This information is provided to support the consultation and feedback process for
revisions to our Pacific Yearly Meeting Book of Faith & Practice.
REVIEW OF ELDERS & ELDERING SECTION
We are in the process of revising Pacific Yearly Meeting’s Faith and Practice. In this process we seek to create a text that reflects the depth of our Quaker faith and the spiritual power of our practice. To the extent that we succeed, this work will speak to our time, give voice to our traditions, and nurture our individual and corporate life. We invite you to join us in this work by reviewing a newly created draft document on elders and eldering.
Our current text has no section on elders and eldering. We see a need for such a section since elders and eldering has risen in importance in the past number of years. These terms have returned to their original meaning of spiritual accompaniment and growth. We are a faith based upon continuing revelation, and this concept has currently taken on new forms. It is important that meetings recognize gifts of eldering, the richness of this tradition and its evolution in our time.
The terms elders and eldering had taken on a judgmental tinge which may make some cautious. Others may welcome this new look. We are mindful of these various views and welcome your responses as they will help us create a meaningful text.
The queries below are designed to prompt consideration of these varying views. We seek your contribution in our efforts to articulate the essence of our eldering tradition and its usefulness in our spiritual growth.
Queries:
- What is your reaction to the specific text or its parts? What should be changed, added or deleted?
- How does this represent part of your meeting’s spiritual life?
- How do you address issues of inappropriate behavior by an individual? And how do you support the well-being of the meeting community as well as the individual’s spiritual development?
- What additional roles do elders have in serving the well-being of our community and its individuals beyond what is written in this section?
- How does your meeting appoint elders? Are there elders in your meeting without formal appointment that simply add to the spiritual growth of your meeting and its individuals? Does this work fall on members of a committee, and if so, which one?
When your Meeting or group meets to consider and discuss the text and queries, please take note of the following:
- Number of Friends who participate and the number of sessions.
- Who is participating (e.g. seasoned Friends, newcomers, members, attenders, younger Friends, older Friends, etc.).
- The group’s responses to the queries and any other relevant comments or notes.
Submit responses using the FEEDBACK FORM HERE
Elders & Eldering text for review
The purpose of all ministry and all eldering is to direct attention to the Inward Teacher, who ultimately inspires, corrects, and empowers.
Jan Hoffman, Kenneth Sutton in Walk Worthy of Your Calling, p159
Elders are those who have a distinct and noticeable gift of spiritual groundedness that uplifts, deepens, and broadens the spiritual core of a meeting or gathering.
Callid Keefe-Perry, An Invitation to Quaker Eldering, p8
Elders are those in your community who have a deep connection to Spirit and can help bring into awareness a divine guidance. The role of elder is formally designated in some meetings while in others it is a term generally used to refer to Friends who are known for gifts of counsel and guidance. Elders have been and should be a cornerstone in the life of a meeting. They are our spiritual leavening.
Historically, elders were held in high esteem and their importance was clearly recognized. Religious tensions and the press of secular culture in the 19th century led to elders taking a more assertive and judgmental role in efforts to guide and preserve the community. In time these practices were felt to be oppressive and unduly critical, leading in many meetings to the disappearance of the eldering role and the loss of its positive features.
We have now returned to recognizing that elders hold a very important role in our community. Elders function in many ways to the benefit of the community as a whole as well as to individual Friends. Elders may serve to deepen the worship for all during any gathering of Friends. They may serve in the spiritual accompaniment of clerks, traveling ministers, and speakers at events. They recognize and encourage the developing gifts of individual Friends and the discernment of spirit-led vocal ministry and leadings. Elders hold space for conflicts to be resolved and foster spiritual development and inquiry in the search for truth.Elders help Friends to find the anchor of Spirit and the experience of the gathered meeting.
Eldering involves deep listening, a responsiveness to spiritual presence and to trusting the Inner Guide. Elders need to be ready to take risks, to make bold suggestions, to be willing to be transformed by spiritual discernment. These capacities rely on skills honed through practice in the disciplines of accountability and obedience to Truth.
Friends can strive to support the work of elders in their community, deepening the worship by their presence, bringing forth and welcoming Spirit. The cultivation of such a shared presence may permeate the meeting’s space and touch us all.
Book 2 Practice of Elders and Eldering
Since the late 1980s keynote speakers at larger Quaker gatherings were asking for accompaniment from another Friend. Speakers found this spiritual support and feedback about the presentation very beneficial. Others were asking for such support for work that leadings brought to them. In 2018 Pacific Yearly Meeting Ministry and Care Committee (the current Ministry Committee) initiated an eldering subcommittee to provide elders’ worshipful presence during plenaries at annual sessions. The Elders subcommittee furthered the work of elders by offering elders to clerks of each committee for their terms of service or as needed. The subcommittee now also offers support and guidance to monthly meetings. This growing recognition of the vital role elders can play is present in other yearly meetings as well.
After your group has met to consider and discuss the text and queries above, please share your notes and comments through the FEEDBACK FORM HERE
Questions? Contact the Faith & Practice Revision Committee at faithandpractice@pacificyearlymeeting.org