Independent Christian traditions defy simple categorisation. The term ‘Independent’, however, does not denote a catchall category of marginal Christian traditions who do not neatly ‘fit’ into the historic families of the Christian faith. Instead, these groups self-identify as ‘Independent’ often based on historical, social and theological circumstances. Many Independent groups, such as Churches of Christ (non-instrumental), represent denominations that self-consciously separated from the historic families of the Christian faith at some point in their history. Other Independent groups, such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), trace their origins to religious movements outside and separate from historic Christian traditions. At the same time, others are Independent because their theology and practice fall outside of traditional Christian orthodoxy. For example, Jehovah's Witnesses reject Nicaean and Chalcedonian Trinitarian formulations, favouring an Arian interpretation of Jesus Christ. Finally, Christian groups can be Independents for various reasons that fall outside of those listed above. For example, Independent traditions such as the National Baptist Convention and the Church of God in Christ emerged when an ethnic minority had to create a new denomination in the face of racial prejudice. Yet despite the diverse nature of Independent Christian traditions, these groups have a commonality in their tendency to exhibit a high degree of creativity and energy in their respective interpretations of the Christian faith. As a result, Independents’ respective sense of mission and identity have left a lasting imprint on both North American Christianity and the character of world Christianity.

The third edition of the World Christian Encyclopedia designates roughly 280 Independent Christian denominations in North America, with 248 in the USA. Of the 32 remaining groups, the majority began as US Independent denominations before being established in Bermuda, Canada and Greenland. Why does the USA have so many Independent Christian groups, especially compared with other North American nations? What is distinctive about the cultural and religious landscape of the USA that allows Independent denominations to proliferate and thrive? This essay briefly explores the political and cultural developments in the late eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century USA that allowed Independent Christian denominations to succeed. After I establish this context, I discuss representative examples of contemporary North American Independents, many of which have roots in the USA.