"Then fourteen years after, I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain." Galatians 2:1-2.
In this passage, the Apostle makes a remarkable statement - after a time of ministry, he went to visit those "of reputation" to find out if he had run in vain. If such a visit was needed by Paul, how can any of us believe that we need any less?
In the Society of Friends, people named Elders provide feedback to ministers, guiding them around the pitfalls and nurturing them with the spiritual guidance wherein they appear lacking. Most groups of Friends scaled back the duties of Elders in the late 19th century and throughout the 20th century because of a reticence that anyone else should "judge" the leadings of a minister. Now, in the early 21st century, the position is beginning to emerge again in various places. In some midwestern FGC yearly meetings, the role of Elder is played by people serving on what are called "anchoring committees." Philadelphia Yearly Meeting has recently started appointing Elders to serve as something of "silent observers" during business meetings, who attempt to foster the sense of worship during the deliberations.
Although these varied interpretations of the office may not be consistent in their intent, some general principles appear to hold among all groups of Friends.
Ministers need Elders.
This statement is so obvious that it seems pointless to mention. No matter how much a minister attempts to be true to the Guide in speaking, mistakes are made. The problem is this: often, when someone speaks under a false leading during worship, there is a possibility that a hearer will be turned away - not from the speaker - but instead from Christ Jesus. Such an event is a major problem, particularly if it continues. One role of the Elder is to look out for anything that takes away from a person's ministry, emphasizing the strengths and guiding the minister away from shortcomings. Elders are not the enemies of ministers - in fact, Elders work to help ministers grow in their gift and improve their ability to follow the guidance of the Light of Christ even better. The two therefore have a
Joint exercise of gifts.
Meetings of ministers and elders were instituted over 300 years ago. Of course, in the 17th century, Friends understood there to be more of an overlap between the two offices, and Friends were not being specifically named to either office until the early 18th century. The overseers have participated in these meetings since 1958. When Friends with diverse gifts gather to discuss the things of the Spirit, individual gifts are sharpened as Friends grow in their yearning to help each part of the body to function at its best. Those in all three stations need to be good listeners, both to the Lord and to each other. To use an analogy from the world, they are all part of the same team, and not in competition with each other.
No.
It is a great irony that one of the most powerful words in the English language is also one of the shortest. The word "no" is a word that those who speak on the Lord's behalf need to hear sometimes. Most Elders are able to work around a direct "no" by saying something like "I wouldn't do that now," but the fact stands that ministers need to know when they are straying from the path. The relationship between a minister and an Elder must be well-nurtured and strong in order that the caution may be received in the right spirit. Ministers need to hear "What thee is doing is undermining thy ministry" if the Lord has shown that to an Elder. As someone who hardly ever hears "no," I can say without hesitation that when I hear it, I take notice.
Last year, a woman was telling a story in a conversation among four Friends (including me). As part of the conversation, the woman said that if God told someone to do something but the Elders counselled against it, the person should go ahead and do it anyway. This really bothered me. To begin with, if the Lord gave a person direction, that person should be able to convey a sense of the gravity of the leading to the Elders. If rightly appointed Elders believe it not to be "of the Lord," I told her that I would definitely hesitate to do the thing. There is safety in the multitude of counsellors, because whether we like it or not, each of us occasionally finds it difficult to discern between ego and God. Last, if it is a true leading, the Lord would grant the Elders strength to see His hand in the matter.
3/28/2010
3/25/2010
Ohio YM Epistle of Advice, 1813
Historically, Yearly Meetings issued epistles of advice to subordinate meetings. These epistles were sometimes issued annually, other times sporadically. More often than not, in Ohio the women's yearly meeting was more active in sending such epistles down.
The following is the text of the epistle of advice issued by the men's yearly meeting in Ohio in 1813, the inaugural year of that body. The minutes of the women's yearly meeting have been lost. The initial minute book (1813-1825) was taken by Jane Plummer, one time clerk of the Ohio Women's Yearly Meeting, who left Friends in the mid-19th century.
As a caution, readers should be aware that this is a typical epistle of advice (having read some from the yearly meetings of Ohio, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and North Carolina, this assessment is based on some hands-on experience). It is being offered here simply due to its nature as the one approved at the first session of Ohio Yearly Meeting. The spelling has not been altered, a decision influenced by a desire to enhance the historic flavor of the text. The last paragraph concerns the War of 1812, then under way.
The epistle is offered here not as a critique of any person or body of people but simply for its historic value. The ideas expressed herein stand on their own, and I leave it to thee & the enlivening Light of Christ Jesus to discern whether something here may leaven thy spiritual life.
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20th of the month [Eighth Month, 1813] and 6th of the week.
The state of Society as contained in the reports from the Quarters being now brot. into view, friends were deeply exercised on account of the weakness and deficiencies existing among us, and in order that these may be removed, it was earnestly recommended that all friends become so exercised in the Spirit of their minds, as to be qualified to worship the Father of Spirits, whereby we may experience his love operating in us; the blessed effects whereof would not only be joy and peace, but carefulness and circumspection in all our ways, whereby our hands would be strengthened and we enabled to labor in the spirit of meekness and restoring love, with those in whom deficiencies appear.
We should be so far persuaded from the spirit of talebearing and detraction, that in conversing, even among our friends, we should be careful to avoid expressing our opinions too freely, or in an improper manner, which, though it may be done without an evil intention, may have a tendency to destroy the unity and harmony that ought to subsist among us. And friends are desired to keep to plainness in dress and address; for altho these things may in the view of some appear small, they have in the experience of many been found to be as the "little foxes that spoil the tender vine," and we are persuaded that where the light of the blessed principle is attended to, all our defects will be manifested to us, and that the right government of our families is indeed of very great importance. It has been sorrowfully observed that the general round of business, or too frequently things of a temporal nature, are the principal things conversed of in families; but it is most assuredly believed, that as parents are brought under the Divine Government they will find their minds drawn to discourse of higher objects, whereby the minds of their children may be instructed. But for want of this care, it is greatly to be feared, there are many amongst us who are far short of their duty to their children, many of whom would be much at a loss if they were asked a reason of the hope that is in them; and it ought to be an alarming consideration, that unless there is more care on the part of these, they will find themselves encompassed with clouds of darkness in a trying time.
And lastly in regard to the commotions which are in the World: "Be ye wise as serpents and harmless as doves." Friends are earnestly entreated to take no part in political concerns and avoid the expression of sentiments in relation thereto. "And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, see that ye be not troubled:" but trust in the Lord Jehovah, in whom there is everlasting strength. And then, altho ye may be tried, and sifted as wheat, ye shall be preserved.
Horton Howard, Clerk
The following is the text of the epistle of advice issued by the men's yearly meeting in Ohio in 1813, the inaugural year of that body. The minutes of the women's yearly meeting have been lost. The initial minute book (1813-1825) was taken by Jane Plummer, one time clerk of the Ohio Women's Yearly Meeting, who left Friends in the mid-19th century.
As a caution, readers should be aware that this is a typical epistle of advice (having read some from the yearly meetings of Ohio, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and North Carolina, this assessment is based on some hands-on experience). It is being offered here simply due to its nature as the one approved at the first session of Ohio Yearly Meeting. The spelling has not been altered, a decision influenced by a desire to enhance the historic flavor of the text. The last paragraph concerns the War of 1812, then under way.
The epistle is offered here not as a critique of any person or body of people but simply for its historic value. The ideas expressed herein stand on their own, and I leave it to thee & the enlivening Light of Christ Jesus to discern whether something here may leaven thy spiritual life.
---------------------
20th of the month [Eighth Month, 1813] and 6th of the week.
The state of Society as contained in the reports from the Quarters being now brot. into view, friends were deeply exercised on account of the weakness and deficiencies existing among us, and in order that these may be removed, it was earnestly recommended that all friends become so exercised in the Spirit of their minds, as to be qualified to worship the Father of Spirits, whereby we may experience his love operating in us; the blessed effects whereof would not only be joy and peace, but carefulness and circumspection in all our ways, whereby our hands would be strengthened and we enabled to labor in the spirit of meekness and restoring love, with those in whom deficiencies appear.
We should be so far persuaded from the spirit of talebearing and detraction, that in conversing, even among our friends, we should be careful to avoid expressing our opinions too freely, or in an improper manner, which, though it may be done without an evil intention, may have a tendency to destroy the unity and harmony that ought to subsist among us. And friends are desired to keep to plainness in dress and address; for altho these things may in the view of some appear small, they have in the experience of many been found to be as the "little foxes that spoil the tender vine," and we are persuaded that where the light of the blessed principle is attended to, all our defects will be manifested to us, and that the right government of our families is indeed of very great importance. It has been sorrowfully observed that the general round of business, or too frequently things of a temporal nature, are the principal things conversed of in families; but it is most assuredly believed, that as parents are brought under the Divine Government they will find their minds drawn to discourse of higher objects, whereby the minds of their children may be instructed. But for want of this care, it is greatly to be feared, there are many amongst us who are far short of their duty to their children, many of whom would be much at a loss if they were asked a reason of the hope that is in them; and it ought to be an alarming consideration, that unless there is more care on the part of these, they will find themselves encompassed with clouds of darkness in a trying time.
And lastly in regard to the commotions which are in the World: "Be ye wise as serpents and harmless as doves." Friends are earnestly entreated to take no part in political concerns and avoid the expression of sentiments in relation thereto. "And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, see that ye be not troubled:" but trust in the Lord Jehovah, in whom there is everlasting strength. And then, altho ye may be tried, and sifted as wheat, ye shall be preserved.
Horton Howard, Clerk
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