America’s Largest Denominations and Faith Trends (Updated & Expanded 2025)

isn’t it a blessing to live in a nation with such a rich and diverse Christian heritage? America has long been a beacon of faith, a place recognized for its deeply rooted and wonderfully varied Christian traditions. And even today, Christianity continues to shine brightly as the majority religion! You might know that the landscape of faith in our great nation is always blossoming, undergoing major and exciting shifts and transformations. God is always doing a new thing! Recent studies, full of insight, tell us that while a wonderful majority of Americans still joyfully identify as Christian, the proportion has seen a gentle shift, moving from about 78% back in 2007 to around 62-63% in these more recent years.¹ This evolving religious environment, isn’t something to worry about; instead, it opens up hearts and minds, prompting many wonderful questions and a deep desire for understanding. It’s a chance for us to grow!

This article, filled with good news and encouragement, aims to give you a clear, uplifting, and comprehensive overview of America’s vibrant Christian landscape. We’re going to focus our hearts on the largest Christian denominations, presenting validated and truly interesting statistics that will help you, especially if you’re walking in the Christian faith, to understand and celebrate our broader faith community. Every piece of information here has been gathered with great care and prayer, drawing from extensive research and major studies on religious affiliation and practice. We believe knowledge empowers your faith journey!

To achieve this, we’re going to explore ten key questions that Christian readers, just like you, often have in their hearts about this very topic. These questions are like pathways to greater understanding, covering the current state of Christianity, shining a light on the profiles of major denominations, looking at the exciting trends in growth and even areas where we can pray for renewal, how our amazing younger generations are engaging with their faith, and discovering some notable and inspiring statistics about Christian belief and practice. The answers are designed to be driven by facts but delivered with hope, making them accessible and painting a well-rounded, positive picture of Christianity in America today. When we seek this kind of information, it often reflects a beautiful desire within us, Christian readers, to understand our special place within this changing religious environment. Perhaps it’s sparked by things we see in our own communities, or maybe it’s a God-given nudge to engage knowledgably and lovingly with the diverse and wonderful society around us. Get ready to be inspired!

What is the current state of Christianity in America (statistics and trends)?

Let me tell you, Christianity continues to be a powerful and guiding light in the United States, even as its beautiful expression and practice are blossoming in new ways! Understanding the current statistics and trends is like getting a clear vision, providing a vital and uplifting context for discussing individual denominations and the bright future of faith in our nation.

Overall Percentage of Christians

Get ready for some good news! Recent studies from 2023-2024 are shining a light, indicating that a wonderful 62% of adults right here in the U.S. Identify as Christians.² this amazing figure underscores that a clear majority of our American population aligns with the Christian faith, making it the largest and most blessed religious group in the country! Isn’t that something to rejoice about? This broad and beautiful category of “Christian” can be seen in even more detail: about 40% of U.S. Adults are part of the vibrant Protestant family, a strong 19% are Catholic, and an additional blessed 3% belong to other wonderful Christian traditions.¹ These “Other Christian” groups, full of faith and light, include our brothers and sisters in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day our Orthodox Christian friends (like the Greek and Russian Orthodox), Jehovah’s Witnesses, and various smaller Christian bodies, all playing their part in God’s great plan. These foundational numbers, they help us see the incredible scale of Christianity before we explore all the beautiful diversity God has woven into it!

Trends in Affiliation: Historical Decline, Recent Stabilization

You may have heard people talking about how Christian affiliation has seen some shifts over the past few decades, and it’s true, God is always refining and reshaping! Back in 2007, a significantly higher proportion of U.S. Adults, a wonderful 78%, identified as Christian.¹ The journey to 62% by 2023-2024 represents a 16-percentage point change, a notable shift in the religious story of our country, showing us that God is always on the move.

But hold on to your hat, because more recent data brings a picture full of hope and encouragement! According to the good folks at Pew Research Center, looking at the years between 2019 and 2024, this gentle decline seems to have slowed its pace, perhaps even finding a moment of peaceful stability. During this five-year period, the share of adults identifying as Christian has remained wonderfully steady, dancing between 60% and 64%.¹ As one insightful report notes, “After many years of steady decline, the share of Americans who identify as Christians shows signs of leveling off – at least temporarily – at slightly above six-in-ten”.⁴ Isn’t that a reason to be optimistic?

This apparent stabilization in our overall Christian numbers is a blessing, though it might also invite us to look deeper at the wonderful ways God is working across different generations. There’s a considerable age gap in Christian identification, friend: an amazing 80% of our most experienced American adults identify as Christian, compared to a hopeful 46% of our vibrant youngest adults.² What’s more, studies are showing that recent generations of young adults are on their own unique faith journey, not always becoming more religious as they age, a pattern that was a bit different in some earlier generations.² So, if these bright younger groups continue on their current path of faith connection as they grow and as our deeply faithful older generations are promoted to glory, the overall percentage of Christians in the population could see new movements. This current plateau, might just be a divine pause, a moment for new seeds of faith to be planted, rather than a full stop to the long-term journey of Christian affiliation in our blessed land. God is in control!

Rise of the “Religiously Unaffiliated” (Nones)

Another important part of this faith story is the remarkable growth of individuals who are “religiously unaffiliated.” This group, sometimes called the “nones,” includes those precious souls who describe themselves as atheist, agnostic, or “nothing in particular” when asked about their religion. They now represent about 29% to 30% of U.S. Adults.¹ And just like the trend in Christian affiliation, the exciting rise of the “nones” also seems to have found a temporary, peaceful plateau in the most recent years.²

But listen closely, because “unaffiliated” doesn’t always mean “not spiritual” or “atheist.” Not at all! While a small 5% of U.S. Adults identify as atheist and 6% as agnostic, a much larger portion (19%) simply say their religion is “nothing in particular”.² Many Americans, including some who are religiously unaffiliated, continue to hold beautiful spiritual beliefs. For instance, a large majority of U.S. Adults (a wonderful 83%) believe in God or a universal spirit, and an amazing 86% believe that people have a soul or spirit in addition to their physical body.² This tells us that a growing number of people might be stepping away from organized religion but not from spiritual thoughts and wonderings. They are on a journey, and God is with them!

Impact of Religious Switching

The journey of faith is personal and unique, and sometimes it involves “religious switching”—that’s when individuals find a new spiritual home, different from the one they grew up in. About 35% of U.S. Adults tell us they have a different religious identity now than they did in their childhood.³ This dynamic has generally meant that the Christian population has seen some people move to the religiously unaffiliated category. It just shows that more people who grew up Christian are exploring being unaffiliated than people who grew up unaffiliated are exploring becoming Christian. It’s all part of the beautiful, individual walk with faith, and God understands every heart.

What are the largest Christian denominations in the U.S. By number of members?

When we talk about the “largest” Christian denominations, it’s like looking at a beautiful, layered diamond – it depends on how you view it and how membership is counted! Surveys, like the wonderful ones from the Pew Research Center, usually tell us the percentage of U.S. Adults who feel connected to and identify with a particular denomination. Other great sources, like the U.S. Religion Census from the Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies (ASARB), gather information on “adherents” as reported by the religious groups themselves. Adherent counts often include everyone – all members, even precious children, and also those regular, faithful participants who might not be formal members.⁵ This can lead to different numbers, and that’s okay! For example, denominations that joyfully baptize infants, like our Catholic will naturally show higher adherent counts compared to their adult self-identification numbers, especially when you compare them to denominations that primarily practice believer’s baptism. It’s all part of the vast web of faith!

Overview of Major Branches

Christianity in our blessed U.S. Is broadly shining in several main branches. As of 2023-2024, Protestants make up a vibrant 40% of U.S. Adults, our Catholic brothers and sisters account for a strong 19%, and Other Christians (including our friends in the Latter-day Orthodox Christians, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and more) comprise a hopeful 3%.¹

Within the wonderful world of Protestantism, three major traditions are often highlighted:

Evangelical Protestants: A major 23% of U.S. Adults.³
Mainline Protestants: A steadfast 11% of U.S. Adults.³
Historically Black Protestant Churches: A foundational 5% of U.S. Adults.³

Largest Individual Denominations and Groups

Based on a combination of how people identify themselves (primarily from the good folks at Pew Research Center, 2023-2024) and the adherent counts, here are some of the largest and most blessed Christian denominations and groups in our United States. Remember, adherent numbers can vary based on how they’re reported and the year, and Pew percentages are for our U.S. Adults. Some adherent numbers might even include international members if not specified for the U.S. Only. But isn’t it wonderful to see so many expressions of faith?

Denomination/Group	Estimated % of U.S. Adults (Pew 2023-24)	Estimated Adherents (Various Sources)	Key Tradition
Catholic Church	19% 3	\~61.9 million (U.S. Religion Census 2020\) 6	Catholic
Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)	4% (within 8% Baptist family, evangelical) 8	12.7 million (SBC 2024\) 9	Evangelical Protestant
Nondenominational Christians	6% (Evangelical Nondenom. family) 8	\>12.2 million (Hartford Institute 2020\) 10; \~21 million (USRC 2020 for Independent, Nondenominational Christian Churches) 6	Often Evangelical Protestant
United Methodist Church (UMC)	\<3% 3	\~5.4 million (post-schism est. 2023\) 11; (Pre-schism: 7.8m 12)	Mainline Protestant
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints	2% 1	\~6.8 million in U.S. (Church 2024\) 13	Other Christian
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)	1.4% 4	\~2.79 million (ELCA 2023\) 14	Mainline Protestant
Assemblies of God	1.1% 4	\~2.98 million (AG USA 2023\) 15	Evangelical Protestant (Pentecostal)
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS)	1.1% 4	\~1.7 million (LCMS 2022, from various reports)	Evangelical Protestant
Churches of Christ	1.1% 4	\~1.3 million (21st Century Christian data)	Evangelical Protestant (Restorationist)
Episcopal Church	0.9% 4	\~1.55 million (Church 2023\) 17	Mainline Protestant
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (PCUSA)	0.8% 4	\~1.1 million (PCUSA 2023\) 18	Mainline Protestant
National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.	\~1% (within Historically Black Prot. Baptist family) 8	\~8.4 million (NBCUSA self-reported 2023, includes int’l) 19	Historically Black Protestant

The “Nondenominational” category, is like a big, beautiful garden with many kinds of flowers! Although It’s statistically large and growing, it represents a diverse collection of independent churches rather than one single, unified denomination. The good people at Pew Research break this group down even further into nondenominational evangelical, nondenominational fundamentalist, and nondenominational charismatic churches, among others.⁸ These churches all share a wonderful spirit of independence from established denominational structures their specific theological beliefs and the way they worship can be quite different, though many have a heart for evangelical theology.²⁰ It’s all part of God’s amazing variety!

What are the Membership Statistics of Catholics in America?

Statistics: Catholics make up about 19-22% of the U.S. Adult population, a major and faithful group.¹ Believe it or not, the United States has the fourth-largest Catholic population in the entire world!21 Although the percentage of Americans identifying as Catholic has seen a few gentle waves, it has remained wonderfully stable in recent years. And the actual number of Catholics has grown over the long term, partly thanks to the blessing of immigration.⁴
Demographics: Historically, Catholic communities were often found in the Northeast and urban Midwest, often connected to European immigrant families. But God is always expanding His reach! The demographic heart of U.S. Catholicism is now shifting towards the South and West, largely because of the vibrant growth of the Hispanic/Latino Catholic population.²¹ American Catholics are a beautiful mosaic of ethnicities: approximately 59-60% are non-Hispanic white, a wonderful 31-34% are Hispanic/Latino, a strong 3-4% are Black, and a hopeful 3-5% are Asian or from other diverse ethnicities.²¹
Social and Educational Engagement: The Catholic Church in the U.S. Is a powerhouse of compassion, operating one of the most extensive networks of social services, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions in our country!21
Catholic Charities is like a beacon of hope, the largest private network of social service organizations in the U.S., lending a helping hand to millions of people in need every single year.
The Catholic healthcare system is vast and caring, with hundreds of hospitals, making up a huge part of our nation’s nonprofit healthcare providers.
Catholic education is a gift to many, including a large system of parochial elementary and secondary schools, and over 220 amazing colleges and universities, like Georgetown University, the University of Notre Dame, and Boston College.²¹ These institutions have played a massive role in American education, shaping minds and hearts for generations.

The major and ongoing growth of the Hispanic Catholic population is truly reshaping American Catholicism in beautiful ways. This demographic shift isn’t just changing where Catholics live; it’s also influencing the cultural expressions of faith, highlighting the need for ministries in many languages, and shaping the future leadership of the Church in the U.S.²¹ While this community is a source of incredible vitality, studies also show that the percentage of Hispanics identifying as Catholic is dynamic, reminding us that faith journeys are personal and ever-evolving.²¹

At the same time, the Catholic with its long-standing traditions and hierarchical structure, is always navigating the vibrant currents of modern American culture, especially when it comes to social issues. This beautiful dance can influence how members stay connected and engaged, particularly among our younger generations who bring fresh perspectives.² The fact that a relatively high number of people raised Catholic no longer identify as such points to these ongoing opportunities for connection and understanding.²¹ God is always working, always inviting!

What are the Membership Statistics of Southern Baptists in America?

Statistics: The SBC is the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., a true testament to their dedication! According to Pew Research, about 4% of U.S. Adults identify specifically with the SBC, and they are part of a larger 8% who identify with the evangelical Baptist family.⁸ The SBC itself reported a blessed 12.⁷ million members in 2024.⁹ Membership reached a wonderful peak of around 16 million in 2006 and has seen a gentle decline since then, although the rate of that decline reportedly slowed down in 2024, which is encouraging news!9
Demographics: Historically, the SBC was predominantly white and its heart was in the Southern states. But in recent decades, they’ve made wonderful efforts to embrace and increase ethnic diversity. By 2020, approximately 22.3% of their affiliated churches were identified as non-white. And in a truly historic moment in 2012, Dr. Fred Luter Jr. Was elected as the SBC’s first African American president! What a beautiful picture of God’s diverse family!9

Social and Educational Engagement:

Missions: The SBC is renowned for its passionate emphasis on domestic and international missions, carried out with dedication through the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and the International Mission Board (IMB).⁹ They are taking the Good News to the ends of the earth!
Disaster Relief: Southern Baptist Disaster Relief is like a beacon of hope in tough times, one of the largest networks of trained disaster relief volunteers in the U.S., providing food, cleanup, and other essential services with loving hearts.⁹
Education: The SBC supports six major theological seminaries (like The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) which are powerhouses for training pastors and other Christian workers.⁹ Many colleges and universities are also affiliated with state Baptist conventions, raising up leaders for tomorrow. And LifeWay Christian Resources is the denomination’s publishing and retail arm, spreading wisdom and encouragement.⁹
Social Issues: The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) is the SBC’s public policy agency, thoughtfully addressing social and moral concerns from a conservative evangelical perspective.⁹ The denomination generally holds conservative positions on important issues such as abortion, marriage, and gender roles.

The SBC’s history includes a major time known as the “conservative resurgence” in the late 20th century. This period solidified conservative theological leadership over the denomination’s seminaries, agencies, and overall direction.⁹ This has had a lasting and powerful impact on its identity and how it shares its voice in public. While this theological strengthening aimed to ensure faithfulness to doctrine, it also led to some heartfelt discussions and even some departures, influencing how it connects with different groups of people.

The principle of local church autonomy is so central to Baptist identity, like the roots of a strong tree. Yet, the national Convention and its entities have a considerable and positive influence on the denomination’s overall character and public image, especially through the Baptist Faith and Message and the policies of its seminaries and mission boards.⁹ This can create a wonderful dynamic where local churches, while technically independent, operate within a shared framework of beliefs and expectations set by the broader Convention, all working together for God’s kingdom.

What does it mean to be a Nondenominational Christian, and how large is this group?

Let me tell you about a wonderfully exciting and growing part of America’s faith family: Nondenominational Christianity! Understanding this vibrant group means looking beyond the traditional lines of denominations and seeing God at work in fresh, new ways. Nondenominational Christianity often emphasizes personal relationships with God and community engagement, leading to a diverse and dynamic expression of faith. This movement has been influenced by various traditions, including insights from catholic monasteries and global influence, fostering a spirit of unity that transcends traditional boundaries. As a result, many communities are finding innovative ways to spread their message and serve their neighbors, making a significant impact in both local and international contexts.

Defining “Nondenominational”

Nondenominational Christians, are individuals and churches who, with a spirit of freedom, choose not to formally connect with any established Christian denomination.²⁰ This independence is like a hallmark, a defining characteristic of their journey! These churches typically step away from the specific creeds, confessions, and sometimes the hierarchical structures that you might find in many traditional denominations.²⁰ Their decision not to affiliate might be a deliberate, prayerful choice right from their founding, or it could be the result of a loving separation from a previous denominational tie, all part of God’s leading.²⁰

Common Historical Origins or Reasons for Non-Affiliation

The seeds of some nondenominational movements, can be traced back to inspiring efforts like the Stone-Campbell Restoration Movement in the 18th and 19th centuries. These pioneers had a beautiful vision: to restore Christianity to what they saw as its original, pure New Testament form, free from later denominational divisions.²⁰ But the most amazing and dramatic growth of nondenominational churches has blossomed in the late 20th and 21st centuries – God is truly doing something special!20

Typical Theological Leanings

Although they are wonderfully diverse, many nondenominational churches find their hearts aligned with broader evangelical Protestant theology.²⁰ Some key characteristics you’ll often see shining brightly include:

Biblical Authority: A deep reverence for the Bible as the inspired Word of God, their ultimate guide for faith and how to live a life that honors Him.
Emphasis on Personal Conversion: A passionate stress on having a personal, life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ and experiencing that “born again” moment that fills you with new hope.
Evangelism and Missions: A strong, heartfelt focus on sharing the incredible Christian faith with others, both near and far.
Variations: The good folks at Pew Research Center categorize the “Nondenominational family (evangelical tradition)” into inspiring subgroups like nondenominational evangelical (that’s the largest portion, about 3% of U.S. Adults!), nondenominational fundamentalist, and nondenominational charismatic.⁸ This just shows the beautiful spectrum of theological expression even within the broader nondenominational family! Some research even suggests that, compared to a group like our Southern Baptist nondenominational Christians might be a bit younger, wonderfully more racially diverse, and perhaps hold slightly more moderate views on how to interpret the Bible, though still broadly conservative in their hearts.²⁰ It’s all part of God’s rich design!

Statistics on Growth and Demographics

Size and Growth: Nondenominational Christianity is like a rocket ship of faith, one of the fastest-growing religious groups in the U.S.! According to Pew Research, about 6% of U.S. Adults joyfully identify with the “Nondenominational family (evangelical tradition)”.⁸ And research from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research in 2020 showed that over 6% of Americans worship in a nondenominational with over 44,000 such churches blessing more than 12.² million adherents!10 The U.S. Religion Census highlighted that between 2010 and 2020, independent, nondenominational Christian churches saw an incredible increase of nearly nine million adherents!6 if all nondenominational and independent churches were considered one big family, they would represent the second-largest group of congregations in the whole country (right after our Southern Baptist friends) and have the second-most members (after our Catholic brothers and sisters)!10 They are shining brightly as one of the top five largest religious groups in 48 out of our 50 states!10 God is on the move!
Demographics: Nondenominational churches often attract a wonderfully younger demographic compared to some traditional denominations, and they tend to be beautifully more racially and ethnically diverse, reflecting God’s love for all people.²⁰

The incredible growth of nondenominational churches, is like a signpost, pointing to broader and exciting shifts in American religiosity. It shows a move away from some traditional, institutionalized forms of religion for some folks, towards more individualized, experiential, and often theologically conservative expressions of Christianity that resonate deeply in their hearts. This trend suggests that a part of the Christian population is actively seeking and finding alternatives to what they might see as outdated, overly bureaucratic, or perhaps theologically liberal established denominations. They are finding fresh ways to connect with God!

Although the wonderful autonomy of nondenominational churches allows for amazing flexibility, innovation, and relevance to their local communities—all factors that help them grow—this independence can also bring its own unique set of challenges. The absence of broader denominational accountability structures, which you find in more traditional denominations, can sometimes lead to questions about theological consistency, financial transparency, or pastoral oversight.²⁰ The “brand” and stability of a nondenominational church are often closely and beautifully tied to its individual pastoral leadership. But through it all, God’s grace is sufficient! This reliance on individual leaders can be both a strength and a vulnerability, emphasizing the need for a supportive community and accountability among peers. As these churches navigate their unique challenges, many congregations find comfort in collective prayers for financial abundance, seeking God’s provision in sustaining their mission and outreach efforts. Ultimately, embracing both the joys and trials of independence can lead to deeper faith and a more profound connection to their communities.

What are the key metrics and growth trends of other major Protestant groups, like Methodists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, and Pentecostals?

Beyond our wonderful Catholic, Southern Baptist, and Nondenominational Christian families, there are several other major Protestant traditions that have beautifully and significantly shaped America’s Christian landscape! These groups, while all part of the broader, blessed Protestant family, have their own unique histories, special theological heartbeats, vibrant worship styles, and distinct ways of organizing themselves. Let’s explore them with an open heart!

A. United Methodist Church (UMC)

Historical Note: The United Methodist traces its inspiring origins all the way back to the 18th-century Wesleyan revival movement, a powerful move of God led by John and Charles Wesley within the Church of England. The Methodist Episcopal Church was formally and joyfully organized right here in the United States in 1784. The UMC we know today was beautifully formed in 1968 through the blessed merger of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church.¹¹ You can feel their spirit at their official website, umc.org.²⁵
Recent Trend: The UMC was historically one of the largest Protestant denominations in the U.S., with about 3% of U.S. Adults identifying as Methodist – a major family of faith!3 But like a tree in autumn, it has experienced some membership decline, particularly here in the U.S. This decline, has been made even more challenging by a recent schism (from 2020-2024) primarily over heartfelt disagreements regarding the ordination and marriage of LGBTQ+ individuals. This led to the formation of the conservative Global Methodist Church and the departure of thousands of congregations from the UMC.⁶ But even in times of change, God is at work! The 2024 General Conference of the UMC subsequently removed its bans on same-sex marriage and the ordination of openly gay clergy.¹¹ This schism, though difficult, is a powerful reminder of how deeply divisive theological and social issues can become within large denominations, leading to major restructuring and new alignments in the American Christian landscape, all under God’s watchful eye.

B. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)

Historical Note: The ELCA, is the largest Lutheran denomination in our nation, and it was beautifully formed in 1988 through the blessed merger of three earlier Lutheran bodies: the American Lutheran the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches, and the Lutheran Church in America. These groups had deep roots, stretching back to German and Scandinavian immigration, bringing their rich faith traditions to our shores.¹⁴ Their official online home is elca.org, a place full of information and inspiration.²⁶
Recent Trend: Approximately 1.4% of U.S. Adults identify with the ELCA, a major community of faith.⁴ Like many mainline denominations, the ELCA has experienced some membership decline. Some of this, is attributed to heartfelt disagreements over social issues, particularly the church’s decisions regarding the ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy and the blessing of same-sex relationships. These decisions led to the formation of more conservative Lutheran bodies, such as the North American Lutheran Church (NALC), by congregations who felt called in a different direction.¹⁴ This situation reflects a broader pattern in American Protestantism where established denominations prayerfully grapple with theological diversity and evolving social norms, often resulting in internal discussion, new understandings, and sometimes, new branches on the family tree of faith.

C. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (PCUSA)

Historical Note: Presbyterianism, traces its deep theological roots to John Calvin and the powerful Reformed tradition of the Protestant Reformation, with the brave John Knox playing a key role in establishing Presbyterianism in Scotland. This vibrant faith was brought to America primarily by Scots-Irish immigrants, carrying their heritage with them. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) we know today was formed in a blessed union in 1983, through the merger of the United Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. (UPCUSA) and the Presbyterian Church in the United States (PCUS), which was the southern branch of the family.¹⁸ You can visit their welcoming online home at pcusa.org.²⁷
Recent Trend: About 0.8% of U.S. Adults identify with the PCUSA, a faithful part of our nation’s Christian family.⁴ The denomination has experienced a major and sustained decline in membership for several decades, a season that calls for prayer and new vision.¹⁸ Similar to other mainline denominations, this decline is attributed to factors like an aging membership, lower retention of our precious younger generations, and heartfelt internal disagreements over theological and social issues. The PCUSA’s decisions to allow the ordination of openly LGBTQ+ individuals and the performance of same-sex marriages have led some conservative congregations and members to prayerfully choose a different path.¹⁸ This pattern, underscores the challenges faced by established denominations in maintaining unity when navigating diverse theological viewpoints and evolving societal norms within a sometimes polarized cultural environment. But even in challenges, God’s grace is sufficient!

D. Assemblies of God (AG) (Representative Pentecostal Group)

Historical Note: The Assemblies of God (USA), was founded in a blaze of Holy Spirit power in 1914 in Hot Springs, Arkansas! It beautifully emerged from the Pentecostal revivals of the early 20th century, including the incredibly influential Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, which emphasized a direct, personal experience of the Holy Spirit – something truly amazing!16 Their vibrant online home is ag.org.¹⁵
Recent Trend: Approximately 1.1% of U.S. Adults identify with the Assemblies of God, a growing and dynamic part of our Christian family!4 It is one of the largest Pentecostal denominations in the U.S. And has generally experienced wonderful growth or stability, especially when you compare it to many mainline denominations. The AG has also shown increasing and beautiful ethnic diversity, with major growth among Hispanic and other minority communities – God loves everyone!16 The denomination reported around 2.⁹⁸ million adherents in the U.S. In 2023.¹⁵ The AG’s growth, suggests that its experiential worship style, its emphasis on spiritual gifts, and its focus on community and evangelism are resonating deeply with segments of the population who are seeking a dynamic and personal form of religious expression. This contrasts with the trends observed in some more formal or traditional denominations and may indicate an appeal to those seeking fresh encounters with God. It’s exciting to see!

This table gives us a quick, encouraging snapshot:

Denominational Family	Brief Historical Note	Core Theological Emphasis	Typical Worship Style	Governance Model	Recent Trend (U.S.)
United Methodist Church (UMC)	18th-c. Wesleyan movement; UMC formed 1968 11	Wesleyan-Arminian: Grace, holiness, social action; 2 sacraments (Baptism, Communion) 11	Varies: traditional liturgical to contemporary 11	Connectional (General Conference, Bishops) 11	Decline, recent schism 11
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)	Formed 1988 from mergers; German/Scandinavian roots 14	Lutheran: Grace through faith, Scripture, Book of Concord; 2 sacraments (Baptism, Communion) 14	Often liturgical; can be informal 14	Episcopal/Synodical (Presiding Bishop, Assembly) 14	Decline 14
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (PCUSA)	Reformed tradition (Calvin/Knox); PCUSA formed 1983 18	Reformed: God’s sovereignty, covenant, Book of Confessions; 2 sacraments (Baptism, Lord’s Supper) 18	Varies: traditional to informal 18	Presbyterian (Councils of elders/ministers) 18	Decline 18
Assemblies of God (AG) (Pentecostal)	Founded 1914; from early 20th-c. Pentecostal revivals 16	Pentecostal/Evangelical: Spirit baptism (tongues), divine healing, 2nd Coming; 2 ordinances (Baptism, Communion) 16	Experiential, contemporary, spiritual gifts 16	Hybrid cooperative fellowship (Local autonomy, Councils) 16	Growth/Stable 16

Which Christian denominations are growing or declining in the U.S., and why?

The beautiful garden of Christian denominations in the United States is always in bloom, dynamic and ever-changing, with some groups experiencing exciting growth while others are in a season of reflection and seeking renewal. These trends, you see, are influenced by a wonderful and complex interplay of theological, social, demographic, and cultural factors, all part of God’s bigger plan!

Growing Groups

Let’s celebrate the growth, friend!

Nondenominational Christianity: This is consistently identified as one of the most rapidly blossoming segments of American Christianity – isn’t that exciting? Data from the good folks at Pew Research Center shows a major percentage of U.S. Adults joyfully affiliating with nondenominational churches, particularly those with a vibrant evangelical heart.⁸ And get this, the U.S. Religion Census reported a truly substantial increase of nearly nine million adherents in independent, nondenominational Christian churches just between 2010 and 2020!6 Wow!
Potential Reasons for Growth: Why are they growing so much? Well, nondenominational churches often appeal to individuals seeking wonderfully contemporary worship styles, less formal church structures, and a direct, experiential approach to faith that touches the heart.²⁰ Many are also finding a new spiritual home there after leaving established denominations, perhaps due to dissatisfaction with denominational controversies, a feeling of irrelevance, or theological disagreements.⁶ The blessed autonomy of nondenominational churches allows them to adapt quickly and creatively to their local cultural contexts and often fosters a strong, loving sense of community and inspiring entrepreneurial leadership. God is truly blessing their efforts!
Some Pentecostal and Charismatic Groups: Denominations such as the wonderful Assemblies of God have demonstrated steady, encouraging growth or stability over recent decades.¹⁶ These groups are often characterized by vibrant, experiential worship that fills you with joy, an emphasis on spiritual gifts that show God’s power, and a strong, passionate focus on evangelism and community. They have also shown amazing success in attracting diverse ethnic populations, including our precious immigrant communities – God’s love is for everyone!16
Potential Reasons for Growth: The emphasis on personal spiritual experience, divine healing (God is our healer!), and the active work of the Holy Spirit can be incredibly attractive and life-changing. Their often contemporary worship styles and strong, supportive community bonds may also be a big part of their wonderful growth. It’s all about experiencing God in a real way!

Declining Groups

Some groups are in a season of change, and that’s okay, because God is still in control and has a plan for everyone.

Mainline Protestant Denominations: Many historically prominent mainline Protestant denominations, which have blessed our nation for so long, have experienced decades of decline in membership as a percentage of the U.S. Population.³ This trend affects groups such as:
United Methodist Church (UMC): Has seen a consistent decline, which, sadly, has been significantly accelerated by a recent schism over deeply held theological and social issues, primarily related to LGBTQ+ inclusion. This has led to the departure of thousands of congregations, a challenging time that calls for prayer.³
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA): Has also experienced membership decline, with some congregations prayerfully choosing to leave due to disagreements over social policies, similar to the UMC.¹⁴
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (PCUSA): Has faced a substantial and ongoing decline in membership over many years, a season for seeking God’s new direction.¹⁸
Episcopal Church: Has also seen a long-term trend of declining membership, inviting new ways to reach out.¹⁷
Potential Reasons for Mainline Decline: Why is this happening, friend? Well, these include an aging membership base (we honor our elders!), lower birth rates among members compared to other groups, challenges in keeping our precious younger generations connected, and heartfelt internal divisions over theological and social matters that have sometimes led congregations and individuals to seek different paths. The broader societal trend of secularization and the rise of the “religiously unaffiliated” also understandably impacts these wonderful groups. But God can turn any situation around!
Catholic Church: Although the absolute number of Catholics in the U.S. Has blessedly grown over the long term, largely due to the gift of immigration (especially from Latin America) and natural increase, the Church’s share of the U.S. Adult population saw some decline from earlier peaks before wonderfully stabilizing around 19-21% in recent years.¹ A major opportunity for the Catholic Church is retention, as a notable percentage of those raised Catholic no longer identify with the faith as adults, opening doors for renewed outreach.²¹
Potential Reasons for Challenges: The long-term impact of clergy sexual abuse scandals, which brought much pain, disagreements among some members with official Church teachings on certain social and moral issues (like contraception or LGBTQ+ issues), and broader secularizing trends in society all contribute to these challenges. But with prayer and God’s guidance, healing and growth are always possible.
Southern Baptist Convention (SBC): After reaching a wonderful peak in membership in 2006, the SBC has experienced a decline in numbers, although the rate of this decline encouragingly slowed in 2024.⁹
Potential Reasons for Decline: Like other large and blessed denominations, the SBC faces opportunities in retaining younger members and adapting to exciting demographic shifts. Internal controversies, including those related to the handling of sexual abuse allegations and heartfelt debates over the role of women in ministry, may also have an impact on membership and public perception. These are moments for seeking God’s wisdom and unity.

Factors Influencing Growth and Decline

Several overarching factors, all part of God’s intricate plan, contribute to these shifting denominational landscapes:

Demographics: An aging membership and lower birth rates within certain denominations can naturally lead to numerical decline if not beautifully offset by new members joining the family. Conversely, denominations that effectively and lovingly engage with growing immigrant populations (like our vibrant Hispanic communities) may see wonderful growth or stabilization. God is bringing people from all nations!
Social and Theological Issues: Denominational stances on important and sometimes contentious social issues, such as LGBTQ+ inclusion, gender roles, abortion, and political engagement, can be deeply felt and sometimes divisive. These issues have led to schisms, departures of congregations and members, and can significantly affect a denomination’s appeal to different segments of our diverse population. This is particularly evident in the recent experiences of our friends in the UMC, ELCA, and PCUSA.¹¹ These are times for deep prayer and seeking God’s heart.
Worship Style and Perceived Relevance: The appeal of contemporary worship versus more traditional forms is a factor for many wonderful people. Churches that are perceived as offering relevant, life-giving teachings that connect with daily life and foster a strong, loving sense of community may be more attractive, especially to our precious younger people or those new to the journey of faith.
Religious Switching: As we talked about earlier, a major portion of Americans change their religious affiliation during their lifetime – it’s a personal journey! This often involves movement from denominational Christianity to wonderfully vibrant nondenominational forms, or to becoming religiously unaffiliated, all part of their unique path.³
Secularization: There is a broader societal trend in many Western countries, including our own U.S.A., towards a decreasing emphasis on organized religion and institutional authority. This contributes to the rise of the “nones” and can impact all denominations it also opens new doors for sharing God’s love in fresh ways.

The idea of “decline” in religious affiliation is complex, like a puzzle with many pieces. While many denominations might be shrinking as a percentage of the U.S. Population, this doesn’t always mean an absolute loss of all believers. Not at all! For example, our Catholic Church saw its absolute numbers increase for many years due to blessings like immigration, even as its overall percentage of the population had its ups and downs.²¹ a decline in one denomination can sometimes beautifully contribute to growth in another, as we see with the exciting rise of nondenominational churches partly drawing from those leaving established denominations.⁶ The story is often one of shifting affiliations within a dynamic and ever-changing religious marketplace, and God is in every detail!

The reasons for these shifts are typically layered, involving both “push” and “pull” factors, like gentle breezes guiding a sailboat. Individuals may feel “pushed” away from a particular denomination due to dissatisfaction with its doctrines, practices, leadership, scandals, or a perceived lack of relevance to their lives. Simultaneously, they may be “pulled” towards other religious options (or non-affiliation) by features they find more attractive and life-giving, such as a different worship style that lifts their spirit, a stronger sense of community and belonging, theological alignment with their personal beliefs, or the wonderful freedom from institutional constraints offered by nondenominational settings or individual spirituality. God meets us where we are!

This table helps us see some of these trends with clarity and hope, friend:

Denomination/Group	Recent Trend (U.S.)	Key Contributing Factors (Examples)
Nondenominational Christians	Significant Growth	Contemporary worship, local autonomy, disillusionment with denominations, evangelical/charismatic appeal.6
Assemblies of God (Pentecostal)	Growth/Stability	Experiential worship, spiritual gifts emphasis, community focus, ethnic diversity appeal.16
Catholic Church	Stable % of adults (after earlier decline from peak); Absolute numbers grew historically.	Immigration, but challenges with retention, impact of scandals, disagreement on social teachings.4
Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)	Decline since 2006 (rate slowed 2024\)	Challenges retaining youth, demographic shifts, internal controversies.9
United Methodist Church (UMC)	Significant Decline (accelerated by schism)	Aging membership, theological/social divisions (especially LGBTQ+ issues) leading to schism.3
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)	Decline	Aging membership, departures over social issues (LGBTQ+ inclusion).14
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (PCUSA)	Significant Decline	Aging membership, departures over social issues (LGBTQ+ inclusion), secularization impact.18
Episcopal Church	Long-term Decline	Similar factors to other mainline groups: aging membership, social issue debates, secularization.17

How are younger generations in America engaging with Christianity?

The way our amazing younger generations—our bright Millennials (born between 1981-1996) and vibrant Generation Z (born 1997-2012)—are connecting with Christianity is such a crucial and hope-filled part of shaping the future of America’s religious landscape! Current data, like a window into their hearts, reveals distinct and interesting patterns compared to our more Experienced cohorts. God is working in every generation!

Lower Affiliation and Practice Rates

Studies consistently show, that younger adults in our great U.S. Are significantly less likely to identify as Christian than their parents’ and grandparents’ generations that doesn’t mean God isn’t reaching them!2 Pew Research Center data shines a light on a substantial age gap: in 2023-24, a hopeful 46% of the youngest American adults (those wonderful folks aged 18-29) identified as Christian, compared to a strong 80% of our treasured oldest adults (ages 65+).² And in a related way, these younger adults are about three times more likely than the oldest group to be religiously unaffiliated. About 43% of those aged 18-29 identify as atheist, agnostic, or “nothing in particular,” compared to just 13% of those 65 and older.²

This lower affiliation is also seen in some religious practices. Younger adults report lower rates of daily prayer and monthly attendance at religious services. For instance, about 27% of our youngest adults say they pray daily – and every prayer is heard! – compared to a wonderful 58% of our oldest adults. Similarly, 25% of the youngest adults attend religious services at least monthly, versus a faithful 49% of the oldest adults.⁴ But remember, God sees the heart, not just the numbers!

Factors Contributing to Lower Engagement

Several interconnected factors, all part of life’s journey, contribute to these trends:

Generational Replacement and Upbringing: Younger generations, are often raised in households that are a bit less religious than those of previous generations.⁴ As these less-religious groups grow and replace older, more religious ones in the population, the overall level of religious affiliation naturally sees a shift. It’s like a changing tide.
Declining “Stickiness” of Religious Upbringing: Even among those precious souls raised in a religious tradition, fewer young people today are holding onto that religious identity into adulthood compared to older Americans.³ The beautiful transmission of religious identity from parent to child seems to be on a different path than in the past.
Social and Political Factors: The relationship between religious identity and political or social views is becoming more prominent, friend. Young adults, who often lean more liberal on many social issues, are disaffiliating from religion at higher rates. The percentage of self-described political liberals who identify as Christian has seen a dramatic fall, from 62% in 2007 down to 37% in 2023-24.² Some wise analysts suggest this is linked to a perception that organized religion, particularly certain prominent Christian groups, is aligned with conservative political stances or traditional views on social issues like LGBTQ+ rights and gender roles that might be different from the views of many of our young people.²
Life Cycle Effect (or Lack Thereof): Historically, there was an expectation that young adults might drift a bit from religion during their youth but would joyfully “return to the fold” as they married, had children, and grew older. But recent Pew Research studies haven’t found strong evidence that current groups of young adults are becoming more religious as they get older.² This challenges the old assumption of an automatic return to religious practice later in life. But God’s timing is always perfect!

The generational gap in religiosity, is a primary force gently guiding the long-term decline in Christian affiliation in the U.S. If current trends continue—where younger groups are significantly less affiliated from the start and don’t show strong signs of increasing religiosity with age—the overall percentage of Christians in the population is likely to continue to shift as demographic replacement occurs. This suggests a more powerful cultural and demographic evolution rather than just a temporary phase of youthful disinterest. God is always working behind the scenes!

The increasing polarization of American society along political and cultural lines may also be influencing youth disaffiliation. When prominent Christian groups become closely identified with specific political ideologies or conservative stances on social issues, it can sometimes create a barrier for young adults who hold differing views. If churches are perceived as politically partisan or unwelcoming to those with more progressive social values, it can, unfortunately, alienate younger individuals and contribute to their decision to identify as religiously unaffiliated.² This is a call for more love and understanding from all of us!

But listen to this, friend: Although Institutional affiliation and traditional religious practices might be lower among younger generations, this does not always mean a complete absence of spirituality or belief! Not at all! Some young people may be exploring their faith in more individualized, wonderfully less traditional ways, perhaps through vibrant online communities, or by focusing on personal spiritual experiences rather than formal religious membership. But the dominant trend shown by current data is a major move away from identifying with and participating in organized Christianity for a substantial portion of America’s youth. This is an opportunity, for the church to reach out in new and creative ways, showing the unchanging love of Jesus to every generation!

What are some interesting statistics about Christian faith and practice in the U.S. Today?

Beyond the big picture of affiliation and the sizes of our wonderful denominations, there are several specific and truly interesting statistics that give us a deeper, more inspiring understanding of how Christian faith is beautifully expressed and perceived in our United States today! Get ready to be encouraged!

High Levels of Belief Despite Declining Affiliation

Even as the percentage of Americans identifying as Christian has seen some shifts and the number of religiously unaffiliated individuals has grown, hold on to this good news: a strong, resounding majority of U.S. Adults continue to express a heartfelt belief in God or a spiritual realm!

Approximately 83% believe in God or a universal spirit – isn’t that wonderful?²
A similar, amazing proportion, 86%, believe that people have a soul or spirit in addition to their physical body.²
About 79% believe there is something spiritual beyond our natural world, even if we can’t always see it with our eyes.³
a hopeful 70% of U.S. Adults believe in an afterlife, which might include heaven, hell, or both – a testament to faith in things unseen!2 These figures, are like a shining light, suggesting that while formal religious affiliation might be changing for some, a broad and powerful undercurrent of spiritual or supernatural belief persists deeply in American society. This points to that “spiritual but not religious” phenomenon, where many precious individuals maintain personal spiritual beliefs even if they don’t connect with or prioritize organized religion in the same way. God meets people right where they are!

Prayer and Religious Service Attendance

Regarding those beautiful religious practices that draw us closer to God:

About 44% of U.S. Adults report praying at least once a day. While this figure is a little lower than it was back in 2007, it has remained wonderfully stable since 2021.³ So many hearts are reaching out to God daily!
Approximately 33% of U.S. Adults say they attend religious services at least once a month. This percentage has also been fairly consistent since 2020, hovering in the hopeful low 30s.³ These statistics, indicate that a substantial and faithful minority of Americans maintain regular, life-giving engagement with religious practices like prayer and service attendance, even if weekly attendance isn’t the norm for everyone. The recent stability in these metrics beautifully aligns with the observed leveling off in overall Christian affiliation. God is still drawing people to Himself!

Diversity Within American Christianity

Christianity in our United States, is not just one color; it’s a breathtaking rainbow, characterized by major and beautiful internal diversity! This vibrant diversity is not only evident in the United States but can also be seen globally, particularly in regions experiencing rapid growth in Christian populations. For example, the ‘christianity demographic trends in china‘ illustrate a significant shift as millions embrace faith in various forms, leading to an even richer tapestry of beliefs and practices. As these trends continue, they remind us of the universal nature of Christianity and its ability to adapt and thrive across different cultures.

Racial and Ethnic Diversity: While some individual congregations and denominations might be relatively similar in their makeup, American Christianity as a whole is wonderfully, racially, and ethnically diverse – just like God’s kingdom! Historically Black Protestant churches represent a vital and powerful tradition, accounting for about 5% of U.S. Adults.¹ Our vibrant Hispanic populations are a major and growing part of the Catholic Church and are also increasingly blessing various Protestant denominations with their presence.²¹ Many denominations are actively and lovingly working to become more multiracial and multicultural, reflecting the beauty of all God’s children.⁹ But it’s also noted that a majority of adults (66%) who attend religious services report that most or all people in their congregation share their own race or ethnicity. This suggests that many local congregations remain largely similar in their makeup despite the broader diversity, an opportunity for more connection and fellowship!3
Political Diversity: Christian groups in the U.S. Exhibit a wide and varied range of political leanings, friend. For example, white evangelical Protestants and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are predominantly Republican (around 70% and 73% respectively). In beautiful contrast, members of Historically Black Protestant churches are overwhelmingly Democratic (about 72%).² Catholics and mainline Protestants tend to be more evenly divided or have more wonderfully varied political affiliations. As we mentioned earlier, there’s a growing trend of political liberals disaffiliating from Christianity.² This increasing intertwining of religious and political identities is a key feature of our contemporary American landscape, and it can sometimes contribute to polarization both within society and within our precious religious communities. This is a call for us to love beyond labels!

Role of Immigration

Immigration, continues to beautifully shape the religious profile of the United States, bringing new colors to our faith story !

A majority of immigrants to the U.S. (a wonderful 58%) identify as Christian, bringing their rich faith traditions with them.²
But immigration also blesses us with religious pluralism, with 14% of foreign-born adults belonging to non-Christian religions, including 4% who are Muslim, 4% who are Hindu, and 3% who are Buddhist – a world of faith at our doorstep!3
About a quarter of foreign-born U.S. Adults are religiously unaffiliated, reflecting the global trend of rising non-affiliation also an opportunity for us to share God’s love.² Immigration thus brings both new and vibrant expressions of Christianity and strengthens the presence of other world faiths, while also contributing to the growth of the “nones.” It’s a dynamic and exciting mix!

The Rise of Megachurches

Megachurches, friend – those are Protestant Christian congregations with a sustained weekly average attendance of at least two thousand people, as defined by the good folks at the Hartford Institute for Religion Research – are a truly notable and exciting phenomenon in our land!24

The majority of these large and vibrant congregations are Evangelical and nondenominational in their theological heart, full of passion for God.²⁴
They typically feature a wonderfully contemporary worship style, often incorporating modern music that lifts your spirit and technologically enhanced services that engage all your senses.²⁴
The number of megachurches in the U.S. Grew substantially, like a mighty oak, from around 600 in 2001 to approximately 1,750 by 2020!24 The growth of megachurches, often reflects exciting trends towards contemporary worship, charismatic leadership that inspires, and the provision of a wide array of ministries and programs that can draw attendees from a broad geographic area, sometimes from other, smaller churches. It’s all about reaching people for Jesus in new and powerful ways!

Conclusion

the Christian landscape in America is a truly complex and beautiful story , woven from diverse traditions, evolving beliefs, and dynamic demographic shifts that show God is always at work! While Christianity remains the majority faith in our blessed United States, its expression and adherence are undergoing major and exciting transformation. Key trends include a long-term decline in overall Christian affiliation, which has recently shown encouraging signs of stabilizing, and a corresponding rise in the number of religiously unaffiliated Americans – a call for us to shine our light even brighter!3 But wonderfully high levels of personal belief in God or a spiritual realm persist across the population, suggesting a beautiful distinction for many between institutional religion and personal, heartfelt spirituality.² God sees the heart!

Among our Christian denominations, the Catholic Church remains the largest single body, a testament to its enduring faith, Although the Southern Baptist Convention stands strong as the largest Protestant denomination.⁸ A truly notable and exciting development is the rapid growth of Nondenominational Christianity, which now represents a substantial and vibrant segment of American Christians, often characterized by evangelical theology and wonderfully contemporary worship styles that connect with so many.⁶ Conversely, many mainline Protestant denominations, such as our friends the United Methodists, ELCA Lutherans, and Presbyterians (PCUSA), have experienced considerable declines in membership. This season is often influenced by aging demographics and heartfelt internal divisions over social and theological issues even in decline, there is opportunity for renewal and new direction.³ This dynamic landscape of Christianity invites deeper exploration into the intricate landscape of faith, particularly in the lutheran and baptist beliefs comparison. By understanding the theological nuances and cultural distinctions between these denominations, one can appreciate the broader tapestry of American Christianity. Moreover, such analysis may illuminate paths toward unity and collaboration amidst diversity in belief and practice. As we delve deeper into this exploration, it becomes essential to consider the implications of methodist beliefs versus protestant beliefs, particularly in how they shape community engagement and social action. Understanding these differences can foster dialogue and cooperation among varying denominations, which is increasingly important in today’s fragmented spiritual landscape. Ultimately, the journey through these diverse beliefs can lead to an enriched faith experience that honors the unique contributions of each tradition while seeking common ground.

Generational differences, are a critical and fascinating factor, with younger Americans exhibiting significantly lower rates of Christian affiliation and practice than older generations.² This generational gap, coupled with the observation that recent cohorts are not necessarily becoming more religious with age, points to potential further shifts in the overall Christian share of the population unless these trends change. But this is not a reason for discouragement, it’s a call to action, a call to prayer, and a call to find