While working on an unrelated research project, I recently came across some data published by the Hartford Institute of Religion Research. Though the information is now a decade old, it still seemed highly relevant today. In essence, the data showed that non-denominational churches are now the second largest Protestant group in America. Only the Southern Baptist Convention is larger.
Here are some of the fascinating nuggets from that study:
*There are more than 12 million people who affiliate with non-denominational churches.
*The research found at least 35,000 non-denominational churches in America.
*Non-denominational churches are in 88 percent of the counties in the United States.
*Non-denominational churches are one of the top five largest religious groups in 48 of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
In light of the growth of these churches, I conducted an informal Twitter poll and asked why people are moving to non-denominational churches congregations from congregations affiliated with denominations. Here are the top eight responses in order. There is obvious overlap in some of the responses.
8 Reasons People Are Leaving Denominational Churches for Non-Denominational Churches
-
Denominational churches have a negative reputation. Some respondents used the phrase “negative brand” to communicate this reason.
-
Denominations are known more for what they are against than what they are for.
-
There is too much infighting and politics in denominations.
-
The denominational churches are too liberal. From what I can tell from these respondents, they are current and former members of mainline churches.
-
There is a general waning of institutional loyalty in institutions such as denominations.
-
Denominations have inefficient systems and organizations. They are too bureaucratic.
-
Some of the respondents could see no perceived benefit to belonging to denominations.
-
Denominations are not good stewards of their financial resources.
