As is quite well-known, Quaker meetings are based around silence, with occasional contributions, which anyone can make, if they feel moved by the Spirit to do so. This is known as "Spoken Ministry". Occasionally, no-one will speak for the entire hour of Silent Worship, and on occasion maybe three or four will speak out of the silence. Sometimes one piece of spoken ministry will trigger another, but it is not in any sense a discussion or a debate. We try to sense where the words are coming from and learn what has nourished the life of other. For me, giving spoken ministry is something that builds up inside during the Meeting. I do not go in with the express intention of speaking, or make any prior preparations - what sparks the ministry might be something I've recently seen or observed, or it may simply arise during the silent contemplation. As a thought builds up that might lead to ministry, one needs to consider if it is appropriate to speak, and generally if so,
Quizzical and quasi-random thoughts