How to Become a Member of a Quaker Meeting

Interested in becoming a Quaker? Here’s how to join a Quaker Meeting and become a member.

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Transcript:

Melinda Wenner Bradley: Two of my three children have applied for membership at my meeting themselves. One of them is a fourth grader and the other is a ninth grader. In both cases, their letters spoke of identifying as Friends and what that meant both in terms of being part of the community and worship, but probably in both their cases what it meant to be a part of the community and its witness.

How to Become a Member of a Quaker Meeting

David Breitzmann: Membership in the Religious Society of Friends is an important declaration of seriousness as regards to spiritual concerns because any personal development that you want to do with regards to faith—in the prophetic office itself—only makes sense in relation to other people, a spiritual community that will both help to offer edification but also discipline, eldering, advice, counsel… who will listen to all of your nonsense. [laughs] That’s what I’ve found, frankly.

What is Membership?

Stephanie Preston-Hughes: So if you were to become a member of a Quaker monthly meeting, this Meeting in particular here in Orlando, it’s saying to me that, “I’m a part of this family and I want to become a part of this family for better or for worse.” To me it’s a little like a marriage but it’s not just to one other person, it’s to a community of people.

Melinda Wenner Bradley: I think membership is a covenant. It is a two-way relationship. It is one where we are asked to bring our gifts and the meeting is asked to recognize and love us for and find ways for those gifts to be used, and sometimes to help us find what our gifts are.

Writing a Letter

Carter Nash: To become a member in a Friends meeting, one traditionally writes a letter after they have attended for a period of time to become familiar with what the meeting’s practices and beliefs are. You write a letter explaining why you want to become a member.

Amy Kietzman: The basic thing is to be really honest about what it is you are seeking and what’s the connection you feel with this particular Meeting, because you really are joining a particular Meeting. That letter is given to the membership care committee and a small committee is formed of two or three people to meet with you.

Clearness Committee for Membership

Stephanie Preston-Hughes: When the clearness committee meets with the person who is interested in becoming a member. That’s where Quakerism does its thing.

Amy Kietzman: The purpose of the meeting is for you to discern. We use the word discern and it really means decide, but it means decide in a deep way, decide not just, “do I like this or do I not like this?” but “is this the right thing?”
And so in those meetings you and the other members of the committee, with the help of Spirit, God, source, come to a conclusion in one or two meetings—and sometimes it takes longer—that yes, this is the right thing or no, this is not the right thing.

Recommendation to Business Meeting

Stephanie Preston-Hughes: The clearness committee comes to meeting for business and brings the recommendation forward on behalf of the committee that they are recommending you to be a member. It’s laid over for one month so that the members of the meeting get a chance to ask you questions, get to know you better, give you the opportunity to reflect and work through any last hesitations. At the next month’s business meeting, a final reading is made and Friends give approval and you’re officially a member.

Carter Nash: It’s far more than just being a name on a piece of paper. It’s being a part of a loving, caring community in a reciprocal way.

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The views expressed in this video are of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Friends Journal or its collaborators.

[libertadbrito]

What I've read and listened to, are all positive and inspiring things about the quakers. When it comes to Christians and the role they played during slavery, Indian massacres, WW1, WW2 and the many other war affairs, it's clear that Quakers played a pivotal role on assisting the most vulnerable people. 🙏

[robgrear]

I identify with Quakerism, and attend a meeting. But, if Quakers believe “God is in
everyone, “ why do I have to be found worthy and voted in by others? To me, this is the one hypocritical
aspect of Quakerism. If “God is in everyone, ” isn’t this enough for membership?

[Daiska_Plays]

I don't know. I attend meetings and consider myself a Friend and Quaker. The idea it's something external you "join" with approval and process seems unappealing. I decided I'm a Quaker, not someone else. I'll skip the application. I understand that it appeals to some, though. I just don't think it's necessary. I suppose I'll be called a "tender" the rest of my life. Quakerism is all about a way of life anyway, to me - a philosophy.

[annierosha]

I agree with most comments in that it seems strange to have an approval process, rather than simply accepting someone after a certain amount of time. When I was received into the Anglican Church, they didn't have to 'approve' of me, they just set a date and performed a reception service at which the Bishop welcomed me into the Anglican Church. The whole idea of 'approval' seems to jar with the rest of the Quaker philosophy. It is more like joining a club. Sorry, but it really jars.

[ximono]

This explains why there are so few quakers in the world. It also explains why quakerism seems so steadfast and resilient.

[JodgaTjipangandjara]

Hi guys, I am in Africa, Namibian.. want to know more and learn as most Christian doctrine don't believe in the new life in Christ. We are good at reading and knowing all scripture but to live a live of a life in Christ is a mirth.

[yerapowerfulman]

Hi....Thanks for that I am currently in the process in England, UK

[coolerking]

I believe you can be a Quaker and not have to have approval of committees. I like the Quaker beliefs and I have been to meetings years ago. I live in a rural area and no Quaker meetings places near me. I don't need some sort of membership to believe in Quaker beliefs.

[jamesevans]

I have a true axle to my being. "What God wants God will take. Not a thing I can do about that. I am extremely thankful for all I receive" Jim Outback Australia. ( politely not a member)

[MrResearcher]

Bit surprised they have an application process. Classical Quakerism inherited a lot of Anabaptist influence. Maybe applications are like adult baptism among Anabaptist. It allows the individual to decide if they're ready to commit to this way of life or not. What, outwardly, appears like control and creed might be the opposite: an acceptance of the freedom of belief among adults. Below is a comment by a born Quaker.She too is required to make an application as an adult.

[sallyboyd-daughtrey]

This is a social process, not necessarily a spiritual process. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Social systems are important to human mental health.

[StaramarianQueen]

What happens to those of us who identify very closely with Quaker views and philosophy but don’t have the means to become members? Do we still get to call ourselves Quakers if we chose?

[rebeccaw.g]

I'm a Quaker from birth, and not old enough yet to apply for a membership so it's interesting to see how older Friends apply for membership

[franciscofuentes]

The process seems a bit intimidating. Why would I apply and go through a whole process if they are just not gonna like me. I was born in a Baptist family and I was expected to acccept Jesus and to baptize but it's different because while you need to be an adult or old enough to discern what you're doing, there's no "commiteees" that are gonna say "hey sorry but we are going to reject your application".

[martymcghee]

LOVING AND SENSITIVE NON-SENSEFUL AND IN-SENSEFUL BROTHERHOOD AND SISTERHOOD. TRUE FRIENDS.<period. THROUGH GOOD AND BAD TIMES.❤😢😮😊😅😂❤

[libationsofaphrodite]

Hi I’ve heard Quakers have no problem with being a part of another Religion and that you can still be a Friend. Is that True?

[marthanendissa]

I really want to know, learn and attend a quaker meetings in Indonesia but i didn't know how. On the web it says that Indonesia have yearly meeting but there is no other info exist. Can anybody help?

[bensirach]

Hello!
What resources and advice would you give to someone who wants to start a meeting?

[txavielhumano]

I want to attend a meeting, but I'm from Colombia, and I don't know where I can find a Quaker in my country, Anyone can help me?

[andrereginato]

Very nice teaching in regard to its belief...but is it based on the faith in Paul's Gospel? or of good works which apart from the gospel taught by the apostle Paul equates to dead works? Paul preached Christ crucified, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. So we have to believe that we have to except God's way of salvation. We need the power of God's spirit received only by faith, not the work of our flesh. This is the problem with cults who even claim to be Christian.