Selected Bibliography on Ministry and Eldering
Compiled by the Friends General Conference Traveling Ministries Program
Bacon, Margaret Hope. Wilt Thou Go on My Errand? Three 18th Century Journals of Quaker Women Ministers. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1998. The three are Susanna Morris (1682-1755), Elizabeth Hudson (1722-1783), and Ann Moore (1710-1783). Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Barclay, Robert. Barclay's Apology in Modern English, edited by Dean Freiday. Newburg, OR: Barclay Press, 1967. See especially "Proposition 10: The Ministry", for the basic understanding of Friends regarding ministry at least until the nineteenth century. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Benefiel, Margaret. "The Calling of Quaker Ministers to Ministry", Priscilla Papers, Vol. 4, no. 3 (summer 1988-89), p. 3. There are also a few other short pieces in this issue that are helpful to an understanding of ministry as experienced by women ministers, some of whom are pastors. FGC staff can help locate this article (see "How to Find this Material" at the top of the left column).
Benson, Lewis. "On Being Moved by the Spirit to Minister in Public Worship", The Quaker Vision. New Foundation Publications #4 (Winter 1979), pp. 48-51. A helpful description of the inner work during meeting for worship of a Friend drawn to vocal ministry. Gives some hints for discerning when to speak and when to remain silent. Provides a context for prophetic ministry in our meetings for worship. FGC staff can help locate this article (see "How to Find this Material" at the top of the left column).
Bownas, Samuel. A Description of the Qualifications Necessary to A Gospel Minister, with an Introduction by William Taber. Philadelphia: Pendle Hill Publications and Tract Association of Friends, 1989 (from the 1767 edition). The classic "how to" manual for Friends who feel a gift of ministry emerging in them, and for their meeting community to learn how to understand, receive, and nurture the ministry. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Brinton, Howard. Quaker Journals: Varieties of Religious Experience Among Friends. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1972. Describes the stages through which traditional Friends' ministers typically passed in their spiritual development. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Buttenheim, Anne. Ask Me How I Know. E Book, Pendle Hill 2000. A selection of Pendle Hill Lectures is available on the web at www.pendlehill.org/e_publishing.htm. Of particular interest are these lectures in Part 2, Modern Ministry Among Friends (Adobe Acrobat file): Brian Drayton, "Being a Recorded Minister," numbered page 41; Thomas Jeavons, "By Whose Authority? The Grounds for Ministry & Leadership among Friends," p. 33; and William Taber, "Vocal Ministry: The Inward Motion and the Razor's Edge," p. 47.
Cambridge Friends Meeting (NEYM). "CFM Ministry and Counsel Eldership Resources" (Feb. 2000). A compilation of quotations on vocal ministry, receiving ministry, eldership, and eldering examples.
Central Philadelphia Monthly Meeting. Responding to Calls to Ministry (revised June 4, 1999--please note the online version linked to here is the 1995 edition). A helpful manual developed by this meeting to deal with the many Friends coming forward with a variety of gifts of ministry. FGC staff can help locate this article (see "How to Find this Material" at the top of the left column).
Chidsey, Linda. "Remarks on the Subject of Eldering". Given at a Pendle Hill weekend on "Nurturing the Spiritual Life of Our Meetings", Nov. 1997. Describes elders as those mothers and fathers of our tradition who awaken and encourage the Inward Teacher in each of us. She makes a plea for reexamining the role and function of elders in order to foster more authentic life in community.
Committee on Eldership and Oversight of Quaker Home Service. Patterns of Eldership and Oversight. London: Quaker Home Service, 1997. This small analytic pamphlet looks at a number of different patterns of Quaker organization, listing positive and negative aspects of each system.
Cooper, Wilmer. The Testimony of Integrity. Pendle Hill Pamphlet #296. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1991. A discussion of integrity as the foundation testimony from which other Quaker testimonies and witness follow. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Cronk, Sandra. Gospel Order: A Quaker Understanding of Faithful Church Community. Pendle Hill Pamphlet #297. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1991. Describes the communal theory and practice of Quaker tradition. Challenges us to see our meetings more deeply. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Drayton, Brian. "Being a Recorded Minister" (Adobe Acrobat file, numbered page 41). Pendle Hill Lecture, 10/27/1998. A very helpful talk based on the author's own experience of being a recorded minister in New England Yearly Meeting. It sketches the history and procedures of recording. Raises good questions for today's liberal, unprogrammed meetings around issues of spiritual authority, leadership, the care of community, and ministry. How are the needs for a broad range of authentic ministries being met, and how does the meeting support, encourage, and hold accountable those engaged in this important work? There is much wisdom offered here. See also: www.pendlehill.org/e_publishing.htm and notes under Buttenheim, above.
Drayton, Brian. "A Historical Note about Elders in the Society of Friends". Here is a historical look at elders, how they are called to this work and some of the ways they serve their meetings.
Drayton, Brian. "Notes on the Friends practice called 'recording gifts in the ministry'". 2/1988. An excellent summary of the history of recording ministers and how we have come to our present wide variety of practices within the entire spectrum of the Religious Society of Friends. Also describes the important place recorded ministers have held in the life of Friends in terms of their ministering work and of their own spiritual development and weight. FGC staff can help locate this article (see "How to Find this Material" at the top of the left column).
Drayton, Brian. "Recorded Ministers in the Society of Friends, Then and Now". Substance of remarks delivered to Salem Quarterly Meeting, NEYM, 1/23/1994.
Edwards, Tilden. Spiritual Friend: Reclaiming Gifts of Spiritual Direction . New York, NY: Paulist Press, 1980. Provides guidelines for beginning and nurturing spiritual direction; a mentoring approach. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC.
Farnham, Suzanne, et.al. Listening Hearts: Discerning Call in Community. Harrisburg, PA: Morehouse, 1991. Thorough study of call, call to ministry, individual and corporate discernment, and support for the ministry of others, from a non-Quaker perspective. Includes notes and an annotated bibliography. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Fox, George. The Journal of George Fox, ed. by John L. Nickalls. Cambridge: At the University Press, 1952. This is the definitive edition. The first dozen pages describe most of the foundational "openings" that have guided Friends. Friends engaged in ministry should probably be familiar with at least the first five chapters. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Friends Consultation on Discernment. Earlham School of Religion. Quaker Hill Conference Center, Richmond, IN, 1985. Includes papers by Alastair Heron, Jan Wood, Johan Maurer, Matthias Drake, William Taber and Joyce Mardock Holden. Also summary reports from groups and observers.
Friends Consultation on Eldering. Earlham School of Religion. Quaker Hill Conference Center, Richmond, IN, Dec. 9-12, 1982. Includes papers by Stephen Angell, Ronald Sellick, Charles Thomas, Candida Palmer, Mark Minear, David Holden, Thomas Brown, and Samuel Caldwell. These papers discuss the history of Quakers, its organization and authority, and the historical role of elders, leading up to the present role of elders in Quaker organizations. Includes a section on concerns, and a summary report. A summary of this Consultation appeared in QuakerLife, Jan./Feb. 1983, pp. 13-16.
Friends Consultation on Ministry. Earlham School of Religion. Quaker Hill Conference Center, Richmond, Indiana, 1981. A collection of presentations, discussion and summary, drawing on representatives from all branches of Friends.
Friends Consultation on Spiritual Authority and Accountability. Earlham School of Religion. Quaker Hill Conference Center, Richmond, IN, Dec. 6-9, 1984. Presentations, discussion and a summary. Includes representatives from all branches of Friends.
Garman, Mary, et al, eds. Hidden in Plain Sight: Quaker Women's Writings, 1650-1700. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1996. A collection of writings by Quaker women from 1650 to 1700. The journals provide valuable insight as to what it is like to experience "call". The religious tracts are justification for women taking a prophetic role in ministry. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Glover, Sue. Go and the Lord go with thee! Sessions Book Trust, 1997. A nice brief overview of the historic and current practice of travel among and by Friends. The text provides many practical suggestions as to how to nurture those they visit and themselves. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Graham, Maureen. Women of Power and Presence: The Spiritual Formation of Four Quaker Women Ministers. Pendle Hill Pamphlet #294. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1990. The four women are Rebecca Jones, Rachel Hicks, Elizabeth Gurney Fry, and Lucretia Mott, who represent the conservative, evangelical and liberal branches of Friends. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Grundy, Martha Paxson. Tall Poppies: Supporting Gifts of Ministry and Eldering in the Monthly Meeting. Pendle Hill Pamphlet #347. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 2000. Specific suggestions to meetings for discernment and for supporting ministry and eldering. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Guenther, Margaret. Holy Listening: The Art of Spiritual Direction. Boston: Cowley Publications, 1992. Tries to "de-mystify" the art of spiritual direction by emphasizing ordinary, everyday experiences. Uses the images of hospitality, teaching, and midwifery to illustrate the role of spiritual director. Written for "amateurs." Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Harvey, T. Edmund. "Our Quaker Ministry Since the Cessation of Recording". An address to the Elders of London YM [now Britain YM] 5/22/1946 that points out some of the losses as well as the gains that resulted from ending the practice of recording ministers. It offers specific tasks the entire meeting needs to take on in the absence of ministers. FGC staff can help locate this article (see "How to Find this Material" at the top of the left column).
Heron, Alistair. Gifts and Ministries: A discussion on eldership. London: Quaker Home Service, 1987. This is a 23 page essay on Elders and Overseers, who are appointed for three year terms in Britain (formerly London) Yearly Meeting. It deals directly with an organization different from that common to FGC, but the problems and changes within the Society of Friends which are clearly set forth apply to all unprogrammed Friends. As such, it dwells on nurturing spiritual growth, and the need for a spiritual community and a commonality of belief. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Hinshaw, Seth. The Spoken Ministry Among Friends: Three Centuries of Progress and Development. North Carolina Yearly Meeting and North Carolina Friends Historical Society, 1987. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Hinshaw, Seth. "Active Elders", in Friends Worship Today: Contemporary Concepts and Practices. North Carolina Friends Yearly Meeting and North Carolina Friends Historical Society, 1991. This chapter, while written mostly for pastoral meetings, gives background for the development of elders and points to some important functions for them today. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Hoffman, Jan. Clearness Committees and their Use in Personal Discernment. FGC, 1996. A very precise structure is presented for the formation and use of these committees. Particularly useful for those unfamiliar with such committees. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Hoffman, Jan. "Experiences of the Relationships of Minister & Elders at New York Yearly Meeting Sessions 1991". A personal story of the support by elders enabling her to be faithful in giving a specific message which had been given to her.
Jeavons, Thomas H. "By Whose Authority? The Grounds for Ministry & Leadership among Friends" (Adobe Acrobat file, numbered page 33). Pendle Hill Lecture Series, Oct. 7, 1996. See also: www.pendlehill.org/e_publishing.htm and notes under Buttenheim, above.
Lacey, Paul A. Leading and Being Led. Pendle Hill Pamphlet #264. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1985. Discusses authority and the use of power in Quaker educational institutions, but the principles apply to Friends meetings and other enterprises. Questions whether eldering is a form of authority and use of power. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Lacey, Paul A. Quakers and the Use of Power. Pendle Hill Pamphlet #241. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1982. Although written about the crisis of leadership in Quaker institutions, his analysis can extend to spiritual leadership in our meetings. Its root is "a deep ambivalence about the exercise of power" as well as a false allegory of "speaking truth to power". Friends seem to want influence but not the responsibility of power. Thought provoking. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Larson, Rebecca. Daughters of Light: Quaker Women Preaching and Prophesying in the Colonies and Abroad, 1700-1775. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1999. Clear description of the struggles of18th century Quaker women ministers to submit to God's leading, to balance that call with family responsibilities and cultural expectations, to undertake travel in the ministry, and something about the messages some of these women carried. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Loring, Patricia. Listening Spirituality. Vol. I: Personal Spiritual Practices Among Friends. Openings Press, 1997. For those seriously seeking to undertake or expand their spiritual practices of prayer, devotion, meditation, and listening to God within the Friends tradition. Draws from many practices but keeps them within a Quaker context. Includes queries and spiritual exercises. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Loring, Patricia. Listening Spirituality. Vol. II: Corporate Spiritual Practice Among Friends. Openings Press, 1999. Weaves historical Quaker material, modern experience, bibliographies, and issues Friends face today, with practical suggestions to illuminate and deepen our practice of living together in a faith community predicated on listening to God. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Loring, Patricia. Spiritual Discernment: The Context and Goal of Clearness Committees. Pendle Hill Pamphlet #305. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1992. Explores testing leadings, both individually and corporately. Describes setting up and conducting clearness committees. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Marshall, Jay W. Reclaiming the Concept and Practice of Universal Ministry. Delivered as the 2000 Carey Lecture at Baltimore Yearly Meeting. Defines "ministry" as "lived faith intentionally exercised toward others." Describes the current state of Friends, programmed and unprogrammed, in which ministry has fallen out of favor among many Friends. Sketches early Friends' experience, and offers some suggestions for a way forward.
O'Shea, Janey and Ben Pink Dandelion. Making Quaker Disciples: the formation of a people of God. London: Quaker Home Service, 1995. Emphasizes how Quakerism is a religion, involving discipline. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Penington, Isaac. The Light Within and Selected Writings. Philadelphia: Tract Association of Friends, n.d. A powerful spiritual account. If you are looking for a seasoned Quaker to walk with, here is an excellent one. All couched in 17th century language. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Schmidt, Bob. "An Account of Experiences of the Dynamic Between Quaker Ministers and Elders at an FGC Gathering at Penn Center on St. Helena's Island in the Winter of 1999". (June 1999). Personal stories about how the spirit is leading and teaching him. FGC staff can help locate this article (see "How to Find this Material" at the top of the left column).
Schmidt, Bob. "Deep Listening: Applying the Disciplines of an Elder to Pastoral Care", in Pastoral Care Newsletter. Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Working Group on Care and Counsel for Meetings and Members. Vol. 8, no. 3 (March 2001). Looks at the symbiotic function of an elder as midwife to ministry, and then as a model for carrying out pastoral care. Describes the disciplines of elder he has found to be helpful in pastoral care.
Schmitt, Bob, Jan Hoffman, and Kenneth Sutton. "A Few Passages Relating to Elders and Ministers". From "Bringing Our Messages & Witness to Birth: Mothers, Midwives, and the Minister/Elder Relationship," a conference at Quaker Center, Ben Lomond, California, fall 1999. Personal stories and experiences.
Schurman, Virginia. "Spiritual Guidance from the Writings of Isaac and Mary Penington", in D. Neil Snarr and Daniel L. Smith-Christopher, eds. Practiced in the Presence: Essays in Honor of T. Canby Jones. Richmond: Friends United Press, 1994. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
So that You Come Behind in No Gift: Ohio Yearly Meeting's Gathering on Eldering 6/20-22/1996. Available from Ohio Yearly Meeting. This small pamphlet starts out with an overview of eldering by Susan Smith, its history by John Brady, and its application by Frances Taber. There are also examples from the scriptures, from historical Friends writings and from contemporary experience. Eldering is described most often by the word "encouragement", and elders share with ministers and overseers the major responsibilities to a meeting. FGC staff can help locate this article (see "How to Find this Material" at the top of the left column).
Sutton, Kenneth. "Kenneth's Eldering Stories". Stories of personal experiences of the spirit teaching us today, and about the use of ministry and eldering.
Taber, Bill [William]. "The Ministry of Silent Radiation", in What Canst Thou Say? no. 17 (Feb. 1988), 1. A short description of the author's recording as a minister in Ohio Yearly Meeting (Cons.) and of his growing understanding of the gift. He tells of a period when he was kept from vocal ministry, a waiting time that led to a deeper level of experiencing the "secret, undramatic, invisible ministry" that is "a wordless radiation of the Love of God".
Taber, Bill [William]. The Prophetic Stream. Pendle Hill Pamphlet #256. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1984. Describes the prophetic ministry of Quakers, rooted in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures and the early Christian church. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Taber, Frances. "Applying and Adapting the Tradition of Eldering for Today", The Conservative Friend (Fall 1996), pp. 3-5. Describes eldring as the term"for the work of those who (other than vocal ministers) most embody the spiritual tradition, the Quaker understanding of spirituality, those who are most concerned with carrying it on and nurturing it in their meetings as a whole and in the members individually." Names specific functions of elders, and suggests how Ministry and Oversight Committees might deepen and enrich their work together. FGC staff can help locate this article (see "How to Find this Material" at the top of the left column).
Taber, William. Four Doors to Quaker Worship. Pendle Hill Pamphlet #306. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1992. A guide to the different stages of preparation and experience of worship. A helpful introduction to the process of Quaker worship. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Taber, William P. Vocal Ministry: The Inward Motion and the Razor's Edge (Adobe Acrobat file, numbered page 47). The ongoing inward walk of someone called to vocal ministry. Walking the thin line of faithfulness and staying centered, while balancing one's ego. See also: www.pendlehill.org/e_publishing.htm and notes under Buttenheim, above.
Vogel-Borne, Jonathan. "Traveling in the Ministry". Paper written for Friends Meeting at Cambridge, 1987. A short but very informative article which includes historical background for traveling in the ministry, a good discussion of recognizing a call, and a detailed description of the clearness process and traveling minutes.
Walton, Marty. The Meeting Experience: Practicing Quakerism in Community. Canadian Quaker Pamphlet Series #45. This is a useful pamphlet for visiting Friends to carry, as it answers many of the questions which are frequently asked. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Walton, Marty. The Blessed Community. Southeastern Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, 1994. A companion to The Meeting Experience, this pamphlet develops the ideas of the religious community. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Wilson, Lloyd Lee. Essays on the Quaker Vision of Gospel Order. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Publications, 1993. See especially Part II, Spiritual Gifts and the Faith Community, which includes a section on Traveling in the Ministry. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Wood, Peter. Eldering. Canadian Quaker Pamphlet #27. Argenta Friends Press, 1987. An early discussion on the process of eldering.
The published journals of earlier Friends' ministers offer good sources for deeper understanding of ministry and eldering.
Yearly Meeting Faith and Practice, Books of Discipline or supplementary publications include:
London Yearly Meeting. Church Government 1968. Reprinted with subsequent amendments, 1980.
New York Yearly Meeting. Faith and Practice: The Book of Discipline of the New York Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends. Approved 31st July 1998. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
North Carolina YM (C). Faith and Practice: Book of Discipline of the North Carolina Yearly Meeting (Conservative) of the Religious Society of Friends, 1983 Revision. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Ohio Yearly Meeting. The Book of Discipline of the Ohio Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Conservative). 1992 edition. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Faith & Practice, 1997. Available from Quakerbooks of FGC
Yearly Meeting on Ministry and Council, New York Yearly Meeting. Recording Gifts in Ministry. 1992.
Western Yearly Meeting. A Handbook for Elders. 1995.
The following articles appeared in Quaker periodicals
Blocher, Heidi. "On Quaker Contemplative Life", Friends Journal, Sept. 1996, 14. Description of the inward, contemplative stance of a Friends' minister to discern God's will in this specific instance. FGC staff can help locate this article (see "How to Find this Material" at the top of the left column).
Drayton, Brian, "On Opportunities", Friends Journal, Sept. 1990, 8-9. The opportunities described can occur when a Friend visits an individual or small group in a home or workplace. It is a time of worship and spiritual sharing, sometimes planned, sometimes spontaneous. FGC staff can help locate this article (see "How to Find this Material" at the top of the left column).
"Eldering After the Manner of Friends", Quaker Life (Jan/Feb. 1983), 13-16. A good summary of the Friends Consultation on Eldering, Quaker Hill Conference Center, Dec. 9-12, 1982. FGC staff can help locate this article (see "How to Find this Material" at the top of the left column).
"The gift and art of eldering", The New England Friend, Vol. 53, no. 2 (Spring 1998). A series of short articles on various aspects of the understanding of eldering. FGC staff can help locate this article (see "How to Find this Material" at the top of the left column).
McPeak, Connie. "Anatomy of a Leading", Friends Journal, 12/1997 and succeeding issues. Describes the ways God prepared her and how way opened for her to follow a leading to be Friend in Residence in Fairbanks for a year. FGC staff can help locate this article (see "How to Find this Material" at the top of the left column).
Palmer, Parker. "The Clearness Committee: a way of discernment", Weavings, Vol. 3, no. 4 (July-Aug. 1988), 37-40. A discussion of discernment written for a non-Quaker audience. FGC staff can help locate this article (see "How to Find this Material" at the top of the left column).
"Recording Gifts in the Ministry" (Adobe Acrobat file), The New England Friend, Vol. 55, no. 2 (Spring 2000). Relates specifically to New England Yearly Meeting, but it provides a good discussion of the value and the problems with recording the gift of ministry. Please note: link is an Adobe Acrobat PDF file.
Taber, William P. "The Theology of the Inward Imperative: Traveling Quaker Ministry of the Middle Period", Quaker Religious Thought (autumn 1980), pp. 3-19.
