The term “Exvangelical” has become so much a part of our modern culture it has its own page on Wikipedia (though not the Merriam-Webster dictionary, at least not yet). Since exvangelicals are becoming so commonly discussed, let’s explore what it means.
Like the word exit, “exvangelical” is associated with leaving the faith, changing churches, or abandoning church altogether and is often mentioned with the equally pervasive buzzword “deconstructing.” As evidenced by the “ex” at the start of the word, “exvangelical” describes people who have left evangelicalism.
Therefore, it’s important first to understand the word evangelical. That may be easier said than done.
What Does Evangelical Mean?
The initial problem with defining evangelical is that the meaning of what it is to be an evangelical Christian has changed rapidly over the decades.
Different sectors of society use the evangelical label differently. In a 2015 Atlantic Monthly article, Jonathan Merritt attempts to define evangelical, starting with the simplest definition: “The term evangelical derives from the Greek word euangelion meaning ‘gospel’ or ‘good news.’ Technically speaking, Evangelical refers to a person, church, or organization that is committed to the Christian gospel message that Jesus Christ is the savior of humanity.”
The National Association of Evangelicals defines the term using similar words to Merritt, explaining that evangelicals take the Bible seriously and follow Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
The NAE has found, however, that because politicians, sociologists, representatives of the media, and other disparate groups study evangelicals, they needed to create four criteria for researchers to use in accurately defining their subjects.
“The NAE/LifeWay Research method includes four statements to which respondents must strongly agree to be categorized as evangelical:
- The Bible is the highest authority for what I believe.
- It is very important for me personally to encourage non-Christians to trust Jesus Christ as their Savior.
- Jesus Christ’s death on the cross is the only sacrifice that could remove the penalty of my sin.
- Only those who trust in Jesus Christ alone as their Savior receive God’s free gift of eternal salvation.”
These statements help define what many evangelicals believe, but does this conversely mean that people who call themselves exvangelical now reject those four statements? Not necessarily. People who leave evangelicalism do so for various reasons and with various outcomes.
At its root, it doesn’t sound like something people would leave unless they completely abandon their faith for atheism, agnosticism, or another religion.
However, evangelicalism has taken on new associations. Some now associate evangelicalism with racism, nationalism, conservative right-wing politics, homophobia, misogyny, and abuse. Articles, books, or podcast descriptions routinely discuss exvangelicals as people who have left the white evangelical church. The Wikipedia page notes that exvangelicals are also often called prodigals.
In other words, even non-Christians recognize that the evangelical/exvangelical discussion brings deep division in Christianity, especially in the United States.
When Did People Start Using the Term Exvangelical?
Blake Chastain created the #exvangelical hashtag in 2016. He now hosts both the Exvangelical and the Powers & Principalities podcasts. He is also the writer of the Post Evangelical newsletter.
Chastain explains the word exvangelical is a way “to find others who have left white evangelical beliefs and communities behind.” He also feels it provides a platform for criticizing specifically white evangelical communities but is not a replacement for evangelicalism, just a jumping-off point. The term exvangelical acknowledges a history of the shared experience of having been evangelicals or raised in evangelical churches.
CBS News interviewed Chastain and several other young adults who left evangelical culture (all of whom published books), including Chrissy Stroop, Emily Joy Allision, and Linda Kay Klein, in a 2018 segment “Deconstructing My Religion.” In this extended interview, they discuss a shared history of toxic church teaching, lingering shame from purity culture, and anger at evangelicals who supported President Trump or statements made by Trump that they consider racist.
The interviewees spoke passionately about spiritual trauma and abuse while acknowledging that evangelicalism is not a monolith—so experiences vary from congregation to congregation. Members of the exvangelical subculture varied in their reasons for leaving and their post-evangelicalism plans. Still, they united around their shared history and frustration at struggling to be heard.
What Are Some Reasons that People Become Exvangelicals?
The years 2016 and 2017 proved pivotal to galvanizing the exvangelical movement, largely due to Donald Trump’s political campaigns. Evangelicals became known as a key voter group that Trump reached out to during his campaign. As some evangelicals expressed support for Trump, others objected to Trump’s statements at events like the 2017 Unite the Right Rally in Charlottesville, VA.
Hashtags like #EmptythePews were added to #exvangelical, bringing thousands of unhappy former evangelicals together online. 2017 also saw the rise of the #metoo movement, followed months later by #churchmetoo. Stories of evangelicals who had witnessed racism in the church or women who had endured sexual harassment or abuse from church leaders fueled the exit for many.
Celebrity scandals, such as the Duggar family having several young adult children leave the Institute for Basic Life Principles Movement (covered in the recent Amazon documentary Shiny Happy People), have continued the public conversation about everything wrong when life goes wrong in a sector of the Christian church.
The reasons for leaving evangelicalism vary as much as the people (and the congregations they left). Some suffered under legalistic, unyielding misapplications of Scripture. Others experienced church leaders’ hypocritical behavior or abuse in which leaders misused their positions to control or exploit others. Still others sat under dangerous false teaching. Many of these victims struggled to voice their pain and heal from it or find safe spaces within the church to share their experiences and bring them to light.
There is also likely a percentage of exvangelicals who grew up with sincere, Jesus-loving parents but rebelled against their upbringing and latched onto the label to legitimize their departure from the faith and embrace behaviors rejected by biblical teaching. Wisdom and discernment must prevail when counseling or guiding any who identify as “exvangelical” as their reasons for departure or doubt may help distinguish victims from prodigals.
Does Deconstruction Always Lead to Becoming Exvangelical?
Exvangelicals follow different paths. Some undergo deconstruction and leave the faith entirely. Others deconstruct and reconstruct without using the evangelical label. Some of the latter group join high church denominations like Catholicism or Episcopalian.
Some very public exvangelicals have clearly stated they have no plans to leave their faith but are simply detangling themselves from false teaching. Others have become extremely vocal against the church, seeing it as a threat to individual freedom and society.
These stories have a growing fascination, especially as America ramps up for another political season. This, sadly, can make it difficult to navigate the conversation. Many individuals sincerely seek healing. Some people looking to make names for themselves capitalize on the movement to take advantage of media exposure and people’s hunger for sensationalism.
How Can We Better Respond to and Minister to Exvangelicals?
Given the many reasons people use the term exvangelical, we need wisdom and compassion when faced with anyone who wants to talk about exvangelicals. They may want to expose a specific abuse, tell how a teaching or leader has damaged them, or simply explore questions and doubts about faith. Paul’s words to Timothy may especially help at this time:
“We urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek what is good for one another and for all people.” (1 Timothy 5:14-15 NASB)
We need to take time with anyone struggling with their church situation to understand whether they are tenderhearted, traumatized, or rebellious and seeking validation. Each merits a different response but always one marked by patience, kindness, and love, as Scripture teaches.
We can do this better by doing the following.
First, we can acknowledge that the visible church needs to address sin. Some immature believers misapply God’s Word. Sometimes, wolves in sheep’s clothing infiltrate the flock, causing serious harm. Sometimes, leaders and laypeople cherish sin, leaving the door open for great damage done and the temptation to cause more damage through cover-ups. Acknowledging problems and addressing them directly according to God’s Word when they arise is wise.
Second, we can commit to having the hard conversations that lead to repentance, discipline, and healing. God’s Word must not only be taught and believed. It must also be lived. Christians must be compassionate, but we must also lovingly confront and correct those who victimize people. It is better to do it before people leave the church to be heard.
Third, we can, as James 1:19-20 says, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (ESV). Everyone questioning the use of the term evangelical isn’t looking to walk away from Jesus. Many wonder if this label does more harm than good in spreading the gospel.
Listen, ask questions, and offer kind biblical counsel. There have always been individuals with doubts, questions, or concerns about the faith who benefit from not just one but many conversations where they feel safe to push back against their understanding of the Bible and know the Bible can still stand. Some believers aren’t questioning the Bible as much as they are wrestling with how to respond to deconstructing friends, adult children, or relatives in loving ways. Let us be gentle as the Bible teaches us to be (Galatians 6:1).
Fourth, remember it is possible to be humble, loving, truthful, and kind even in the face of misunderstanding, anger, rejection, and accusation. Paul writes in Romans 12:18, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (ESV). There are no “one size fits all” responses to “exvangelicals” because each individual and situation differs. Our responses, if filled with confident truth, compassion, and love, may not only help those who have left the church but encourage those currently considering an exit option to stay.
God’s people have nothing to fear from the truth. When the truth that is voiced exposes a sin or problem to address, we should act to correct and address what (or who) has gone wrong. When the truth that is voiced is reacting to biblical teaching with criticism, anger, rejection, or distortion, we can offer an honest, gentle response still informed by humility. When voices raise unfair, prejudicial, or outright deceptive false accusations, we can remember that Jesus also endured such things and sought ways to serve others as we let our kind words and actions testify against untruths.
Further Reading:
Karen Swallow Prior Interview on the Evangelical Imagination
4 Ways the Church Has Mishandled Trauma Survivors
What Is Evangelical Christianity?
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Brankospejs
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