2x2s believe that Jesus instituted "meetings in the home". This cannot be found in the Bible however. To justify this core doctrine, they point to the verses in the Bible that lists the church in the home. Of course the church is in homes. The church in the Bible refers to people, and yes, people live in homes or houses.

The purpose of the groups' Sunday morning meetings is to reinforce what they workers have taught them. They recite it back in speeches that they call "testimonies". This recitation process is called "giving your testimony".

Paul's warning to Timothy

1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

See also Heresy of Sun morning meeting in the home

Commandments of the Lord

1Co 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
1Co 14:24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
1Co 14:25 And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
1Co 14:26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
1Co 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.
1Co 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
1Co 14:29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and let the other judge.
1Co 14:30 If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
1Co 14:31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
1Co 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
1Co 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
1Co 14:35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.
1Co 14:36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
1Co 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

Freaky to "Outsiders"

Unbelievers (in the 2x2 way) are not typically welcome in Sunday morning meetings. The "outsiders"/unbelievers are usually required to be conditioned by many evening preaching services first. Most people would freak out the first time they went to a Sunday morning meeting. I brought a woman to a Sunday morning meeting and she left as soon as it was over and called it a "cult".

Speaking in Tongues

Workers do not believe in speaking in tongues. They believe it is of the devil.

Women in Meetings

Women are not commanded to keep silence in meetings. In fact, women workers may lead a meeting and male elders are to be subject to them because they class of "worker" is greater than the class of "elder"

Where's the Doctrine?

For all the talking that the workers of iniquity do and all their followers, it is amazing that none of them that I have met can list the doctrines of the workers. They obviously don't meet as Paul wrote to the Corinthians. The Corinthians had a doctrine in their meetings.

Sad and Depressing

Meetings are so sad and depressing to me now. I don't go to meetings now, of course. People recite and repeat what the workers have told them and how they have been put down. When I remember back, meetings were so depressing. It is like listening to nervous, scared kids trying to laugh and joke but all the while under the influence of an abusive father.

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".

You Tube example of 2x2 meeting

Part 1 - -      Part 2 - - Excellent Testimony by James Durston

Why do People go to meetings?

Family possibly. Lots of them, and very stressful to tell them I don't want to go anymore. I do enjoy Sun AM meeting for the most part. I don't go to gospel meetings. I struggle with it all. I'm not real comfortable making a change - altho, as many meeting folks feel, I don't feel saved. Somedays I just want to scream - it's all so deep and way over my head. If I just live and enjoy my life it seems as tho it's wrong. Unless of course you have a spouse who is totally involved as the other and they can share it all together. It's confusing to say the least. - under name of "Guilty" on message board

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 2x2 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 Special Meetings or at a large building built for the purpose of their annual group conventions.

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 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"

   Praying

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. that their mind could be emptied of thoughts
   2. that they could have a positive meeting
   3. the workers in the field
   4. workers overseas
   5. those "going through hard and trying times"
   6. people who cannot be there
   7. that others will "find the truth" (the cult)
   8. that they could be a better example
   9. to be more faithful (to what?)
   10. faith could be increased (faith in what?)
   11. the people who have "opened their home" for the meeting
   12. the overseer (ironically about last)
   Prayer oddities:
   
   • Using "we" when they are the only one praying
   • Strained, higher-pitch voice that is much different than natural voice
   • Praying using "thee" and "thou" (some believing this is more "respectful" and not praying this way is too casual and is disrespectful).
   • Don't use names in prayer (use generalities like "people who are going through hard times")
   • Praying to some thing or inanimate object - lack of relationship with God, as if they are imagining God exists and are not convinced of His being
   • Don't pray for sick people to get well
   • Don't pray for "natural things"
   • Sometimes use sing-songy voice or rhythm
   • Other nervous oddities

   Some meetings require/encourage people to say "amen" after prayers. In some meetings it is dead quiet. There are variations all over the United States. I have been to meetings in about 43 different states of the US.

   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.

   1. 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.
   2. They sing the hymn
   3. The elder announces that "the meeting is open for testimony" or "everyone may now take part"
   4. 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.

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

Conflicts within Meetings

Questions