Religious Society of Friends (Quakers)
Overview
The Religious Society of Friends, commonly called Quakers, is a Christian movement that emerged in seventeenth-century England.
History
It developed through diverse evangelical, conservative, liberal, and unprogrammed communities across the world.
Beliefs and emphases
Friends often emphasise direct responsiveness to God, corporate discernment, peace, integrity, simplicity, equality, and care for creation. The range of theology among Friends is broad.
Worship and practice
Unprogrammed meetings commonly gather in expectant silence; programmed Friends worship may resemble other Protestant services with pastoral leadership, music, and preaching.
Organisation and life
Meetings are typically governed through communal discernment rather than a sacramental priesthood or episcopal hierarchy.
Relationships
Broader traditions
Within this tradition
Sources and further reading
Friends World Committee for Consultation
Friends World Committee for Consultation