'If we become committed to a form of unselfish, mystical dynamism we will, without doubt, flourish and grow.' Photo: Jeroen van Abeelen / flickr CC.
Towards faithful progress
Derrick Whitehouse is concerned about the effects of ‘too much change’
I wonder how many Friends remember the logo used initially by the Friends Home Service Committee, which later became Quaker Life? It depicted a tree, but the interesting point was that it not only presented the trunk and foliage but also, in equal measure, the whole root system. Along with these characteristics, we need to be aware of the creatures inhabiting the tree both above and below the ground. The point of this logo should be obvious: namely, that the living root-function is as important or even crucial, and of added significance to the tree above the ground.
Perhaps the metaphor can be developed even further when considering the configuration of the Banyan tree, with the branches cascading down to join the voluminous root system, a notion which is perceived as being spiritually symbolic in certain religious cultures.
A ‘corporate state’?
Earlier in our Quaker tradition there appeared to be no practical problems with our ‘bottom-up’ system, with initiatives and leadings coming primarily from the Preparative, Monthly and Quarterly Meetings. That is how things were fifty or more years ago.
My view, and I imagine it is the same for many long-term Friends, is that there has been a great deal of change in more recent times that is not helpful in enabling our beloved Religious Society of Friends to flourish and grow in active membership.
We need, therefore, to improve a number of aspects to advance the appeal of our faith and practice. This I know is a bold, but heartfelt statement, suggesting that we have been unconsciously led (perhaps not always by the Spirit) along misconstrued paths.
We have, I believe, evolved into a top-down ‘corporate state’ Religious Society that resembles the world we inhabit. This is the kind of world where attitudes are, I believe, to let somebody else take responsibility for running the show while we do our own thing. We say we shall get involved when we feel like it, but please provide us with freedom to believe what befits us. We want to be committed only when it suits us as there is so much more that is egocentric on offer elsewhere to engage with.
Now, back to the logo. In recent years, I believe, our roots have been eroded drastically since the demise of Quarterly Meetings. The tree and branches have been festooned with a panacea of imitation flowers, which may appear to be authentic but are actually unfit for long-term survival. Continued existence embraces sustained numerical growth to function in concert with our unique and creative faith and practice.
One enlightened and long-term attender said to me a while ago that he felt there is ‘no substance’ and is now no longer worshipping with us. This, unfortunately, is frequently the pattern in Meetings across the length and breadth of Britain Yearly Meeting. It is not always the shortcoming of the attender.
Why?
Where did we go wrong in this come-day, go-day world we inhabit? I suggest the problem arose when Quarterly Meetings appeared to be running down, leading to the creation of General Meetings that were not compelled to be as regular and even became non-operational in a number of regions.
This was the point of looming disaster when we, Britain Yearly Meeting and everyone who loves our Religious Society, should have asked the question: ‘Why are Quarterly gatherings not working?’
The reason, in my opinion, was that both Friends and long-term attenders simply ‘could not be bothered to participate fully when there were other attractions’. As a consequence this essential feature of the root system of Britain Yearly Meeting was shattered in an instant and that, dear Friend, represents why we are in a pickle now. If we do not recognise this to be the case, and do nothing about it, then our beloved Religious Society will continue to wane.
We hear cries of ‘We must appeal to a wider range of people’ – but that is the next big error of judgment. It is not our way to become extra ‘happy-clappy. This form of worship is carried out more successfully by other faiths. We must rise above haggling over theism and nontheism to a point where we have a common understanding of ‘something there’ that is an enigmatic essence acceptable to everyone. This, I feel, is the only way forward for a truly ‘Religious’ Society of Friends.
The tradition of Friends
We have to share with one another and practice, diligently, ways to pray and become a people of prayer for all members and attenders by way of a variety of techniques and adaptations. An exciting and stimulating experiment demands this. We need to explore ways of silent worship so that everyone understands how to move into the stillness of waiting and listening to ministry that is always spiritually uplifting. This is the tradition of Friends.
It is so much more than simply sitting still and hoping. We need to know that all those who worship with us must have, and feel the need to develop, these skills in all their diverse and meaningful forms.
For some reason we are not especially good at facilitating the development of worship and prayer in many Meetings. Instead, we leave it to chance, which may be why folk are not inspired to stay with us. Do they truly understand and progress in our exceptionally meaningful Quaker way of worship?
We contend that our worship is the dynamic that leads to our wisdom and enlightened practice in the turbulent world we inhabit. However, I am not convinced that our good works are always spiritually-led. Are they led more by a moral prompting?
We must understand there is a philosophical difference between the motivation and application of the two perspectives if we are to remain a ‘religious’ society.
Consolidate our foundation
So, here we are, thoughtful people running around and attempting to function effectively as a spiritual body rooted in wide-ranging forms of religiousness. In doing this we value not only ourselves but also strive together with other people to make a worthwhile contribution to the development and wellbeing of the wider world.
This is where we are – much admired for our originality and desire to serve everyone and everything and yet we appear to be dwindling towards dying out. We must stop playing around with questionable attitudes and consolidate our foundation based on universal values that have been adopted by Quakers. We will then be ready to move away from the present top-down functional style and re-establish a vibrant bottom-up culture. We have to move back to recreating and revising forms of quarterly convergence that are different from the previous structure. I would suggest just ten fully functioning sectors on a regional basis.
A purposeful and dynamic culture
Everything then hinges on full commitment for regular shared activity and participation by everyone in order to make it work in an imaginative and spiritually vital manner. This means not simply to function for the few but the development of an exciting, purposeful and dynamic culture that is inspirational spiritually as well as vibrant socially, where everyone will want to participate, appreciate and enjoy.
It is as simple as that. If we become committed to a form of unselfish, mystical dynamism we will, without doubt, flourish and grow. We can become as a tree with an unwavering and tenacious root system founded on a steadfast, spiritually uplifting, life and understanding in which all inhabitants know and feel they want to join in, flourish and grow personally.
Friends will then feel they truly belong, are content with, dedicated to and prepared to be of increasing service and bestow spiritually our witness, both personal and corporate, on this troubled but so beautiful world.
