Plymouth Brethren Group Announces Changes

[Jerome]

Exclusive Brethren sect agrees to tone down its shunning, etc. after UK Commission asks, How can you call yourself a charity and act like this?

http://www.christiantoday.com/artic...cepts.plymouth.brethren.application/35326.htm

The Preston Down Trust, part of the Devon-based Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, has had its application for charitable status accepted after agreeing to make changes to its governing document.

The controversy rested on whether the trust's religious activities could be described as "advancement of religion for public benefit", part of the criteria for the Charity Commission's acceptance of religious organisations.

Changes include ensuring worship services are open to all members of the public and making it public what the accepted dress code is to those who wish to attend.

In a section of the new governing documents entitled "Compassion", the trust sets out how that pastoral care should be provided "including but not limited to where fault occurs".

"No action should be taken in any way to treat vindictively, maliciously or unfairly persons whether within or outside the community, including those who were within the community and who are leaving or have left the community," it says.

The new governing document also states that "reasonable steps" should be taken to allow the continuation of family relationships when a family member leaves community, including providing access to family members, especially children.

 

[steaver]

Don't we have a governing Christian bible that teaches us how to take care of all of these concerns? :smilewinkgrin:

 

[Rippon]

When I was a PB'er I was once invited to a closed assembly i.e. a Gospel Hall. These folks are not in the exclusive brethren part of the Plymouth Brethren. They are part of the Open Brethren, but maintain a distance. An interesting group.