The Steps Involved in Following Gospel Order
Steven Davidson, for the Gospel Order Packet, New York Yearly Meeting

1. Each Friend will seek to be guided by the Inward Light, The Christ Within, both inwardly and in others through worship and participation in the corporate life of a monthly meeting. For many Friends there is an individual process in which an individual faces "the darkness within and without" as part of the Quaker worship experience within the Friends' community. This experience leads many to a personal sense of being opened and cleansed. One can experience a Holy Presence in which one sees life anew and one is "convinced."

2. Each person will be treated as a child of God regardless of opinions, leadings or behavior.

3. Each Friend will patiently test personal leadings through worship, Quaker Christian traditions, spiritual counsel, clearness committees, and by honoring the structure and practices of the monthly, quarterly or half-yearly and yearly meeting.

4. Business meeting and committee meetings will be held in a spirit of worship. All decision making will be handled openly, with all participating in good faith and fellowship.

5. Minutes from business and committee meetings will be carefully constructed to reflect the sense of the meeting. Minutes will be distributed regularly to all appropriate parties.

6. Ministry and Counsel Committees or other appropriate bodies within a given situation, will reach out in troubled situations to offer creative assistance. Responsible eldering can be of help, offering support and guidance.

7. When differences arise, Friends will be given an early opportunity to air these differences in a safe worshipful format such as the clearness committee, Quaker dialogue, worship sharing session and threshing session. Tale bearing, back biting, slander, gossip, and manipulative behavior will be avoided.

8. The Holy Spirit will be placed at the heart of decision making. Every person has a piece of the truth though some Friends may reflect great truth over time by virtue of their spiritual authority. Friends are called to reach a higher unifying truth through worship.

9. Conflict will be viewed as a possibility for growth rather than a situation to be feared and avoided.

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