Any Questions?

Sometimes our Community is misunderstood. We understand that we do things a little differently, so we’ve answered your questions to help address some of the myths that exist about us and our way of life.

About our Community

Why are you called the ‘Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC)?

Our Community was formed in the early nineteenth century in England after a growing dissatisfaction with the Anglican Church. By 1829, the first permanent meetings had been formed, and the participants adopted the name ‘Plymouth Brethren’ as some of the founding teachers hailed from Plymouth, Southern England. Learn more about our history.

Can anyone become a member of the Plymouth Brethren?

The majority of our members are born into our Church. However, there are exceptions of some joining from the wider community that are prepared to commit to our beliefs and way of life.

Do the Plymouth Brethren follow specific rules?

There are no specific rules as such, but we follow a Christian life and are guided by Christian values. Brethren universally maintain beliefs and a lifestyle that is based on the Holy Bible.

Who is the leader of the Church?

The Church does not have a formal hierarchical structure or any paid clergy. We place emphasis on personal responsibility. We are deeply family-oriented, and live, work and pray as ‘Brethren’ – centred around our common Christian values of care and compassion. But, as in a family, there are persons who would provide influence and leadership, including Bruce D. Hales and other leaders globally that serve extensively within our Church.

Why do people reference the PBCC as a cult? Are you?

The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church is over 180 years old, and was created by the influential Protestant thinker, John Nelson Darby.  We are not a cult. We are a global Christian fellowship that live peacefully amongst neighbourhoods all over the world. Our children attend OneSchool Global, a network of technology-rich schools, taught by highly skilled professional teachers. We work hard, we volunteer, and we aim to live our lives according to the Holy Bible, with care and compassion.

Do members have to cut ties with family if they leave the church? If so, why?

No. The fact is, sometimes people leave churches, that certainly isn’t unique to us. It is always deeply upsetting when people pursue a life outside of the Church, but it is up to individual families as to how they manage and respond to these situations.  

The Church would never stand in the way of families communicating with each other. At the end of the day, we are Christian, and we always seek to act with kindness and compassion.

What happens when someone leaves the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church?

It is rare, but sometimes a member of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church will decide our way of life or faith is not for them. When this happens, we are sad to see them go but wish our ex-Brethren well.

Other times, a member of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church may be living outside the rules, values and principles of our faith. In these rare cases, a member may be ‘confined’ which means they are not free to attend church meetings, while they reflect upon their own faith journey.

Our hope is always for reconciliation and continued fellowship, but if an individual chooses a different path, the Church respects their choice. Additionally, if someone leaves but then wants to return to fellowship, they will be supported to do so if they are willing to recommit to living within the principles of our faith.

However, if an individual does choose a different path and continues to live outside the principles of our faith, this may result in ex-communication, also known as being ‘withdrawn from’. It is sadly true that relationships estrangements also occur in the wider community for a variety of reasons – one of the main points of difference is that within the Plymouth Brethren, there is a formal name for it.

The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church is not a cult – it does not stand in the way of people leaving if that is what they choose. Nor does the Church prevent ex-Brethren from staying in contact with their families – any continued relationship is a matter for the individuals involved.

Our way of life

How does marriage work within the Church?

Marriage is very important for our community and the incidence of marriage break-up amongst our members is fortunately very rare and well below societal norms.  
 
Forced marriage, or arranged marriage, isn’t something we prescribe to, and members within our Church are free to marry the partner of their choosing.

What is the role of women in the workplace?

Women are given the same opportunities as men in the workplace, and they actively contribute in a professional capacity. Some women own and operate their own family business and others work in a variety of roles within other family businesses, or at our advisory firm, the Universal Business Team (UBT), with our charitable arm, the Rapid Relief Team (RRT), or are employed by the independent school network, OneSchool Global (OSG). 

Women also have the freedom to choose to stay at home if they wish, or work-part time – the choice is theirs.  

What is the role of women in the Church?

Women play an important role in the Church and are fundamental to gatherings and meetings. They are involved in all aspects of Church life – from hosting Lord’s Supper to announcing hymns and everything in between. The only limitations would be according to scriptural principles as outlined in the Holy Bible.

Can members of the Brethren attend university?

Yes. Plymouth Brethren students who undertake further study achieve their tertiary qualifications from Universities or registered training organisations through online courses, we don’t support on campus attendance. Some of these courses include accounting and management. We strongly believe that you should earn and learn at the same time – it’s a win-win.

I heard that members are prevented from using technology. Is this true?

We use technology in our personal and professional lives, including mobile phones, laptops, and the internet, similar to the general population. Historically, it is true that we have been cautious in embracing new technologies, always with a view to protecting our families. However, it’d be pretty tricky to get by in today’s day and age without the help of technology! 

The school attended by Church families, OneSchool Global (OSG), is built around technology rich classrooms. Plymouth Brethren children are taught at these schools by highly skilled teachers who use innovative and progressive digital learning methods and teaching tools.

I read somewhere that members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church don’t pay tax. Is this true?

No, that’s a myth. All our members, individuals and business owners alike, pay tax just like everyone else.

Are Brethren businesses owned or controlled by the Church?

No. The Church does not run any businesses and does not employ anyone. Many Brethren and their families own and operate their own businesses, and the Church has no legal, financial or any other interest in their businesses.  

In addition, our network, such as the Universal Business Team (UBT), the Rapid Relief Team (RRT) and OneSchool Global (OSG) are not owned or operated by the Church. Instead, they have been set up and are run by Church members for the benefit of other Church members and those not affiliated with the Church.

Does the Church support political parties and do members vote?

This information was updated in May 2025 to reflect current practice:

The Church does not make, and has never made, donations to any political party.

While this has always been about personal beliefs, traditionally most of us have not voted. Most of our members exercised their right on religious grounds to abstain from voting, while only a few exercised their democratic right to vote in elections.

Over time, more of our members have apparently chosen to vote and even volunteer for political parties. It is important that this democratic right be respected, while the right of those to abstain on religious grounds remains protected.

Like anyone else in society, if our individual members take an interest in politics and decide to support an individual politician or particular campaign, this is at their own discretion and they do not represent the Church’s view when doing so.