Brethren History – Conservative to Liberal

Biblical Brethren Fellowship from 2013:

When Brethren congregations move from conservative to liberal there are stages or phases they go through.

1. Lack of thorough teaching
2. Practice divorced from policy
3. Matthew 18 replaces church discipline
4. Passive marginalization of conservatives
5. Active opposition of real conservatives
6. Members’ meetings that are strained and ungracious
7. Flurry of activity
8. Expressions of “love” for everyone
9. Eloquent arguments for modernization
10. Token, cooperative, conservatives lauded
11. Messages on the old paths, etc.
12. Insincere concessions to conservatives
13. Liberals (who look conservative) typically encourage the process

I first came across this list in 2013, I think. I have thought about it many times since.

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