FRIENDS
As a conscientious objector eager to learn more about the peace testimony of my denomination, I enrolled at the Earlham School of Religion, A Quaker seminary in Richmond, Indiana. With my family to support, it was not long before I found myself filling a student pastorate at a small Friends church in rural Indiana. As a “silent meeting” Quaker, accustomed to unprogrammed worship, I had an idea of vocal ministry quite different from that of these rural Friends, who expect- ed a well-prepared, evangelical sermon every First Day After one such meeting, during which the congregation had sat in restless silence for the entire hour, because I had not felt moved by the Spirit to speak, and no one else in the meeting house had been moved to lead worship, a church elder offered me this counsel: “Friend John, if you wish us to feel moved by the Spirit to pay you next week, you should come prepared to be inspired to preach.”…
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