Are you a Person of Faith but not Religious?

Author

 Elder Jim Fairchild

Many today describe themselves as “a person of faith but not religious,” reflecting a deep hunger for faith while distancing from organized religion. Recent Barna studies confirm this trend, showing both a decline in formal church affiliation and a rise in independent expressions of belief.

​Hungering for the Holy, longing for relationship with God is a universal human quality. The longing for spiritual connection and “home” is deep and pervasive in our world. God yearns for our wholeness and calls us into relationship and response.
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​This deep longing for spiritual connection and relationship with God is not limited to any specific culture or region, but is a universal human quality that we all share. It is a desire to find meaning and purpose in our lives, and to understand the world around us in a deeper way.

Above all else, strive to be faithful to Christ’s vision of the peaceable Kingdom of God on earth. Courageously challenge cultural, political, and religious trends that are contrary to the reconciling and restoring purposes of God. Pursue peace.
D&C 163:3b

 Faith Without Religion: A Growing Trend

​Across the United States, more people are identifying as people of faith while stepping away from traditional religious institutions. This often stems from painful experiences with organized religion; whether it be the moral failures of leaders, the exclusion of certain groups, or rigid structures that feel more like barriers than pathways to God. For many, exploring faith independently is not a rejection of God, but a desire to seek Him without religious institution shortcomings.

What Research Shows

​Barna’s most recent American Worldview Inventory highlights this shift clearly. Between 2020 and 2025, the percentage of Americans identifying as Christian dropped from 72% to 66%, representing a loss of about 15 million adults. At the same time, those aligning with non-Christian faiths or no faith at all have grown significantly. Many are not abandoning spirituality altogether; they are simply reimagining how to live it out.
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Barna’s research also shows that Christians who engage in relational discipleship; through small groups, mentors, or spiritual friendships; are more likely to remain resilient in their faith. Yet, two in five Christians are not involved in any form of faith community, reflecting the tension between personal faith and organized religious institutions.

The Church’s Opportunity

​Rather than viewing this trend as a threat, the Church can see it as an invitation. People are not rejecting God; they are rejecting hypocrisy, exclusion, and empty ritual. The challenge for congregations is to embody a faith that is authentic, inclusive, and rooted in grace.

​We all have imperfections, and we all suffer to some degree. Through this we must continue to have a caring response to our own and others mess ups and difficult moments.  God’s grace, especially as revealed in Jesus Christ, is generous and unconditional. Having received God’s generous grace, we respond generously and graciously receive the generosity of others.

​What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill," and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. 
James 2: 14-17 NRSV

A Call to Build Meaningful Community

​The Barna data reminds us that while affiliation may be declining, spiritual hunger is not. People still long for meaning, truth, and connection with Devine. The Church’s task is not to cling to rigid structures but to offer a living witness of Christ’s love; one that draws people back into fellowship without fear of judgment or exclusion.
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The Community of Christ Enduring Principle, "Blessings of Community" highlights the importance of gathering, supporting one another, and working collectively toward common goals. The gospel of Jesus Christ emphasizes the importance of community in creating a space of love and care that is essential for the well-being of all individuals.

Want to learn more about this topic?

 Being “faithful but not religious” is not the final word. It is a signpost pointing to the deep desire for God’s presence, a desire that the Body of Christ is uniquely called to nurture. 

​If you subscribe to this belief, we invite you to explore the Spiritual Formation resource page on our Emporia CofChrist website. 

Spiritual Formation Resources

​Our Spiritual Formation Ministries offer programs, practices, events and resources for disciples and seekers to engage the inward/outward journey of being formed in Christ.