Issues@Hand

AFA initiatives, Christian activism, news briefs

October 2017 – The percentage of Americans who identify with a specific Protestant denomination fell from 50% in 2000 to 30% in 2016, according to a recent Gallup study.

In part, the decline is due to the rise of Americans not affiliated with any religious group. However, many of those who are religious are opting for nondenominational churches.

Of the 47% of American churchgoers who worship within a denomination, 10% are Baptist, 4% are Methodist, 4% are Lutheran, 2% are Presbyterian, 2% are Pentecostal, 1% are Church of Christ, and 1% are Episcopal.

“While many say they prefer a nondenominational church, I think their biggest concern is not wanting to be part of a church that fits their stereotypes of certain denominations,” said J.D. Greear. Greear is pastor of The Summit Church, a Southern Baptist congregation in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. “If a church is big on the gospel, the mission, and loving each other, then denominational affiliation is less of an issue.”

factsandtrends.net, 08/08/17; gallup.com, 7/18/17