Friends (or Quakers) have, for centuries, expressed our common beliefs and practices in testimonies. A testimony is a lived-out expression of our deeply held ideals and beliefs. Most Quakers identify with the following five testimonies.
Peace & Nonviolence :: Friends oppose and refuse to participate in all war and violence. We believe that there is “that of God” in every person and that Christ has called us to love our neighbors and enemies.
Equality :: Again, drawing from our commonly held belief that there is “that of God” in everyone, Friends believe that all people are equal and are equally able to minister. We believe in a biblical vision of equality among all people.
Simplicity :: We ascribe to the ideal that a simple life allows us to move past outward trappings and access God within us. We also believe that living simply creates the best opportunity for a world free of greed, slavery, abuse, exploitation and war. Living simply also charges us with living in a manner that promotes environmental sustainability and stewardship of God’s creation.
Integrity :: Jesus instructed in Matthew 5:37 that his followers are to be honest and direct in everything letting our yes be yes and our no, no. Honesty and integrity are necessary for peaceful and equitable living. We strive to uphold this standard in every aspect of our lives.
Community :: Just as every person has equal access to God, so are we also called to seek the face of God in community. The gathered community comes together to worship God and seek Christ’s vision and direction for our corporate lives.