They say people stay in fellowship because of ignorance, fear, family and finances. The Exclusive Brethren churches have a rigid code of behavior and rules governing anything from contact with outsiders to the length of ones hair or the approved colors of the scarves worn by female members. Members marry other members. Members who do something against the Exclusive code are required to confess their sin during church meetings and demonstrate their repentance. It operates bookshops and a publishing house, and, for many years, published the Treasury magazine. Although he did not commit himself exclusively to the Brethren movement, his former steward, James Chrystall helped organize his converts into Brethren assemblies, which expanded from the Whanganui/Manawatu area.[12]. Wellington man Peter Hart, who was excommunicated two years ago, said he was happy to give to the charity and often gave more than was "suggested". - NZPA. It was an ill-advised attempt at escape. Sarah and her producer, Charlotte, took a keen interest in my circumstances as we travelled and filmed together, and asked what I wanted to do with my life. A recent relationship breakup felt similarly traumatic but through it all I repeated my mantra: "I survived leaving the Brethren, I can survive this, too." Other members who have been through the justice system have also been "withdrawn from" when members are ordered to sever ties completely with the accused. [4], It is not a denomination in the organizational sense, but a loose network of like-minded autonomous local churches, or "assemblies", as Brethren churches are generally known. The truth always does." Rob McLean questions the Exclusive Brethren beliefs and practices that led to his ejection from the group. New Zealand's Exclusive Brethren, who number fewer than 2000, operate about 800 small businesses, according to a political pamphlet they released in 2002. He says, "We think women have a major role: to be a Godly influence on their husbands and families. There was no television, no radio, no access to modern technology, and we went to church every day. They adopted the new name, as did their counterparts in Australia (the Christian Community Churches of Australia) to avoid confusion with the similarly named Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. The men must have short hair, be clean shaven and are prohibited from wearing ties. "So let's say their profit was $200,000 and they decided to donate $50,000. These early Brethren were men of education and social positiontwelve of the earliest Brethren were, or were training to be, Anglican clergymen (in England and Ireland); five were ministers in Nonconformist churches; a number had private means, including five with titles, and another eight were, or had been, commissioned officers. Users of UBT's internet security product ("often a Mum or Dad") were able to customise its filters, he said. Two months ago that name did not exist. I drove around Invercargill one heartbreaking afternoon visiting friends, relatives, anyone I cared about, telling them I was leaving the Brethren and this would be the last time we saw each other. "And in this case, the companies involved appear to be under the control of the church.". Open Brethren do not have the restrictions Exclusive Brethren face. Photos come down from the wall and you disappear from Brethren lists, never to be spoken of again, except in hushed tones as a warning to others. Who should be admitted to the breaking of bread ceremony? 'The expectation was that you would buy a house, marry a Brethren girl, settle down and raise a Brethren family, and the cycle would rinse and repeat.'. Last week. Now 30, the journalist reflects on a decade of laughter and heartache. The medication left me lethargic and unhappy and I stopped taking it after a few weeks, although I had enough repeats on the prescription to last for a year. From that moment it's as though you've died, and all public traces of your existence are scrubbed from the record. When Russell Stewart was in the dock admitting to causing the death of his wife, daughter and a family friend,members of the Exclusive Brethren church packed the public gallery. Note that in 2003 the rules on contact with outsiders were slightly relaxed. Church spokesperson Doug Watt said the decision to purchase or work with UBT or the Vision Foundation was "entirely an individual business decision that occurs in a competitive marketplace". Rob told Steve Cannane that the exclusive brethren talking about the greens destroying the social fabric was the ultimate in hypocrisy. Members who break rules are required to confess their sin during church meetings and demonstrate their repentance. An anguished wail from an aunt still rings in my ears. Source: Secretive sect softens ban on outside contact, The Guardian, March 15, 2003. Ensconced in the narrow world of the Exclusive Brethren, Craig realised he was gay and his only options were to live a lie or break free. He also allowed the New Zealand assemblies a degree of congregational autonomy that was unknown among the Exclusives in the British Isles. [8], The slow pace of communication between the British Isles and the far-flung colony of New Zealand allowed Deck to operate more or less independently. nd to my brethren in the various connections resulting from the 1959 and 1970 crises, who seek to walk in the light and in truth. As a network rather than an organization, the Christian Community Churches of New Zealand do not own or run any institutions. Yesterday RNZ revealed the unusual structure of this charity, which is wholly controlled by the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church but with no formal constitutional link to it. The evangelist and hymn-writer James George Deck arrived in New Zealand in 1853 and established the first formal Brethren assembly at Ngtmoti, near Nelson, on 1 January 1863, although historian Peter Lineham believes that Christians had already been meeting informally on Brethren lines in nearby Motueka for some time. It is worth noting that although many "Community Churches" and "Bible Churches" in New Zealand are part of the Open Brethren movement, others such as Mairangi Bay Community Church are not. I think there's a little bit of scaremongering going on. This is based on the Biblical procedure for the treatment of lepers, and involves being isolated from family and friends and only allowed to see specially chosen church members until local church leaders believe that God has forgiven the person. Brethren have built 36 Campus & Co supermarkets in New Zealand for their members' exclusive use, staffed partly by "volunteers". Thecommunitywas, according to one report,walking at his side as he dealt with the grief and guilt of crashing his ute on Baylys Coast Rd near Dargaville, after an afternoon of drinking alcohol at Baylys Beach. This early conception of Christian fellowship, based on minimal organization, proved within the course of a decade and a half to be inadequate for the maintenance of an integrated separate community. They keep themselves separated from other people (including other Christians), because they believe the world is sinful. I stared in fascination. Together they employ at least 60 people, either Brethren or Christian. "This is how they treat everyone, they treat them like s***," the ex-member said. "That's not the role the church should play.". The companies themselves were also interconnected through supply chains and personal relationships, controlled by the church's supreme leader Bruce Hales, who took a close personal interest in their performance, he said. An estimated 5000 of those are Exclusive, with 40,000 worldwide. You'll find most of them are really happy in their role." It was a decision that changed my life. Through SGnLS (Southland Gay and Lesbian Support) I met other gay people, and realised I was not alone in the world. Some post-1959 ministry had already been included, and this practice will be continued. They're all free, just like you". The leader is regarded as a person of inherent moral power, following in the tradition of the leaders of the past and upholding their teaching in such a way as to lift the membership out of the world of wickedness. This, however, wasn't about what I'd done it was about who I was. It is timeous now for the many schismatic groups of Exlusive Brethren to eschew their groupclaims to total rectitude, to leave past divisions behind as the works of the EVIL ONE and to grasp that thay are one in CHRIST JESUS and authority rests in SOLA SCRIPTURA. The Exclusive Brethren are a subset of the Christian evangelical movement generally described as the Plymouth Brethren. "We had to go to business meetings, paid thousands of dollars to go to business meetings all round New Zealand. Brethren have built 36 Campus & Co supermarkets in New Zealand for their members' exclusive use, staffed partly by "volunteers". They recommended that I become a journalist, and took me in to TV3 to meet their executive producer. By the time I was born, in the late autumn of 1989, the Exclusive Brethren had morphed into an oppressive sect that tightly managed every aspect of its members' lives. The beliefs of the Exclusive Brethren have much in common with most those of most evangelical Christian groups: However some of their beliefs are heretical by other Christian standards. On 5 May 2009 the priests placed me in the first stage of excommunication being "shut up" when errant sect members are isolated in spiritual solitary confinement. (The terms "conservative" and "progressive" are often informally used to describe the emphasis, or lack of emphasis, that Brethren assemblies and individuals put on matters of doctrine, worship, and church order which distinguish them from other Evangelical Christians). I don't know, we have enough friends of our own." * Around 800 mainly small private businesses Rob McLean said he believed making money should not be the primary goal of an organisation calling itself a church. He claims that the Exclusive Brethren destroys people and families, have no respect for women and absolute contempt for anyone not in their religious group, and do all this while enjoying the benefit of charitable status from our government. I've kept in touch so the kids know them. In Dargaville, the businessmen give the impression they're in the dark about the masterplan. The BBC website listed the following rules for Exclusive Brethren: they cannot go to university, have televisions or radios, visit cinemas or the theatre, read newspapers or fiction, use computers, own mobile phones, vote in elections, serve in the armed forces or join any group that includes people outside the Brethren. The expectation was that you would buy a house, marry a Brethren girl, settle down and raise a Brethren family, and the cycle would rinse and repeat. After some initial hesitation, I agreed. Sarah and I got caught up in a media scrum with the Kardashian family while filming an unrelated story in Yerevan, and joked to local Armenian reporters that we'd come all the way from New Zealand to see Kim and Kanye. I held my grandma close dear, sweet Grandma, who always kept a stiff upper lip, but not today and we wept in each other's arms for half an hour. This is ironic, because among the activities forbidden for members of the movement are such things as watching television, listening to the radio, reading newspapers and using computers and the internet. The resources we highlight reflect a variety of perspectives. ", He added: "They are an extremist group that will exaggerate or ignore one verse from the bible for theirown gain. I had hoped he might wave his hand and declare I was cured. It was a surreal transition. Darby held that true Christians should separate not only from the churches, which were corrupt, but also from those who were impure in faith or morals. "Group buying is a common business practice, using the power of group buying to deliver improved pricing or other benefits (such as rebates). Thompson laments a love betrayed: At the end of the song, Mum stopped to answer my questions about blackboards. According to Statistics New Zealand there were 20,406 Brethren in New Zealand in 2001. "It's beentraumatising but from my perspective and my family'swe've been very free in a Christian spirit to forgive Russell. "A lot of guys, they've got a perception out here it's just one big orgy. It wasn't long after that I heard the song Burning Bridges on the radio: All the burning bridges that have fallen after me, All the lonely feelings and the burning memories, Everyone I left behind each time I closed the door. It's led to some amazing experiences, and a few hair-raising ones to boot. Other rules ban public entertainment, novels, eating with outsiders, university, membership of other organisations, shorts or ties for men, mobile phones and PCs (allowed to use them for business but not own them). A fascinating tale of power exercised across several continents, this is also a moving story of damaged lives, broken families, and anger that stretches back decades. My gaze rested on them for a few seconds before I looked away. [17] It was an isolated case, however; not until the early 2000s would there be any significant evidence of a Charismatic movement among Brethren assemblies throughout New Zealand. The Exclusive Brethren are now divided into a number of groups, most of which differ on minor points of doctrine or practice. Source: Paul Flynn, MP Exclusive brethren the whole truth? According to the Evangelical publication, Operation World, there are 202 Brethren congregations in New Zealand[2] with 16,164 in regular attendance (including children). Sadie Stewart, 16, James Wearmouth, 18, and Susanna Stewart, 48, died when the ute driven by Russell Stewart crashed into a tree. They love alcohol. She explained how chalk could be dusted away. Members marry each other, rarely divorce, and are encouraged to have large families. Old gospel songs trigger something deep inside even though I've long since stopped believing the words. I wrote "I'm gay" on a piece of paper and pushed it across the table to the priest. They were a picture of languid happiness, sitting there in the sun. In. However, their children live quite separate lives from other New Zealand children. This examination delves deeper into the groups past, revealing the Brethrens 19th-century origins in the United Kingdom, their fractious history, their extraordinary use of scripture to control members and dissidents, and their lucrative business and financial arrangements. Most work in Exclusive Brethren businesses, so leaving means losing their job. Brethren came to differ on whether the basis of unity was to be tested by the common life they followed, or the common light (i.e. Transcript Includes the following: Exclusive Brethren news tracker & news archive. All members must follow the rigid code of behaviour and rules that govern the contact. Minding their business * Fewer than 2000 Exclusive Brethren New Zealanders [9] Consequently, George Wigram, who had a reputation for enforcing discipline among Exclusive Brethren, visited New Zealand from 14 January 1874 to 20 January 1875. READ MORE: *Brethren members in 'clean-up' operation *Hansen andApiatapreach teamwork Brethren *Sect's leader tells followers to drink rat poison. Remembers Adrian: "Once you were out, you started to question it." The leader of the church has overall power over members of the sect. The ones that do, or buck against too many of the fellowship's numerous proscriptions, leave. In reality, this extremist movement is a cult or sect of the Plymouth Brethren. Profits from UBT are funnelled as donations into the National Assistance Fund (NAF), which then sends the receipts back to UBT to cut the tax. Known as fair, honest employers and reliable, skilful tradesmen. [7] Unlike Darby, he did not believe in maintaining insularity from non-Brethren Christians, and preached in churches of many denominations. The girls were fiercely competitive about their scarves. Promising to provide an Open documentary of their life and faith, this site claims to be the only site endorsed by the Exclusive Brethren. Members of the Exclusive Brethren do not make friends, or even eat with people outside their church. I knew I, too, was gay but unlike this couple, so happy and carefree, I was determined to keep it a secret. If they leave the church, they lose their livelihoods - many former Brethren claim they were forced to sign over their own companies to relatives. And in other parts of the country, I was known for being against UBT, so that was where I felt the pressure.". We address doctrines and practices of Christian churches and organizations, as well as those of cults of Christianity. The men must have short hair, be clean shaven and are prohibited from wearing ties.. []. I saw a GP for a second opinion; a white-haired doctor who brusquely imparted there was nothing wrong with me, and "your emotions are a completely normal response to an extreme situation". Foster Crane, a missionary to Fiji, closed ranks to oppose what they stood for. "When you pull out one of those Jenga blocks it can make the whole pile quite unstable. The schools teach around 1000 year 7-12 students, and get glowing ERO reports. Picture / Doug Sherring, Dargaville couldn't be further from the Beehive, where revelations of Exclusive Brethren political lobbying and espionage are fuelling Parliament's running dog-fight. Research resources on religious movements, cults, sects, world religions and related issues, Article continues after this advertisement , Original content Copyright 1996-2022 Apologetics Index, History and Ministry of the Exclusive Brethren (so-called), [p]remier resource for their origin, progress and testimony 1827-1959 on, Name Change: Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, Exclusive Brethen/Plymouth Brethren Christian Church Beliefs, Plymouth Brethren Christian Church: Cult-like control, The Social Dimensions of Sectarianism: Sects and New Religious Movements in Contemporary Society, The Exclusive Brethren A Current Sociologial Appraisal, Breakout: How I Escaped From The Exclusive Brethren, Exclusive Brethren news tracker & news archive, The Exclusive Brethren Christian Fellowship, can still be viewed at the Internet Archive, Secretive sect softens ban on outside contact, difference between theological and sociological definitions of the term cult., John de Ruiter College of Integrated Philosophy, The Church of Almighty God (Eastern Lightning), The Bible is the inspired and literal word of God, God is a Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, members must keep away from any person or group that does not follow Exclusive Brethren teaching including other Christians. ", Rob McLean, who was excommunicated from the church over a decade ago, said for many older Brethren, the commercial control of the church was history repeating itself. Wikipeebia [Contra] An extensive website, with personal testimonies, historical documents, discussion forums, and more. This is often seen as one of many signs that the line of demarcation between Brethren assemblies and other independent Evangelical churches is becoming blurred a situation that some Brethren welcome, and some do not. Brethren women are distinguished by their white or blue headscarves and long hair -- which must never be cut. With no TV or stereo, most kids learnt to play instruments and played together. Baby Craig, left, with his cousin and their grandmother. Families were ripped down the middle. They are distinguished from the Open Brethren from whom they separated in 1848. and How did a group whose values are detached from those of most Australians infiltrate the highest office in the land? It was organised through Universal Business Team (UBT), a business . They told me I was mentally unwell. Brethren families as well as businesses are also encouraged to buy goods and services from companies which give cash back to UBT and the National Assistance Fund, including petrol and groceries. Life as an Exclusive Brethren had its good sides. [1] The Exclusive Brethren are now divided into a number of groups, most of which differ on minor points of doctrine or practice. Exclusive Brethren meeting halls exclude the world to the extent of having no windows. [5], The history of the Brethren movement in New Zealand is unusual in that the schism between the Exclusive Brethren and the Open Brethren effectively occurred much later than elsewhere. It was a catastrophic reordering of life, and other experiences don't come close. that we might humble ourselves before the Lord for our part active or passive in the shameful happenings and sorrow-ful scatterings which have taken place in our times. The site itself is no longer online. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. It was too much to bear, and a few days later I packed a bag and ran away. I wish him well.". Imagine a life without television, music or freedom; imagine every minute of your spare time being spent attending church; imagine growing up believing swimming pools, cinemas and dancing were evil. Please keep out of jail," Hales told followers. Exclusive Brethren Rules, with documentation This is a list of rules ("directives") made by James Taylor Junior for his followers, known as the Taylorite Branch of the Exclusive Brethren. John Hales was eventually accepted back into the church and became its global leader - but the commercial system was not revived until after his death when his son, Bruce Hales, took over. We don't look down on other Christians because they don't live like us. I knew I was different and chafed against the rules, asking questions and talking back. "There were real pissheads in there: they drink heaps, it's the only thing you're allowed to do." Latest items: Subscribe to RSS headline updates from: Powered by FeedBurner, Abusive Churches/Spiritual Abuse Cult FAQ. The Exclusive Brethren [MP3] Hack reporter Steve Cannane presents this radio report [MP3] on the Exclusive Brethrens involvement in Australian politics. Source: The Exclusive Brethren, BBC. Theologically, it is a cult of Christianity. "My own personal view is that as a large multinational corporate that prides itself on being one of the top 100 most ethical companies in the world, it [Crombie Lockwood] shouldn't be participating in a kickback scheme like this.". I began talking to outsiders for help and advice. Visits to New Zealand by British Brethren preachers Campbell McAlpine and Arthur Wallis in the late 1950s and early 1960s caused a great deal of controversy. "If you understood the way they were brought up, we've got everything that we need in the fellowship, and they don't need to do that so it doesn't really come up, because they don't want to, really." ", Doug Watt, a spokesman for the church, said:"The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church considers this to be a private matter and have no further comment to make.". Most members are so isolated within the sect that they cant even imagine a life on the outside. Separate Lives [Transcripts | Video] An edition of the Four Corners investigative journalism TV program of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. I went undercover for 60 Minutes to help expose an international fraudster wanted by the FBI, gaining his trust while wired with a hidden camera. Families do not have televisions, radios or computers, or go to the cinema or theatre. Diana: "I had a great family life, I loved Mum and Dad and my brothers." Here is how the money-go-round works: large New Zealand retail businesses get guaranteed customers (the Brethren who are directed to purchase their goods and services) in return for rebates, which go to UBT. On Sundays church attendance ramped up to four different services, with the earliest at 6am. Once the couple went to the beach with some other young families and took a portable stereo, which got them temporarily banned from church. Now in their early 40s with four children and a playground business, the couple had been married four years and already had two children when they left. In New Zealand there are at present at least 6,000 Exclusive Brethren, which is about three times their estimated numbers in 2006, although exact figures are not . The Stewards Trust and Stewards Foundation are two separate, but closely related, organizations with identical membership. At one church service it was said the spirit of God departed from us if we ever crossed the threshold of a cinema the next time I was at the movies I stepped backwards and forwards through the doorway to see whether it felt any different (it didn't). The Charismatic movement has been very controversial in Brethren circles. [10] The result was a schism not only between different assemblies, but also within many of them. See also the articles in our news tracker. This doctor, Mark Craddock, saw me in his living room and told me being gay was one of the emptiest lifestyles a person could lead. "You'd get a new dress and you'd have to get the perfect scarf to match it, and the right shape. And what if another family member leaves the sect? Sorrow overthe past and humility in the present may be the keystones to those many groups to visit one anothers meetings and to see how little stands between them and to share meetings in the spirit of oneness not implied superiority. The leader of the church has absolute power to appoint the priests, resolve breaches of the rules, approve marriages and decide on punishments. Exclusive Brethren Information provided by Reachout Trust, a Christian apologetics and countercult organization The Exclusive Brethren Excellent overview by the BBC. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The Exclusive Brethren movement is an extremist branch or sect of the Plymouth Brethren. 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