Plymouth Brethren Christian Church
| Plymouth Brethren Christian Church | |
|---|---|
| Classification | Protestant |
| Orientation | Plymouth Brethren |
| Polity | Connectional |
| Leader | Bruce Hales |
| Region | Australia, New Zealand, Europe, the Americas and UK |
| Founder | John Nelson Darby |
| Origin | 1848 Plymouth |
| Separated from | Plymouth Brethren |
| Separations | Numerous schisms |
| Members | Over 50,000 |
The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church (PBCC) is an introversionist sect within the evangelical Christian movement and the most well-known branch of the Exclusive Brethren, a group that emerged from the Plymouth Brethren in the 19th century.
The PBCC has a global presence, with about 50,000 members based across Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the Americas. Members follow a separatist interpretation of the Bible, aiming to live apart from what they see as the moral corruption of the wider world.
The group traces its roots to the Exclusive Brethren movement established by John Nelson Darby in the 1840s. The PBCC as it exists today took clearer shape in the mid-20th century, particularly under the leadership of James Taylor Sr and his son James Taylor Jr. It is now led by Bruce Hales, an Australian businessman based in Sydney. The group holds daily worship meetings, adheres to strict moral codes, and restricts social interaction with those outside the fellowship.
Several organisations are closely associated with the PBCC, including the Rapid Relief Team, Universal Business Team (UBT), and OneSchool Global (OSG).