Four Doors to Meeting for Worship

by William P. Taber

The concept of the Stream, not original with Bill, first appeared in his conscious mind during a Pendle Hill conference on the future of Quakerism about 1968 and has continued to have a powerful place in his consciousness ever since. This pamphlet’s metaphor of the four doors grew out of his awareness of a need for a more contemporary explanation of “what happens” in a Quaker meeting.

He feels this lack of instruction in method has become an increasing problem as modern Friends move farther and farther away from the more pervasive Quaker culture which in earlier generations played such a powerful teaching role, allowing both birthright and convinced Friends to learn the nuances and spiritual methodology of Quakerism largely through osmosis. ln sharing this essay Bill hopes to help nurture a traveling, teaching, and prophetic ministry which could reach out and touch people into spiritual growth just when they are ready to receive the teaching.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction

37 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 1992

Reviews

[Zana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second reading: This is a classic for a reason.

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

​Title: Four Doors to Meeting for Worship
Author: William Talbot
Genre: Pamphlet, spirituality.
Setting: Fairly deep within the Christian mindset... :p
Reason for Reading: This is the second book I got from the free lending shelf at Friends Meeting Cambridge on Quaker Concerns.
Finished In: Months. It's very short but I wanted to have the chance to think about it.
Pages: 31
Copyright Date: 1992
Cover: A simple red cover with the title and a mandala on it.
First line: "Some people 'find it' almost instantly when they attend their first Friends meeting for worship; as they settle into the silence they feel themselves gathered into a living Presence and they know they have come home at last."
Themes and Triggers: Prayer, Quaker meeting, Jesus, the Bible.
Best part: This is very on topic in terms of when and why people speak in Quaker meeting and how we might prepare for worship. I really appreciate that it doesn't try to explain everything about Quakers - just the aspect of worship. It's also quite short but has a lot of "meat" in it.
Worst part: It's pretty Jesus-y. I was able to adapt it for my own purposes (eg, the author suggests reciting Scripture to oneself as a way to transition into the Meeting, I tried reciting the Charge of the Goddess and that worked well).
Imaginary Theme Song: Once again, Simple Gifts, a song well beloved by Quakers.
Grade: B+. If it was just a little more inclusive it would have been an A.
Recommended for: Those who are new to Quaker worship and want to understand more about how it works.
Related Reads: Letters to a Fellow Seeker by Steve Chase.

[Quirkyreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very informative pamphlet for those who are interested in Quakerism.

[Mariana · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish some people would read this pamphlet and take a vacation from oral ministry.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The structural device of the four doors is a bit strained at points (doors are used for entering and exiting, for instance) and I took no notes at all on the fourth door, but a serviceable read suggesting a method for incorporating

Excepts I like and/or my notes:

One way to enter the stream is to imagine passing through a series of four doors which lead into and through the meeting for worship. The first of these doors is the Door Before, of moments when we find ourselves in a worshipful state of mind at any time during the week, outside of the Sunday. The second door is the Door Inward. Moving the thoughts and experiences into the formal meeting before the meeting starts. “Entering and centering”

To enter this door, three qualities are sought:
1. Desire, a profound yearning to be fully present, in touch with the Presence
2. Focus, developing a relaxed, alert attentiveness in the presence of God
3. Trust, to go out into the deep water, to let go and rest or float in the deep and living stream. (p. 13)

The author then presents several different devices or techniques that could be employed to help enter this door. (pp. 14-16)

The third door is the Door Within, the sense of being gathered or settled or in unity with the other friends and the Presence. (p. 17)

[Edie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly impactful pamphlet, just a few pages long. This short treatise on Quaker spirituality would be relevant to anyone on any sort of spiritual path. The principles are universal. The specifically Quaker language and lens provides a new way of looking at and addressing spiritual truths. A new perspective is such a gift, startling us into new and deeper insights. I found nothing revolutionary in these pages, simply a new (to me) way of speaking about entering the presence of the divine. Would buy this for everyone I know if I thought they would read it.

[Babs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet little 30 page pamphlet intended to help folks understand what happens in a Quaker meeting. The metaphor of a stream is used for the experience of presence in living spirit, and the doors are metaphors for the preparation, engagement, and return from that experience.

[Mary]

Have read many times, unsure of first date read, probably around 2004-2007

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent presentation on Quaker meeting for worship and how to connect to and sink into it. Bill was a treasure of a teacher and minister.