Brad Ruggles had already begun grappling with his evangelical faith when he was called to establish a small church in a north Indianapolis suburb. While pastoring over his 200-member congregation, he faced resistance from members regarding LGBTQ inclusion and the societal questions raised by the murder of George Floyd.
Eventually, in 2021, he stepped down from his pastoral role and distanced himself from his faith but yearned for the sense of brotherhood he had experienced within a congregation. He then discovered C3, an inclusive Sunday collective in west Michigan, which had undergone its own transformation. C3 now describes itself not as a church but as a home for the spiritually homeless, dedicated to exploring existential questions and living out shared values.
“This place is such a unicorn,” Ruggles, now the lead teacher at C3—which derives its name from its previous incarnation as Christ Community Church—said. “These are some of the most open-minded people I’ve ever met.”
Communities like C3 exemplify how, despite the growing trend of Americans abandoning traditional organized religion, many individuals seeking to maintain a sense of spirituality and community are finding refuge in both religious and nonreligious settings.
Their sanctuaries come in various forms: sometimes physical spaces, sometimes online, or simply in the camaraderie shared with like-minded individuals.
The exodus from mainstream religious paths has unfolded over the past few decades. In the early 1990s, 90% of Americans identified as Christians; that figure had dropped to 63% by last year. Recently, this trend has been particularly prevalent among young women, reversing patterns seen in past generations.
The decline has primarily affected Protestants, 60% of whom identify as evangelicals. Meanwhile, the proportion of Americans classifying themselves as agnostic, atheist, or “nothing in particular”—the so-called “nones”—has surged to nearly 30%.
According to a 2024 Pew Research Center survey, 80% of adults believe that religion’s role in American life is diminishing, a record high. Their actions indicate this shift as well: The Southern Baptist Convention has lost more than 2 million members since 2006, and a 2019 Pew study estimated that 10 million Christians had left the church during the preceding decade.
In total, around 40 million American adults have ceased attending church over the past 25 years, according to researchers Jim Davis and Michael Graham, authors of “The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why Are They Going and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back?”
The reasons behind this departure from church are varied. Some individuals never felt close to their faith and pivot to other priorities after moving away from home. Others criticize the performative nature of certain church services or struggle to reconcile church teachings with personal beliefs regarding issues like reproductive rights or LGBTQ inclusion.
Some individuals cannot envision returning to a church, as was the case for Ruggles, who hasn’t attended one since stepping away. While some might find solace in other Christian denominations or more progressive versions of their faith, others seek to redefine their Christianity in environments where they can express doubts without fear of judgment.
For example, the Post Evangelical Collective, with branches in 14 U.S. cities, consists of church leaders, artists, and others “who find ourselves estranged from the dominant expressions of American Christianity.”
Additionally, Current Collective, based in Carlsbad, California, describes itself as “rooted in the mystic Christian tradition” with a theology free of dogma. “We ultimately believe that our living and being is far more important than our statements of belief,” the group’s website states.
Seeking Religion-Free Community
Others wish to completely detach from religion yet still hope to find a community to help navigate life’s challenges.
“People do indeed still need places to gather, and their communities need them to have places where volunteer energy gets mobilized and inspired,” said Nancy Ammerman, emerita professor of religious sociology at Boston University. “There is no particular reason that spiritual, nonreligious practices should prevent them from doing so.”
Some individuals gravitate towards groups like Sunday Assembly USA, a London-based secular network with branches in 13 American cities. This life-celebrating movement initially capitalized on the rise of atheism but now welcomes a diverse array of beliefs, Ross Llewallyn from Sunday Assembly Atlanta noted.
“A steady stream of folks constantly give us a try because we’re offering something novel that many have lost,” Llewallyn said, pointing out that inquiries from individuals looking to start new chapters have doubled in recent years.
Tracking the number of such communities is challenging due to their varying identities and lack of organized networks.
“The post-religious organizational field is highly diverse and fluid,” explained Christian Smith, a sociology professor at the University of Notre Dame who is penning a book about the declining devotion of younger generations to traditional religion.
The patchwork existence of these communities means they provide their own oversight; their lack of adherence to a specific doctrine allows their teachings to constantly evolve. For now, that’s how they prefer it.
Smith suggested that such groups, especially following the isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, hold significant promise.
Examples of New Spiritual Communities
Here are some communities where those seeking connection are finding a home:
Vinings Lake Church — Mableton, Georgia
In Mableton, Georgia, Vinings Lake Church emerged from the remnants of Vinings Lake Baptist, a struggling 40-year-old congregation. Leaders initially prepared to close the church but instead transitioned it to a new vision.
“He literally pulled the letters off the sign out front,” said Cody Deese, the lead pastor at Vinings Lake, which now describes itself as “an ever-evolving spiritual collective waking up to beauty, truth, and goodness wherever it’s found.”
Deese, who grew up in a fundamentalist evangelical background, took over the church in 2017 after deciding to support same-sex marriage. However, he faced significant pushback from conservative members.
Despite losing many members after addressing topics like Christian nationalism, Deese expressed that those who remained felt more alive than ever, energized by a renewed vision for their spiritual community.
Meetings now revolve around discussions, meditation, and music, bringing together a diverse array of individuals who have left traditional organized religion.
Awakenings — Houston
Awakenings in Houston caters to members questioning the type of Christianity they were raised with, often feeling at odds with their social justice beliefs.
Many arrive feeling burned out and uncertain about their previous teachings and values. Pastor Tia Norman emphasizes the community’s commitment to inclusivity and self-care, allowing for exploration of identity, faith, and justice.
Those in the community gather weekly for online meetings and one in-person meetup per month, focusing on communal questions that encourage vulnerability and shared experiences.
Aldea Spiritual Community — Tucson, Arizona
At Aldea Spiritual Community in Tucson, where Jake Haber serves as lead pastor, the focus is on fostering genuine community rather than adhering to dogma.
“We have no set beliefs anyone has to adhere to in order to belong to our community,” Haber explained. The former evangelical church transformed to embrace various spiritual traditions, welcoming people from diverse backgrounds.
Community gatherings emphasize values over doctrine, encouraging individuals to share their stories and perspectives regardless of their prior affiliations.
Heartway Church — Davie, Florida
Danny Prada encourages members at Heartway Church to explore significant questions without providing easy answers. Founded as a Southern Baptist Convention plant, the church evolved as Prada grappled with doubts about traditional doctrines.
Now considered a contemplative community centered on love, Heartway invites guest speakers from various faith traditions, cultivating interfaith dialogue while remaining open to alternative spiritual paths.
C3 Spiritual Community — Grand Haven, Michigan
C3, located in Grand Haven, reflects an ongoing transformation since its inception as a Reformed Church in America. Lead teacher Ruggles describes the community as still evolving, with a focus on individual spiritual exploration without adhering to rigid dogmas.
Regular gatherings include discussions and community engagement, appealing to those seeking connection without feeling constrained by traditional religious expectations.
These examples underscore the growing appeal of spiritual communities that reject or reform traditional religious practices, providing sanctuary for those seeking a more inclusive and flexible approach to spirituality.
