Where are the Plymouth Brethren

[9Rock9]

I've always been intrigued by the Plymouth Brethren movement since I first learned of their existence. The Open Brethren are the closest to my own beliefs.

However, I don't think there any of their churches near by, and I don't know how to find one. From what I understand, they don't advertise themselves as Open Brethren nor Plymouth Brethren, instead opting for names like "Gospel Halls."

Admittedly, they don't see any different from Baptists in their theology, and most differences seem to be over how they do things. The only reason I am Baptist over Open Brethren is because the former are a lot more numerous and their churches are easier to find.

Anyone know how or where I can find an Open Brethren church?

 

[PloverWing]

If you're looking for Plymouth Brethren in South Carolina, see if this page is useful: South Carolina - BrethrenPedia

 

[GracetoYoufromMe]

I've worshiped with Plymouth Brethren my whole life. Here's a few quick bits of info:

1. We don't usually refer to ourselves as Plymouth Brethren because having a name denotes a denomination, and we are not in favor of schisms in the body of Christ. However, we do understand the desire to know what people believe and that denominations help provide that information, so it's not a contentious issue for us.

2. Unfortunately, there are schisms even in the Plymouth Brethren, which started quite early in its existence and which led to the division of open and exclusive assemblies. We tend to call our groups assemblies and our gatherings meetings (and sometimes we call our groups meetings as well), to avoid the misnomer of "going to church." Exclusive assemblies will allow visitors to attend the worship meeting but not participate until accepted into fellowship; open assemblies will allow visitors to participate, usually after speaking briefly with an elder or two. The exclusive assemblies usually call their buildings gospel halls, and the open assemblies usually call their buildings chapels or Bible chapels.

3. You're right that our theology is pretty mainstream fundamental, but here are the three main differences in practice:

a. we don't have pastors; we have a plurality of elders and the brothers who have a gift of teaching (esp the elders) share the responsibility of teaching

b. our worship service is an entire meeting focused on remembering the Lord Jesus Christ, in His death and resurrection as well as the perfections and beauties of His character and work; as the Spirit leads, the brothers share from the Scriptures in that regard, lead in prayer, and call out hymns focused on Christ, and then we share the cup and the bread; this is done every week, usually the first meeting on Sunday morning, then we have a short break followed by the teaching meeting for adults and Sunday School for children (oh, one other distinctive about the worship meeting, aka the Lord's Supper, is usually there are no instruments - the singing is a capela, and you might not be familiar with the hymns)

c. in obedience to I Corinthians 11, the women wear head coverings of some type; exclusive assemblies tend to wear hats, and open assemblies tend to wear lace coverings similar to what Catholics used to wear; it's fine for visitors to an open meeting to not wear a head covering, but exclusive meetings may ask visitors to do so and provide one if needed

4. I found your post because I was looking for the online directory of North American assemblies...it used to be under assemblydirectory.org, but it no longer is, and I can't find it anywhere else I've looked. I'll have to ask around and see if anyone knows where it's located now, and if I'm successful, I'll let you know the web address.

PS - this didn't end up being very quick, did it? I hope it's not information overload; if you have any questions, I'd be happy to try to answer them

 

[9Rock9]

I've worshiped with Plymouth Brethren my whole life. Here's a few quick bits of info:

1. We don't usually refer to ourselves as Plymouth Brethren because having a name denotes a denomination, and we are not in favor of schisms in the body of Christ. However, we do understand the desire to know what people believe and that denominations help provide that information, so it's not a contentious issue for us.

2. Unfortunately, there are schisms even in the Plymouth Brethren, which started quite early in its existence and which led to the division of open and exclusive assemblies. We tend to call our groups assemblies and our gatherings meetings (and sometimes we call our groups meetings as well), to avoid the misnomer of "going to church." Exclusive assemblies will allow visitors to attend the worship meeting but not participate until accepted into fellowship; open assemblies will allow visitors to participate, usually after speaking briefly with an elder or two. The exclusive assemblies usually call their buildings gospel halls, and the open assemblies usually call their buildings chapels or Bible chapels.

3. You're right that our theology is pretty mainstream fundamental, but here are the three main differences in practice:

a. we don't have pastors; we have a plurality of elders and the brothers who have a gift of teaching (esp the elders) share the responsibility of teaching

b. our worship service is an entire meeting focused on remembering the Lord Jesus Christ, in His death and resurrection as well as the perfections and beauties of His character and work; as the Spirit leads, the brothers share from the Scriptures in that regard, lead in prayer, and call out hymns focused on Christ, and then we share the cup and the bread; this is done every week, usually the first meeting on Sunday morning, then we have a short break followed by the teaching meeting for adults and Sunday School for children (oh, one other distinctive about the worship meeting, aka the Lord's Supper, is usually there are no instruments - the singing is a capela, and you might not be familiar with the hymns)

c. in obedience to I Corinthians 11, the women wear head coverings of some type; exclusive assemblies tend to wear hats, and open assemblies tend to wear lace coverings similar to what Catholics used to wear; it's fine for visitors to an open meeting to not wear a head covering, but exclusive meetings may ask visitors to do so and provide one if needed

4. I found your post because I was looking for the online directory of North American assemblies...it used to be under assemblydirectory.org, but it no longer is, and I can't find it anywhere else I've looked. I'll have to ask around and see if anyone knows where it's located now, and if I'm successful, I'll let you know the web address.

PS - this didn't end up being very quick, did it? I hope it's not information overload; if you have any questions, I'd be happy to try to answer them

I used BrethrenPedia to find a couple of assemblies near me, but when I tried Googling them, I couldn't find anything about them.

 

[GracetoYoufromMe]

I've lived in multiple regions of the US and it seems assemblies as a rule do not use social media or even the internet as a whole very much...that's why we've always used assemblydirectory.org to find them when we've moved or traveled. I'm still trying to track down the website.

In my experience, assemblies tend to be small and mostly middle-aged to older saints (though the exclusive assemblies can sometimes have more young adults and children). I've always figured this was because there's absolutely nothing for the flesh to enjoy in the worship meeting and I imagine that's uncomfortable for young folks particularly (it certainly was for me as a youngster before I was saved), and nothing fancy at the other meetings that would appeal to young folks like bands, contemporary music, flashing lights, entertainment of any kind, etc. My older son was in the choir in his very large Baptist church a few years ago and the Christmas programs they would perform rival anything I've ever seen...but they have over 7000 members and I guess that's what it takes to draw that kind of crowd these days.

If you'd like to share the assembly names you found, I could try to find information about them for you...we know folks around the country so it's possible we might be able to help.

 

[GracetoYoufromMe]

I didn’t mean to drop our conversation, but a few days after I last wrote my father was hospitalized out of state and I was with him until he passed, then with my mom while we went through the house they had lived in 59 years, sold it, packed her up and moved her in with me just before Christmas.

While I was gone I finally learned the web address of the Plymouth Brethren assembly directory…it’s assemblycare.org. Just click on the thumbnails on the right under Assembly Directory and put your city and state in the search bar to find assemblies in that area.

HTH!