Nondenominational churches like Rooftop Church near St. Louis are growing by blending informal services and cultural references with Bible-centered teaching. Roughly 40,000 independent congregations now represent about 14% of Americans, up sharply from under 3% in 1972, according to the General Social Survey. Scholars say this trend—driven by a move away from formal denominational authority—could make nondenominational Christianity the nation's largest tradition within a generation. Leaders insist the style is intentional, not a lighter faith, and aims to reconnect scripture to people's daily lives.
Why Nondenominational Churches Are Growing: Inside Rooftop Church’s Casual, Bible-Centered Appeal
Nondenominational churches like Rooftop Church near St. Louis are growing by blending informal services and cultural references with Bible-centered teaching. Roughly 40,000 independent congregations now represent about 14% of Americans, up sharply from under 3% in 1972, according to the General Social Survey. Scholars say this trend—driven by a move away from formal denominational authority—could make nondenominational Christianity the nation's largest tradition within a generation. Leaders insist the style is intentional, not a lighter faith, and aims to reconnect scripture to people's daily lives.
11:44 AM, 11/18/2025Society
Why nondenominational churches are surging
At Rooftop Church, just outside St. Louis, Missouri, worship looks and feels informal — baseball caps and jeans replace collars and robes. Lead pastor Matt Herndon sets a conversational, culturally aware tone on Sundays, using videos and pop-culture references alongside scripture to connect with attendees.
“When a lot of people come in, they do notice some things that maybe they wouldn't see at other churches, [like] oh that's strange, he's wearing a hat. Oh, we just watched a video clip from 'Beauty and the Beast,'” Herndon said. “We really do want to engage with people in a way that they can understand and lean into.'”
Numbers and trends
Rooftop is one of an estimated 40,000 nondenominational Christian churches in the United States — congregations that root their teaching in the Bible but operate independently of denominational hierarchies. According to the General Social Survey, in 1972 fewer than 3% of Americans identified as nondenominational Christians; today that share is about 14%, roughly 40 million people.
“Nondenominational is actually the strongest force in American Christianity right now,” said Ryan Burge, a scholar of religion at Washington University. “They really talk about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Many of them preach a conservative gospel on issues like abortion and same-sex marriage, but they don't lead with those things.'”
What draws people in
Members like Anna and Nathan King say the looser organizational structure and conversational style are part of the draw. Raised in traditional churches, they appreciate Rooftop's emphasis on questioning traditions thoughtfully and on leaders who sit among the congregation rather than above them.
Herndon describes the approach as “big tent Christianity” — a model that focuses on core biblical teachings while using accessible language, media, and cultural touchpoints to make scripture relevant to everyday life. When critics call such services “Christianity light,” Herndon pushes back: “I emphatically disagree. We dig really deep into scripture; we just try to figure out, what does this mean for people?”
What it means for American religion
Observers say the growth of nondenominational churches reflects a broader move away from formal denominational authority toward more decentralized, locally governed congregations. Some scholars, including Burge, suggest this movement could make nondenominational Christians the country's largest religious tradition within the next decade or two if current trends continue.
Whether labeled innovative or controversial, nondenominational congregations are reshaping the landscape of American Christianity by prioritizing accessibility, personal faith, and new ways to connect scripture to contemporary life.