful
I thought there are some Quaker churches that do have a more "structured" service?
There are! But even Friends Churches tend to have silent worship at the core of their programmed meetings.
very nice , I went to quaker meeting in England for over a year .I stopped going Now live in America and kind of miss it . Here In Arizona I have not found a meeting to attend . I still have my Red book , I will not part with that ever. I loved the quiet and the friendship .
Small kids ARE NOT quiet. So what am I supposed to do?
Why does this denomination seem "hollowed out"?
I know what you mean. I find when the Spirit is moving that a lot happens in the meeting.
Samantha, i think perhaps it is because maybe your tradition comes from a different place. Discernment is important. We live in a world where there is a constant barage of information. I love that the Quakers ask newcomers to take a good long time to discern membership. Perhaps slowing down asks something important from the individual. Waiting is not easy. It can feel uncomfortable at first. I love sitting in silence with other friends. I find it very full indeed.
I like how Quakers have their personal experience with the Lord, but to achieve true connection with the Lord, its important for the church to read the bible together as a community, for a deeper understanding of who he is and how they can live their lives in the way God would want them to. The scripture is life breathed: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." -- 2 Timothy 3:16-17. The Bible is the source of Christianity is -- if it was never made, we would barely understand who God is.
It's also important to implement prayer in their quiet time with the Lord. Prayer is the trigger of a connection between themselves and God, as you allow themselves to dwell in the presence of God, talk to Him and repent and give everything to him.
The commission is to go to all nations and preach the gospel. Sitting in silence and listening for an epiphany can be dangerous. One might encounter a "brilliant" thought that is from none other than the devil himself. We are to watch and pray. By doing so we are able to test every spirit. We must meditate on the word of God. I warn those watching this video to pray for more guidance in choosing a bible based Christian church. Search "the Forerunner Chronicles 777" on youtube. He gives good advice. God bless!
Christian Deist here (or perhaps more accurately a Christian PanenDeist). As a PanenDeist, I tend to see my relationship with the Divine/God/Source as being more intra-personal rather than inter-personal and so that Quaker Meeting seems to work fir me. Your mileage may vary. 😊
How can you possibly know without the word of God , ( the Bible ) is what you are listening to in your mind ? Surely this is just humanism. Very very far from the word of God.
The Word of God lies within, not in a library of books compiled by human hands centuries ago.
Look, please read the Bible.
“nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”- Gospel according to Luke.
“2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.”- Acts of the Apostles
Because the word says if we listen within we will come to the word, not the other way around. Did you read the Bible a year ago or something? XD
I am going to attend my first meeting this month January 2018 its taken me 5 years ..lol
As a person who has recently started looking into Quakerism, I am curious: Would it be okay for me to bring a notebook into a Quaker Meeting for Worship and to journal as we sit in silence? Also, what is the Quaker stance on lgbt+ rights, and would I be accepted in a Quaker congregation (do they use that word?) as an out bisexual?
+Rachel Hurlbut Even though it's been almost a year since you posted, I have read a decent amount about them, and it seems like they don't care whom you want to touch your genitalia or what gender or sex you are. And it seems like some don't believe in a god.
And if you don't believe me this is a direct quote from a FAQs about Quakers," How do Quakers live today?There are Quakers of all ages, religious backgrounds, races and ethnicities, education, sexual orientations, gender identities, abilities, and classes. Modern Quakers generally “blend in” with the larger culture, rather than adopting the distinctive dress and patterns of speech associated with Quakers of earlier centuries.Quakers try to live and act in ways that are consistent with the divine harmony that we seek in worship. Through this effort come our testimonies of peace, integrity, equality, community, simplicity, and care for the environment."
Hi Pursuing Truth. Interesting name and comment but can you explain how you discovered what is and isn't 'condemned by God'? In your pursuit of truth, have you already arrived at the destination? Most of us are less fortunate and many Quakers are refugees from the scriptural literalism of other religions. I would suggest that they are seeking a direct relationship with the divine, mediated in communion with other seekers but not prescribed by other fallible humans who wrote for their own times or appointed themselves as God's representatives.
they might think you are possessed by the devil and burn you at the stake. shhh don't say anything.
THE WAY you are a sick individual.
+THE WAY You sound like a bitter person full of hatred. Whatever your religion, it will never be able to cure the ugliness that lies within you.
Wonder how this differs from sazen
I Pray Alone! Me and the Lord! Jesus Christ My Lord and Savior!
This is secularism. It isn't a church. This is not Christian worship. It's barely any worship. Quakerism: How to believe nothing and think you believe something.
From what I think I'm hearing it sounds like everybody has their own view of what they believe with some exceptions such as to be kind to others and to love the planet. Every other issue is an open book so I guess it makes sense to be quiet at the meetings since not speaking will avoid conflict amongst the believers.
Paul teaches us to test the Spirits.
The liberties that these guys seem to take with the bible are highly unsettling to me.
Any time someone goes against what scripture I'm very interested to know why, and it sounds in this case like there is an over emphasis on silence and acceptance and an under emphasis on teaching and correction. That's not biblical.
Please read your bible. If this is your chosen "way" then you may be forgetting that only Jesus the Messiah is the way. None come to the Father but through Him. Read His word!
The Quakers believe that you should listen to God and not overly strict interpretations of the Bible. The Bible was written by humans. It's their interpretations. You don't have to literally not eat shellfish or believe that the sun revolves around the Earth. Clearly those people that interpreted his word got some things wrong. Just listen to God and you will be a lot happier.
Religion is suppose to benefit you. It's not suppose to control you. To many people that overly believe the strict words of their religious texts are too controlled. But if you just listen to you and God you will not be controlled, and that relationship will greatly benefit you.
I have read the Bible and I am still a Quaker.
I am quite impressed by this, I never knew much about Quakers before today but I like the simple way in which they worship, without all the usual rights and rituals. It looks like a really peaceful and straightforward religion.
It sounds very inviting ... there's a a center fairly close to where I live.
This is not a Christian denomination… it’s all about “self” and
Quakerism is a great place to hide in your sin, and not be confronted with things like “the Bible” so you’re left to your own interpretation of the word… I believe in silence but I also believe in being confronted with my sin and my need to know what the word of God says about it, and how to overcome it!
Many of the people in this video look and talk extremely new age and this denomination pretends to know God but they never mention his son “Jesus”.
Very sad to see as a believer..
I feel like looking within and using quiet contemplation as your main form of learning about your religion is a slippery slope to disobeying the proverb "lean not on your own understanding". to be fair I may be coming from a place of prejudice being a Muslim which is a *very* structured religion.
After worship: All the quiche you can eat
At 3:35, some ladies when sitting down contemplate not only their inward being to see God, but their outward surroundings as well. Contemplating not only what God says within, but also without.
This is i good thing i believe, however, moments before we're told its not about the outward part at all, its only the inward parts that matter. Either its the inward alone, or its the both together. Im wondering which is the true Quaker teaching?
My grandparents were Quakers. Moving from NC to SC where no Quaker meeting houses existed, they joined the Baptist Church. I’m Baptist but interested/curious about the faith of my forefathers.
THIS is very interesting. I never knew this about Quakers. This is very similar to the House Church movement and the way that meetings are handled. My interest has definitely been peaked.
It's a shame how unintentionally exclusionary this is despite their open mindedness I have been praying in silence for over a decade and need human connection and much more people need it after covid. there needs to be a middle ground.