Evangelical identity is sustained by consumer culture more than church membership

Evidence

The diffusion of evangelical consumer culture extends far beyond the orbit of evangelical churches. Cultural evangelicalism has made deep inroads into mainline Christianity, to the point that distinguishing members of a denomination like the United Methodist Church from evangelicals obscures more than it reveals. … Indeed, one can participate in this religious culture without attending church at all. — Kristin Kobes Du Mez, Jesus and John Wayne, 18

Categorization

• ADDENDUM: Directly supports the ‘dominant strand vs. whole’ contest the reader flagged — giving concrete evidence that cultural evangelicalism leaks beyond denominational boundaries into mainline Protestantism.
• XREF: Connects to the reader’s broader interest in how identity is transmitted through consumer goods rather than formal institutions — parallels the diamond bourse reputation systems and social-capital work in other sources.