Assembly Reflections

Description

Glossary of Assembly Terminology From the beginning the Assembly used language peculiar to the Plymouth Brethren. Over time additional terms were coined to describe unique elements of the Assembly. Many terms listed below fall into the category of " loaded language ", meaning they are hot buttons that elicit a strong emotional response in members and former members. * all-night of prayer, ANOP Monthly prayer meeting held on Friday nights from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. * the anchors, the four anchors, anchor group An eight-part study based on the Bible verse, Acts 2:42, designed to show how the Assembly is superior to all other churches * answerable sisters Single women who were selected in the 1970's to run communal house or apartments for several other single women according to Betty's specific training rules. They were trained by Betty Geftakys, and were "answerable" to her on a regular basis for the performance of the women in their houses. This system was later abandoned. * an Assembly, the Assembly One of the local churches in George Geftakys' ministry, and also the movement as a whole * AK An "Assembly kid", someone who grew up in the Assembly * bb or BB Refers to the Assembly bulletin board * break bread To celebrate the Lord's Supper. Following the Plymouth Brethren tradition, an outreach became an Assembly when they began breaking bread and a Leading Brother was appointed. * brother A man in the Assembly * the brothers The men in leadership * brothers' house or sisters' apartment A communal living situation run by a leader (not necessarily a Worker) authorized to train people in Assembly ways of thinking and living * a burden (for a particular individual or enterprise) Concern combined with an impression of God's will concerning the matter; also often used in regard to a strong desire to pray for a particular individual or enterprise * Chapter summary A common inductive method of Bible study improperly distorted to heavily emphasize performance-driven personal application * Children's Hour Sunday school * commended to the Work in... Sent out as an unpaid Worker who encouraged the outreach in that location while working a full time job to support himself (and family) * consequences Punishment issued by "head steward" for "stewardships" being done incorrectly or late in a "brothers' or sisters' house" * the covering A Plymouth Brethren idea that being in submission to a properly constituted local assembly provided protection from satanic attack * door-keepers Brothers who were designated to stand at the door on Sunday mornings to insure proper dress and behavior, and screen visitors * elder Elders had the same role as in most churches, as shepherds responsible for the flock and for the administration of the church, with the important difference that all decisions were deferred to G. Geftakys * to excommunicate To force a brother or sister out of the Assembly. This is always accompanied by allegations of sin, and strict avoidance of the person.

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