For the past few days I've been hanging out with hundreds of Southern Baptists and I have to say that I like these guys. (And I use "guys" because they only have guys in pastoral ministry.). I sure appreciated their passion for God's Word. It's great to see people actually carry their Bibles into worship services and then keep them open during sermons. (And most of the Bibles look really old and beat up—like they've actually been read and reread for decades.) I love their passion for evangelism. I love the way people nod their heads and talk back during sermons. Where else can you hear "Amen," and "Preach it," and "That's right," and "Yes!" sprinkled throughout a message? I mean, these folks actually know how to listen to a sermon! In some ways, I think Southern Baptists do their part to keey this country from plunging over the edge.

Having said all of that, I honestly have to say that I couldn't join the SBC. For me it feels like becoming a Greek Orthodox Christian: parts of it intrigue ...