Nurturing Vocal Ministry: Toward a Vital Culture of Eldership

Pendle Hill Pamphlet #499

This essay explores some ways to deepen our meetings’ vocal ministry and foster the gathered meeting through a vital culture of eldership – that is, the faith and practices, the attitudes and agreements through which we nurture the spiritual lives of our members. Since sidelining or laying down the practice of recording ministers and elders in many unprogrammed meetings, Friends have largely abandoned the proactive nurture of spoken ministry and the understanding of vocal ministry as an ongoing calling. The author offers practical ways for meetings to nurture those with a gift for spoken ministry.

Author: Steven Dale Davison

Publisher: Pendle Hill, 2026

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