Ashley M. Wilcox is the Executive Director of Public Friends. Their mission is to ensure the future of Friends in North America by supporting and developing Quaker ministers to a professional standard. The views expressed here are Ashley’s and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Friends General Conference.

LG’s story is not unusual. A public Quaker minister for many years, she was once asked to give a four-day workshop—for free—and to cover her own room and board.

As Friends, we often talk about the challenges Quakerism faces. Yet one struggle gets less attention: how to make ministry viable today. Why are Quaker ministers in such trouble?

A few months ago, I asked on social media: What has been your experience asking Quakers to pay you for your work? Dozens responded. Again and again, I heard how full-time, committed ministers are asked to give their time and expertise for free.

One Friend, BB, has been through this so many times that she now expects it. She offers workshops for as little as possible, then waits while organizers “check.” Eventually they return with sympathy and annoyance: the budget only covers a fraction of her request. Then they ask if she’ll make the sacrifice anyway. As she put it, “Me. I’m the sacrifice.”

TS, a lifelong Quaker school educator, wrote that this ministry is critically underpaid. The attitude is: You should be glad to work here, lucky even to be paid to “volunteer.” Yet for many, Quaker schools are the first introduction to Friends. Is this really the message we want to send?

The stories spanned branches of Friends: former pastors going homeless, ministers taking extra full-time jobs or relying on a spouse’s income. Financial stress led to illness, broken marriages, and many deciding never to work for Friends again.

In 2013, I decided I would no longer pay to do ministry. That summer, I led a workshop in another state. Compensation was a partial scholarship. I applied for grants to cover travel and lodging, took time off work, and left exhausted. Soon after, I began working outside Quaker circles and saw the stark difference. Where Friends offered $200, other denominations paid $5,000 without hesitation. I raised my rates and set firmer expectations.

Friends can and should do better. Quakers in North America are not impoverished. It is not fair or just to expect ministers to bear the cost of their service.

When I started Public Friends, I wanted to create what I had once needed:

• a network of ministers for mutual support,
• tools for sustainable ministry, and
• a place to practice.

That’s why I’m excited about our upcoming workshop, Making Money in Ministry, on October 10 from 12:00–1:00 pm Eastern (9:00–10:00 Pacific). We will share stories, provide tools, and practice together.

You can register here.

The cost is $20, or included with a one-year membership in the Public Friends online community.

I look forward to seeing you there.

In Friendship,

Ashley M. Wilcox

Executive Director of Public Friends