Donald Trump was raised in the Presbyterian church, and in recent years continued to identify as Presbyterian despite not holding membership in a Presbyterian congregation or regularly attending worship.
One week ago today Trump attended worship at the non-denominational International Church of Las Vegas. A few days after this experience, Trump changed his religious affiliation from Presbyterian to non-denominational Christian.
Rather than announcing this shift in a televised event, Trump shared the news in an exclusive written interview with Religion News Service. And, while all interview responses are attributable to Trump it is worth noting that interview questions were initially approved by the White House Press office and then presented to the president by Paula White.
So What?
Making a change in religious affiliation weeks before an election is as much a political statement as a theological one. Based on my research, it appears this is the first time a sitting American President ever changed religious affiliation.