It is certainly true that there are no rules for (good) ministry. There are, however, some useful guidelines: it should be brief, not overly developed or structured, not intellectualised; in essence, the best ministry is like poetry delivered with gentle simplicity.
I practice Experiment with Light and when we do this in a group we have an opportunity to share what happened for us during the previous hour. People share thoughts, feelings, sometimes a poem they just wrote or a drawing. These contributions always seem to come from the heart. I know this is very different from Meeting for Worship where spoken ministry often builds on what others have said and is more focused on the wider world rather than individual lives. However, in EwL we are counselled to share what the Light, spirit, God, has shown us at that point. I try my hardest in Meeting for Worship to get into that space where I can hear what the Spirit is saying and have the courage to share if it seems appropriate.
I tend to get uneasy when Friends talk about 'good' ministry as it is such a subjective thing. I recognise when ministry speaks to me and try to be patient when it doesn't, particularly when after meeting Friends tell me how helpful the 'unhelpful' ministry was for them. Ministry has changed over time and will, I hope, continue to evolve. It is almost unheard of now for a minister like Ann Wilson to point a finger in admonition of an individual (Samuel Bownas) or for anyone to, as Anna Braithwaite did in the 19th century, speak 'for an hour, fluently elucidating many gospel truths'. But if we are faithful to our leadings to speak when we are moved, and not to speak when the time is not right, then who knows what ministry may emerge?
I am frustrated by ministry that begins with “this week I have been thinking about…” or some variation on a theme of thinking. I come to Meeting for Worship to pray, to worship, not to think. I seek the Spirit through expectant waiting and active listening. Please spare me from your thoughts on the week just past.
Many times I have been spiritually shaken by a preliminary required Qfap reading at the beginning of MfW, only to be distracted,at best, and totally demolished at worst by subsequent words that I find trite, irrelevant, superficial and out of place - more useful to have be spoken elsewhere. I have found this in mfwfb which sometimes resembles a committee meeting with replies from the floor and table rather than a mfw. I go to mfw to be spiritually enriched/challenged...I can find politics/social and environmental concern/therapeutic support elsewhere within/without Q circles. My problem might be that I 'grew up' in a small meeting with very clear and strong eldership -' I think our F/friend has said enough'...I was once 'told' that I I felt the urge to minister to leave it for 4 meetings to see if it still was a concern..... Unfortunately I can no longer find myself at mfw...
Perhaps I have got the wrong end of the stick, but the most profound ministry often seems to come from Friends who believe that their personal or business lives are a failure, that their rulers are getting it wrong and the little they can do to improve things has to come from deep within. They come to Meeting fizzing but with little idea of what they will say. Few of those who hear them realise how much such ministry costs, and they often sit down after they've spoken, convinced they have gone too far.
It is certainly true that there are no rules for (good) ministry. There are, however, some useful guidelines: it should be brief, not overly developed or structured, not intellectualised; in essence, the best ministry is like poetry delivered with gentle simplicity.
I practice Experiment with Light and when we do this in a group we have an opportunity to share what happened for us during the previous hour. People share thoughts, feelings, sometimes a poem they just wrote or a drawing. These contributions always seem to come from the heart. I know this is very different from Meeting for Worship where spoken ministry often builds on what others have said and is more focused on the wider world rather than individual lives. However, in EwL we are counselled to share what the Light, spirit, God, has shown us at that point. I try my hardest in Meeting for Worship to get into that space where I can hear what the Spirit is saying and have the courage to share if it seems appropriate.
I tend to get uneasy when Friends talk about 'good' ministry as it is such a subjective thing. I recognise when ministry speaks to me and try to be patient when it doesn't, particularly when after meeting Friends tell me how helpful the 'unhelpful' ministry was for them. Ministry has changed over time and will, I hope, continue to evolve. It is almost unheard of now for a minister like Ann Wilson to point a finger in admonition of an individual (Samuel Bownas) or for anyone to, as Anna Braithwaite did in the 19th century, speak 'for an hour, fluently elucidating many gospel truths'. But if we are faithful to our leadings to speak when we are moved, and not to speak when the time is not right, then who knows what ministry may emerge?
I am frustrated by ministry that begins with “this week I have been thinking about…” or some variation on a theme of thinking. I come to Meeting for Worship to pray, to worship, not to think. I seek the Spirit through expectant waiting and active listening. Please spare me from your thoughts on the week just past.
For those who get upset that there’s too much ministry or not enough of the “good” ministry.
Many times I have been spiritually shaken by a preliminary required Qfap reading at the beginning of MfW, only to be distracted,at best, and totally demolished at worst by subsequent words that I find trite, irrelevant, superficial and out of place - more useful to have be spoken elsewhere. I have found this in mfwfb which sometimes resembles a committee meeting with replies from the floor and table rather than a mfw. I go to mfw to be spiritually enriched/challenged...I can find politics/social and environmental concern/therapeutic support elsewhere within/without Q circles. My problem might be that I 'grew up' in a small meeting with very clear and strong eldership -' I think our F/friend has said enough'...I was once 'told' that I I felt the urge to minister to leave it for 4 meetings to see if it still was a concern..... Unfortunately I can no longer find myself at mfw...
Perhaps I have got the wrong end of the stick, but the most profound ministry often seems to come from Friends who believe that their personal or business lives are a failure, that their rulers are getting it wrong and the little they can do to improve things has to come from deep within. They come to Meeting fizzing but with little idea of what they will say. Few of those who hear them realise how much such ministry costs, and they often sit down after they've spoken, convinced they have gone too far.