They Grew Up in Church — Where Are They Now?

Recently, we asked folks in Lawrence County a simple question:
“What denomination did you grow up in, and what denomination are you now?”

Over 100 residents responded, offering a broad view into the spiritual makeup of our community. The answers revealed a mix of tradition, change, and deeply personal faith journeys. Here's a look at the trends, shifts, and statistics behind the responses.

Courtland Presbyterian Church - Courtland, AL

🏠 Where It Started: Childhood Denominations

Most respondents were raised in traditional Christian denominations. Here's a breakdown of where their faith journeys began:

• Baptist – 52%

• Methodist – 9%

• Church of Christ – 8%

• Pentecostal/Apostolic/Holiness – 7%

• Catholic – 6%

• Other Christian (Assembly of God, Nazarene, Lutheran, etc.) – 8%

• No Religious Upbringing – 5%

• Non-Christian/Other (Mormon, Pagan, etc.) – 3%

• Not Specified or Mixed – 2%

🔄 Where They Are Now: Current Affiliations

Today, the religious landscape looks a bit different. While many stayed close to their roots, others have explored new paths or shifted away from organized religion entirely:

• Non-Denominational Christian – 30%

• Still Baptist – 24%

• Church of Christ – 10%

• Pentecostal/Apostolic/Holiness – 9%

• Methodist – 6%

• Catholic – 5%

• Other Christian (Assembly, Presbyterian, etc.) – 7%

• Spiritual but not Religious / No Current Affiliation – 5%

• Non-Christian (Pagan, LDS, etc.) – 4%

📈 Notable Trends

• Baptist Roots, Diverse Journeys:
  A majority of respondents were raised Baptist, but nearly half of them now identify differently, with many shifting toward non-denominational or Pentecostal-style worship.

• Non-Denominational Growth:
  The largest single current category is non-denominational Christian, representing about 30% of total responses. Many described this shift as a move away from religious labels and toward personal faith.

• Church of Christ Stability:
  While some moved denominations, the Church of Christ saw strong retention, with several respondents maintaining the same affiliation throughout their lives.

• Transitions into Pentecostal or Apostolic Churches:
  A notable number of respondents shared they now attend Apostolic or Holiness congregations, including those who previously identified as Baptist or Methodist.

• Faith Beyond Denomination:
  Several respondents expressed that they no longer focus on denominational labels at all, choosing instead to follow Scripture, personal conviction, or simply attend where they feel spiritually fulfilled.

✍️ Voices of the Community

Here are a few representative quotes that reflect the range of experiences:

• “Baptist growing up... now I’m non-denominational. I believe in following the Bible over any denomination.”

• “Raised Catholic. Still Catholic. Always will be.”

• “Started as Methodist, now we’re non-denominational.”

• “Baptist, still Baptist… if I went to church.”

• “I’m now home-churched after being excommunicated for financial reasons.”

Each response represents more than just a label — it reflects personal growth, challenges, and evolving beliefs.

📍 What This Tells Us About Lawrence County

While Baptist churches remain a strong presence, there’s a clear trend toward non-denominational worship in Lawrence County. Many respondents are embracing less formal religious structures while holding firm to personal faith.

The data also shows that faith is still very much a part of life in Lawrence County, though it's being expressed in a wider variety of ways. Some residents are rooted in long-standing traditions; others are exploring new forms of spiritual connection or stepping outside of organized religion altogether.

🗣️ What About You?

Do you still worship with the denomination you grew up in, or has your journey taken a different direction?

👉 We’d love to hear your story. Share in the comments and be part of the conversation.