Nondenominational Christians on the rise

The Nov. 17 CBS Evening News "Eye on America" report focused on what is considered a rising trend of Christians now attending nondenominational churches. Quoting research from the General Social Survey, the report mentioned that in 1972, "fewer than 3% of Americans identified as nondenominational Christians." Today, close to 40 million people identify as such. Stories like this always pique my interest due to my upbringing in a traditional Southern Black Baptist church in Athens, Georgia, during the 1970s and '80s. As a child, I often wondered what the difference was between being a Baptist or a Methodist, two of the predominant African American denominations in the community where I grew up. My 10-year-old self kept asking, since we all profess to believe in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, why are we separating ourselves? I later learned that there were differences in ceremonial rites, such as baptism, and other worship ordinances, such as the type of music played. Most people associate these customs with what they consider traditional churches. In the "Eye on America" news feature, CBS co-anchor Maurice DuBois began by stating that although attendance has declined among the major Christian denominations in the U.S., many people are flocking to "independent Christian churches." DuBois interviewed Matt Herndon, head pastor of Rooftop Church near St. Louis, Missouri, and Ryan Burge, a Washington University professor in St. Louis who studies the influence of religion in America. Herndon spoke of trying to better engage with his congregation through "a way that they can understand and lean into." Burge expressed that many nondenominational churches "really talk about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ." As I reflected on these points, I thought about two things. The first is the question Jesus posed to the multitudes in Matthew 11:7-9 about John the Baptist: What did they come out to see? Were they looking for someone impressive or a prophet? This question is undoubtedly applicable to Christians today. What are people coming to see at church? Are they looking for Jesus and a deeper relationship with God, or are they just sitting on the pews out of habit because they are comfortable with routine Sunday morning services? Many people desire an intimate spiritual walk with God, and I think this is one of the reasons many have left so-called traditional congregations. I have also found, as I'm growing in my relationship with God, that you cannot box Him in by religious conventions. Churches that cling to rigid formalities prevent the supernatural work of God through the Holy Spirit. Think of the miracles Jesus performed that the Bible records. Can you imagine how packed churches would be if the Holy Spirit were working through more Christians so that people were being delivered from emotional distress, set free from demonic strongholds, and made whole from diseases and physical ailments? My second point of reflection centered on Herndon's comment regarding connecting with his parishioners. He talked about using pop culture references to help illustrate biblical truth. While there is nothing inherently wrong with this, pastors must be careful not to allow what the Bible calls the "rudiments of the world" to infiltrate their churches. Examples of this are found in the Book of Revelation, where Christ speaks about the shortcomings of five of the seven churches that were revealed to John the Apostle. Ungodly cultural influences and idolatry had hindered members of the churches at Pergamos and Thyatira; members of the church at Ephesus had left "their first love"; the church at Sardis had become spiritually dead; and the church at Laodicea was "lukewarm," stuck in its own carnal contentment with no zeal for God or ministry work. An overemphasis on culture can lead to dangerous complacency if no correction and guidance are provided for teaching people how to overcome sin and live a Godly lifestyle. I believe that many Americans who are stepping away from religious tradition in churches truly want something more profound spiritually. Hebrews 11:6 says that those who come to God in faith will be rewarded. I pray that a revival of faith is kindled for those who are sincerely seeking Him. Dr. Jessica A. Johnson is a lecturer in the English department at Ohio State University's Lima campus. Email her at smojc.jj@gmail.com.