Plymouth Brethren Christian Church


The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church is an introversionist sect within the evangelical Christian movement and the most well-known branch of the Exclusive Brethren, a group that emerged from the Plymouth Brethren in the 19th century.
The PBCC has a global presence, with about 50,000 members based across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the Americas. Members follow a separatist interpretation of the Bible, aiming to live apart from what they see as the moral corruption of the wider world.
The group traces its roots to the Exclusive Brethren movement established by John Nelson Darby in the 1840s. The PBCC as it exists today took clearer shape in the mid-20th century, particularly under the leadership of James Taylor Sr and his son James Taylor Jr. It is now led by Bruce Hales, an Australian businessman based in Sydney. The group holds daily worship meetings, adheres to strict moral codes, and restricts social interaction with those outside the fellowship.
Several organisations are closely associated with the PBCC, including the Rapid Relief Team, Universal Business Team, and OneSchool Global.

History

The early Brethren were concerned about the close ties between the Church of England and the government. They also felt that church life had become too formal, too focused on structure, and too divided into denominations.
From the start, the Plymouth Brethren rejected the idea of ordained ministers or priests, believing that all members were saints with equal standing. In practice, however, leadership did emerge. John Nelson Darby became a dominant figure in the Exclusive branch during his lifetime, and after F. E. Raven's death in 1905, James Taylor of New York gradually became his recognised successor. Taylor's influence grew, and by 1910 he was the undisputed leader of the Raven faction. Under his leadership, authority shifted to New York, and a more formal hierarchy began to develop. By 1920, when another split occurred involving 40 assemblies in Australia, the group was often referred to as the 'Taylor' or 'Raven–Taylor' Brethren.
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.
Following Taylor's death in 1953, leadership passed to his son, James Taylor Jr. 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.
The most significant rupture occurred in July 1970 during meetings held in Aberdeen, Scotland, sometimes referred to as the "Aberdeen incident". During these meetings on 25 July, James Taylor Jr, then leader of the Raven–Taylor faction, was reportedly intoxicated and was later alleged to have engaged in inappropriate conduct with a married member of the fellowship. The incident caused a significant division within the movement. In Scotland, the majority of assemblies severed ties with Taylor Jr, with reports suggesting that only two families in Aberdeen and approximately 200 out of 3,000 members in Scotland remained in fellowship with him.
Supporters of Taylor Jr defended him, asserting that he remained spiritually sound and that the events in Aberdeen were divinely permitted to test the faith and loyalty of the fellowship. One interpretation held by members was that Taylor had acted provocatively to reveal opposition within the group. Taylor Jr died later that same year.
After Taylor Jr's death, leadership passed to James H. Symington, a farmer from Neche, North Dakota. Symington led the movement until his death in 1987, after which leadership transitioned to John Hales, an Australian accountant. Hales established a school for Brethren families in the Sydney suburb of Meadowbank. When he died in 2002, his son, Bruce Hales, a Sydney-based accountant, assumed leadership of the group.
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.
In 2012, the Preston Down Trust, representing a Plymouth Brethren meeting hall in Devon, was denied charitable status by the Charity Commission, which stated it was not satisfied that the Trust's activities provided a public benefit as required under charity law. The decision drew national attention and controversy, with debates over religious freedom, public access, and transparency. Following an appeal and a period of negotiation, the Commission announced in January 2014 that it would approve the Trust's application, after legally binding undertakings were made to amend the trust deed and clarify its practices in support of public benefit.

Presence

Locations and numbers

As of 2023, the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church reported a global membership of approximately 54,000 people across 18 countries. The largest concentrations of members are in the United Kingdom, with approximately 18,500 members, and Australia, with roughly 16,300. Significant populations also reside in New Zealand, the United States, Canada, and France. The remaining members—totaling approximately 2,700—are distributed across smaller congregations in Europe: Denmark, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland; in the Caribbean: Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and in Argentina.

Identification and Registration

The Brethren movement was founded on a non-denominational principle, with members historically refusing to be regarded as a formal denomination, which they viewed as a human and unscriptural division of the true Church. Instead, members traditionally referred to themselves simply as "Christians," "Saints," or "Brethren" gathering "in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ." This was the position taken by the group now called the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church prior to 2012, who were usually referred to by the media and outside observers as "Exclusive Brethren" to distinguish them from the other main branch of the Plymouth Brethren movement, the Open Brethren.
The sect abandoned the non-denominational principle in 2006, when they launched a public-facing website titled "The Exclusive Brethren Christian Fellowship", on which they repeatedly referred to themselves as "The Exclusive Brethren". The website remained online under that name until 2012 when they incorporated under the name Plymouth Brethren Christian Church Limited in 2012. Since 2017 they have used the name Plymouth Brethren Christian Church.
Despite having used the name "Exclusive Brethren" on its own website, the church now actively distances itself from the term, denying that they are "Exclusive Brethren". For example, in May 2025, a spokesperson for the church criticised Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for his choice of words, stating, "This afternoon Prime Minister Albanese held a press conference where he said he doesn't 'attack people's families', before falsely labelling our church 'The Exclusive Brethren'..."
The organisation is registered as:
The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church teaches that unity among believers is achieved through separation from what they regard as evil. This belief underpins many of their lifestyle restrictions and community practices. Members do not watch television, listen to the radio, or use the open internet for personal use, although filtered internet access is permitted for education and business purposes. They are generally characterized as a cult due to their beliefs and practices with many outsiders and former members of the group considering it a threat to its members and to the public. The Church disputes the cult characterization. Academic Lorne L. Dawson, who opposes the use of the label cult itself, prefers to describe the PBCC as "a sectarian group that is displaying cult-like features".
Brethren typically avoid social and professional affiliations outside the fellowship. This includes abstaining from clubs, professional memberships, and holding shares or directorships in outside companies. Eating out at restaurants and staying in hotels is also generally avoided. Social interaction is reserved for those within the fellowship. Specifically, those who participate in the Lord's Supper. Even close relatives outside the church are excluded from shared meals, entertainment, and other social gatherings. Former members report a culture of heavy alcohol use but this is disputed by the Church.
Brethren meetings are held daily, with some conducted online. Sundays are particularly active, typically including three meetings: the Lord's Supper, a reading or discussion of scripture, and one or more preaching sessions. Of the ten weekly services, nine are described as 'open', meaning that well-disposed members of the public may attend. However, two meetings are restricted to members in good standing.
In meetings, participation by members is encouraged, however women do not lead worship, preach, or pray audibly in meetings. In services, they sit separately from men. This practice reflects the group's interpretation of 1 Corinthians 14:34. They wear head coverings during worship, although outside of meetings a headband or hair clip is sometimes used as a token covering. Dress expectations for women have become more relaxed in recent years and make-up is now commonly worn. While most Brethren businesses are led by men, some women are shareholders, directors in family firms, or involved in day-to-day operations.
Gospel preaching is often conducted in public spaces, such as on street corners. While the Brethren do not actively seek converts, they view preaching as a way to share their understanding of the Christian gospel.
The Brethren emphasise traditional family structures. Men are expected to be the financial providers, while women typically manage the household. Children remain in the family home until marriage and are encouraged to marry within the fellowship. Courtship is chaperoned, and physical intimacy before marriage is strongly discouraged. Elderly and unwell members are usually cared for by other Brethren families, though private nursing homes are fully used when necessary. A 2006 study of Australian Brethren suggested a divorce or separation rate of around 0.8%, compared to 10.8% in the general population at the time. As of 2006 few people outside the Brethren joined the fellowship, and relatively few born into it chose to leave. It is described as a cult by many of those who have left it.