TIME’s cover story is on Evangelicals in America. I haven’t had time to sit down and read the whole thing, but at first glance, this seems to be better than most of the stuff the weekly newsmags do on evangelicalism.

They have a photo essay on the 25 Most Influential Evangelicals in America. The list is actually quite good and fairly representative. As a side note, I’ve actually met and talked to a number of these individuals, which kind of shocks me. Here’s my take …

Rick Warren … I tend to like his stuff. I think his Purpose-Driven franchise is a bit too commercialized. He may be the real heir to Billy Graham, but I think times have changed.

Howard & Roberta Ahmanson … Don’t know much about them. They seem to be deep pockets, which I guess is enough to gain influence in the movement.

David Barton … Have met and talked to him on several occasions. Very nice guy. Very Texan. He’s very dedicated to his cause of education and advocacy. I wonder if his influence will diminish after Bush leaves the White House.

Doug Coe … I’ve always been a little uncomfortable with this guy. His Fellowship Foundation seems a little creepy, and his theology seems to have some holes. He definitely sees the importance of religion in politics.

Chuck Colson … I’ve talked to him on the phone once or twice. Again, a genuinely thoughtful guy. He’s willing to rock the boat a little bit by associating himself with Catholics on both social and political issues. I think he gets burned on some of the battles he chooses to fight. He’s at his best when he’s developing social programs, rather than mounting a political agenda. His Prison Fellowship will be his legacy.

Luis Cortes … Don’t know anything about him, which should serve to illustrate the blindspot many evangelicals have when it comes to Latinos.

James Dobson … Met him a few years ago and found him to be very pleasant. As I’ve said a number of times, I think he oversteps the bounds of his expertise and authority. On issues of the family and child development, I think he and Focus do a splendid job. They are a great resource. On issues of politics and theology, I’d rather not have James Dobson be the evangelical representative.

Stuart Epperson … Met him and worked for his company for about 2 years. One of the most powerful evangelical broadcasters in America. Hasn’t quite decided if Salem should be about politics or ministry. Salem doesn’t do either well, but has managed to assemble a stable of powerful voices like Bill Bennett, Michael Medved, Hugh Hewitt, and Janet Parshall.

Michael Gerson … Talked to him on the phone a couple of times. He’s a fellow Wheaton College alum and Wheaton Record alum. The media tends to dismiss him as simply a spiritual wordsmith. He’s much deeper than that and will likely have a long-lasting impact for years to come once he’s done serving in the White House.

Billy & Franklin Graham … I’ve talked to Franklin on the phone, but have not had the pleasure of meeting either of them. Billy is a fellow Wheaton alum, and I’ve spent many hours toiling away in the building that bears his name on campus. Billy has remained a model of how evangelicals should present themselves on the public stage. He got burned by Nixon and has smartly distanced himself from politics in recent years. Franklin is still learning this lesson. Billy will go down in history as one of the most important religious figures of all time.

Ted Haggard … I’ve talked to him once on the phone. It’s hard to figure out how much influence the NAE really has. The membership really isn’t representative of the movement, but Ted does seem to wield some influence in Washington.

Bill Hybels … I don’t agree with most of what Hybels has done in the last 30 years, but there’s no doubting that he’s had influence on the movement. He didn’t invent the seeker friendly model of church, but he certainly popularized it. We’ll have to wait and see what the Hybels legacy will be.

T.D. Jakes … He provides an important bridge between the black Pentecostal movement and white Southern Baptists. He’s made some serious inroads with his media efforts. I don’t know how well he’ll hold up under some more intense theological scrutiny.

Diane Knippers … I know almost nothing about her or the Institute on Religion and Democracy. That’s my bad.

Tim & Beverly LaHaye … Don’t get me started. Questionable theology marketed to millions. That’s just Tim. Beverly is a whole different story. I won’t say anything more.

Richard Land … Another one I shouldn’t say much about. I don’t like his style or the way he plays politics. I think in an effort to correct the veering course of the Southern Baptist Convention, he’s overshot the target.

Brian McLaren … I’m so glad he gets included on this list. Brian has become a much-needed prophetic voice for the evangelical movement. I think McLaren’s legacy will endure much longer than most on this list. If you haven’t read his stuff yet, what are you waiting for? I cannot recommend him highly enough.

Joyce Meyer … I seem to recall having had at least one brief conversation with her on the phone. It’s sad that she’s ended up becoming nothing more than a prosperity gosepl hack. Her image has taken a hit in recent years because of some financial issues. I don’t know how many women can actually identify with her.

Richard John Neuhaus … I have to confess that I’m less familiar with him than I should be. Like Chuck Colson, I think he’s doing great work trying to bring Catholics and evangelicals together. He’s also shown a commitment to cultivating the life the mind among evangelicals.

Mark Noll … A sentimental favorite of mine. He audited a introductory French class that I happened to be enrolled in when I was a freshman at Wheaton. He and I stumbled our way through the language, and I had no idea who he was until months later. I’ve devoured his books and enjoyed his lectures tremendously. His voice should be heard loud and clear among evangelicals — especially those who are foolishly fighting so hard for creationism. Go read Noll’s books. All of them.

J.I. Packer … One of the few theologians that has emerged among evangelicals in the last half century. Packer is largely responsible for the stubborn Calvinist streak in my theology. He and Billy Graham have been dual champions in the evangelical movement during most of their lives.

Rick Santorum … Few Senators have been able to openly profess their evangelical faith as easily as Rick Santorum has. I’ve talked to him on the phone a couple of times. I really think he’ll be a leading presidential contender in a few years. If not in 2008, then in 2012.

Jay Sekulow … I’ve talked to him a number of times and have found him to be a very intense person. He’s very dedicated to fighting for religious liberty. Often that means opposing the ACLU. Sometimes it means working alongside them.

Stephen Strang … Don’t know much about him. I guess the Christian publishing world needs some kind of public face.

Ralph Winter … I guess he’s the token missionary on the list. Don’t know much about him, either.