Faith and Practice: Spiritual Care of Members, 2nd reading

SPRITUAL CARE OF MEMBERS

Faith and Practice proposed revision, for second reading and approval

Presented to the body for first reading at Fall Sessions 2016

SPIRITUAL CARE OF MEMBERS. Seeking divine guidance in their discernment, members of ministry and counsel should seek to:

• foster the spiritual growth of the meeting membership and enhance their religious life and fellowship, including especially the nurture and strengthening of corporate worship of the meeting;
• consider individual needs for guidance and to make provision for personal counsel and assistance in matters of interpersonal relationships among members;
• assist individuals and families confronting problems pertaining to illness, financial matters, marital relations, and decisions of conscience, keeping in mind at all times the limits of ministry and counsel’s expertise;
• review annually the spiritual condition of the meeting and its membership and to write the State of the Meeting reports;
• develop programs and conferences, study groups, and public meetings to disseminate information regarding Friends' spiritual concerns and to assist members and attenders to deepen the life of the spirit;
• where desired by local meetings, consider qualifications and make recommendations concerning recording gifts in ministry or engagement of pastors or meeting secretaries;
• foster a meeting culture that encourages the emergence of gifts, and assures support and accountability for Friends who carry individual gifts in ministry.

[This replaces the section on p. 122.  Note also the language addressing related topics at p. 118.]