In 1972, fewer than 3% of Americans identified as non-denominational Christians. Now it's 14%, or nearly 40 million people, according to the General Social Survey. Maurice DuBois visited a non-denominational church in St. Louis, Missouri.

St. Louis

Recent data shows a significant decline in the number of Americans who consider religion important, with fewer than half now saying so according to a Gallup poll. Despite this, non-denominational Christian churches are seeing rapid growth, with 14% of Americans—about 40 million people—now identifying as non-denominational, up from less than 3% in 1972.

Churches like Rooftop Church near St. Louis exemplify this trend by offering a casual, inclusive atmosphere and focusing on personal relationships and biblical fundamentals rather than strict doctrine. Experts suggest this shift is driven by a move away from traditional authority structures, and predict non-denominational Christians could soon outnumber Roman Catholics in the United States.

Why more Americans are choosing non-denominational churches

In I Am America, we look for trends in the country, and we've noticed a sharp drop in the number of Americans who say religion is important in their lives. In a new Gallup poll, fewer than half say it is. And another trend, while all major Christian denominations have seen membership decline, more and more of the faithful are turning to independent Christian churches. At Rooftop Church, just outside St. Louis, it's not collars and frocks, it's hats and jeans. Good morning. Good morning. Welcome to Rooftop. My name is Matt. Head Pastor Matt Herndon sets the tone on Sundays. When a lot of people come in, they do notice some things that maybe they wouldn't see at other churches. Oh, that's strange, he's wearing a hat. Oh, we just watched a video clip from Beauty and the Beast. We really do want to engage with people in a way that they can understand and lean into. Traditional churches will not. Sure. Yeah. Rooftop is one of an estimated 44,000 non-denominational Christian churches in the U.S., meaning its teachings are rooted in the Bible, but it's an independent house of worship. How should we welcome God into our lives like Abraham does? What Herndon launched in a community center nearly 25 years ago now attracts as many as 600 people to its seats in any given week. Non-denominational is actually the strongest force in American Christianity right now. Washington University professor Ryan Burge calls this kind of growth the rise of the non-denoms. They really talk about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Many of them preach a conservative gospel on things like abortion, same-sex marriage, but they don't lead with those things. In 1972, fewer than 3 percent of Americans identified as non-denominational Christians. Now it's 14 percent, 40 million people. There's a real chance in 15 years there will be more non-denominationals in America than there will be Roman Catholics. It might be the largest religious tradition in America. Why do you think that is? I think it's we're moving away from authority structure. Okay. That's great. That looser structure is what attracts Rooftop members Anna and Nathan King, who grew up attending traditional Christian churches. Here at Rooftop, I think we focus on thinking critically about those traditions and challenging each other, but not letting it divide us. I love how casual it is. It's really cool that, like, we could be in the pews and one of our elders or pastors is right in the pew next to us. Herndon calls this Big Tent Christianity. He uses video and pop culture . . . . The prince sneered at the gift. . . . . while focusing on what he sees as the fundamentals of the Bible without taking a hard line. What do you say to people who look at this and say, this is Christianity lite? I emphatically disagree. In Genesis 18, the Lord shows up at their door. We dig really deep into Scripture. We just try to figure out, what does this mean for people? Is that the future of Christianity in America? Well, it happened not to be a prophet. But you've seen the last quarter century. Yeah. Some denominations, more traditional denominations, I think they've realized we don't have much of a future unless we try to figure out how to reconnect with people. The approach clearly, meet the people where they are, not where doctrine says they have to be. Interestingly, Roman Catholics steady at 62 million from the beginning to the end of Francis's papacy. We'll see where that goes. The professor said that's going to kind of even out over time. Yeah.

In a blistering opinion, a federal judge in Virginia accused Justice Department prosecutor Lindsay Halligan of misconduct, saying there was a "disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps."

Virginia

U.S. judge accuses DOJ of misconduct in ex-FBI director case

The United Nations Security Council has voted to adopt a U.S. resolution outlining President Trump's peace plan for post-war Gaza. CBS News senior foreign correspondent Holly Williams has the details.

New York

U.N. Security Council adopts U.S. resolution on Gaza plan

The aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford has arrived in the Caribbean, giving the United States the ability to strike inside Venezuela if President Trump gives the order. The U.S. has also sent thousands of troops to the region.

Washington

Trump 'won't rule out' sending troops to Venezuela amid rising tensions

President Trump now says Republicans should vote to release all of the files related to the federal investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. CBS News' Olivia Rinaldi and Nikole Killion have the latest on what could happen next.

Trump's Epstein files reversal comes amid pressure from allies

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk has called an explosion on a railway line “an unprecedented act of sabotage.” Donald Tusk did not say who he believed had carried out the attack, but a government minister said "foreign intelligence agencies" were responsible.

Warsaw

Railway line blast in Poland ‘unprecedented act of sabotage’

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy signed a landmark deal in Paris on Monday to buy 100 Rafale jets, drones, and air defense systems from France.

Paris

Ukraine signs deal with France for jets, air defense systems

The Federal Aviation Administration ended mandated cuts in domestic flights at 40 major U.S. airports, easing restrictions that had been imposed over air traffic control concerns during the federal shutdown.

FAA ends mandated cuts in domestic U.S. flights

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to oppose any attempt to establish a Palestinian state, a day before the UN Security Council will vote on a U.S.-drafted resolution on Gaza that leaves the door open to Palestinian independence.

Tel Aviv-Yafo

Middle East Conflict

Netanyahu insists there can be no Palestinian state ahead of UN vote

A Bangladesh court sentenced ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity on Monday (November 17), concluding a months-long trial that found her guilty of ordering a deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising last year.

Dhaka

Bangladesh's ousted PM sentenced to death for protest crackdown

President Donald Trump now appears to support the release of all Jeffrey Epstein files as the House of Representatives readies for a vote on the matter. CBS News' Natalie Brand reports.

House vote on Epstein files expected Tuesday

In the latest round of the Trump administration's sweeping immigration raids, federal agents arrested 81 people in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Saturday alone. In videos posted online, some who were detained said they do have legal status.

Charlotte

ICE detains dozens in Charlotte

If the bill passes, the U.S. Justice Department would be required to release all files and communications related to Epstein, as well as details about the investigation into his death in federal prison.

Trump calls on House Republicans to vote to release Epstein files

Chile heads to a December runoff after Sunday's presidential vote left no clear winner. Leftist Jeannette Jara and far-right José Antonio Kast will now face off in a race dominated by concerns over crime and migration.

Santiago

Chile leftists advance to next month's presidential runoff

Construction work of a concrete wall continued on the Israeli side of southern border with Lebanon, despite the Lebanese presidency's threat to complain to the U.N. Security Council over the wall's extension into Lebanese territory.

Israel constructs wall along Lebanon border

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro slammed planned joint military exercises by the United States and its ally Trinidad and Tobago as "irresponsible," with Washington increasing its armed presence in the Caribbean.

Caracas

Maduro denounces US military exercises

Despite U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated attempts to kill the effort to release federal files related to Jeffrey Epstein, House Republican leaders are planning to hold a vote this week on legislation to force the issue.

Claims Epstein emails mentioning Trump were 'selectively leaked'

President Trump says he has "sort of made up my mind" on whether to take military action in Venezuela. The comments come as America's largest aircraft carrier, the Ford, and other U.S. forces move within striking distance of the country. Charlie D'Agata has new details.

Trump says he's "sort of made up my mind" on Venezuela military action

President Trump says he will no longer support onetime close ally and Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene amid the ongoing fallout over the Epstein files. Willie James Inman reports.

Marjorie Taylor Greene 'threatened' by Trump supporters amid Epstein fallout

Flash flood warnings expanded on Saturday as rain hit wide swaths of California amid fears that the atmospheric river will intensify. Andres Gutierrez has the latest details.

Pacific Palisades

Rainstorm pummels California, triggering flash flood warnings

Large-scale protests at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, have drawn attention to environmental concerns and the preservation of the Amazon rainforest. Inside the summit, negotiations have been complicated by the absence of the United States.

Belém

Protesters block entrance to COP30 climate talks in Brazil

The UN climate talks in Brazil are facing increasing disruption from protesters. Thousands joined the "Great People's March" outside the conference venue to demand action on global warming instead of empty promises.

Thousands join protest at COP30 climate talks in Brazil

Air travel and other government services, including SNAP benefits, are returning to normal following the end of the longest shutdown in U.S. history.

Los Angeles International Airport

Flights begin to get back on track as shutdown ends

The U.S. military is expanding operations in the Caribbean and Puerto Rico amid its deadly boat strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats, while the Trump administration weighs military action against Venezuela.

Trump administration weighs U.S military action in Venezuela

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth announced "Operation Southern Spear" in the Western Hemisphere as U.S. strikes continue in the region near Colombia and Venezuela. CBS News' Eleanor Watson reports.

Hegseth announces 'Operation Southern Spear'

The U.S. has approved the sale of $330 million worth of weapons to Taiwan as tensions rise in the region with China. CBS News' Nancy Cordes reports.

Taipei City

U.S. approves massive sale of weapons to Taiwan

Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin successfully launched its New Glenn rocket on Thursday with NASA twin spacecraft destined for Mars aboard, and in a breakthrough nailed the landing of its booster.

Cape Canaveral

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket deploys Mars satellites

A three-person crew stranded at China’s space station after their spacecraft was apparently hit by space debris are to return Friday using the craft that brought their replacement crew.

Chinese astronauts return to earth after spacecraft damaged

The AI firm Anthropic says Chinese hackers used its artificial intelligence tools to spy on tech companies, financial institutions and government agencies in what it believes is the first documented case of a worldwide cyberattack with minimal human involvement.

Rise of AI

Anthropic says Chinese hackers used its AI chatbot in cyberattack

Senior U.S. military officials have presented President Donald Trump with options for potential military operations inside Venezuela, including strikes on land, sources tell CBS News. Charlie D'Agata reports.

Trump weighs military plans against Venezuela

U.S. President Donald Trump is ducking press questions about newly released emails connecting him to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s criminal activities ahead of an expected vote on releasing all Epstein case files by the U.S. House of Representatives as early as next week.

Breakdown