S01E24 - Walking on eggshells: how disaffiliation narratives shape the meaning of Christian identity

In this 2026 article from the Journal of Contemporary Religion, Elaine Schnabel investigates how individuals who leave the church help define modern Christian identity through their personal stories. By interviewing 45 former members, the researcher identifies two major narrative turning points: encountering diverse moral views outside the church and experiencing physical or sexual development that clashed with heteropatriarchal norms. These accounts suggest that many people now perceive local churches as hierarchical spaces where only those who fit specific molds can be authentic. The study argues that disaffiliates are not just former members but active participants in shaping the public’s understanding of what it means to be Christian today. Ultimately, the text encourages religious institutions to recognize how their internal practices and social isolation contribute to the growing trend of disaffiliation in the United States.Citation:Schnabel, Elaine. 2026. “Walking on Eggshells: How Disaffiliation Narratives Shape the Meaning of Christian Identity.” Journal of Contemporary Religion 41(1):75–88. doi:10.1080/13537903.2026.2638048.