Exclusive Brethren need a new hall for every 50 people?
June 25th, 2008
An interesting article in Australia’s Diamond Valley Leader indicates that the growing inerest by the Exclusive Brethren in purchasing more and more real estate may have its roots in a local congregation maximum of 50. Certain statements by their Planning Consultant indicate that this was a reason for seeking a fourth church in the town of Nillumbik.
Their trademark windowless fortresses, with barred and padlocked gates, are of increasing concern in many communities.
Brethren’s bid for Eltham site
by Engel Schmidl
A RECLUSIVE Christian group may get its fourth church in four years in Nillumbik if a planning application succeeds.
The Exclusive Brethren church, criticised by some former members for its divisive policies when it comes to contact between present and former members, lodged an application with Nillumbik Council in March for a place of worship in Beard St, Eltham.
The group has churches at Henry Arthur Drive and Everleigh Drive in Diamond Creek and Zig Zag Rd in Eltham North.
The council received 53 objections to the proposed church.
A local resident, who asked not to be named, said he had no problem with the group but that the Main Rd and Beard St intersection was already dangerous enough and did not need additional traffic.
Planning consultant Stephan Koenig, who lodged the application for the Derby Street Gospel Trust, said the church would engage consultants to look at parking and traffic concerns.
“Church members are looking at the objections and will give a more detailed response at a later date,” Mr Koenig said.
The application shows the site will have 20 car park spaces.
The group would conduct three to four services a week, including one on Sundays at 6am.
Mr Koenig said another church was needed because of the group’s religious observance requirements.
He said congregations had about 50 people and once that was exceeded a new church group was founded.
The application says that “irregularly held” services “may generate up to 100 persons”.
“This is a purely local church for families that live in the area,” Mr Koenig said.
Before last year’s Federal Election, then Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd, now Prime Minister, called the Exclusive Brethren “an extremist cult and sect”.
Source - Diamond Vallet Leader - Brethren’s Bid For Eltham Site
This would explain why two EB churches in Hobart have been sold recently (declining numbers). There are now only three EB chuches in the Hobart metropolitan region. I don’t know if any new churches have been opened though.