Plymouth Brethren Christian Church
| Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (a.k.a. Raven-Taylor Exclusive Brethren) | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Protestant |
| Orientation | Plymouth Brethren |
| Polity | Connectional |
| Leader | Bruce Hales |
| Founder | John Nelson Darby |
| Origin | 1848 (as Exclusive Brethren; incorporated as PBCC in 2012) London |
| Separated from | Plymouth Brethren (N.B. The Open Brethren and the Exclusive Brethren, which emerged from the schism, dispute which party was responsible for it). |
| Separations | numerous schisms. |
| Members | 46,000 |
| Primary schools | 43 (United Kingdom, 38 (Australia), 36 (North America); a few elsewhere |
The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC) is a Protestant church, often known as Exclusive Brethren or Raven-Taylor-Hales Brethren. These Brethren hold an uncompromising 'separatist' doctrine and their practice has steadily evolved differently from other Plymouth Brethren groups and also from mainstream Christianity. In a radical departure from traditional Plymouth Brethren rejection of a clerical hierarchy, the PBCC has evolved into a tightly-controlled hierarchical organization dominated by one person known as the Elect Vessel or the Man of God. The current Elect Vessel is Bruce Hales of Australia. Most media reporting of "Exclusive Brethren" relates only to the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church although other branches exist.
In 2012, the Hales Brethren incorporated under the name Plymouth Brethren (Exclusive Brethren) Christian Church Limited.
Brethren in the PBCC believe that what they call God's principle of unity is achieved by separating from and excluding that which they consider evil. As a result, open means of communication such as television, radio, and the internet are banned for members. The Brethren reserve all social activities for those with whom they celebrate the Lord's Supper, excluding even family who are not members of the sect. Such activities include eating, drinking and entertainment, as well as club and professional memberships, directorships, shares and health insurance. Eating in restaurants and staying at hotels are also avoided.
Services on Sunday start with the 'Lord's supper' at 6am and worship in small groups. At 10:30 the Bible Study meeting is held and other activities continue through the day. There are further meetings every night of the week. Despite the fact that in many jurisdictions they receive rate rebates which require them to be places of 'public worship', two of their services are closed to those who are not members in good standing: the Lord's Supper and the monthly Care Meeting. In theory, well disposed members of the public are free to come to their gospel preachings and other meetings, but in practice most 'gospel preaching' has been done on street corners, although they claim not to seek to make converts, instead preferring to 'leave the word of God hanging in the air'.
The addresses of Hales and senior Brethren men are recorded, transcribed by the Brethren publishing house in the UK and distributed to all members at a price of A$90 per six months; every family member must have their own copy and people are quizzed on their knowledge of these.
The Brethren encourage a traditional marriage (usually around the age of 20) and family life. Children live at the family home until they marry and are required to marry within the fellowship. Physical contact between young men and women before marriage is not tolerated, and courting between couples is chaperoned. Men are expected to provide for their families while the women manage the household. A study of the Australian Brethren in May 2006 suggested that the number of divorced, single people in the Brethren is approximately 0.8% compared to 10.8% for the general population, although there have been many separations without divorce. Women married to men outside the church are known as 'widows for the truth'.
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