Types of Denominational Switching among Protestant Young Adults

Using a survey of young adults who grew up Presbyterian, we identified four motivations of people who switched denominations: (1) switch due to interfaith marriage; (2) switch after moving to a different town or neighborhood; (3) switch due to dissatisfaction with one's church; and (4) switch due to personal ties and influences. The third motivation was often associated with a conversion or renewal of commitment. Switches for the first two reasons tended to be within mainline Protestant denominations; switches for the third reason tended to pull a person outside the mainline. Afterward, switchers are more church-involved than nonswitchers, especially type 3.