As a young Baptist seminarian attending a Methodist seminary, I have found myself with an increasing awareness of what it means to be young and Baptist in the world today. Growing up, I only knew the Baptist way of doing church. With two parents who attended a Baptist seminary and one who worked in a Baptist church, what else was to be expected? I was even a good Baptist collegian as I chose to attend Baylor University-Sic ‘Em Bears! But when it came time to choose a seminary, I found myself breaking away (as any good Baptist would) from my past and applying to Methodist schools. Before long, I found myself in the middle of Candler School of Theology at Emory University.

Everything here is Methodist-there is always talk of bishops, Methodist conferences, and commissioning papers. As I met fellow students, I was amazed by the immediate attachment of my Baptist identity with the Southern Baptist Convention. Doesn’t everyone know about “the split”? Why don’t they know about CBF or any of the other associations of Baptist believers? I quickly found myself sharing my Baptist beliefs and traditions. And while my friends still poke fun at us Baptist types, I think they have come to a new appreciation of Baptist life.

So what does this mean for young Baptists today? For many of us it is a struggle to find and share our Baptist identity. We wonder how can I be Baptist and believe what I believe? How do I remove the stereotypes about being Baptist? But I recognize that I can struggle to find my identity and share my way of being Baptist with all those I meet. I have the freedom to be the person, the kind of Baptist, I feel called to be. I do not have to look to a particular denominational book or order for answers but can build upon those that have come before. I have the freedom to shape my theology and practice as I learn, grow, and change. So why am I as a twenty-something still Baptist? Because as a Baptist I find beauty, freedom, and creativity to be the person and minister that God has called me to be.