Exodus: Why Americans Are Fleeing Liberal Churches for Conservative Christianity

by Dave Shiflett

A study on the recent American shift from liberal to conservative worship practices identifies the reasons that many worshippers are returning to more traditional churches, contending that Christians do not absolutely support pro-life and anti-divorce stances, the unquestionable nature of the Bible, or dogmatic religious rhetoric.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published June 2, 2005

About the author

DAVE SHIFLETT is a longtime journalist and author. His work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, Reader's Digest, Food & Wine, Smart Money, Good Housekeeping, the Teleraph Papers, the Guardian and many other publications. His books include "Exodus" and "The America We Deserve" (with Donald Trump); he is also author of two new ebooks: "In the Matter of J. Van Pelt" and "Workingman's Ink." His writing and original music is posted at www.daveshiflett.com

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't learn much from this book. I really would have liked for the author to go into more of an explanation of how the many mainline denominations differ. Instead he seems to talk a lot of shit about the Episcopalians, and the chapter about the Evangelicals is 98% about the Columbine shootings, not so much about the religion. Why are the Episcopalians the ones most open to gays and women leaders? Why are homosexuality and abortion the defining issues of Christianity?

[Art · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find the subtitle somewhat problematic. Instead of liberal and conservative, perhaps the author should have used "unorthodox" and "orthodox." Even these words are somewhat problematic. The author interviews a number of people from both persuasions in a variety of denominations. The book is interesting, easy to read, and is somewhat amusing in spots. However, the book is dated. One wonders what the author would make of the massive rise of religious "nones" over the past decade. Also, since 1990, witchcraft has grown from about 8,000 practitioners to 1.5 million. Nevertheless, the author does have a point in that many Christians, when given the choice, will likely choose churches preaching the orthodox New Testament version of Jesus over hippy-dippy Jesus.

[Malin Friess · Rating 3 out of 5]

Are American's fleeing liberal churches for conservative Christianity?

Here are the statistics:
The losers...PCUSA (down 11 percent), United Methodist (down 7 percent), Episcopal Church (down 5 percent), United Church of Christ (down 15%)

The winners...Southern Baptist (up 5 percent), Evangelical Presbyterian Church (up 42%), Evangelical Free Church...where we are now (up 57%), Assemblies of God (up 19%).

I suppose I shouldn't call them winners and losers..as our pastor mentioned when you visit another church in your community you are not checking out the competition, "we are playing on the same team!"

As a family through our moves we have attended many different denominations including PCUSA, PCA, Evangelical Free, Christian Reformed, Bible Church, and Africa Inland Church.

This book focuses on the following

1) The Episcopalians and of course the divide caused in their church when they ordained openly Gay Gene Robinson. I think most of us are tired on both sides of the argument and wish this schism would just go away. I wish their were less focus on this issue...Maybe this issue propelled people to leave the Episcopal Church. We attended an Episcopal church briefly in Ohio (the girls had preschool there) and their theology places tradition, reason, and scripture in equal importance like three corners of a triangle. They have high worship style and low view of scripture (virgin birth, miracles, etc) seem to be up in the air. I do remember that after just one time at church..they wanted us to pledge an offering for the next three years. I was not impressed.

2) The Catholic Church..can evangelicals find more in common (the catholic church has always been a bulwark against euthanasia, abortion, and the devaluation of life) but for evangelicals the allegiance to the Pope and Maryology has been difficult to comprehend.

3) The Orthodox Church--most evangelicals including myself don't well understand the "mystery" that surrounds their theology, worship, and tradition.

I only gave this book 3 stars because I think Shiflett fails to really answer why americans are leaving liberal denominations? What do they demand? What is in it for the younger generation..What do they believe? A unitarian creed...
everyone is important
all should be treated fairly and kindly
each person should be free to search what is true
we should accept one another and keep on learning

Who is really going to disagree with that?

Will the liberal denominations totally fade away. Schiflett says no..they have too much money, too many beautiful churches (why do all the mainline protestant churches get the beautiful chapels with stain glass?), and large endowments.

The churches that will thrive..will be the churches that desire faith, offer grace, and have a high view of scripture (in my opinion).

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very insightful. Loved the interviews and the references. As someone who left liberal Christianity for a conservative church I could TOTALLY relate.