Dining
Plymouth Brethren eating rules
While members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church seek to live a life of moderation, we also have a good time when we are with our friends and family.
Food is an integral part of the culture of the Brethren, with most members of our Church learning to cook early, very well and for lots of people. We often host meals for our families and friends in our homes. That’s why many Brethren homes feature large dining tables. Some of our parishioners will even reconfigure rooms and knock down walls to make room for one. This way we can host our extended families, friends and visiting parishioners.
Many Christian denominations mark occasions and milestones by sharing a special meal, so our love of good food and wine is by no means exclusive to the Brethren.
Communal meals and eating with others
Most religions have their own traditions and rules in relation to food. For example, Jewish people don’t eat pork or shellfish, or eat dairy and meat products together. Many Catholics and Anglicans don’t eat red meat on Good Friday. Muslim people don’t eat food that is not Halal, or during daylight hours during Ramadan. Buddhists generally consume dairy but not meat.
Members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church make a commitment to eat meals only with those with whom we would celebrate the Lord’s Supper. We believe having a meal is a religious act of fellowship, so we only do it with people who we take Holy Communion with.
Some of us might have a coffee when meeting with people from outside the Church – but it would not be in line with our beliefs to sit down for a meal with them.
Eating out
Most religions have their own traditions and rules in relation to food. For example, Jewish people don’t eat pork or shellfish, or eat dairy and meat products together. Many Catholics and Anglicans don’t eat red meat on Good Friday. Muslim people don’t eat food that is not Halal, or during daylight hours during Ramadan. Buddhists generally consume dairy but not meat.
Members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church make a commitment to eat meals only with those with whom we would celebrate the Lord’s Supper. We believe having a meal is a religious act of fellowship, so we only do it with people who we take Holy Communion with.
Some of us might have a coffee when meeting with people from outside the Church – but it would not be in line with our beliefs to sit down for a meal with them.
Brethren recipes and food preferences
Like all Christians, our Community is united in our shared Christian belief founded on the Holy Bible. We gather regularly in simple Gospel Halls to pray together, and we congregate every Sunday to celebrate the Lord’s Supper.
For our members, the Holy Bible is an essential companion and authoritative guide throughout life. From the earliest age, young members are read and taught the Bible stories that have inspired millions down through the ages.
The Bible is no ordinary book. It is a book provided by God for man. It is the absolute, infallible, inspired Word of God.
Our practices
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.