Plymouth Brethren Christian Church - Wikipedia - Recent changes [en]

The Plymouth Brethren were distinguished from the beginning by a refusal to accept ministers or priests, believing that all members were saints, although in practice, John Nelson Darby became increasingly dominant in the exclusive branch of the movement during his lifetime. It was not until James Taylor Senior became undisputed leader of the Raven faction in 1910 that a stricter hierarchy emerged by which discipline was imposed and the centre of power moved to [[New York (state)|New York]] where Taylor lived. He established a norm that someone in leadership should be in their own business, not an employee (although Raven had been a [[civil servant]]) and began to speak of certain brothers as 'Levites' or 'the Lord's servants' who were especially able to interpret biblical truths.<ref>{{harvnb|Bachelard|2008|pp=30–32}}</ref>

The Plymouth Brethren were distinguished from the beginning by a refusal to accept ministers or priests, believing that all members were saints, although in practice, John Nelson Darby became increasingly dominant in the exclusive branch of the movement during his lifetime. It was not until James Taylor Senior became undisputed leader of the Raven faction in 1910 that a stricter hierarchy emerged by which discipline was imposed and the centre of power moved to [[New York (state)|New York]] where Taylor lived. He established a norm that someone in leadership should be in their own business, not an employee (although Raven had been a [[civil servant]]) and began to speak of certain brothers as 'Levites' or 'the Lord's servants' who were especially able to interpret biblical truths.<ref>{{harvnb|Bachelard|2008|pp=30–32}}</ref>

In America, [[James Taylor Sr|James Taylor]] of New York was beginning to be seen as Raven's future successor as early as 1897, and when Raven died in 1905, books of his sermons began to be reprinted around the world. By the time another letter from Melbourne was received in 1920, resulting in the departure of 40 assemblies mainly in Australia, the London faction was also known as the 'Taylor' or 'Raven-Taylor' party.<ref>{{harvnb|Noel|1936|p=590ff}}</ref>

In the United States, [[James Taylor Sr|James Taylor]] of New York was increasingly seen as F.E. Raven’s likely successor from as early as 1897. After Raven’s death in 1905, collections of his ministry were widely reprinted. By 1920, when a further division occurred involving 40 assemblies in Australia, the Raven-aligned faction was often referred to as the "Taylor" or "Raven–Taylor" group.<ref>{{harvnb|Noel|1936|p=590ff}}</ref>

By 1929, it was alleged that Taylor denied one of the main orthodoxies of Christianity, that Christ the Son was truly God before his incarnation. Taylor had pointed out that the title of the 'Son' was not used till after the incarnation, pointing to John 1 as the 'Word', not the 'Son', denying the 'eternal Sonship'.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mybrethren.org/doctrine/framson.htm | title=My Brethren - Doctrine - Sonship of Christ }}</ref><ref>Ministry by J. Taylor, Vol 29: pp 361-74, Kingston Bible Trust</ref> This was reflected in the issuing in 1932 of a new version of the [[Little Flock hymnbook]], always a touchstone of Brethrenism.<ref>{{harvnb|Noel|1936|pp=607–631}}</ref>

In 1929, controversy arose when Taylor was reported to have challenged the doctrine of the eternal Sonship of Christ. He emphasised that the term “Son” did not appear in Scripture until the incarnation, citing John 1, where Christ is introduced as the “Word” rather than the “Son”. This view led to further division, and in 1932 a revised edition of the [[Little Flock hymnbook]] was issued, reflecting the theological shift.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mybrethren.org/doctrine/framson.htm | title=My Brethren - Doctrine - Sonship of Christ }}</ref><ref>Ministry by J. Taylor, Vol 29: pp 361-74, Kingston Bible Trust</ref><ref>{{harvnb|Noel|1936|pp=607–631}}</ref>

Following Taylor's death in 1953, leadership passed to his son, James Taylor Jr (1899–1970).<ref name="gribben-p18"/>

When James Taylor Senior died in 1953, there were two candidates for the leadership: Taylor's youngest son, James Taylor Jr (1899–1970), and [[Gerald R Cowell]] (1898–1963) of [[Hornchurch]], [[Essex]], UK, who struggled for six years for supremacy.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}

During Taylor Jr’s tenure, the movement adopted increasingly rigid standards. These included detailed prescriptions on dress, business conduct, facial hair, and education. Members were instructed not to eat with those outside the group, including family, and were discouraged or forbidden from joining professional associations. These developments led to further departures, with many individuals and assemblies leaving during the ministries of both Taylor Sr and Jr.<ref name="Bachelard 2008 34">{{harvnb|Bachelard|2008|p=34}}</ref>

At the Central Hall conference in 1959, a decisive confrontation took place between Cowell and Taylor Jr. The latter proposed that more radical, immediate separation from 'the world' was necessary, while the former took a more moderate line. Taylor Jr won and excommunicated Cowell less than a year after the Conference, judging him 'unfit for Christian fellowship'. During the next ten years, 'Mr Jim' delivered hundreds of new edicts, demanding strict obedience on how people dressed, how they conducted their business, and banning beards and young people from attending university.<ref name="Bachelard 2008 34">{{harvnb|Bachelard|2008|p=34}}</ref> Members were forbidden to eat with others – even family members – who were not in the movement, and they were not allowed to join professional associations. A considerable number of individuals and assemblies left the Exclusives during the ministry of Taylor Sr and even more under the leadership of Taylor Jr, chiefly as a reaction to the increasingly restrictive directives of the latter. Some of these leavers joined with other groups of Brethren (including others who left after 1970) or other local churches.

=== Developments since 1970 ===

=== Developments since 1970 ===

After Taylor Jr's death, leadership passed to [[James H. Symington]], a farmer from Neche, North Dakota.

After Taylor Jr's death, leadership passed to [[James H. Symington]], a farmer from Neche, North Dakota.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}

Symington died in 1987 and shortly after, the leadership passed to Australian John S. Hales. Hales had been trained as an accountant, and did not encourage the faithful to make substantial donations to the sect out of their estates when they died. He established Brethren-only high schools around the world, starting with one in the [[Sydney]] suburb of Meadowbank. In 2002, Hales died, and his son [[Bruce David Hales]], another Australian businessman, succeeded to the leadership.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}}

Symington led the movement until his death in 1987, after which leadership transitioned to John Hales, an Australian accountant.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}} Hales established schools operated exclusively for Brethren families, beginning with one in the Sydney suburb of Meadowbank.{{Citation needed|date=July 2025}} When he died in 2002, his son, Bruce Hales, a Sydney-based businessman, assumed leadership of the group.<ref name="gribben-p18"/>

In 2004, Hales reversed a long-standing Brethren tradition on political involvement and encouraged the church to support conservative political causes. Internal rules were relaxed, including the dress code and rules on access to technology.<ref name="Bachelard 2008 34"/>

In 2004, Hales reversed a long-standing Brethren tradition on political involvement and encouraged the church to support conservative political causes. Internal rules were relaxed, including the dress code and rules on access to technology.<ref name="Bachelard 2008 34"/>

Brethren meetings take place daily, although some are on held online.<ref name=telegraph-20250309/> Sunday is a particularly busy day, with three meetings, including the Lord's Supper (Holy Communion), a scripture reading/discussion meeting, and several preachings.<ref name=telegraph-20250309/> The church encourages participation at meetings by all adult males ('brothers'); women ('sisters') choose and announce ('give out') hymns, and apart from joining with group singing, do not speak publicly during meetings, in line with the Brethren's interpretation of [[1 Corinthians]] 14:34.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Corinthians|14:34|KJV}}</ref><ref name=telegraph-20250309/>

Brethren meetings are held daily, with some conducted online.<ref name=telegraph-20250309/> Sundays are particularly active, typically including three meetings: the Lord's Supper (Holy Communion), a reading or discussion of scripture, and one or more preaching sessions.<ref name=telegraph-20250309/> Participation in meetings is encouraged for all adult men ("brothers"). Women ("sisters") do not speak publicly but choose and announce hymns. This practice reflects the group’s interpretation of [[1 Corinthians]] 14:34.<ref>{{bibleverse|1 Corinthians|14:34|KJV}}</ref><ref name=telegraph-20250309/>

In 2012, the Preston Downs Trust (a Plymouth meeting room in England) attracted considerable media attention when the [[Charity Commission]] rejected an application for charitable status on the grounds that it could not be sure that it met the criterion for public benefit. In January 2014, they announced that, following legally binding changes to its trust documents, they would accept its application.<ref>

In 2012, the Preston Downs Trust (a Plymouth meeting room in England) attracted considerable media attention when the [[Charity Commission]] rejected an application for charitable status on the grounds that it could not be sure that it met the criterion for public benefit. In January 2014, they announced that, following legally binding changes to its trust documents, they would accept its application.<ref>