Technology that allowed churches to build indoor temperature controlled baptismal pools and a desire to baptize year round are among the reasons for fewer outdoor baptisms. But some churches have retained the tradition, saying it is important to be baptized in living water, water that occurs in nature.
On the morning of my 40th birthday I got a speeding ticket. It's funny how you remember those birthdays that end in "0". That year my uncle, Charlie Short, was the song leader at the little church down in Parches Cove. Thinking church started at 10:00, I was speeding through Morgan City in my Miata when I noticed blue lights in my rear view mirror.
I arrived a few minutes after ten and, much to my dismay, discovered church didn't start until 11:00. I was on time, but a hundred dollars broker.
Charlie's son, Wade, and I sat together and had a good time harmonizing on the hymns Charlie led. The pastor was really wound up that cold November morning and a man in the congregation got "saved". Well, since the church didn't have an indoor baptismal, the pastor immediately called on the good people to follow him to the river so the young man could get baptized.
Wade whispered in my ear, "I believe I'da took a chance 'til Spring."
