John Woolman, a late 1700s Quaker, made an interesting point about speaking in meetings in his Journal. Although his point was about the large quarterly meetings held by Quakers, his advice can easily be applied to our meetings today: Bible studies, congregational meetings, elders meetings, committee/team meetings, etc. (I'm thinking about religious contexts only, for the purpose of this post.)
"It is a weighty thing to speak much in large meetings for business, for except our minds are rightly prepared, and we clearly understand the case we speak to, instead of forwarding, we hinder business, and make more labor for those on whom the burden of work is laid. If selfish views or a partial spirit have any room in our minds, we are unfit for the Lord's work; if we have a clear prospect of the business, and proper weight on our minds to speak, we should avoid useless apologies and repetitions.” (Journal, chapter 6)
He also noted that participants should be aware of how we prolong things for others who may have attended the meeting with great difficulty. This means that even when we think we have something good to offer we should think carefully about it. Not everything needs to be said, and we need to make sure we are not offering ideas and input to impress ourselves or others.
"It is a weighty thing to speak much in large meetings for business, for except our minds are rightly prepared, and we clearly understand the case we speak to, instead of forwarding, we hinder business, and make more labor for those on whom the burden of work is laid. If selfish views or a partial spirit have any room in our minds, we are unfit for the Lord's work; if we have a clear prospect of the business, and proper weight on our minds to speak, we should avoid useless apologies and repetitions.” (Journal, chapter 6)
He also noted that participants should be aware of how we prolong things for others who may have attended the meeting with great difficulty. This means that even when we think we have something good to offer we should think carefully about it. Not everything needs to be said, and we need to make sure we are not offering ideas and input to impress ourselves or others.
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