Quaker Faith & Practice book
The Quaker Faith & Practice book (QF&P) is the foundational book of Quakerism for British Quaker that anthologises centuries of spiritual insights, personal testimonies, and church governance guidelines.
The British version of the Book of Discipline
QF&P is the name given to the official Book of Discipline for Quakers in Britain. A Book of Discipline functions as both a spiritual and practical guide. The book emphasises that direct spiritual experience is accessible to everyone. Regularly revised, it anchors British Quaker life, worship, and collective decision-making.
Rather than a rigid creed, this foundational text is an evolving anthology compiled from over 350 years of Quaker testimony in the form of spiritual insights, letters, and personal experiences.
Different versions around the world
With the Quaker faith finding its way across the oceans of the globe, several countries produce their own versions of the Book of Discipline to make them locally relevant.
Countries that have their own books include Australia, Denmark, Germany, Central & Southern Africa, Switzerland and New Zealand.
In America, because of its size and number of Quakers, many different states and communities have their own versions.
Advices & Queries
The first chapter of the British QF&P is entitled Advices & Queries and a version of this chapter has found its way into many worldwide editions. This opening chapter introduces what it means to be a Friend and is one of the best starting places for exploring the faith.
A living, breathing document
An undeniable strength of QF&P is that it is continually revised and updated to reflect the faith as it is now, what it has been in the past and how it may shape the future. The current fifth edition is being revised for a new edition.
QF&P is a living, breathing document.
Friends are seekers who hold “a precious heritage of discoveries,” and it is for every generation to find “the Light and Life again for ourselves,” as “we must humbly acknowledge that our vision of the truth will, again and again, be amended.”
Here are a few lines from the introduction of the British QF&P to give a flavour:
“There will also be diversity of experience, of belief and of language. Friends maintain that expressions of faith must be related to personal experience.”
“Some find traditional Christian language full of meaning; some do not. Our understanding of our own religious tradition may sometimes be enhanced by insights of other faiths.”
“The deeper realities of our faith are beyond precise verbal formulation.”
“Our diversity invites us both to speak what we know to be true in our lives and learn from others.”
“As Quakers, we often pride ourselves on being 'seekers', who are continually open to new light, from whatever source it may come.”
Publishing through the years
The origins of QF&P can be traced back to a 1738 manuscript that set out, 'Brotherly advices given forth from time to time'. A printed edition was published in 1783.
Today, the modern British version is in its fifth edition and can be read for free online at qfp.quaker.org.uk (opens in a new tab).