Quakers are people who belong to a historically Protestant Christian set of denominations known formally as the Religious Society of Friends.[2] Members of these movements are generally united by a belief in each human's ability to experience the light within or see "that of God in every one".[3] Some profess a priesthood of all believers inspired by the First Epistle of Peter.[4][5][6][7] They include those with evangelical, holiness, liberal, and traditional Quaker understandings of Christianity. There are also Nontheist Quakers, whose spiritual practice does not rely on the existence of God. To differing extents, the Friends avoid creeds and hierarchical structures.[8] In 2017, there were approximately 377,557 adult Quakers, 49% of them in Africa.[9]Some 89% of Quakers worldwide belong to "evangelical" and "programmed" branches,[10] that hold services with singing and a prepared Bible message coordinated by a pastor. Some 11% practice waiting worship, or unprogrammed worship (commonly Meeting for Worship), where the unplanned order of service is mainly silent and may include unprepared vocal ministry from those present.[11] Some meetings of both types have Recorded Ministers present; Friends recognised for their gift of vocal ministry.[12] [Wikipedia]
