THEY'RE "TOO CONSERVATIVE" - by Greg Gwin

Recently, it was mentioned that someone was about to move into a
community and they were giving consideration to attending a certain
congregation.  Some brethren warned, "Don't go there, they're too
conservative!"  What is meant by such an accusation?
Is it so that the brethren at that congregation have begun to teach
things that are not found in the Bible?  Are they binding certain
traditions that are not in the Word of God?  Are they insisting that
others follow their own personal opinions in areas where they cannot
find specific scriptural authority?  If so, those brethren aren't really
"conservative" at all!  They have "gone too farare not "abiding in the
teaching of Christ" (2 Jn. 9 - NASV).  In a sense, they are actually
"liberal" in their approach because they have ceased to produce "book,
chapter, and verse" for their practices.  Let their errors be fully
exposed, and let brethren be rightfully warned about attending such a
congregation.
In reality, it is more likely that the church described as "too
conservative" is stressing strict adherence to Biblical authority.  They
are insisting that folks "do Bible things in Bible ways."  There is a
strong emphasis on personal purity and morality.  Constant reference is
made to the Bible and its teachings, and members are encouraged to "come
out from among them, and be ye separate" (2 Cor. 6:17).   And while the
positive, "feel good" aspects of Christianity are taught, the so-called
"negative" themes - the warnings of the Scripture - are also included. 
False doctrines and false teachers are sometimes - by necessity - called
by name just as in the first century (1 Tim. 1:18-20).  Such an approach
is not popular in the world today; therefore some dismiss a congregation
like this with the charge that they are "too conservative."
It is really impossible to be "too conservative."  The moment a church
violates scriptural authority - by either failing to uphold and practice
the truth, or by binding what God has not bound - they have become
"liberal" in God's eyes.  We must "do all in the name of the Lord" (Col.
3:17).