A person gives vocal ministry when they stand to speak during worship. In many cases, vocal ministry may be a sentence, a song, a few words, or a few sentences. True vocal ministry invites Friends to contemplate something the Divine, the beyond, or something that goes beyond the thoughts of people gathered in the room. Some Friends say that vocal ministry invites Friends into the “heart of the Divine.”

There are many ways to understand and talk about vocal ministry, depending on the language that you use to describe your faith. Vocal ministry is a very personal topic, and there is no way of describing it that will be perfect for all Friends. Please translate the information on this page into language that you use to describe your own inner experience of faith.

Should I Stand and Speak?

If you are in open, expectant worship and you feel a message rising, ask yourself the following questions:

  • Is this a message from God or is it from me?
  • Is it meant for the group, or just for me?
  • Is it for now or for another time?

Some messages are just for individual Friends to hold privately, in the comfort of their hearts. Some messages are for the group to hear, and there is no hierarchy between the two. If the message is from beyond you, if it is for the group, and if you discern that it is for now, then you will be faithful to rise to speak.

Many Friends say that if they discern rightly, they will feel it in their bodies. Perhaps they will feel a sense of internal peace when they let go of a message or a sense of completion when they deliver it. Some Friends will ask themselves, “Can this message truly improve upon the silence?” before they rise to speak.

If someone has just shared vocal ministry, it is suggested to wait and let the ministry settle, to give people time to take it in, before rising to share any additional ministry.

What if I Don’t Speak?

Some insights that you receive during worship may be just for you, or just for you and one other person. After worship, you might share the words you received with a close friend, or them down in a journal. Some meetings hold “afterwords” at the Rise of Worship, an open time for things that did not rise to the level of ministry.

Vocal Ministry Graphic

As you get familiar with discerning what is for you and what is for the group, we encourage you to ask yourself additional questions. Use the Vocal Ministry Graphic below to help you decide if you are called to speak.

Tip: Alt text is available for the graphic for anyone who uses a screen reader.

Depending on your own personal beliefs, you may open yourself to the Great Unknown, to the Divine, to your Higher Power, to God, to Wisdom, or to something else.

In the Quaker tradition, vocal ministry goes beyond nice words or an interesting topic. Deep vocal ministry goes beyond ego and personal preferences to something beyond. Some Friends describe this process as moving “closer to the heart of the Divine.”

Vocal Ministry Resources

Book Recommendations

Last updated October 1, 2025.

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