Myself, if I was curious about some strange church, I'd sooner go along on my own and see what it felt like.

The idea of being brought along and introduced by friends doesn't appeal. I'd want to feel I could back away, if I felt this just wasn't my scene, without having to feel I was opening up a breach with friends. After all, churches vary enormously even in the same denominination.

And that'd go double if it was some "new friends" who had invited me along in the first palce. I'd have a nasty worry that the friendship might be a bit dependent on joining the flock.

I can much more easily imagine a situation where I'd made the first step and said to an old friend "I'm curious about these Baptists - you're one aren't you? Would it be OK if I came along to have a look."