The Great Dechurching: A Call to Restore Faith via the Church

As millions step away from organized religion, we respond with action - equipping pastors, educating the next generation, and providing food for families in need. Partner with us through your donation to bring lasting spiritual and practical transformation in the Philippines.

In the last two decades, there has been a significant decline in affiliation with organized religions.

According to Pew Research's Religious Landscape Study, adults identifying as Christian dropped from 78% in 2007 to 62% in 2023-2024—a 16-point decline. Similarly, Gallup polls show formal church membership among U.S. adults fell from 70% in 1999 to 47% in 2020, the first time it dipped below the majority. Though the decline has leveled off recently, it signals a major cultural shift.

It's notable that non-Christian religions have grown to about 7%, but the bulk of the shift is to the unaffiliated category, including atheists (6%), agnostics (7%), and those claiming no particular affiliation (16%).

Groups like the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) highlight multiple reasons for departure.

The most common is loss of belief in the denominational teachings (56% overall). The second is negative stances on the LGBTQ+ community (30%). Many say they grew up in non-religious families.

Others cite scandals involving leaders or churches aligning with politics.

What's more interesting, however, is that among those who've left organized religion, as many as 82% haven't abandoned faith in God or a higher power—many simply feel that organized religion has failed them.

Historically, many who have left a church simply find another one or just create another denomination. This, aligns with data from the Center for the Study of Global Christianity (CSGC) at Gordon-Conwell

Theological Seminary, projecting 50,000 Christian denominations exist worldwide in 2025.

A staggering number.

In our work with individuals and church leaders, we've seen how division, competition, and distractions keep us from Jesus. Many denominations emphasize select scriptures, dismissing challenges. We've supported young adults chastised for questioning tenets that don't make sense—this group sees the greatest departures.

That's why I ask ministry leaders: What is the message of Ephesians 4:11-13?

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

How are we living this in our homes, communities, and country? We're in spiritual warfare, with evil being exposed and drawn into the light where it cannot survive. It is a time where we are called into a personal

relationship with God, not just a denomination. The battlefield is real.

I like to observe the world, and I have lived through countless personal failures and disappointments. So, I continually ask myself what works, why are some people so at peace despite often horrendous circumstances and some people so miserable despite having what most would consider everything? It took me decades to overcome my own denominational damage and pursue God personally—then everything changed. I believe we are witnessing a great revival; many who've left religion are finding freedom in seeking God directly.

My message here today is very simple, Jesus loves you and has carried all your burden and sins on that cross, no matter how ugly or hopeless you may think it is. There is freedom in discovering the depth of

God’s grace and that it is not tied to a denomination or to any work that you can do on your own. The real peace in life comes when we discover the joy that comes in serving others. If you are feeling lost,

abandoned, or in pain, there is a pathway to freedom. We invite you to join us in the journey (you can find us at www.ekb.world).

• Pastor Michael Durnin