Brethren (plymouth) Assemblies

Brethren worship does not rely on clerical leadership. Rather, persons from within the assembled group, spontaneously moved by the Holy Spirit, lead worshipers through an experience of both Word and Table. History The Plymouth Brethren are an independent evangelical movement that originated in the early nineteenth century. Weary of religious strife, clericalism, and the spiritual dryness of the Established church and the narrow attitudes of existing nonconformist churches, Christians from various groups began meeting informally for Communion, prayer, and Bible teaching. Shortly before and after 1830 centers were established in Dublin, Plymouth, and Bristol. From these beginnings the movement grew rapidly. Their original principle of union was the believer's love of Jesus rather than oneness of judgment on minor things. Doctrinal differences and the question of church discipline, however, eventually split the movement in 1848. One group, known as "Exclusive," departed from the open…