From a site called "Confessional Lutherans", some good insight as to how contemporary "conservatives" are not conservatives at all, and how to spot them.

http://www.confessionallutherans.org/papers/ToddW.htm#_ftnref36

exerpt:

"Meet the Bible-believing liberals. While they believe that the culture needs to return to its historic traditions, they think the Church needs to abandon hers. While maintaining that the Flag should be proudly displayed, they fear that a cross in Church might offend seekers. While they believe men and women have defined roles in marriage and family, they don’t see why a woman can’t replace a man in the pulpit. While outraged that our schools cater to the lowest-common denominator, they think our churches need to be geared toward the unchurched. They believe that public policy should be based on objective facts, but preaching should be based on felt needs. They want “under God” in Pledge of Allegiance, but omit the Apostles’ Creed from the Sunday service. They want the Ten Commandments in the public square, but are unconcerned when those commandments are replaced with “principles for living” in the pulpit. To the Bible-believing liberal, the ceremonies of a presidential inauguration are meaningful and inspiring, but the Sunday morning liturgy is boring. For the Bible-believing liberal, the differences between political parties are serious, but the differences between Christian denominations are petty. While they insist on a strict literal interpretation of the US Constitution, they play fast and loose with the Bible and its theology, even while maintaining its inerrancy and inspiration. These are the Bible-believing liberals."

Thanks for the link. It has some very astute observations in the current state of so-called conservative Christianity.

It seems that churches need to be very watchful in their youth and women ministries. Those two ministries in particular are where the most tension lies in fighting this battle.

You're welcome, John.

I hope that folks remember this document...when you are facing something squirly in your church and can't quite put your finger on it, or get the impression your pastor is preaching awry somehow, come back to the article and see if it clarifies and even use it's phraseology on folks who err this way. I have a friend who's church is going through this and that is how the article was helpful for him. I just get sort of ticked off reading such material unless I have a present, specific case to use it for, which I don't, but it can be practical as well as educational/interesting/stimulating according to one brother at least.

Ciao

Barry