At Rooftop Church, just outside St. Louis, Missouri, you won’t see the usual suits or ties. Instead, it’s all about baseball caps and jeans. Head pastor Matt Herndon leads the way on Sundays with a fresh, approachable style.
“When people walk in, they notice things that might seem unusual for a church,” Herndon explains. “Maybe someone is wearing a hat or we showed a clip from ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ We aim to engage with people in a way that feels relatable.”
Rooftop is part of a growing trend. There are now around 40,000 nondenominational Christian churches in the U.S. These churches base their teachings on the Bible but operate independently. Herndon started Rooftop in a community center nearly 25 years ago, and today it draws up to 600 attendees each week.
Ryan Burge, a religion professor at Washington University, says nondenominational Christianity is shaping American faith. “It’s the strongest trend in American Christianity right now. These churches emphasize a personal relationship with Jesus, focusing on conversations rather than rigid doctrines,” he notes.
In the past, just 3% of Americans identified as nondenominational. Now, that number has jumped to 14%, or nearly 40 million people, according to the General Social Survey. Burge suggests that in the next 15 years, this group could become more prominent than Roman Catholics in the U.S.
“We’re moving away from traditional authority structures,” he adds. This flexible approach appeals to Rooftop members like Anna and Nathan King, who grew up in more traditional settings.
“At Rooftop, we think critically about traditions but still come together,” Anna says. Nathan appreciates the casual atmosphere. “It’s cool to sit next to our elders and pastors in the pews.”
He calls this “big tent Christianity.” Herndon mixes pop culture and media while emphasizing biblical fundamentals without being overly rigid. When asked about criticisms that his church offers “Christianity light,” he firmly disagrees. “We explore scripture deeply and focus on what it means for people today,” he insists.
He also observes that many traditional denominations realize they need to adapt to connect better with people. This shift highlights a growing desire for community and understanding over strict rules.
In a world where spiritual needs are evolving rapidly, churches like Rooftop are finding new ways to engage and inspire. By combining the familiar with the contemporary, they are reshaping what it means to practice faith today.
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Christianity, Missouri, Religion
