PBCC brethren voting and involvement in politics – May 2025

Background

In a flagrant departure from the principles established by Scripture – as well as from ministry by Jim Taylor, James Taylor, Fred Raven and John Darby – the PBCC have been exposed by the media in Australia to be heavily involved in attempting to get the Liberal Party in Australia into power in the 2025 Federal Elections.

This involves everything from campaigning at events and voting stations, to allegedly making over 1 million phone calls to potential voters, to asking sisters to wear mens trousers so that they blend into crowds, to – worst of all – admitting that some members actually vote themselves!

The following letter was sent to members of the PBCC elsewhere in the world to draw their attention to their association with evil by remaining in fellowship with these PBCC brethren in Australia.

Transcript of letter

Jared Pudney
144 Winston Ave
Lexington, KY 40505
jared.pudney@gmail.com
+1 859 270 8620

PBCC Member
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May 8th 2025

PBCC BRETHREN VOTING AND INVOLVEMENT IN POLITICS:

PBCC Member,

I feel it imperative to make you aware of what has been going on in Australia in recent weeks.

Enclosed are some news reports, as well as statements made by the PBCC on your website www.plymouthbrethrenchristianchurch.org

You will notice the press photograph of Gareth Hales wearing a “Scott Yung” T-shirt while campaigning for him! View Report Could you picture the Lord Jesus wearing a T-shirt supporting a devout Buddhist politician of this world??

The PBCC press releases state that we are a mainstream Christian Church, and compare the PBCC with Catholic, Anglican and Jewish churches. View Statment View Statement Are you satisfied with being in a sect within Christendom? The Recovery of the Truth did not result in another sect in Christendom! Christendom will come under the most severe judgment for misrepresenting Christ.

The media statement goes on state that, Many Australians conscientiously object to voting on religious grounds. Some of our members exercise this right but others do not, and do choose to both vote and actively engage in politics. View Statement

Firstly, how can two walk together unless they be agreed? Where is the one body? This is not as to what color curtains you prefer – this is as to a fundamental question of whether a Christian should vote and engage in politics or not, and you publicly state that you do not all agree?!

Secondly, and more importantly, are you seriously comfortable being in fellowship with persons who vote and actively engage in politics? The Lord Jesus said to Pilate, My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, my servants had fought that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but now my kingdom is not from hence. John 18:36

Perhaps you will answer, “No PBCC members actually vote – we just say that to satisfy the world.” I would then answer, “Are Christians to be like the Muslims and Communists who are allowed to lie for the ‘greater cause’?” A true believer never needs to deceive or lie.

Whether they vote or not, they do actively engage in politics.

Besides Scripture being absolutely clear about voting and politics (Dan. 2:21; Romans 13:1), here is what the leaders of the Recovery have said:

James Taylor Jr:

J.T.Jr. Vol 30 pg 296

Therefore, be careful as to identifying yourself politically with anything in any country. Beware of the politics.

“Lifted Up” – Stamford, Conn. Aug 20th 1966

How naturally we turn to politics! You have your mind on someone in the world, you like this one better than that one. It is just the natural line in us to turn to politics, which is worldly.

J.T.Jr. Vol 97 pg 81

We are so apt to fix our mind on some man here, whereas God watches these things and He allows this man in, or that man in. But what do we do? Whom do you want in? You want him in, you do not want the other man in – that is politics. I suppose you have it in England, too, and other places, but democracy has a strong hold on us.

J.T.Jr. Vol 31 pg 236 (as to compulsory voting)

A.K.H. You referred just now to the governments. Could we just have a brief word as to voting – for our brethren in Panama it is a very pressing matter at the present moment, there being no exemption.

J.T.Jr. They may have to experience being cut off. The presentation of conscience to the government is right, so it should be done in the way that we are enlightened. Government is of God, and we recognize government from God, and He set up and puts down whom He pleases – whom He pleases, not whom I please, or whom men please, but whom God pleases. I think that should be the prime point in the presentation, that it whom God pleases, and whom He will he puts down. So we leave that to God. We can say to the government, ‘That is what God does’.

James Taylor:

J.T. Vol 6 pg 425

We seem to be unreasonable because we cannot vote, we cannot join in military service, we cannot assist the nation, and so forth.

J.T. Vol 95 pg 323

. . . Bethany, where was the dead man Lazarus. That is to say, the Lord thought of one in that town who had no part in it politically, socially or even commercially. He was not a leader in it. Whether he worked with his hands is another matter, whether he provided for his sisters is another matter, but he was not alive and not a part of the place publicly, he was “the dead man Lazarus”. ‘Lazarus, do you not vote?’ ‘No, I do not vote’. ‘Why not?’ ‘Well’, he says, ‘I belong to that world and the resurrection’. That world. Could anybody deny it?

. . .

‘You see I do not vote’, he says. And the very best reason that he could give was that he did not belong to this world. He was dead. “So also ye, reckon yourselves dead . . .”

Frederick Raven:

F.E.R. Vol 7 pg 435

The Christian goes through the world to provide for his household, but I do not vote, for the world is not a sphere in which the Scriptures recognise me.

John Darby:

Read the following extract from JND’s classic, What the World is; And how a Christian can live in it

For instance: everybody says that a citizen of the country, a Christian, should be interested in the government of the country to which he belongs, and ought to vote, so as to help to put good men in power. God says differently: in many places and ways He tells me that, as His child, I am not a citizen of any country, or a member of any society; my citizenship is in heaven, and I have henceforth to do with heavenly things; the cross of Christ has crucified me to the world, and the world to me; if I give my mind and heart to these earthly things I shall be the enemy of the cross of Christ. Be not conformed to the world. What then shall we do with governments? Why, submit to them, since God orders them; and when they impose tax, pay; and make supplication to God for kings, and all in authority. All therefore that a Christian has to do with politics is to be subject to the powers set over him, not only for wrath but for conscience sake. It is true that in Christ he is heir of “all things”, including the earth in which the world-system has now its operation, yet (as to Abraham in the land of Canaan) God gives him not so much as to set his foot on for a present inheritance, “The just shall live by faith”. If, then, the true child of God refuses to vote, it is not so much that he thinks voting in itself wrong, as that he has given his vote and interest to the Man in heaven, whom God has exalted as King of kings, and Lord of lords. He has, beyond it all, lost his interest in these things, by virtue of something he has found which is far more attractive. He sees, too, that the world in spirit and essence is ungodly, that its boasted reforms and improvement are all tending to shut out God from the heart of man.

Were all these great leaders wrong? Does the Lord require us to “fix the world” before He comes? Is our portion now earthly and not heavenly? Does prayer no longer work?

You have moved so far from the Recovery of the Truth! Be zealous and repent! (Rev. 3:19)

Grievous wolves have come in, not sparing the flock, speaking perverted things, and leading genuine persons away from the great recovery to the apostle Paul.

Have you considered that neither JND, FER, JT nor JTJr would break bread with you because of your association with these persons in Australia? Or does that not matter to you?

Oh, consider Christ’s feelings!

Faithfully,
Jared

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Postscript

Since the above letter was written, the PBCC has issued a further statement on voting:

While this has always been about personal beliefs, traditionally most of us have not voted. Most of our members exercised their right on religious grounds to abstain from voting, while only a few exercised their democratic right to vote in elections.

Over time, more of our members have apparently chosen to vote and even volunteer for political parties. It is important that this democratic right be respected, while the right of those to abstain on religious grounds remains protected.

We have updated our website to reflect contemporary practice, while reaffirming that for people who believe they should abstain, the exemption from voting needs to remain.

View Statement

If those who abstain do so on the basis of religious grounds, are they then practicing the same religion as those who do vote?

Or do those who feel free to vote just need their consciences enlightened . . . ? If so, are there those in the ‘church’ who are carrying the matter of voting, and ministering as to why it is wrong for a Christian to vote to enlighten their consciences? Or is there an ‘agreement to disagree’ like Christendom?

If Romans 13:1 is a subject of personal conscience, what about Romans 1:26-28? Will this also be a ‘personal decision’ to decide if this is right or wrong? Looks like it’s not far off! View PBCC FAQ

Samuel Rochat said to me in 2012: Our church is moving forward and moving forward fast. Where is it going? Towards what’s heavenly? Beloved Jim Taylor said, There is only one track to the land in that landmark reading on Inward Leadership in Sydney, 1966. Have you ever read the unabridged version? It’s excellent, and as pertinent today as then! (Read the full Inward Leadership meeting for yourself.)

Brian Matthews says, ‘If the Lord tells Bruce something, and he tells us, then you have got it‘. Jim Taylor would say to him, Go by inward leadership!

Jared

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Enclosures

Plymouth Brethren Christian Church

Statement on Voting – PBCC
View Statement

Statement on Australian Federal Election campaign – PBCC
View Statement

Support for church families following Prime Minister’s comments at their school this afternoon – PBCC
View Statment

Press Reports

Exclusive Brethren chief’s son spotted on hustings supporting Liberal Party – The Sydney Morning Herald
View Press Report

‘A 100 per cent turnout’: Leaks reveal Brethren secrecy push, bid to ramp up poll presence – The Age
View Press Report

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