I am in the process of writing a book on Cedar Creek Monthly Meeting in Henry County, Iowa and this is an excerpt that talks about Quaker ministers as I understand it. "....As the Quakers moved across the United States from the Carolinas and Pennsylvania they continued their practice of Divine worship. There were ministers but their job was to minister to the needs of their fellow members or to a group of meetings and to encourage them, instruct them and even point out the error of their ways. You had both women and men who ministered to the needs of the meeting(s). One lady ancestor, Elizabeth (Beales) Bond, in Indiana was praised for her work. Part of their memorial follows and I believe will help you to understand the work of a minister before ca 1890. Her father was also a traveling minister for the Men’s Meetings. Passages that show how she ministered are underlined. (Taken from: MEMORIALS OF DECEASED FRIENDS, MEMBERS OF INDIANA YEARLY MEETING 1857) ELIZABETH BOND A Memorial of Dover Monthly Meeting of Friends, Indiana, concerning that worthy Elder in the Church, ELIZABETH BOND, who died on the 13th of the Fourth month 1848, aged nearly ninety-three years, having been a Minister about sixty-seven years. This, our beloved friend, Elizabeth Bond, was the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Beales, respectable members of the Society of Friends, in Guilford county, North Carolina, where she was born on the 25th of Fourth month 1755. When she was young, her parents removed and settled in the limits of Westfield Monthly Meeting, in Stokes county, of which she was a member for many years. She was favored to yield obedience to the tendering visitations and impressions of divine love made on her mind, when quite young, often seeking places of retirement; and through the operations of Divine Grace and favored with an evidence of being near to Him, who said "Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Thus she experienced preservation from many of the vanities and follies that young people are often led into. In the twentieth year of her age, she was married to Samuel Bond, a worthy Friend, whom she found to be a true helpmeet, both temporal and spiritual, and was soon afterward appointed to the service of an overseer, which station she filled to the satisfaction of her friends for several years, being well qualified therefor, and careful to wait for right openings to speak to offenders. About this time impressions became strong on her mind that if faithful, she would be called to the work of the ministry; very fervent were the breathings of her soul, to the Heavenly Father, for strength to perform his will, and being instructed in the school of Christ, she came forth very acceptably in the ministry, in the twenty-sixth year of her age. Being anxious to learn to read, as she was utterly destitute of any literary education, she devoted such portions of her time as could be spared from the cares of an increasing family to that purpose, and with her husband's assistance, learned to read the Holy Scriptures and other useful writings, to her great satisfaction. In 1812, her dear and much beloved husband was removed from works to rewards, yet under so great a trial; by dwelling in a state of true resignation to the divine will, her mind was borne up under the severe affliction. She had been frequently, previous to the death of her husband engaged in visiting the meetings belonging to her own Yearly Meeting, likewise in the weighty service of visiting families, and in the fall of the year 1812, with the approbation of her friends, she visited some of the meetings of Friends in Ohio and Indiana, and returned with the reward of peace. In 1814, she removed with her family, and settled within the limits of Whitewater Monthly Meeting, Indiana, and by the setting up of a new meetings, she subsequently became a member of Dover Monthly Meeting. In 1820, with the unity of her friends, she visited most of the meetings of Friends belonging to North Carolina Yearly Meeting, much to the relief and comfort of her mind, and, by accounts received, to the satisfaction of those where her lot was cast. After her visit to North Carolina, she was frequently engaged in visiting the meetings and families of Friends, within the limits of her own Yearly Meeting, until a very advance age. She was a diligent attender of meetings, frequently walking three, and sometimes four, miles to attend them, being disabled from riding on horseback, and she continued faithful in the performance of this religious duty as long as her bodily strength would admit. On one occasion, which she afterwards several times spoke of as an encouragement to others, she said that when about starting to meeting, great difficulties were cast upon her--her lameness, and the badness of the roads were such that she would not be able to get there--and making a little halt with her mind turned inward, a language appeared to be uttered--Go, and I will go with thee--remember David would not offer that unto the Lord that cost him nothing--a light seemed to shine round about her, and she went on--it was a highly favored meeting and, said she, " I returned home much better, and with a thankful heart" She was a tender mother, a great neighbor, and a true sympathizer with the poor and afflicted; and as a minister, sound in doctrine, carefully waiting for a right qualification, her testimonies being clear and edifying, and mostly delivered in a few words. She bore a faithful testimony against a spirit of insubordination to the wholesome discipline and order of our society, and of unbelief in the doctrines and of the Christian religion as held by Friends; and in times of deep trials among Friends, on account of a dividing spirit that was permitted to enter, she stood as an upright pillar, firmly established on the sure rock, and was remarkably favored with a clear discernment, as was plainly manifested by her appropriate remarks concerning the state of meetings and individuals. Notwithstanding she was, in a degree deprived of hearing in her latter years, yet she was a messenger, often encouraging the faithful to hold on their way, and warning the disobedient, inviting them to return, repent and live. In the ninetieth year of her age, she visited all the families belonging to her own Monthly Meeting, and when it was finished, she said she believed it was her last visit; for it seemed like a farewell to her friends in their families, and she felt the reward of peace. In the latter part of her life, she often expressed her deep concern that the ministry in our society might be kept pure in the simplicity, in the life and power of truth, clear of the wisdom of men; and also that Friends would come more from under the influence and love of this world, and be more a spiritually minded people, living more according to our profession than many do in the present day. …' (The rest of the account relates to her death and is not included.) So you can see that Quaker "ministers" were lay members - ministers in the literal sense - who were recognized by their meeting for their talent for ministering. Their job was to minister, thus the name minister. They did not preach, organize activities or run the operations of the meeting. They might be asked to sit head with the elders and thus if the Lord lead them speak or pray." Cedar Creek called its first paid pastor in 1896 but started shifting to the pastoral system in the early 1880s, per their records. All of Iowa Yearly Meeting of Friends has the pastoral system but there are some churches, that are unprogramed/silent worship, in Iowa. My church, Salem Friends, spends a time of silent/open worship allowing anyone to share, but a pastor also gives a message. The pastor usually asks after this time of silent worship if all hearts are clear, meaning have you had enough time to commune with God. 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