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 the 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 pattern of worship, accepting only their own members to Communion. The other group, the “Open” Brethren, retained the original pattern of worship and welcome all professing Christians to the Lord’s Table. While differences on admission to Communion exist between the two groups, the pattern of worship for both has remained basically the same and continues to be a central distinctive of Brethren churches.
The Centrality of the Lord’s Table
The central focus of corporate worship is the Lord’s Table, which is observed each Sunday. The Table, which holds the elements of bread and wine, is centrally located. Typically the service begins with a hymn, usually spontaneously given out. Customarily this hymn will set the theme for the entire service and is developed by other hymns and prayers and the reading of Scripture, which may or may not be expounded upon.
These flow out of individual silent reflection and prayer. In the silence of personal worship the Holy Spirit leads certain ones to share audibly. There is no reliance upon clerical leadership. Each one is encouraged to be personally led of the Holy Spirit in their private and public participation. The Holy Spirit takes the Word presented in the hymns, prayers, and Scripture publicly shared or privately reflected upon to lead the worshiper in remembrance of the Lord.
As the service progresses, one is led of the Spirit to give thanks for the broken body of Christ whereupon the loaf is broken, passed, and taken by those participating. Following this, another is led to give thanks for the shed blood, and the cup is then passed to all and taken. The service normally is concluded with either a hymn or prayer.
Traditionally for the Brethren, worship has consisted of thanksgiving and praise and the act of remembering the Lord in the breaking of bread. The object and subject of worship is the Lord himself, symbolically present in the elements of bread and wine. While some Brethren Assemblies limit the subject of worship to only the Lord’s death, in many others the whole life of Christ is remembered: his coming, living, dying, rising, ascending, interceding, coming again, and reigning.
Principles of Worship
At least three leading principles underlie Brethren worship. First, worship is fundamentally a spiritual exercise that is dependent upon the leading of the Holy Spirit. Therefore it is believed there is no need for liturgical directions; the Holy Spirit is competent to lead. Second, it is believed that worship is the prerogative of all believers as individual priests before God. Therefore there is no need for clerical leadership. And third, corporate worship flows out of the silence of private worship. True worship means quiet waiting on the Spirit of God. As worship rises in the quietness of each heart, the Holy Spirit moves and leads certain ones to momentarily break the silence with a hymn, prayer, Scripture reading, or personal word of thanksgiving or praise. Such audible contributions supplement the silent worship.
New Elements of Worship
Although this pattern of worship has characterized Brethren throughout their more than a century-and-a-half history, new elements have been introduced along the way. Initially, no musical instrument was used during the service. All singing was done a cappella. Today many Assemblies (especially among the Open Brethren) employ the use of organs and pianos, and some have introduced additional instruments such as the guitar.
Hymns used within the “Breaking of Bread” service (the name commonly given to their time of worship) generally have been limited to the Brethren’s own collections and are little known outside the movement. The hymns themselves were selected with the Lord’s Table in view and are limited in range. Because of the morbid and pedestrian nature of many, in recent years other additional hymnals and praise choruses have been introduced. While some continue to resist these innovations, many have enthusiastically welcomed them.
As noted above, the Breaking of Bread service is intentionally unstructured, that is, a predetermined theme is not given nor is the service conducted from up front, but is led by the congregation as the Spirit leads. This continues to be the general practice of most Assemblies. However, some Assemblies have begun to introduce one or both of these practices. Objections have been raised, however, that the introduction of a set theme or a worship leader derogates from the role of the Holy Spirit and unduly infringes upon the right of the individual worshiper as a believer-priest to be led of the Holy Spirit in their manner of participation.
While other tensions exist within the context of Brethren worship, one needs mentioning here. It has been the position of the Brethren since the beginning that during the corporate worship meeting women are not permitted to participate verbally except to join in corporate hymn singing. While this remains the dominant position both of the Exclusive and Open Brethren, recently this has been challenged by certain Open groups. The issue is especially sensitive and in cases has led to division.
In spite of the open and spontaneous nature of the Breaking of Bread service, Brethren worship has often been accused, even within their own ranks, of being solemn and gloomy with hymns sung like a funeral dirge. Those situations where the subject of worship is limited to Christ’s death tend more to exhibit this quality, though it certainly is not limited to them. Since there is an awareness of this (particularly among Open Assemblies), efforts are being made to recapture the vitality and vibrancy of their worship by encouraging thanksgiving and praise and introducing new and more robust hymns and songs. Still the basic principles remain the same: Spirit dependent, congregationally led, and spontaneous.