One of the underlying fears here and yes, I do mean fears, is that because of how the Modern Evangelical Church has conducted itself, the pendulum tends to sway from the extreme left to the extreme right.

What I mean to say is that, because the Modern Evangelical Church has abused "conforming" itself like the world, that there are conservatives who tend to run in the extreme opposite direction.

I have listed versus earlier in this discussion supporting my views. This is just a quick reply, so please refer to what I've already use to support my views.

I believe Paul tells us that he did what he had to do as to not "offend" his audience. I don't know what everyone's experiences are, how could I?, but, my experience is that it takes awhile before peoples hearts are ready to truly understand, believe and accept the gospel and follow Jesus.

I run a small Christian support group out of my home. I treat it as my ministry it's organized pretty much like a house church. The only difference being is that all the members belong to my church. So I do not conduct communion or baptism.

The members of my small group all call themselves or identify themselves as Christians. But they really don't show any fruit and or good works. So I would have to question if they really have a personal relationship with Jesus or not.... or in other words, if they truly identify themselves as sinners deserving hell and therefore repenting and putting their faith in Jesus and following him as their savior and lord.

But, that doesn't matter to me as far as administering and serving them. Whether they're "God-Haters," or Unbelievers or unrepentant sinners or what ever they may be, all I care about is that they are coming to my home; with a mature attitude, willing to sing, study scripture, listen to me preach and willing to pray for each other. So as long as they are willing to do that, I'm willing to "church" them and continue to share the gospel with them and pray for them and hope that God will really and truly open their hearts someday.

What I can tell you is that I'm not going to try to sit there and explain to the women that they should obey their husbands and also wear head coverings when they gather in my home. Because If I did that, they wouldn't come back and that would be a really shame, because they are hungry to learn more and grow more and it just seems a little silly to me to chase them off by trying to enforce the head covering rule.

But..... with saying that, at the same time, I do have set rules and my meetings are conducted in a very orderly and serious fashion. Unlike the Modern Evangelical Church, I'm preaching the whole gospel to them, I'm telling them that they are sinners and that there really is a Judgment Day and that sinners really will get thrown into the lake of fire and that their righteousness really is as filthy rags and that they really do need to put their love and faith into the only one person who can save them from eternal separation from God, which is Jesus.

I also teach them about sanctification and about keeping in step with His Spirit and about the fruits of His Spirit. I teach and encourage them about self-control, forgiveness, subjective and objective truth, and most of all loving God and each other with all their hearts.

But they are not ready in their hearts, they are not convicted to start wearing head coverings. I'm just using this as an example, I could use thousands of others examples from church planters and missionaries all across the world who are spreading the gospel and starting new churches in Christs' name. Things in these environments aren't and can not be as "orthodox" as some of us are used too. But that does not make them any less effectual in their ministry.

Is this conformity? Yes.... but the right kind of conformity, the kind that Paul talks about. It's just simply understanding and loving the people who you are sharing Jesus with.

Dave

Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. - Galatians 2:16