Robyn Lebron seeking unity, Friends are not attempting to seek a position with which everyone is willing to live (as is often the case in consensual models) but in determining God’s will It is assumed that if everyone is listening to God’s Spirit, the way forward will become clear The business conducted in the manner of Friends can seem to outsiders time-consuming and impractical The process can be frustrating and slow, but Friends believe it works well, allowing the group to come to decisions even around the most difficult matters.10 While Friends traditionally not have creeds, most yearly Meetings adopt a book of “discipline,”…often called “ Ǥ” These books generally describe the practices and procedures used in the yearly Meeting, offer inspirational extracts from Quaker literature, and contain…guidance and questions to help Friends examine themselves and their lives as they strive to live more fully in the Light.11 George Fox and the other early Quakers believed that direct experience of God was available to all people without mediation (e.g., through hired clergy) Early Friends did not believe in the reliance upon practice of the outward rites and sacraments, believing that holiness can exist in all the activities of one’s life—all of life is sacred Basic Worship Service Quaker meetings for worship are the ultimate in simplicity There are no paid preachers, no sacraments, and no religious objects in their meeting houses There are no pulpits in their meeting rooms because they minister to each other There are no prearranged prayers, readings, sermons, hymns, or musical orchestrations because they wait for God’s leadings The Quaker’s meetings base the worship entirely on expectant waiting to hear God’s “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12) Friends take Bible literally: “ dz (Psalm 46:10) They gather in a circle and spend an hour in silence, with each person waiting on God to speak to them personally If someone receives a message from God, which they believe is intended for the entire group, they share it briefly, and it is received without comment from the others Following a spoken message, (they) return to the silence to examine the 20