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Scandal of Strict Brethren

This article examines some aspects of ‘Strict Brethren Assemblies’. What is a strict assembly? Most people consider as ‘strict’ those churches that seem a little to the right of them. For the purposes of this article ‘Strict Brethren’ churches are those from an Open Plymouth Brethren tradition that practice an extreme separatist doctrine of the local church. A strict assembly believes that it, and those it considers in formal fellowship with it, are proper NT churches and all others, be they Brethren, Baptist or any other denomination, are apostate and therefore not true NT churches at all. It does not look favourably on members who visit ‘the denominations’ (non-Brethren assemblies) nor will it allow any from these denominations to ‘break bread’ (the Biblical symbol of genuine fellowship) with them.

I write with a warm regard for the believers in these churches. I grew up in such a church and on occasion still enjoy fellowship with some strict churches. I owe much to these assemblies. The believers there, in my experience, have a great zeal for God and for truth. They are, in the main, genuine in their commitment and have a warm love for both the Lord Jesus and each other. Many model how to live for heaven and not for earth. Despite caricatures by those who do not know them well, they are kindly, warm, human people; people who are able to laugh and have fun. I am sure there is much about them and their churches that brings pleasure to God.

Yet I write from the perspective of one who is no longer part of this circle. I belong to a Church (still Open-Brethren in tradition) that for various reasons (principally the fact that we call ourselves an ‘Evangelical Church’) is not accepted by the strict churches. While I am very happy to have fellowship with my brothers and sisters in these churches, I choose not to be a member of one and would in all honesty be reluctant to raise my family in any. Why is this? Given their commitment and zeal for God, what are my reservations and concerns about these believers, my fellow members of the body of Christ?

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About John

Hi there - I am a member of Greenview and have been for over 20 years. For a number of these years I functioned as an elder, however, indifferent health forced me to take more of a back seat. I see this as an opportunity to do a little writing, often focussing on issues that are a matter of evangelical debate today. Naturally the views expressed are my own and may not reflect the views of the elders or church at large, though differences are likely to be in the detail and not the substance.

These articles and sermons were written partly to clarify my own thoughts and partly with the intention of provoking thought in others who may read them. If you read one I hope you find it stimulating. Please feel free to give me feedback or discuss my articles in the forums.

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