Study Shows Denominational Loyalty Not Much of a Factor

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PHOENIX, ARIZONA (ANS) -- A new survey shows that seven out of ten regular churchgoers would be at least somewhat open to switching denominations, with dramatic differences between Protestants and Roman Catholics.

The findings are from a study by Ellison Research among a representative sample of 1,007 American adults.

According to a news release from Ellison, respondents who attend worship services once a month or more were first asked the specific denomination of the church they attend most often (for example, not just “Baptist,” but “Southern Baptist,” “Free Will Baptist,” etc.). Then they were asked what role that denomination would play if they could no longer attend their current church (if the church closed or if they moved to another area, for example).

Ellison reported that three out of ten churchgoers said they would only consider attending one denomination – they would not be open to anything else. Another 44 percent reported having one preferred denomination, but said they would also consider others.

Eleven percent of respondents, Ellison said, had a small number of denominations they would consider, with no particular favorite among them. Six percent didn’t have any particular denomination they preferred, but they did have certain ones they would not consider. Nine percent said denomination was not a factor in their church attendance.