Pastor Don Flowers of Providence Baptist Church in Charleston, S.C., baptizes Allie Hiott. (Providence Baptist Church photo)

DENTON, Texas (ABP) -- Some Baptist churches are going back to the future -- and making a statement to their communities in the process -- by holding outdoor baptismal services resembling the ones Baptists held for hundreds of years before indoor baptisteries became standard.

Christ Community Church in Denton, Texas, for instance, baptizes people in a large metal trough on the city square. Conducting the baptism outside the church building encourages onlookers to think about what is taking place, Pastor Ross Appleton said.