Plymouth Brethren
The movement formed first as groups of Christians who met for prayer and fellowship, focussing on Biblical prophecy and the Second Coming of Christ. The later Exclusive Brethren and the Open Brethren, and subsequent splinter churches, are branches or developments of the original movement. The Brethren do not recognise clergy as distinct from laity but emphasise "sola scriptura", the belief that the Bible is the supreme authority for church doctrine and practice, over and above any other source of authority. They are led instead, in organisational matters, by elders within their local fellowships.
