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The Quaker Leadership Center (QLC) was launched in 2022 by Earlham School of Religion (ESR) in Richmond, IN. Established in 1960 as a graduate theological division of Earlham College, ESR is the pre-eminent Quaker seminary in the United States.
The Center is being funded with a grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through its Pathways for Tomorrow Initiative, which is designed to help theological schools in the U.S. and Canada prioritize and respond to the most pressing challenges they face as they prepare pastoral leaders now and into the future.
We are a ministry of ESR but seek to serve and connect a wide variety of Quaker leaders.
In a time of rapid cultural and congregational change,
We equip Quaker leaders to faithfully adapt by:
Many Friends were unable to attend the Quaker Leadership Conference in April but wanted an opportunity to hear ideas, make new connections, and worship together. Our response is to offer an online version of the conference. And on the weekend of World Quaker Day! We…
Connect with our work and network by subscribing to our email list where you can get resources, reflections, and communications about upcoming events.
Gretchen Castle was officially installed as the seventh dean — and first woman dean — of the Earlham School of Religion on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023.
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Friendly Reminder: A Weekly Reflection from the QLC Talk About Silence By Andy Stanton-Henry An elder Quaker recently told me about something he heard during a listening session with young Friends. One stated that we should stop using the word “silent” when talking about things like “silent worship.” It sounds too much…
Friendly Reminder: A Weekly Reflection from the QLC Know Your Why By Andy Stanton-Henry I was recently on a “soul care call” with several other Quaker leaders. Among other topics, we discussed a recent article called “Departure: Why I Left the Church.” It’s written by a pastor who is leaving not only…
Friendly Reminder: A weekly reflection from the Quaker Leadership Center Followership is Leadership By Andy Stanton-Henry Someone recently posed the question: “What biblical character do you identify with?” After giving a sarcastic answer – “satan” – I offered my actual answer – “Andrew.” Why Andrew? Well, we share a name, for one….
Friendly Reminder: A weekly reflection from the Quaker Leadership Center by Andy Stanton-Henry DECISION IS ACTION As Quakers, we pride ourselves on our decision-making process. Indeed, rightly understood and undertaken, “Quaker process” is a beautiful testimony. In a culture of coercion where democracy seems to be under attack, a collaborative, Spirit-led process…
Friendly Reminder: A weekly reflection from the Quaker Leadership CenterLIGHTEN UP As Quakers, we can be a serious bunch. We make serious claims, like the one about everyone having direct access to God. And we do serious work, bringing peace and justice into a world of violence and injustice. The work and…
Let us know if you have questions, concerns, visitation inquiry, or request for resources
Director
Della is excited to see where God is leading the Center, ESR and the whole of the Religious Society of Friends. She is a Recorded Minister in Western Yearly Meeting and a trained spiritual director.
She recently completed a three-year interim as the leader of the Interim Co-Superintendent Team for Western Yearly Meeting of Friends, (33 Quaker Meetings in western IN and eastern IL). She also serves as an Adjunct Professor in the MBAOnline@UDayton program teaching “The Principled
Organization: Integrating Faith, Ethics and Work.”
Associate director
Andy is a writer, Quaker minister, chicken-keeper, and distraught Reds fan. He holds degrees from Barclay College and Earlham School of Religion, and is a doctoral student studying Open and Relational Theology. He carries a special concern for rural leaders, leading to his recently published book Recovering Abundance: Twelve Practices for Small-Town Leaders. Andy has also trained in spiritual direction, labyrinth facilitation, conflict transformation, and entrepreneurial ministry. A native Buckeye, Andy now lives in East Tennessee with his spouse, Ashlyn, their blue heeler Cassie, and their laying hens.