Thabiti Anyabwile Drops ‘Evangelical’ Label, Says He Just Wants to ‘Faithfully Pastor’ His Church

Prominent pastor and author Thabiti Anyabwile said this week he no longer considers himself evangelical, adding that his beliefs have not changed and that his desire is to pastor his church and to plant others.

Anyabwile’s announcement on Twitter came three days after a New York Times story quoted him as saying he’s “lost 20-year friendships” in recent years due to a changing evangelical and political landscape. The story – headlined “The Dissenters Trying to Save Evangelicalism from Itself” – referenced three issues that have driven the division within the movement: evangelicals’ embrace of Donald Trump; sex abuse scandals; and racial issues.

“I’ve grieved,” Anyabwile told The Times.

Anyabwile is pastor of Anacostia River Church in Washington, D.C., and the author or co-author of multiple books. He formerly wrote a blog for The Gospel Coalition, dubbed “Pure Church.” His last post was in 2019.