Gospel Hall Brethren refers to a branch or "circle" within the pale of what is commonly called the "Plymouth Brethren". Not many are from Plymouth England today. The term stuck from the early days of this movement.

The buildings in which many of those who gather unto the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ are called "Gospel Hall". The "Reunited Brethren" in the USA and Canada about 20% meet in Gospel Halls. However, There is a group of brethren I am calling (by way of identification) "Gospel Hall Brethren". As far as I know, all of the buildings are called Gospel Halls in USA and Canada. There may be one or two exceptions, however, the unwritten policy is that the buildings are called Gospel Halls. Could this tendency foster a sectarian or denominational spirit? Outward conformity to a general name on "churches" earmarks the denominations. All Baptists have "Baptist" on their buildings. All Episcopalians have "Episcopal Church" on their buildings etc. All Gospel Hall brethren have "Gospel Hall on all of their buildings. While there is a profession of autonomy, there is an undertone of regulation with regard to external denominational titles or naming conventions in North America. This does not seem to be as important among the same Circle in English speaking Europe. Buildings where these dear saints gather may simply be called Suffolk Hall or Guilford Hall or Bridge Street Hall for example. The name taken from the town or the street, without any denominational designation. The writer of this article was horrified to note that a Taylorite brethren meeting in the USA met in a Gospel Hall ! Names mean nothing in reality. However, the Tight Open Brethren in the USA generally insist on calling their buildings Gospel Halls. Hence the designation, "Gospel Hall Brethren"

They are otherwise known as Tight Open Brethren. In other words, they are really "open Brethren" because they believe in the autonomy of local assemblies. But, they are "tight" in that their reception policies generally exclude all who are not in their sect. Liberal "Open Brethren" let anyone break bread if they show up without a letter of commendation from a "known" or an "approved" assembly. However, The Gospel Hall group of brethren correctly expect all who visit to bring a letter of commendation from a home assembly where they normally fellowship. Most therefore do not practice occasional fellowship when it comes to assembly activities, especially the breaking of bread. Initial reception to assembly is based upon 1. Demonstrated Confession of Faith in Christ. 2. Believer’s Baptism and 3. Separation from worldly or ecclesiastical associations.

The great strength of the fellowship lies in it zeal in Gospel work. Nearly every Assembly regardless of size maintains some form of Gospel outreach. Most have weekly Gospel Meetings, usually on Sunday evenings, following traditions which started in the British Isles since the last centuries.

The Gospel Halls tend to be separated from moral evil. They maintain ecclesiastical separation from all forms of apostasy and neo evangelicalism. This is by virtue of its isolationism. The average Christian in the Gospel Hall is not generally informed about the issues of the day in Christendom and are unprepared for the errors and compromises of the day. Those who roam from the protection of the borders of the Gospel Hall circle often find themselves stranded without much direction due to a lack of information about the dangers of modern evangelicalism. However, within itself, the Gospel Hall is separated from the evils of the present day in doctrine and practice. This includes Pentecostalism and the ecumenical movement.

The Gospel Hall brethren are plagued by what they have recognized as an encroaching clerisy or rise of the clergy. They have excellent Gospel Preachers among them. Many of them are good students of Scripture and are gifted as Bible Teachers. Diligent Bible study is on the decline in all Christian circles generally. This has its effect among these brethren as well as others to allocate to full time preachers the responsibility to know the doctrine and to teach or preach the Word.

Conferences in North America tend to be dominated by full time preaches without the liberty of local men to participate. This tends to stifle the freedom of the Spirit of God and slows development of gift among all the Brethren.

Elders are given a rightful place of responsibility. However, the selection of elders is usually performed by existing elders, rather than the Scriptural pattern. In the New Testament day, apostles or apostolic delegates were empowered to appoint elders (Acts 14.21-23 and Titus 1.5) Today there are no apostles nor such delegates to perform this task. Men cannot appoint or ordain. Acts 20.28 tells us that it is the Holy Spirit that appoints. 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.6-9 give us guidelines for an assembly recognizing those who have the qualities for such responsibility. The saints are to wait upon God, to watch and to follow such as have these qualities. No one is to appoint today, since we now have these passages to guide us.

This waiting on God and following whom he develops with these abilities is a more Scriptural pattern than men appointing or ordaining their own leadership. This discourages the development of family hierarchies or friendship based hierarchy.

Question: Could this human appointment be the very root of the clerisy which many of the dear brethren in the Gospel Hall witness growing in their midst?