Common Terms Defined

Helpful Definitions/Explanations of Terms You Might Hear During or After a Meeting for Worship

Terms Related to Faith and Action

An "opening" = what some call a "revelation" or "deeper insight" into a situation or idea/practice
"A Leading" = a deep and growing feeling that God is motivating one and providing one with the opportunity and responsibility to act in some specific new or fresh way in some area of group or individual life
"To Season" = To rest and intentionally ponder a course of action, expecting that further Divine guidance will be given about a certain action or leading

Terms Related to Worship

"Meeting" = a gathering of Friends to group worship, avoiding the confusion of the term "church" (all of us) with any man-made building
"Centering Down"= an individual's process of quieting his/herself in order to wait in silence for God's Spirit to speak to us...with the understanding that the "Center" is Christ
"Rise of Meeting" = the official "end" of silent worship, signaled by the shaking of hands which spreads among all attenders