Two by Two

Two by Two's (sometimes called the Two X Two's or 2x2's) is a name given by some outside observers to a certain Christian group. They are sometimes confused with the Cooneyites (after Edward Cooney), however, while Edward Cooney was in fact once a minister in this faith, he later left the group and gathered his own group of followers. The group deliberately assumes no name other than that of Christ, and is thus sometimes referred to as The Church With No Name (or similar). Its members refer to their belief most commonly as the truth and occasionally as the way or the fellowship or the faith. The followers call themselves friends or saints, while the missionaries are termed workers or servants and go about in pairs (hence the term two by two).

Current Religious Practice

The members of this faith are regular attendees of various religious gatherings. The gatherings take on one of several forms, and the size is dependent on the purpose of the gathering. The gatherings are, in member parlance:

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• Sunday Fellowship Meetings
• Mid-week Bible Study Meetings
• Gospel Mission Meetings
• Special Meetings
• Conventions

Sunday Fellowship Meetings

Each Sunday morning, a small number, usually between five and twenty five, will gather at a room in a nominated home of a member. The members of a home church are a close knit community, and is the smallest unit within the faith.

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The members are directed to attend a paritcular gathering, generally by the elder worker of that State or Province. The makeup of the church is ordinarily formed on the basis of geographic proximity, although demographic mix is balanced as far as is reasonably attainable. Generally, the membership is stable, and may remain unchanged for years or decades. Occassionally, the membership may be restructured to correct any demographic or geographic imbalances that evolve as a result of births, deaths or moving residence.

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The service is usually led by the appointed elder of the church gathering. Occasionally, a worker may attend, in which case, the worker will lead the service instead of the appointed elder.

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The order of service usually involves collective singing of hymns, from their own hymnal, a group session of prayer, and a session of testimonial speeches. Prayer and testimonials are usually given by each active (professing) participant. At some point during the service, usually after all testimonials have been spoken, Communion (Eucharist) is conducted. This sacrament is practiced by the sharing around of a single piece of bread, and single cup of wine (or, in some localities, unfermented grape juice). Participation in the Communion sacrament is usually reserved for those who are baptised.

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Mid Week Bible Study Meetings

During the week, each church will gather again, to conduct a service similar order to the Sunday Fellowship Meeting, but without Communion. The testimonials are directed toward a study subject, which may be from a scheduled subject list, or pre-agreed from the previous meeting.

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Gospel Mission Meetings

The Gospel mission meetings are conducted by the preachers, usually in their pairs, or occasionally as a trio when an odd total is avaiable within a State or Province. The Gospel mission meetings usually run about nine months of the year, and are closed for the period when conventions are held in that State or Province.

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The meetings are held at public halls, or school assembly halls or gymnasiums, as can be procured at minimal cost. The State or Province is divided loosely into fields, each of which are assigned a pair of preachers. The assignment of the preachers is usually for the duration of the mission, although this can be affected by various practical issues.

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The order of service involves collective singing of hymns, and a prayer and sermon from each of the two preachers. The function of the mission is proselytising, although this is usually directed at the members' offspring, in the absence of any serious prior door-knocking or other cold calling by the preachers.

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Special Meetings

Special Meetings are usually held in the period mid-way between the Convention calender cycle. A Special Meeting is a larger than usual gathering, which may combine the congregations of one or more mission meetings. It is conducted by the preachers (known as "workers"), although for this event, a number of the preachers, usually six or more, will take part.

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Conventions

Conventions are usually held on rural properties, owned by the members. In some regions, convention centers or other facilites are hired for the purpose. A Convention gathering may range from twenty to several hundred. Some Convention gatherings in the United States may involve near to one thousand members. A Convention gathering usually lasts for four days, typically starting on a Wednesday evening, and continuing through to the end of the following Sunday afternoon.

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The members usually stay on location, and attend up to three two-hour meetings each day. Most members will bring comfy cushions for the hard bench seats usually provided, and a stash of sweets to keep the glucose levels up. Those with heavy eyelids are either hyperglycemic or are finding it hard to follow the preacher's tortuous train of thought, monotone delivery, or both.

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It is common for a baptism to be held at some point during the Convention. This is usually done on the Saturday at around midday. It is typically conducted at a dam or river located on or near the property where the Convention is being held. The baptism ceremony is led by a senior male worker, while a small group of members congregate at the baptism site to participate in the singing of hymns while the baptismal dip is conducted. The baptismal dip is a full immersion process, and the candiates are usually dressed in old clothes for the event. Preparations are always made to ensure baptism is not considered at water temperatures below 5°C (40°F).

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