Politics and Voting

Our way of life – The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and Politics

The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC) does not make political donations and has never donated to political parties or individual candidates in any country. 

The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church also does not organise, coordinate, or direct political campaigning, volunteer activities, or political fundraising on behalf of political parties or political candidates. 

The PBCC is a global Christian church with more than 55,000 members worldwide. Members are united by their shared Christian faith and teachings based on the Bible, while also remaining individuals who are free to exercise their personal democratic rights and political beliefs. 

The political views, actions, or affiliations of individual members should not be interpreted as representing the official position of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. 

Do Plymouth Brethren Christian Church Members Vote? 

Members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church are free to vote or abstain from voting. The decision is a personal choice, and individuals may make that decision based on their own beliefs and convictions. 

Some members choose to abstain from voting for religious reasons. This view can be connected to teachings in Epistle to the Romans Chapter 13, which states in part that “there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.” 

Historically, this interpretation meant that many people in the Plymouth Brethren faith community chose not to vote. 

In countries such as Australia, where voting is compulsory, individuals may still abstain for religious reasons where the law allows.  

Importantly, abstaining from voting has never been a rule within the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and has never been a test of fellowship. 

Changes in Voting and Civic Participation 

Like many religious communities, the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church has seen practices evolve over time. 

In recent decades, more members of the PBCC choose to vote, form political opinions, express their views on public issues, and participate in civic life. 

Both choices – voting or abstaining for religious reasons – are respected within the Church. 

Individual Political Activity 

Individual members of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church may choose to participate in politics in a personal capacity. 

This may include: 

• Voting in elections 
• Volunteering for political parties 
• Supporting political campaigns 
• Expressing personal political opinions 

Any such activity is entirely personal and does not represent the views or policies of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church. However, if individuals do choose to actively participate in election campaigns or other democratic activities, it would be expected that they would conduct themselves in line with the same Christian values they are guided by in any other part of life.