Why Churches Are Pulling Out of Their Denominations

The recent trend is churches are pulling out of their denominations or conventions, so why is this happening?

Baptist Exodus

The recent trend is churches are pulling out of their denominations or conventions, so why is this happening? I checked with several from the Southern Baptist Convention to see why they left the convention. Many of these former Baptist or Baptists-name remaining, have wanted to have women ordained, but we know this is not allowed by God (1 Tim 3; Titus 1, etc.) or the Southern Baptist Convention, so the liberal Baptist churches have left the denomination because it was too conservative. That’s another way of saying we want to do what we think is right, not what the Bible says. These liberal Baptist churches think it is just fine to ordain women, but God doesn’t pay us to think! He tells us, not to “go with the times,” but to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. And do not lean on your own understanding” (Prov 3:5). We’ddo well to fear God and stop trying to “figure it out.” It’s already been figured out (2 Tim 3:16-17), once and for all (Heb 1:1-2), so simply have to obey.

Methodists Exodus

Since 2019, more than 7,000 congregations across the country have received approval to leave the Methodist Church. The split is primarily over disagreements in theology, namely, how the church considers LGBTQ+ ministers and congregants. In biblically conservative Oklahoma, the United Methodist Church was one of the most practiced beliefs in the state, but now more than 120 congregations voted to leave the church, and it’s a growing trend. Why? They believe that homosexuality, or any sexual immorality should not be allowed in the church since it is condemned in the Bible, and since God’s Word condemns sexual immorality, these churches reason that it should not be supported by any church, and especially someone who is the pastor. The Bible teaches that “sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints” (Eph 5:3), and yet some churches ordain, not only woman as pastors (contrary to God’s commands), but those who practice same-sex relations. Churches allow this, even though the Bible clearly says “that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal 5:21). We must not forget that Judas was the church treasurer.

The Episcopalian Exodus

Overall, Anglican/Episcopal churches – like virtually all others denominational churches- are losing members in Europe and the US. What is fascinating about the Episcopal Church is that things didn’t always move in a negative direction. In fact, the church was growing really rapidly in the 1950s, adding 1.4 million members in the nine years preceding 1959. Since that time, it’s been all bad news. The Falls Church, one of the largest Episcopal parishes in Virginia, voted to sever ties with the Episcopal Church. They left the denomination because the American Episcopal Church “no longer believes in the historic, orthodox Christian faith common to all believers.” [1.] The ‘sola scriptura’ (‘by the scriptures alone’) doctrine of the Reformation church has been abandoned for the ‘sola cultura’ (by the culture alone) way of the modern church. That’s why many churches no longer under authority of the Episcopal Church today. They have become either their own authority or find their authority in the shifting winds of the present culture, which is to say they have no authority at all from God. They have lost their moral compass, turning to pragmatism. They reason, if it works most of the time for most of the people, it must be right. They don’t care to ask, “Is it true?”

Church of Christ Exodus

This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.

The rate at which the Churches of Christ is shrinking, already quite high, have accelerated to over 2400 people each month (net), on average, during the last 3 years. This is based upon an analysis of data released by 21st Century Christian, a publisher that tracks Churches of Christ demographics. This is more than triple the already high rate of decline for the Churches of Christ from 2000 to 2015. It is a 15% steeper adherent fall than reported by Authentic Theology in November 2018 for 2015 to 2018. Why? What’s going on? Some have told me they do not like the idea of their being the one and only, true church, meaning that all other professing Christians are not saved and headed to hell. Most claim that they must be baptized in order to be saved, and by the way, it must be in the Church of Christ; otherwise the baptism is not legitimate. Of course, that would mean that person is not saved. You can easily see with that kind of thinking, it’s easy to judge anyone and everyone that does not attend the Church of Christ (although not all are like this).

Legalism

It’s been heard more than once that by adults and children in the Church of Christ that they get so sick and tired of the bickering that they want nothing more to do with God and church. Legalism on issues not based on Scriptures (such as non-instrumental music – young people are turning to Independent Christian Churches with music, or other groups since they cannot play instruments at the Church of Christ (most of them). The Church of Christ exodus continues because of what many see as legalism but also exclusivism. They contend that one must be “a faithful member of the church” to be saved and “faithful” to them means attending every announced assembly (worship service and Bible study), and giving to the church liberally of your finances and your time. Otherwise, you might not be saved.

Denominations

The church I pastor at is non-denomination, but I’m surely not saying all churches should be non-denomination. There are a lot of bad and unbiblical non-denominational churches and a lot of good denomination ones. Each church is different. Denominations do not necessarily define the church’s teaching and preaching, so denominations are not bad in and of themselves, but they can become bad when traditions, compromising and legalism trump Scripture. One example is when a church rationalizes away the commands of God due to “the times we live in today.” They fail to realize that God does not change (Num 23:19; Heb 13:8; James 1:17), but neither does human nature (Rom 3:10-12), so the Word of God, even written thousands of years ago, is just as true and relevant today. When the ink dried on the Word of God thousands of years ago, to right now, it remains perfect and our only standard.

When to Leave a Denomination

When the church decides to overlook the commands of God to abstain from sexual immorality just to attract more members, it’s time to exit the building. When denominations go sour, like by compromising the Scriptures by allowing women pastors or allowing homosexuals to marry and even pastor a church, it’s time to go, and I say, run as fast as you can. Jesus has left the building. The glory has departed. Satan has had and still has his own ministers, his own churches (2 Cor 11:14), and today, even his own denominations.

Conclusion

I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.

1. “Episcopal Church left historic Christianity, Conservatives Say.” Baptist Press. Jan 18, 2007. (Accessed, Apr 24, 2025). https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/episcopal-church-left-historic-christianity-conservatives-say/

Here is some related reading for you: Why Are There So Many Church? Why Are There So Many Denominations?

Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^® (ESV^®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Tagged as: Churches, denominations, Failing Churches