Plymouth Brethren Christian Church welcomes in Australian journalist
Recently the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church welcomed an Australian journalist into the Church Halls, homes, and businesses of our members.
In some parts of the media, the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church is sometimes incorrectly named “the Exclusive Brethren”, a “religious sect” or even “a secretive cult” – but we hoped that a journalist would just give us a fair go. Not a puff piece. Not a hatchet job. Just a balanced assessment of who we are and what we’re like.
Some of our members, including Dean and Nerolie Hales, and Charles and Abby Hales, the sons and daughters-in-laws of senior leader Mr Bruce Hales, made themselves available for wide-ranging, honest discussions about the Brethren way of life.
The Plymouth Brethren hoped that by offering greater insights into our day to day lives, our values and beliefs, our church could show people the truth – that we are a fellowship of Christians who try to live good lives and do good in the world.
Here are some of those insights:
Inside Plymouth Brethren: Church leaders respond to ‘cult’ claims | Daily Telegraph
On separation: ‘That’s part of our suffering. We seek to be unworldly and to be less worldly every day of our lives. And it’s not that we think we’re better than the world or better than those that are outside of our church. It’s almost like an unwritten contract or a covenant with those Brethren.’
On heaven: ‘There are billions, billions of Christians, all through time, that are going to be up there with us. We don’t think we are the only ones.’
Plymouth Brethren women reject claims of inequality in secretive church | Daily Telegraph
On the Bible: ‘We believe in the whole Bible. We don’t cherry pick the scriptures.’
On the treatment of Brethren women: ‘We are very well respected… I would never be afraid to say my thoughts or to do what I wanted to do’.
On where Brethren women sit in Church: ‘It doesn’t really matter where you are sitting in the church. Nothing can impact your own link with Christ.’
Inside a Brethren service: what really goes on at secretive church | Daily Telegraph
On church attendance: ‘The weekly schedule for Brethren, known as the “Assembly Calendar”, is also not suited for a part-time Christian. Members pray on a Monday night in small subdivisions. Tuesday sermons are on Zoom. Wednesdays are in Church… On Thursday and Friday evenings [households] listen to old recordings of leaders from previous decades. Saturday at 12pm is back in Church. And Sundays – the most sacred day for a Brethren – begin with the 6am Lord’s Supper followed by another church service, then a lunch where sometimes 20 members are allocated to a home.’
Plymouth Brethren’s $700k donation to lobby group revealed | Daily Telegraph
On the 2025 Australian election: ‘There is a clear line of demarcation between the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and its members volunteering… The Church doesn’t offer any volunteering for any political party – never has and never will.’
Plymouth Brethren Christian Church: ATO investigates business empire | Daily Telegraph
On tax: ‘Charles said it was “ludicrous” and “laughable” that Brethren members were dodging tax. “And we can also say, from the upbringing that we had under dad, Bruce, paying tax and abiding by the laws of the land was just a non-negotiable, wasn’t it?” Dean said.’
We are a mainstream Christian church, but like all religions we have our own traditions, culture and way of life. By opening our doors and sharing an insight into our members lives we hope to have cleared up some of the misconceptions around our Church and helped people to better understand our Brethren values and beliefs.
