2x2 Group terminology, special meanings and insinuations

The friends

The group or collection of people who have "professed" in "meetings" or who are "friends of the workers" Cult usage: "Most of the friends are going, so I think we should go too."

2 and 2 ministry

The idea of workers going out in pairs to preach their version of the gospel. Cult usage: "You know you've found the way when you find the 2 and 2 ministry."

Outsiders

The group of people who are not "professing". These people are thought to be going to hell. They are people who haven't "seen the truth". Cult usage: "How many outsiders were there at meeting tonight."

Negative

Adjective to describe things that they don't like. It's similar to the Unitarian church and that ethics and morality are not a part of their judgement. Cult usage: "You had some negative experiences with the workers."

Negativity

Used to describie an attitude or behaviour they don't like. Again, ethics, right and wrong are not part of the judgment. Cult usage: "Show love and support, stear clear of the bitterness and negativity."

Positive

Used to describe things in agreement with their cult or things that make them look good. Cult usage: "You need to think positive thoughts."

From the beginning

This is a phrase they use when refering to the starting of the group. When they say it was from the beginning, they mean the fellowship they have with their god, not that the group was started from the beginning. Cult usage: "This way was from the beginning." "Our fellowship is from the beginning." "What we have is from the beginning."

Nondenominational

In this they mean they are not Catholic, Protestant or other denomination. However they are wildly different than Christians in their beliefs. If you want to refer to the group you could use several names: "They are one of the friends." "They are professing." "They're in the work." Cult usage: We are nondenominational. Our group is nondenominational.

Head workers

This is the worker who tells other workers on his "staff" where to go and who they are with that year. Head workers also make arrangements for special meetings. Head workers often travel to others head workers states and countries to talk and speak in their meetings. Cult usage: The head worker is going to be in our meeting this morning.

Workers

The term originally came from the Faith Mission that William Irvine was excommunicated from. William Irvine used it to refer to his followers that he asked to go out 2x2. Later the idea of saints and meetings in the home came up. Cult usage: You need to behave today because we're having the workers over from supper tonight.

Meetings in the home

A distinguishing doctrine that workers promote: "Jesus instituted meetings in the home." This is different from Jesus command that people worship God in spirit and in truth. Cult usage: We believe in the homeless ministry and meetings in the home.

Older worker

A worker that is more senior in age than another worker. The oldest worker leads the Sunday AM meetings and decides who leads the gospel meetings. Cult usage: The older worker had a talk with our elder this morning about his son.

Older workers

Refering to the workers who are older and more senior than the younger workers. This usually does not include the older sister workers. Cult usage: All the older workers are going to the workers meeting in [city name here] today.

Brother workers

Male workers who may be gay or straight. Cult usage: All the brother workers on the west side are going to the funeral.

Sister workers

Workers who are female and not necessarily blood sisters to any brother workers. Cult usage: All the sister workers are going to give their testimony this morning. [like at a convention meeting]

The friends

People who believe that the workers are servants of God. People who are professing. The group of people who are friends with the workers but not necessarily friends with each other. Cult usage: I wonder if they are one of the friends. All the friends [from the field] are invited to the potluck tonight.

The field

Area within oversear appointed geographical boundaries have been decided on by the head worker. The boundaries include some Sunday morning meetings and exclude others. Two workers are designated to a field. Workers are not supposed to "interfere" with the work of other workers in other fields.

Conventions

Annual meetings where they go to feel "the spirit". Cult usage: I loved the spirit at convention this morning. I don't remember what was said, but I remember the spirit of convention.

Meetings

Certain places where they meet together. This can include conventions, special meetings, Sunday morning fellowship meetings and Bible studies.

Special meetings

Meetings held each year typically in a school auditoriam where a couple fields get together to hear the workers talk. These meetings are different than meetings in the home and the annual conventions. Cult usage: Are you going to special meetings this year? Which special meetings are you going to? We're going to have visitors at Special meeting from [insert country here].

Sunday AM meetings

All the friends are assigned to go to certain Sunday AM meetings. Professing friends are expected to give their testimony each meeting.Cult usage "I didn't see you in the last Sunday morning meeting."

Gospel meetings

A meeting where the workers preach their gospel[man bragging]I've attended every single gospel meeting this year. He has only missed one gospel meeting ever since he professed and that was because he was deathly sick.

Bible studies

When the friends get together to give their testimony on the study. Often they repeat back what they've heard in the "gospel meetings"

Testimony

(the speech) - a short speech / recitation the professing people give during Sunday morning meetings or at convention or at Bible study. Usage: "I enjoyed your testimony this morning." "Why didn't you give your testimony this morning?"

The Testimony

(the group) - the reputation of the group. Cult usage: "I think [workers name here] is bringing a reproach on the testimony."

Testimony

(reputation) - a professing person's reputation. Cult usage: "If you go see those movies, it's going to hurt your testimony."

Study list

A list of topics and/or verses that the head worker has put together that the friends are supposed to give their testimony on in Bible study. Usage: "Has the study list come out yet?" "I didn't know where to read because I couldn't find my study list." Bible study list - a list of the friends in a field and where each of them are to go for their Bible studies. Cult usage: "Has the Bible study list been printed yet?" [elder to friends in Sunday morning meeting] "Here are the Bible study lists for this year."

Sings

When the friends in a field get together to eat and sing from their hymnal and talk about things. Cult usage: "We're having a sing Friday night and you're invited."

Professing

A person who has previously "made their choice" or professed. Cult usage: "I have been professing ever since I was ten." "Are they professing?" "How long have you been professing?"

Being baptized

This means that you are baptized by a worker. If you were a Christian and have joined the 2x2 group, you are required to be baptized by a worker in order to be truly baptized. Cult usage: "Those new people are going to be baptized before convention."

Elders

Collectively the elder from each Sunday AM meeting in the field. Cult usage: "The new workers are going to be meeting with the elders this Friday."

Elder

The man who fascilitates the Sunday AM meetings. Cult usage: "The elder is going to hand out some lists today."

Elder's wife

The first or second or third wife of an elder. Cult usage: "Why don't you have a talk with the elder's wife?"

Have a talk with

Usually used when the workers want to tell you something in private. It usually brings on dread in the friends when the workers want to have a talk with them. Cult usage: "The older worker is going to have a talk with them about their TV."

Lost out

This refers to people who have quit coming to the meetings for their indoctrination. It also insinuates that the person who has "lost out" is going to hell. Cult usage: "They lost out when they believed that doctrine that was going around." "They got to watching TV and lost out." "They quit going to meetings and lost out."

Was unwilling

Used to describe a person who didn't agree with what the workers taught and aren't fitting in. Cult usage: They heard that TV's aren't allowed and quit coming to meetings because they were just unwilling. He wasn't willing for the work anymore. She quit coming to meetings because she just wasn't willing.

Felt called

How professing people insinuate that they have been motivated by their god. When people feel called to do something, they don't necessarily check to see if it is God that is prompting them. Cult usage: "They felt called to get married even though he isn't professing." "He felt called to offer for the work."

Make your choice

To "profess" by standing up (usually) when a meeting is "tested". Cult usage: I made my choice when I was 10. That stranger made their choice yesterday. They're going to give people a chance to make their choice in meeting tonight.

Felt moved

How they describe when the spirit they are led by is causing them to do something. Cult usage: "I felt moved to call them." "I felt moved to make my choice."

Put out

Meaning to be put out of the group by a worker. This does not mean that you have sinned or offended someone or something legitimate. It usually means that you have not obeyed one of the head workers. Cult usage: "They were put out because they were causing trouble." "They were put out because they were teaching that Jesus is God."

Fitting in

Means to go along with what the workers or elders tell you to do and not cause any "waves". Cult usage: - "You just need to fit in." "Why don't you just fit in?" "Just fit in."