2x2 Sunday Morning Meetings or 2x2 meetings in the Home

Freaky

This is probably the best word to describe the cult's most intense meeting, the Sunday AM meeting. It is so freaky that they avoid bringing "new outsiders" to the meetings because it will scare them off. The silence is eerie. Plus, the looks you get if you talk make people afraid for their soul. This is why they try to acclimatize people first with "gospel meetings".

Neighbors to 2x2s

Neighbors may only notice that their neighbors have people over once a week. They may or may not know that it is a "religious" service. About 5-20 people may show up. The cars may take up part or all of the block. They may hear some singing come from the house. They may see a woman bring a child out of the house and spank them. Neighbors know very little of what goes on and it's preferred that way. Many 2x2s probably haven't even thought of what "meetings" look like from their neighbor's perspective.

Buildings for Sunday AM meetings

The people usually meet in the home of a male "elder" that has been chosen by the workers. Read also about elders. Sometimes elders will add on to their home so that they can have a Sunday AM meeting or a WED Bible study. About twice a year they will meet in a rented hall for Sunday AM meeting or at a large building built for the purpose of their annual group convention.

Strongest Mind and Behavioral Control

Sunday morning meetings are the time when the workers followers berate themselves and repeat to themselves and each other how much they need to change (but don't) and how nice the workers are for saving them. Sunday morning meetings are held by almost all 2x2s. All 2x2s are expected to meet at the Sunday morning meeting that they have been assigned to by the workers in their field.

Expectations of "Professing People"

1. Beratement of themselves
2. Praise of the way, the workers etc
3. Promise to do better
4. Show sincerity (act a little emotional, act like you mean it)
5. Allegiance to the cult
6. Conformity to what the workers want (be "teachable")

Quietness used for Mind Control

2x2 Sunday morning meetings start with everyone arriving 10 minutes early as requested by the meeting leader. They are to remain silent and "humble" so the workers and elders can enjoy the "peace" before the meeting which allows them to enjoy the "spirit of the meeting". If their meeting starts very quietly, the worker may announce that he/she really appreciates the quietness or the "spirit of the meeting". This does not refer to the Spirit of God, but rather the spirit they feel at their meeting. They are to silence all their thoughts and get ready for their session.

How a Meeting Goes

1. The person who owns the home, the elder (unless a worker is present) will usually start the meeting with something like "Let's begin our meeting by singing hymn number.. " or "Does anyone have a hymn to start our meeting with?"

   Predominately, men choose the hymn. "Backup elders" are expected to come up with a hymn if the silence is prolonged. People who are professing are the one who choose hymns. Only hymns from their hymn book are chosen. Rarely, another hymn may be sung if the worker or elder brings copies. This is very rare.

2. All professing people are expected to sing the hymn. "Professing" people who don't sing well are expected to at least mouth the words or sing very quietly. If the elder cannot sing well, he will often ask someone else to lead the singing.

3. After singing the elder will say something like "Let us now pray" or "We'll pray now" or "The meeting is now open for prayer"

4. Then they pray. Prayers are not directed to God according to the scriptures. They pray like the workers have taught them. All "professing" people are expected to pray. If there are more people, they are to pray shorter prayers. Sometimes the "elder" may remind people if there are many people there, and ask them to pray short prayers. "Non-professing" people are not expected or encouraged to pray.

   Things approved to pray for (in order of most preferred first):
   
   1. the overseer
   2. the workers in the field
   3. workers overseas
   4. those "going through hard and trying times"
   5. people who cannot be there
   6. that others will "find the truth" (the cult)
   7. that they could be a better example
   8. to be more faithful (to what?)
   9. faith could be increased (faith in what?)
   10. the people who have "opened their home" for the meeting

   I remember as a child trying to pray in such a way that I got more "amens" after my prayer. If few people said "amen" then I was disappointed. In many SUN AM meetings across the US, however, it is not the custom to say "amen" after prayers. My behavior was inherently fashioned after whatever got me the most approval of the elder or workers in the meeting.

   People try to pray pretty eloquent prayers, using phrases of the workers and verbage they've learned from the cult. What is most interesting to me now, after looking back on it, is how they were expected to pray using language in the KJV Bible. When referring to God, they use "Thee" and "Thou" and old words to make it sound scriptural. When I started to use "you" when refering to God, many thought it was disrespectful. I've even noticed that new people to the cult try to pray using KJV grammar and words. Sometimes they don't know how and it sounds really funny/odd. For example:

   God we thank Thee that Thee didst ever bring the gospel to me.

   Also, people tend keep their eyes closed and usually they bow their head down when praying. To raise your head and lift up your arms while praying would get a lot of disapproval and strange looks. Sometimes people may almost be trance-like when they pray. They may have a strained tone of voice, higher pitch. Sometimes they will have a sing-song type of voice while praying.

   If a person prays too long, then that may be a subject that everyone talks about on their drive home. Many times, there will be one or two people that give the same prayer every meeting. They talk about those things too.

   Sometimes kids will lift their head and look around. If a parent notices this, they may pinch the child or nudge them with their elbow to get them to close their eyes and look down. I believe that if a person were to look up to heaven and raise their arms to glorify God in prayer, they would really feel awkward and show disapproval.

   An example prayer would be:

   "Heavenly father, we thank thee for this meeting and this quiet time when we can come apart from the world and think about thee. Help us to be whole hearted and not let our minds wander. We pray that thou wouldest be with the workers tonight and help them deliver thy message. In Jesus name we pray, Amen"

   Others gathered may or may not say "amen" to their prayers. Custom varies on this.

   After each has prayed in turn, the elder prays last. Only after he has prayed can they open their eyes. Many times after coming out of praying I have felt like I was coming out of a deep sleep.

5. After praying, the elder may choose or ask for another hymn. Often times the leader will ask people there for suggestions on which hymn to sing, such as "Does anyone else have a hymn before testimonies?" They try to sing hymns related to their thoughts.
6. They sing the hymn
7. The elder announces that "the meeting is open for testimony" or "everyone may now take part"
8. Then, one by one they give their testimony/speech/self-beratement. They may or may not stand up to give their "testimony" depending on the custom in their land.

   Testimonies are often used to preach to others. This is also called "passive aggressive"by some.

   Common phrases showing their confusion:

   • "I don't have anything to add to the meeting but..."
   • "My thoughts are scattered but..."
   • "I really appreciate what others have shared and don't feel like I have much to add but..."
   • "I really appreciate what was just shared and I would like..."

   An example testimony would be:

   "I was reading in Matthew 5 this week and it reads

   Mat 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Mat 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Mat 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

   I appreciate how the workers have been such a light to me and I would like to be a better light to the world."

   Other commonly accepted phrases that are repeated without thought include:

   • "I want to be a good example like..."
   • "I just want to be more faithful."
   • "I just want to have a soft heart."
   • "I just want to be like [insert person they were just talking about here]"
   • "I long to do better in the coming days"
   • "I long to be more fruitful in the days that lie ahead."
   • "And I just want this to be my desire..."
   • "I'm so glad God has called me into this way..."
   • "I'm so glad to be part of this great family..."

   Neat ideas or thoughts that conform with the group's beliefs are encouraged and praised with their admiration and respect. Whether they conform to the Bible or not is irrelevant unless its very blatant.

   Usually the members are totally ignorant of what they just read. Members would think of these verses as being a good light to mean "going to meetings, women wearing their hair in a bun and a dress/skirt, giving money to workers etc" They don't think of doing good works like helping others, feeding the poor, helping the fatherless and widows etc.

   Sometimes workers encourage them to read a verse, say something they are thankful for and sit down. If you speak too long, it is often the subject of the gossipy men and women.

   The elder of the group gives his testimony last (or the worker if present). Sometimes he will sum up the testimonies given. If the elder disagrees with anything said in a testimony, he may use his "testimony" to preach to that person or warn the group. "Loaded language" is used to deliver the "message within the message" (They try to cloak what they really mean so that they look nicer.)

   "Bad: behavior or unacceptable testimonies or phrases would include:

   • I really disagree with what [person] said...
   • While many may agree with this interpretation of this worker, I feel that....
   • "Praise the Lord"
   • "I'm so glad for what God has done for me"

   Taboo topics in Sunday AM meetings (most taboo listed first):

   • Problems with workers
   • Praising God ie "Praise the Lord!"
   • Lies being taught be workers
   • Knowledge that the cult doesn't want to hear about (Jesus is God, How problems are to be handled according to scripture)
   • Divorce and remarriage
   • Doctrine the overseer doesn't want to hear
   • Divorce
   • Hypocrisy of workers
   • Problems with fornication in the "field"
   • Problems of pornography in field
   • Problems in the field (in general)

   Giving "unacceptable" testimonies most likely result in the "elder" "having a talk" with you.

9. Then they sing a short hymn or verse of hymn.
10. Give thanks for the bread,
11. Pass it around
12. Give thanks for fruit of vine (grape juice in US, wine in France etc)
13. Pass that around.
14. Finally the meeting is closed with another hymn from their song book.

Conflicts within Meetings

Jokes about Meetings