Leadership challenges

The leadership has not gone unchallenged in recent years, however. In 1953, when James Taylor senior died, there emerged two possible leaders, G.R. Cowell, whose teachings were similar to those of the dead leader, and James Taylor Junior (now known as 'Big Jim' Taylor), a forceful and ruthless character. Cowell's leadership was benign and lethargic in the view of James Taylor Junior, as it urged weakening of his own edicts and encouraged what he regarded as a state of apathy regarding the things of Christ. Under James Taylor Junior's leadership, the heresy of Cowell's teachings was eventually 'exposed', and Cowell was 'withdrawn from' (a euphemism for 'excommunicated').

Again, in the mid-60's, three brilliant leaders took advantage of Taylor's illness to establish rival trends. These leaders were Bruce and John Hales of Sydney and Alan Gadstone of Melbourne. These men were experts in business management, and after setting all exclusive-owned businesses on their feet, sought to do the same with the sect itself, under what became known as 'the system'. The main aim was to achieve efficiency in all paths of life, including worship of God. Meetings were held early in the evening at 6.30 pm. and disposed of quickly so members could return to their business pursuits. The Exclusives were to be best at everything. They were to earn as much money as possible, learn about business management and educate their children as well as possible under tuition by educated Exclusives. Members were to work for the Lord and use His money (the enormous levies raised through collections from members) to build enormous halls and amass material wealth. Members were encouraged to work late into the night at their studies and rise early to read the books produced by the sect. They could be subjected to severe interrogations at meetings for any misdemeanours. All went well during 1965—66 until James Taylor suddenly woke up to what was happening and exposed the evils of 'The System'. The Hales brothers and Gadstone were withdrawn from and Exclusives once more rejected worldly prosperity and business efficiency to get themselves out of debt and become humble servants of the Lord. This movement made a very deep and lasting impression, however, and was the reason for several subsequent 'withdrawals'.

In 1956 it was estimated that the Exclusive Brethren comprised 10,000 to 20,000 members. Most of these are in Great Britain, and only a small percentage in America, despite the fact that it is the seat of leadership. There are 1,000-2,000 members in both Sydney and Melbourne, besides others in different parts of Australia, and over 1,500 in New Zealand. Wellington has approximately 350 and Auckland, Christchurch and Palmerston North probably have more. There are members of the sect in Blenheim, Nelson, Dunedin, New Plymouth, Hawera, Gisborne, Hastings, Napier, Whangarei and a few other districts. There are very few new recruits now, as open-air campaigning has ceased to be a main feature of a gospel which is now preached to Exclusives only. The sect relies for continuity on the population growth generated by its own members. As contraception is banned, large families are very common. Most girls arc married by the time they are about eighteen or nineteen.