Public Ministry in the Quaker tradition refers to when a Friend responds to a calling from the Spirit by offering their gifts in a sustained, outward-facing way, not just within their own meeting. It means living out a “lived faith intentionally exercised toward others,” (as Jay Marshall, former Dean of Earlham School of Religion put it) often through preaching, teaching, pastoral care, travel, social witness, or other forms of service.

In 2023 through 2024, Friends General Conference engaged with several individuals and organizations to discuss contemporary Public Ministry. Those efforts resulted in an essay series from Windy Cooler, support and co-sponsorship of dialogues on Public Ministry, surveys to the FGC community, and promotion of emerging programs and projects in support of Public Ministry.

The resources here collect contemporary writing on Public Ministry and aim to connect interested Friends to new work in this field. Many of the links will open to external websites.

See also:

Last updated December 18, 2025.

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