Ministry takes many forms. Not to be overlooked or undervalued are those gifts that are not expressed vocally in meeting for worship. Ministry is teaching First Day school, writing and mailing a meeting newsletter, silently holding others in the Light, praying, attending to the care of the meeting house, washing the dishes. Other, more traditionally recognized, forms of ministry include the following:

The following queries were prepared during a retreat of pastors from New York and New England Yearly Meetings at Powell House, in 1988, and may be useful to others.

Recording gifts in ministry is not a new practice. In the 1600's, Friends were largely built up by the efforts of "public Friends," who traveled, spoke, debated with non-Quakers both orally and in writing, visited families, set up new meetings and worship groups, and often suffered imprisonment, fines, and other hardships. Unpaid, they were nevertheless strongly supported by hospitality on their travels and, when they were imprisoned, by care for their families and even the running of their businesses.