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Thom Rainer is the President and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources

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2014 Update on Largest Churches in the Southern Baptist Convention

Every year I provide an update on churches in my denomination that have an average worship attendance of 1,000 or more.  I understand that almost one-half of my readers are not in the Southern Baptist Convention, so I appreciate you allowing me occasionally to share information about our family.

Allow me to provide a few caveats to accompany this list. It seems like these issues arise whenever I provide this report.

  1. The numbers are self-reported by the churches. We have not verified them.
  2. The churches on this list have met the requirements to be a part of the denomination.
  3. We are not making qualitative comments about larger churches with this list. We are simply providing information.
  4. If you think a church should be on the list and it is not, the church probably did not report the data. We know that at least 37 churches of sufficient size to be on this list did not report.
  5. These churches represent the top one percent in attendance in the denomination. Conversely 99% of the churches are not on the list.
RANK CHURCH NAME CITY STATE WEEKLY WORSHIP ATTENDANCE
1 NewSpring Community Church Anderson SC 27,158
2 Second Baptist Church Houston TX 26,022
3 Saddleback Valley Community Church Lake Forest CA 22,055
4 Woodlands Church The Woodlands TX 18,524
5 Prestonwood Baptist Church Plano TX 15,289
6 Thomas Road Baptist Church Lynchburg VA 13,500
7 Potential Church Fort Lauderdale FL 12,382
8 Elevation Church Matthews NC 11,708
9 Sagebrush Community Church Albuquerque NM 10,105
10 The Village Church Flower Mound TX 10,030
11 Lake Pointe Church Rockwall TX 9,250
12 Pinelake Church Brandon MS 9,091
13 Higher Dimension Church Houston TX 9,000
13 The Fountain of Praise Houston TX 9,000
15 Cross Church Springdale AR 8,562
16 Christ Fellowship Baptist Church Palmetto Bay FL 8,197
17 Shepherd of the Hills Porter Ranch CA 8,002
18 Shadow Mountain Community Church El Cajon CA 7,667
19 Bay Area Fellowship Corpus Christi TX 7,600
20 Voices of Faith Ministries Stone Mountain GA 6,900
21 Long Hollow Baptist Church Hendersonville TN 6,867
22 Sunrise Church Rialto CA 6,830
23 Elizabeth Baptist Church Atlanta GA 6,800
24 Church by the Glades Coral Springs FL 6,712
25 Bellevue Baptist Church Cordova TN 6,671
26 The Summit Church-Homestead Heights Durham NC 6,518
27 The Austin Stone Community Church Austin TX 6,336
28 First Baptist of Woodstock Woodstock GA 6,318
29 Idlewild Baptist Church Lutz FL 6,150
30 First Baptist Church of Orlando Orlando FL 5,690
31 Houston’s First Baptist Church Houston TX 5,607
32 Biltmore Baptist Church Arden NC 5,558
33 Brentwood Baptist Church Brentwood TN 5,510
34 Fallbrook Baptist Church Houston TX 5,500
34 Sandals Church Riverside CA 5,500
36 Newspring Church Wichita KS 5,481
37 Champion Forest Baptist Church Houston TX 5,456
38 Green Acres Baptist Church Tyler TX 5,056
39 Grace Church Greenville SC 5,000
40 Hillvue Heights Baptist Church Bowling Green KY 4,961
41 First Baptist of Atlanta Atlanta GA 4,956
42 Celebration Church Metairie LA 4,768
43 Franklin Avenue Baptist Church New Orleans LA 4,760
44 The Crossing Church Tampa FL 4,613
45 First Baptist Church of Jacksonville Jacksonville FL 4,500
46 Sharon Baptist Church Philadelphia PA 4,494
47 West Ridge Church Dallas GA 4,447
48 New Faith Baptist Church International Matteson IL 4,400
49 Faith Promise Church Knoxville TN 4,355
50 Clear Creek Community Church League City TX 4,322
51 First Baptist Church Pasadena TX 4,250
51 Greater Cornerstone Baptist Church Dallas TX 4,250
51 The Church at Rock Creek Little Rock AR 4,250
54 Thechurch.at Battlecreek Broken Arrow OK 4,208
55 Johnson Ferry Baptist Church Marietta GA 4,139
56 Sagemont Church Houston TX 4,136
57 Cascade Hills Baptist Church Columbus GA 4,100
58 Liberty Baptist Church Hampton VA 4,014
59 Hickory Grove Baptist Church Charlotte NC 3,834
60 Sugar Creek Baptist Church Sugar Land TX 3,790
61 Gardendale First Baptist Church Gardendale AL 3,757
62 Bell Shoals Baptist Church Brandon FL 3,593
63 Valley Baptist Church Bakersfield CA 3,586
64 Virginia Highlands Christian Fellowship Abingdon VA 3,583
65 Mosaic LA Los Angeles CA 3,570
66 Riverbend Baptist Church Austin TX 3,500
67 Calvary Baptist Church Clearwater FL 3,478
68 First Baptist Church of Naples Naples FL 3,477
69 Sevier Heights Baptist Church Knoxville TN 3,464
70 Metropolitan Baptist Church Houston TX 3,439
71 Waters Edge Church Yorktown VA 3,432
72 First Baptist Church Dallas TX 3,426
73 Southwest Community Baptist Church Houston TX 3,400
73 Spartanburg First Baptist Church Spartanburg SC 3,400
75 Central Baptist Church Jonesboro AR 3,319
76 Calvary Baptist Church Winston Salem NC 3,304
77 Hebron Baptist Church Dacula GA 3,246
78 Mud Creek Church Hendersonville NC 3,220
79 Beltway Park Baptist Church Abilene TX 3,067
80 Central Baptist Church, Bryan College Station TX 3,000
81 Bear Creek Baptist Church Katy TX 2,968
82 First Baptist Church at the Mall Lakeland FL 2,966
83 Cleveland First Baptist Church Cleveland TN 2,965
84 Oakwood Baptist Church New Braunfels TX 2,947
85 Olive Baptist Church Pensacola FL 2,932
86 Hunter Street Baptist Church Hoover AL 2,916
87 First Baptist Church Indian Trail Indian Trail NC 2,888
88 Abundant Life Baptist Church Lees Summit MO 2,880
88 Rock Bridge Community Church Dalton GA 2,880
90 Dawson Memorial Baptist Church Homewood AL 2,875
90 First Baptist Church of Brandon Brandon FL 2,875
92 The Heights Baptist Church Richardson TX 2,866
93 Concord First Baptist Church Knoxville TN 2,846
94 Willowbrook Baptist Church Huntsville AL 2,845
95 Shadow Hills Baptist Church Las Vegas NV 2,781
96 Indian Rocks First Baptist Church Largo FL 2,780
97 Hendersonville First Baptist Church Hendersonville TN 2,775
98 Silverlake Church Pearland TX 2,766
99 LifePoint Church Smyrna TN 2,746
100 Highview Baptist Church Louisville KY 2,730
101 Grace Baptist Church Knoxville TN 2,700
102 First Baptist Church of Arnold Arnold MO 2,686
103 C3 Church NC Clayton NC 2,671
104 Lenexa Baptist Church Lenexa KS 2,667
105 Crossroads Church Newnan GA 2,665
106 Lifepoint Church Fredericksburg VA 2,643
107 McGregor Baptist Church Fort Myers FL 2,636
108 Blackshear Place Baptist Church Flowery Branch GA 2,635
109 First Baptist Church of Jacksonville Jacksonville NC 2,608
110 Henderson Hills Baptist Church Edmond OK 2,600
111 Pleasant Valley Baptist Church Liberty MO 2,592
112 Silverdale Baptist Church Chattanooga TN 2,584
113 Cornerstone Church Ames IA 2,575
114 Englewood Baptist Church Jackson TN 2,556
115 Immanuel Baptist Church Highland CA 2,543
116 Opelika First Opelika AL 2,541
117 First Baptist Church, Euless Euless TX 2,534
118 East Bayou Baptist Church Lafayette LA 2,502
118 First Baptist Church of Hattiesburg Hattiesburg MS 2,502
120 New Faith Church of Houston Houston TX 2,500
120 Oasis Church of South Florida Pembroke Pines FL 2,500
120 Praise Temple Baptist Church Shreveport LA 2,500
120 Rock Springs Baptist Church Easley SC 2,500
120 Russian Baptist Church West Sacramento CA 2,500
125 Great Commission Baptist Church Fort Worth TX 2,453
126 La Familia de Dios Ontario CA 2,450
126 Shades Mountain Baptist Church Vestavia Hills AL 2,450
128 The Grove Community Church Riverside CA 2,438
129 Grace Fellowship West Palm Beach FL 2,430
130 Kingsland Baptist Church Katy TX 2,408
131 First Baptist Church Norfolk Norfolk VA 2,402
132 First Baptist Church Arlington TX 2,401
133 First Baptist Church Broken Arrow OK 2,400
133 Iglesia Bautista De Glenview Ponce PR 2,400
135 Park Cities Baptist Church Dallas TX 2,340
136 Mobberly Baptist Church Longview TX 2,313
137 Fielder Road Baptist Church Arlington TX 2,312
138 Apex Community Church Kettering OH 2,300
138 Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church Jacksonville FL 2,300
140 First Baptist Church of Oviedo Oviedo FL 2,299
141 Broadmoor Baptist Church Madison MS 2,298
142 Bethlehem Baptist Church Gastonia NC 2,287
143 Glenview Baptist Church Fort Worth TX 2,280
144 Burnt Hickory Baptist Church Powder Springs GA 2,253
145 Shandon Baptist Church Columbia SC 2,250
145 Word Tabernacle Rocky Mount NC 2,250
147 First Baptist Church West Monroe LA 2,246
148 New Vision Church of Northern California Milpitas CA 2,232
149 The Heights Baptist Church Colonial Heights VA 2,225
150 First Baptist Church of Wylie Wylie TX 2,200
151 The Fort Bend Church Sugar Land TX 2,189
152 First Baptist Church Wichita Falls TX 2,182
153 Summit Church Fort Myers FL 2,180
154 Second Baptist Church Springfield MO 2,174
155 Bay Life Church Brandon FL 2,151
156 Fort Lauderdale First Baptist Church Fort Lauderdale FL 2,150
156 Valley View Baptist Church Louisville KY 2,150
158 Alamo City Christian Fellowship Church San Antonio TX 2,125
158 Cedar Creek Baptist Church Aiken SC 2,125
160 Geyer Springs First Baptist Church Little Rock AR 2,118
161 Columbia First Baptist Church Columbia SC 2,100
161 First Baptist Church Amarillo TX 2,100
161 First Baptist Church Woodway Woodway TX 2,100
164 Broadmoor Baptist Church Shreveport LA 2,083
165 Warren Baptist Church Augusta GA 2,046
166 The Avenue Church Waxahachie TX 2,044
167 Thompson Station Baptist Church Thompson Station TN 2,041
168 First Baptist Church of McKinney McKinney TX 2,036
169 Grace Community Church Clarksville TN 2,030
170 SouthCrest Baptist Church Newnan GA 2,027
171 Cross Pointe Church Duluth GA 2,001
172 Abba’s House Hixson TN 2,000
172 Baptist Temple McAllen TX 2,000
172 East Brent Baptist Church Pensacola FL 2,000
172 First Baptist Church Jackson Jackson MS 2,000
172 First Baptist Forney Forney TX 2,000
172 First Baptist of Jonesboro Jonesboro GA 2,000
172 Greenforest Community Decatur GA 2,000
172 North Spartanburg First Spartanburg SC 2,000
180 Cuyahoga Valley  Church Broadview Heights OH 1,986
180 NorthPointe Community Church Fresno CA 1,986
182 Simpsonville First Simpsonville SC 1,984
183 Forest Park Baptist Church Joplin MO 1,964
184 Chets Creek Church Jacksonville FL 1,963
185 Calvary Baptist Church Beaumont TX 1,959
186 Montgomery First Montgomery AL 1,958
187 Hillcrest Church Pensacola FL 1,950
188 Living Hope Baptist Church Bowling Green KY 1,940
189 Temple New Bern NC 1,935
190 Seoul Baptist Church of Houston Houston TX 1,931
191 First Baptist Church Covington LA 1,924
191 Ingleside Baptist Church Macon GA 1,924
193 Sevierville First Sevierville TN 1,923
194 Dallas Bay Baptist Church Hixson TN 1,915
195 Northwood Church Keller TX 1,913
196 Spotswood Baptist Church Fredericksburg VA 1,908
197 Tallowood Baptist Church Houston TX 1,907
198 Lifepoint Church Tampa FL 1,900
199 Brainerd Baptist Church Chattanooga TN 1,899
200 Panama City First Panama City FL 1,898
201 Fellowship of the Parks Keller TX 1,896
202 River Oak Church Chesapeake VA 1,890
203 Crossgates Baptist Church Brandon MS 1,886
204 Midway Macedonia Baptist Church Villa Rica GA 1,882
205 Community Life Church Forney TX 1,876
206 Hyde Park Baptist Church Austin TX 1,859
207 First Baptist Church Rockwall TX 1,850
208 Calvary Baptist Church Alexandria LA 1,845
209 PaulAnn Baptist Church San Angelo TX 1,843
210 Mountain Lake Community Church Cumming GA 1,835
210 Rogers First Rogers AR 1,835
212 Southcrest Baptist Church Lubbock TX 1,833
213 Taylors First Taylors SC 1,831
214 Ridgecrest Baptist Church Springfield MO 1,825
215 Hope Baptist Church Las Vegas NV 1,813
216 Casas Adobes Baptist Church Tucson AZ 1,812
217 Berendo Street Baptist Church Los Angeles CA 1,800
217 Immanuel Baptist Church Shawnee OK 1,800
217 Northstar Church Kennesaw GA 1,800
220 Humble Area’s First Baptist Church Humble TX 1,788
221 East Memorial Baptist Church Prattville AL 1,784
222 New Hope Baptist Church Fayetteville GA 1,783
223 Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church Allen TX 1,772
223 Eagle’s Landing First Baptist Church McDonough GA 1,772
225 Istrouma Baptist Church Baton Rouge LA 1,752
226 Family Church Pine Bluff AR 1,750
226 First Baptist Church Bossier City LA 1,750
226 Iglesia Bautista West Brownsville Brownsville TX 1,750
229 Quail Springs Baptist Church Oklahoma City OK 1,730
230 Colonial Hills Baptist Church Southaven MS 1,716
231 Whitesburg Baptist Church Huntsville AL 1,709
232 Mount Ararat Baptist Church Stafford VA 1,705
233 CrossPointe Church Valdosta GA 1,700
233 First Baptist Church Midland TX 1,700
233 First Chinese Baptist Church Los Angeles CA 1,700
233 Mt Calvary Baptist Church Fairfield CA 1,700
233 North Jacksonville Baptist Church Jacksonville FL 1,700
233 North Monroe Baptist Church Monroe LA 1,700
239 Mandarin Baptist Church of Los Angeles Alhambra CA 1,698
240 Trinity Baptist Church Lake Charles LA 1,675
241 3Circle Church Fairhope AL 1,665
242 First Baptist Church Snellville Snellville GA 1,655
243 O’Fallon First O””Fallon IL 1,650
243 True North Church North Augusta SC 1,650
243 Tuscaloosa First Tuscaloosa AL 1,650
246 Temple Missionary Baptist Church San Bernardino CA 1,644
247 Fellowship of The Rockies Pueblo CO 1,643
248 Ridgecrest Baptist Church Dothan AL 1,638
249 Lee Park Baptist Church Monroe NC 1,637
250 Cowboy Church of Ellis County Waxahachie TX 1,632
251 Sherwood Baptist Church Albany GA 1,604
252 First Baptist Church Texarkana TX 1,600
252 New Life Community E Saint Louis IL 1,600
252 North Phoenix Baptist Church Phoenix AZ 1,600
252 Stonegate Fellowship Church Midland TX 1,600
256 Jacob’s Well Eau Claire WI 1,590
257 Faith Baptist Church Bartlett TN 1,583
258 Global Mission Church of Greater Washington Silver Spring MD 1,581
259 Bannockburn Baptist Church Austin TX 1,564
260 Jersey Baptist Church Pataskala OH 1,552
261 Brentwood Baptist Church Houston TX 1,547
262 Twin Cities Community Church Grass Valley CA 1,536
263 University Baptist Church Coral Gables FL 1,535
264 Oakwood Baptist Church Chickamauga GA 1,533
265 First Baptist Church Garland TX 1,517
265 North Richland Hills Baptist Church North Richland Hills TX 1,517
267 City Church Tallahassee FL 1,512
268 Boiling Springs First Baptist Church Boiling Springs SC 1,508
269 First Redeemer Church Cumming GA 1,507
270 Anastasia Baptist Church St. Augustine FL 1,503
271 Crossway Baptist Church Springfield MO 1,500
271 First Baptist Church Raytown MO 1,500
271 Foothills Community Church Seneca SC 1,500
271 Grace Point Church San Antonio TX 1,500
271 Grove Level Baptist Church Maysville GA 1,500
271 Lakewood Baptist Church Gainesville GA 1,500
271 Rockpointe Church Flower Mound TX 1,500
271 Sunnyvale First Baptist Church Sunnyvale TX 1,500
271 Westside Church Omaha NE 1,500
271 Woodland Community Church Bradenton FL 1,500
281 First Baptist Church Denton TX 1,495
281 Watkinsville First Baptist Church Watkinsville GA 1,495
283 Immanuel Baptist Church Lexington KY 1,486
284 Birchman Baptist Church Fort Worth TX 1,470
285 Journey Church Evans GA 1,468
286 First Baptist Church Windermere Windermere FL 1,454
287 First Baptist Church Tulsa Tulsa OK 1,451
288 Fairview Baptist Church Corryton TN 1,450
289 Temple Baptist Church Hattiesburg MS 1,446
290 South Bay Church San Jose CA 1,445
290 Southern Hills Baptist Church Oklahoma City OK 1,445
292 121 Community Church Grapevine TX 1,440
292 Bon Air Baptist Church Richmond VA 1,440
294 First Baptist Church San Antonio TX 1,437
295 Genoa Baptist Church Westerville OH 1,429
296 Keystone Church Keller TX 1,422
297 Maryville First Maryville IL 1,420
297 Mesquite Friendship Baptist Church Mesquite TX 1,420
299 First Baptist Church of Kissimmee Kissimmee FL 1,415
300 Fort Smith First Baptist Church Fort Smith AR 1,414
301 Concord Missionary Baptist Church Dallas TX 1,400
301 First Baptist Church Moore OK 1,400
301 First Baptist Church of Plant City Plant City FL 1,400
301 First St. John Missionary Baptist Fort Worth TX 1,400
301 Greater St Matthew Baptist Church Houston TX 1,400
301 Hibernia Baptist Church Fleming Island FL 1,400
301 Lawndale Baptist Church Greensboro NC 1,400
301 North Metro First Baptist Church Lawrenceville GA 1,400
301 Valley Creek Baptist Church Flower Mound TX 1,400
310 Collierville First Baptist Church Collierville TN 1,390
310 Spring Baptist Church Spring TX 1,390
312 Graceland Baptist Church New Albany IN 1,387
313 Grace Church Des Moines IA 1,383
314 Grace Fellowship Church Paradise TX 1,377
315 First Baptist of Gainesville Gainesville GA 1,375
315 Hill Crest Anniston AL 1,375
317 Paramount Baptist Church Amarillo TX 1,372
318 Emmanuel Baptist Church Enid OK 1,370
319 Westbrook Baptist Church Hutchinson KS 1,368
320 Powell First Baptist Church Powell TN 1,356
321 Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church Houston TX 1,355
322 First Baptist Church Carrollton TX 1,354
323 Harris Creek Baptist Church Mc Gregor TX 1,350
323 Metro Community Church Edwardsville IL 1,350
323 Morristown First Baptist Church Morristown TN 1,350
323 North Asheville Baptist Church Asheville NC 1,350
323 Peace Baptist Church Decatur GA 1,350
323 Resurrection Baptist Church Schertz TX 1,350
329 First Baptist Church Woodbridge Woodbridge VA 1,349
330 Travis Avenue Baptist Church Fort Worth TX 1,346
331 Hendersonville First Hendersonville NC 1,341
331 Lone Oak First Paducah KY 1,341
333 First Baptist Church of Middleburg Middleburg FL 1,340
334 Alice Drive Baptist Church Sumter SC 1,338
335 First Baptist Church of Allen Allen TX 1,334
336 Millington First Baptist Church Millington TN 1,330
337 Bellevue Baptist Church Owensboro KY 1,326
338 First Baptist Church Summit MS 1,325
338 Hopeful Baptist Church Lake City FL 1,325
340 Emmanuel Community Church Conyers GA 1,323
341 Hiland Park Baptist Church Panama City FL 1,320
342 Columbia Baptist Church Falls Church VA 1,319
343 Crosspoint Southern Baptist Church Trussville AL 1,317
344 Hyland Heights Baptist Church Lynchburg VA 1,314
345 Parkwood Baptist Church Gastonia NC 1,313
346 Oak Ridge Baptist Church Salisbury MD 1,311
347 Fellowship Community Church Salem VA 1,305
347 Westwood Baptist Church Alabaster AL 1,305
349 ClearView Baptist Church Franklin TN 1,304
350 Arran Lake Baptist Church Fayetteville NC 1,300
350 Bayside Baptist Church Harrison TN 1,300
350 Council Road Baptist Church Bethany OK 1,300
350 Crestview Baptist Church Georgetown TX 1,300
350 Daystar Church Greensboro NC 1,300
350 First Baptist Church Powder Springs Powder Springs GA 1,300
350 First Baptist of Thomasville Thomasville GA 1,300
350 French Speaking Baptist Church Brooklyn Brooklyn NY 1,300
350 Green Valley Baptist Church Henderson NV 1,300
350 Immanuel Baptist Church Little Rock AR 1,300
350 Johns Creek Baptist Church Alpharetta GA 1,300
350 Spring Hills Community Church Santa Rosa CA 1,300
362 South Biscayne Church North Port FL 1,296
363 Anderson Mill Road Baptist Church Moore SC 1,291
364 South Tampa Fellowship Tampa FL 1,290
365 Del Sol Church El Paso TX 1,289
365 Longview Heights Baptist Church Olive Branch MS 1,289
367 First Baptist Church of Harvester Saint Charles MO 1,288
367 Hilldale Baptist Church Clarksville TN 1,288
369 Lakeside Baptist Church Granbury TX 1,287
370 Second Baptist Church Warner Robins GA 1,285
371 Scotts Hill Wilmington NC 1,284
372 Avalon Church McDonough GA 1,275
372 Hopewell Monroe NC 1,275
372 LifePoint Church Lewis Center OH 1,275
372 Stevens Street Baptist Church Cookeville TN 1,275
376 Roswell Street Baptist Church Marietta GA 1,270
377 First Baptist Church Roanoke VA 1,266
377 Houston Northwest Baptist Church Houston TX 1,266
379 FishHawk Fellowship Lithia FL 1,263
380 Franklin Heights Baptist Church Rocky Mount VA 1,256
381 Higher Ground Baptist Church Kingsport TN 1,254
382 First Baptist Church Universal Cty TX 1,252
383 Cornerstone Community Church Orangeburg SC 1,250
383 First Baptist of Bethlehem Bethlehem GA 1,250
383 Hawk Creek London KY 1,250
383 Kirby Woods Baptist Church Memphis TN 1,250
383 Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Herndon VA 1,250
388 Clovis Hills Community Church Clovis CA 1,248
389 First Baptist of Conyers Conyers GA 1,236
390 First Baptist Church Lubbock TX 1,234
391 Calvary Tuscaloosa AL 1,233
392 514 Church New Albany OH 1,225
393 First Baptist Church of Frisco Frisco TX 1,223
394 Fruit Cove Baptist Church Jacksonville FL 1,222
395 Prattville First Baptist Church Prattville AL 1,221
396 First Baptist Church Lafayette LA 1,220
397 Mount Zion Baptist Church Huntsville AL 1,219
398 Parkway Church Victoria TX 1,215
399 Severns Valley Elizabethtown KY 1,211
400 First Baptist Church Branson MO 1,208
401 First Baptist Church of Central Florida Orlando FL 1,204
402 First Baptist Church Midlothian TX 1,202
403 Antioch Church Long Beach CA 1,200
403 Bentonville First Baptist Church Bentonville AR 1,200
403 Faith Baptist Church Youngsville NC 1,200
403 First Keller Keller TX 1,200
403 Hillcrest Baptist Church Lebanon TN 1,200
403 Mesilla Park Community Church Mesilla Park NM 1,200
403 Powhatan Community Church Powhatan VA 1,200
403 Russell Missionary Baptist Church Green Cove Springs FL 1,200
403 StoneBridge Church The Woodlands TX 1,200
403 Tacoma First Baptist Church Tacoma WA 1,200
413 The Glade Church Gladeville TN 1,197
413 Westside Baptist Church Jacksonville FL 1,197
415 Florence Florence KY 1,194
416 Dayspring Baptist Church Mobile AL 1,190
417 First Baptist Church Lewisville TX 1,183
418 First Missionary Baptist Church Ardmore OK 1,179
419 West University Baptist Church Houston TX 1,178
420 First Baptist North Mobile Saraland AL 1,177
421 Lindsay Lane Baptist Church Athens AL 1,167
422 Pathways Community Church Santee CA 1,165
423 Northside Baptist Church Liverpool NY 1,164
424 Brushy Creek Baptist Church Taylors SC 1,161
424 Stuart Heights Baptist Church Hixson TN 1,161
426 Glen Haven Baptist Church McDonough GA 1,154
427 Grove Avenue Baptist Church Richmond VA 1,151
428 First Baptist Church Hurst TX 1,150
428 Golden Acres  Baptist  Church Phenix City AL 1,150
428 Hunters Glen Baptist Church Plano TX 1,150
428 Redeemer Church of Lubbock Lubbock TX 1,150
428 Vandalia First Baptist Church Vandalia OH 1,150
433 First Baptist Church Odessa TX 1,145
434 Fairview Baptist Church Columbus MS 1,140
434 Walnut Ridge Baptist Church Mansfield TX 1,140
436 CrossPoint City Church Cartersville GA 1,139
437 Immanuel Baptist Church Lebanon TN 1,136
438 North Side Baptist Church Weatherford TX 1,135
439 Englewood Rocky Mount NC 1,134
439 Life Community Church Jamestown NC 1,134
441 Harvest Baptist Church Watauga TX 1,132
442 First Baptist Church of Merritt Island Merritt Island FL 1,127
442 Immanuel Baptist Church Tallahassee FL 1,127
444 Dogwood Church Peachtree City GA 1,126
444 LifeSpring Church Bellevue NE 1,126
446 First Baptist Church Burleson TX 1,125
447 Aloma Church Ministries Winter Park FL 1,120
447 Woodland Park Baptist Church Chattanooga TN 1,120
449 Southwinds Church Tracy CA 1,113
450 Summer Grove Baptist Church Shreveport LA 1,109
451 Harrisburg Baptist Church Tupelo MS 1,107
452 First Baptist Church The Woodlands TX 1,105
453 Old Fort Baptist Church Summerville SC 1,101
454 Benton First Baptist Church Benton AR 1,100
454 Cool Spring Baptist Church Mechanicsville VA 1,100
454 Cross Brand Cowboy Church Tyler TX 1,100
454 First Baptist Church Irving TX 1,100
454 First Baptist Church Richardson TX 1,100
454 First Baptist Church of Pelham Pelham AL 1,100
454 Fort Mill First Baptist Church Fort Mill SC 1,100
454 Mims Baptist Church Conroe TX 1,100
454 Northside Wilmington NC 1,100
454 Pleasant Garden Pleasant Garden NC 1,100
454 Second Baptist Church Baytown TX 1,100
454 Streetlife at Baton Rouge Baton Rouge LA 1,100
454 The Connection Church Kyle TX 1,100
454 Westside Baptist Church Lewisville TX 1,100
468 Hillcrest Hopkinsville KY 1,098
469 The River Community Church Cookeville TN 1,096
470 Binghamtown Middlesboro KY 1,095
471 Crossroads Baptist Church The Woodlands TX 1,092
472 The Church at Viera Melbourne FL 1,087
472 Village Baptist Church Fayetteville NC 1,087
474 Calvary Baptist Church Lake Havasu City AZ 1,086
475 Western Avenue Statesville NC 1,082
476 First Baptist Church of Leesburg Leesburg FL 1,081
477 Hermitage Hills Baptist Church Hermitage TN 1,080
478 Cornerstone Community Marion IL 1,079
478 First Baptist Church Lilburn Lilburn GA 1,079
480 Calvary Baptist Church Dothan AL 1,077
480 Corryton Baptist Church Corryton TN 1,077
482 Friendship Baptist Church The Colony TX 1,075
483 Forest Hills Baptist Church Nashville TN 1,074
484 First Baptist of Cumming Cumming GA 1,073
484 Prince Avenue Baptist Church Bogart GA 1,073
486 First Baptist Church Statesboro Statesboro GA 1,071
487 First Baptist Church of Alexandria Alexandria VA 1,067
488 Cornerstone Baptist Church Roseville MI 1,065
488 Emmanuel Baptist Church Billings MT 1,065
490 Columbia First Baptist Church Columbia TN 1,064
490 Highland Baptist Church Waco TX 1,064
492 Deep Creek Baptist Church Chesapeake VA 1,061
492 First Baptist Church Georgetown TX 1,061
494 First Baptist Church of Brandon Brandon MS 1,059
495 Southcliff Baptist Church Fort Worth TX 1,057
496 Tillman’s Corner First Mobile AL 1,055
497 First Baptist Church of Weston Weston FL 1,052
498 Mount Hebron Missionary Baptist Church Garland TX 1,051
499 Bay Leaf Baptist Church Raleigh NC 1,050
499 Central Baptist Church Warner Robins GA 1,050
499 Enterprise First Baptist Church Enterprise AL 1,050
499 First Baptist Church Madison Madison MS 1,050
499 Gulf to Lake Baptist Church Crystal River FL 1,050
499 New Song Church Carrollton TX 1,050
499 Russellville First Baptist Church Russellville AR 1,050
499 Westside Baptist Church Gainesville FL 1,050
507 West Jackson Baptist Church Jackson TN 1,047
508 St Luke Missionary Baptist Church Humble TX 1,045
509 Center Grove Clemmons NC 1,043
510 Cornerstone Family Church St. Cloud FL 1,042
510 Hot Springs First Baptist Church Hot Springs AR 1,042
512 Valley View Tuscaloosa AL 1,040
513 Decatur Baptist Decatur AL 1,039
513 Green Street High Point NC 1,039
515 The Fellowship At Cinco Ranch Katy TX 1,038
516 Millbrook Baptist Church Aiken SC 1,036
517 South Tulsa Baptist Church Tulsa OK 1,035
518 First Baptist Church Colleyville TX 1,034
518 Temple Terrace First Baptist Church Temple Terrace FL 1,034
520 First Baptist Church Richmond VA 1,030
520 Little Flock Shepherdsville KY 1,030
520 Spring Hills Baptist Granville OH 1,030
523 Northcliffe Baptist Church Spring Hill FL 1,027
524 East Leesville Baptist Church Leesville LA 1,025
524 First Baptist Church Belton TX 1,025
524 Pioneer Drive Baptist Church Abilene TX 1,025
527 Coggin Avenue Baptist Church Brownwood TX 1,024
527 Highland Park Muscle Shoals AL 1,024
529 Lakeview Auburn AL 1,021
530 Huntsville First Baptist Church Huntsville AL 1,019
531 First Baptist Church Houma LA 1,016
531 Willow Park Baptist Church Aledo TX 1,016
533 North Augusta First Baptist Church North Augusta SC 1,013
533 Porter Memorial Lexington KY 1,013
535 Greenwell Springs Baptist Church Greenwell Springs LA 1,012
536 Cypress Baptist Church Benton LA 1,011
537 Belle Aire Baptist Church Murfreesboro TN 1,010
537 London Bridge Baptist Church Virginia Beach VA 1,010
539 Magnolia Avenue Baptist Church Riverside CA 1,009
540 Hillcrest Baptist Church Cedar Hill TX 1,008
541 Broadview Missionary Broadview IL 1,005
541 First Chinese Baptist Church Walnut CA 1,005
541 Hopewell Baptist Church Gainesville GA 1,005
544 Calvary Baptist Church Shreveport LA 1,004
545 Bonsack Baptist Church Roanoke VA 1,000
545 Clearview Baptist Church Travelers Rest SC 1,000
545 Coronado Baptist Church El Paso TX 1,000
545 Crosspoint Church Pearland TX 1,000
545 Emmanuel Baptist Church Grenada MS 1,000
545 Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church Indianapolis IN 1,000
545 First Baptist Church Warrensburg MO 1,000
545 First Baptist Church Douglasville Douglasville GA 1,000
545 First Baptist Church of Umatilla Umatilla FL 1,000
545 First Baptist Church on the Square LaGrange GA 1,000
545 First Baptist Church Pflugerville TX 1,000
545 First Baptist of Augusta Augusta GA 1,000
545 Journey Church Franklin TN 1,000
545 Newchurch Oklahoma City OK 1,000
545 ReThink Life Church Orlando FL 1,000
545 Rock Hill First Baptist Church Rock Hill SC 1,000
545 The Bridge at Palma Sola Bay Bradenton FL 1,000
545 Tulip Grove Baptist Church Old Hickory TN 1,000

Comments

  1. Please explain the purpose in publishing this list and the value it provides your readers. I enjoy your post. They bring great value for me as a pastor, but do not see any value in this post for me as a pastor or any pastor. Please accept my apology if I sound harsh. That is not my intention. Thanks.

    Reply

    • No need to apologize. Some of the readers appreciate such stats merely out of interest. If you don’t, that is fine as well.

      Reply

      • David, I think perhaps you are pointing out that a large church doesn’t necessarily indicate a healthy church, to which I agree.

        What this chart does for me (my church, where I am simply a deacon) is #453 on the list. But in recent years we were told that we were far, far closer to the top in terms of our giving to the Lottie Moon offering. (please understand I’m not flaunting that, we are in a geographic area that can afford to do this in terms of economic prosperity).

        It means that we are both encouraged and challenged by what we can do as a community of believers. Remember how Paul encouraged/challenged his churches by commending to them the generosity of others.

        While Thom didn’t post this specifically for this purpose, all you need to do is cross-reference it with how your church sits with other churches in such issues. At that point, use biblical wisdom and conviction of the Spirit to decide whether your church needs to improve in it’s giving to missions. It can be a good challenge and a good encouragement.

        It is not, however, a litmus test for anything. Simply data that can be interpreted one way or the other, based on the context of each church.

        Reply

        • This has been helpful for me. I am a Ugandan believer who has been admitted to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I have never been to the USA and I needed to be familiar with Baptist churches in Kentucky, especially in the Louisville area, because I will need to join one on arrival. I also wanted to know which of them may help me with advice and financing for my MDiv program. This article was a God-send. Not that I have yet succeeded, but I know where to begin from. Thank you very much for this information!

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    • As a single adult Christian, I appreciate the collection of these numbers. …..As an overlooked minority in most church environments, it is important for me to look for churches with large congregations. ……Niche interests groups make sense only in large populations of people, even though most churches try to do the old ‘square peg in a round hole’ thing with everyone who walks in the door.

      I do wish the data went all the way down to congregations with 600 or so.

      Reply

      • I agree. I moved to a rural area of VA from SC. I miss my big church with so much to offer different ages and interest. I don’t need a 1000 member church but would also appreciate it going down to at least 500. That’s a lot for where I am.

        Reply

    • This has been helpful for me. I am a Ugandan believer who has been admitted to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I have never been to the USA and I needed to be familiar with Baptist churches in Kentucky, especially in the Louisville area, because I will need to join one on arrival. I also wanted to know which of them may help me with advice and financing for my MDiv program. This article was a God-send. Not that I have yet succeeded, but I know where to begin from. Thank you very much for this information!

      Reply

  2. 1) Where are the New England and Mid-Atlantic region churches?

    2) We may list by size, our Lord will list by faithfulness.

    Reply

    • John: In response to number one, we are simply reporting stats from those who sent us the data.

      Reply

        • @Matt: No, I didn’t notice until you pointed it out, and I must confess that it took me a few seconds to get your point. Thanks for the laugh! 🙂

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      • John,

        there might be two that break the 1000 people mark if that’s anything to you. NetCast Church in Beverly, MA and Grace Church in Avon, MA formerly Stoughton, MA.

        As an Associate Pastor of a plant I look at the number for the Northeast, I know that its a hard road, and were in the area between Providence, RI and New Bedford, MA which was listed as the least Spiritual place this year.
        Don

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  3. Dr Rainer, could you post a link to last years list so we could look at the comparison and patterns.

    Thanks

    Reply

  4. Thankful for the Gospel going forth to thousands. Praying these churches are faithful to raise up Christ crucified and the need to repent.

    My brothers and sisters are those who trust Christ, whether in a 150 member church like my own or a 20,000 member church. I will rejoice and give thanks.

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  5. Dr Thom–these stats are very interesting. I’ve been an armchair student of why some churches grow and others don’t since I read the Isschar Factor a long time ago. I currently attend one of the list at the 4000 plus level. The ministry team and volunteers make members and visitors feel welcome and connected so much more than the under 75 members church I attended for years. The value in a list like this is should encourage all in ministry to know the seed of Gods Word is being sown and needs are being met on a large scale as well as smaller.

    Reply

  6. Thom,
    I would suggest you add something to this list. Show what the CP giving is for each church. I think then we would all be shocked on who is contributing and who is not!

    Thanks!
    Tim

    Reply

    • Thanks Tim, but the Annual Church Profile data does not include CP giving. That information is gathered by another entity.

      Reply

  7. Dr. Rainer,

    Thank you for supplying this list. As I look at this list, I see the names of many churches whose preaching, teaching, worship and missions ministries that have been a blessing to me personally and the churches and associations I have had a privilege of serving.
    As you noted in your post, these churches represent 1% of SBC congregations. I wonder if you could tell us how many SBC congregations have an average worship attendance between 100-125. If we are going to see our nation significantly impacted by the Gospel, it will happen as God works in and through churches of all sizes, but, for many reasons, I believe it will happen primarily through thousands and thousands of new and revitalized smaller churches. As someone has said, “Bigger is not better. Smaller is not better. Better is better.”

    Reply

    • Yes. My son, Sam Rainer, is pastor of Stevens Street Baptist Church in Cookeville, TN, number 372 on the list.

      Reply

  11. It’s really fascinating to the compare the list to last year’s list.
    I’m wondering how NewSpring Church increased their attendance by almost 10,000 in a single year.

    Reply

  12. Dr. Rainer,

    You say in #4…”We know that at least 37 churches of sufficient size to be on this list did not report.” Does that represent a typical number for this list in a given year, or is it higher than normal?

    Reply

    • It is more typical of the past few years, but the non-reporting churches are certainly in greater number than they were a decade ago.

      Reply

  13. Someone asked what is the point in this list, a good question. Reading this list in England, where most people consider a couple of hundred regulars to be a large and successful church and one hundred to be good going, this list is important as it helps us see the reality of such numbers here on the one hand, but also what can be achieved on the other. This Southern Baptist denomination is hardly known for running after fads like flying off to Toronto to bring back blessings etc. so it is an encouragement to those over here who are trying to be faithful in the right things to keep doing so rather than go running around to nowhere. Thank you for putting this list online, it is a real encouragement to see.

    Reply

  14. It’s interesting that by my count only 7 of the top 25 churches have the word “baptist” in their name. I’m sure there is no causality, but it is something to ponder none the less.

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  15. Dare I say that if orthodox bible teaching was the rating criteria that #1 on this list would not be anywhere close?

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  16. Sad to see so many negative comments. Sure their are some churches that give more, to missions than others, some that do more in the community, some that baptize more than others, but we should be glad to see so many in church. It means we have people worshipping because of their love for Christ or they are people that need to know Him. To many worry about where they are on the list or where someone is. For my little church that I have been honored to serve, we way down the list. 30 in SS and 60 in worship on a good day. We struggle to make ends meet. We are in a mill village community where jobs and people have left. Most of our people live in mobile house and very small old homes, working mostly low income jobs. Many on this list give more in on 1 Sunday than we take in during the whole years, and that is find. We are all loved by God and should take what He as given each church and run with it. We need to see the plan for our church, and not worry about our neighboring churches plan. We all have lost people living around us, and we have the same number of hours as the big churches, we all have problems and challenges to face. We as a church of 60 have a problem with finding nursery workers, guess what, my brothers church where he is a deacon, has 400 deacons, 5500 in worship, and they still have problems finding nursery workers. Let be proud that we can list church and may we all follow our call, encourage each other, and pray daily for strength. Thank you Bro. Rainer for all you do. I look forward to meeting you some day. God Bless

    Reply

    • The devil can corrupt almost anything for his purposes. Dr. Rainer said he posted it because some people are interested. If you’re not interested, then don’t read it.

      Reply

  18. One thing this list does is provide peer and larger churches when are are looking for people to ask about how they manage larger numbers of people and lessons learned so maybe we don’t have to make the same mistakes and can do the same for others.

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  19. Curious? Are there any list in terms of percentages? I wonder what percentage churches are reaching within say… driving distance.

    Reply

  20. Dr. Rainer: I was a part of your D.Min cohort at SBTS (around 2000) concentrating on Evangelism and Church Growth. Although I was not able to complete my final paper I can honestly say that I learned more in those classes than I did while working on my M.Div. I’ve never been the pastor of a mega church and at the age of 60 doubt that I will ever make it (and that’s okay). I’ve pastored five churches over 25 years the largest running about 260 in worship when I left. I’ve now had the privilege to interim in 3 churches and now serve at a church that only has about 60 in worship. While I’m grateful to have been a part of NewSpring for a while, I’m also grateful to now serve in God’s church as a pastor even if it’s an interim. I’m also blessed to be serving where the Lord has planted me and I’ve found wonderful and gracious people in every church regardless of the size. Finally, I’m grateful there are men who can lead these mega churches, I would believe God has called them there just as God has called me to where I serve. Thanks for posting and thanks for your influence in my ministry. john f. huckaby

    Reply

    • John: I thank God we crossed paths. And I am so thankful for the way God has and is using you. Size of church is not a measure of size of faithfulness.

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  21. Dr. Rainer,

    Thanks, I always enjoy reading your articles.

    From reading caveat #4 and several comments, it seems that we have an ever increasing problem of non-reporting churches. In the past, I worked for one of our state conventions and I led a team to use heroic measures in collecting ACP’s. What we can’t collect, we can’t count. I saw that the mood and even momentum of a state convention was effected by a “low” baptism year. We are beginning to see this each year before the June SBC as ACP stats are released and even secular media outlets join the chorus of an ever shrinking Southern Baptist Convention.

    Respectfully, I would encourage our entity heads to “not” spotlight pastors from chronic non-reporting churches as key speakers in our large meetings (panels), nor seeing their books being promoted at every turn.

    Blessings!

    Reply

  22. While the church I attend isn’t a member of your denominational family, I still love to read your posts. Our church is in a very rural area and our town is less than 5,000 people. However, our church, percentage wise, may be larger than some of the “large” churches. About 5% of the population of our town attend our church. There are rural churches who will never, ever make a list such as this but are extremely well attended and effective when the total population of a city is considered. Just curious – are there other criteria with which you measure growth, etc., other than head count?

    Reply

    • Mary Ellen – Thanks so much for being a reader. Right now, worship attendance is the standard metric. I would love to see other possibilities in the future.

      Reply

  23. As the pastor of a rural SBC church in Montana, seeing this list saddens me even because of the track the SBC seems to be taking. All the NAMB money that the thousands of smaller churches give month-after-month and year-after-year is going to big cities and now we see a list of SBC churches over 1,000. Wow! I am not impressed.

    Every one of my SBC colleagues here in Montana have to do the same things the pastors of the 1,000 and larger churches do. With less help and less money.

    Our town’s. population 1,200. We will never hit 1,000 in our church unless God would bring a super-revival here.

    Is our denomination guilty of number-counting like David? I fear that it is.

    And by-the-way, I need to ask what the publishing of a list like this conveys to the many, many small churches of the SBC?

    I have feared for years that the SBC smaller, rural, churches are being left behind.

    Reply

    • Dan a super revival would not be a bad thing. Some church growth ideas: Constant emphasis on reaching lost friends, neighbors, co-workers – Find opportunities to bring to light how special the members of your church are and what it is that they do, in reaching the lost, and in reaching those that are hurting within the church, that make your church such a special place to be. This will encourage more members to get involved in outreach, which in turn gives you more opportunities to reinforce this behavior.

      People move to areas where job opportunities present themselves, so you do want successful business leaders (think tent-makers) in your church. Finding ways to help those business leaders prosper, will help to facilitate this. Church members are much more likely to patronize a burger joint that is owned by one of your own members, for instance, or get their yard work done by one of your own members, if they know about them.

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  24. The list is definitely interesting – I have lots of good friends on staff at many of these churches, including my dad who is on staff at #199, and I enjoy reading this list and seeing how well my friends’ churches are doing reaching people with the gospel.

    This ought to bring joy, not jealousy – satisfaction in Christ and security in doing what God has called has called us to do (and where) sets us free from such ungodly envy. Don’t blame large churches, Lifeway, or lists.

    Reply

    • Nice point Jonathan. It should be encouraging. What if no lists, no numbers, no members, no giving statements, no conversions, nothing at all? People would begin to wonder and say, ‘What are the SBC churches hiding?’ Be thankful for big churches, be thankful for little churches, preach the gospel the work is NOT done.

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  25. Thanks so much for sharing this list. I’ve been looking for a home church for several months and see a church in my area. I’m going to visit today!

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  26. What I find most interesting is the geographical concentration of these megachurches. Below is the count of these churchs’ attendees summed by state. With the exception of CA, virtually all are in TX and the Southeast. Is this representative of our denomination’s overall concentration?

    State Attendees % of Total
    TX 347,806 27.32%
    FL 139,575 10.96%
    GA 114,805 9.02%
    CA 90,922 7.14%
    TN 89,239 7.01%
    NC 71,950 5.65%
    SC 66,296 5.21%
    VA 56,420 4.43%
    AL 49,567 3.89%
    LA 38,002 2.98%
    AR 28,940 2.27%
    MS 28,909 2.27%
    KY 23,825 1.87%
    OK 22,918 1.80%
    MO 20,617 1.62%
    IL 12,504 0.98%
    OH 11,947 0.94%
    NM 11,305 0.89%
    KS 9,516 0.75%
    NV 5,894 0.46%
    AZ 4,498 0.35%
    PA 4,494 0.35%
    IA 3,958 0.31%
    MD 2,892 0.23%
    NE 2,626 0.21%
    NY 2,464 0.19%
    PR 2,400 0.19%
    IN 2,387 0.19%
    CO 1,643 0.13%
    WI 1,590 0.12%
    WA 1,200 0.09%
    MI 1,065 0.08%
    MT 1,065 0.08%
    Totals 1,273,239 100.00%

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  27. I’d be more interested in the denomination mode and mean attendance.

    Something that would help those in rural areas, such as Reginald and Dan, is attendance as a percentage of either state population, county population, Census Tract Area, or incorporated area.

    Would Dan be surprised is his Baptist Church was on the top of the list, as percentage of the incorporated area?

    Related to Reginald’s woes, what if the county is losing people at the rate of 10% per year, but the church is losing members at 5% per year. How many people would congratulate the pastor for growing the church during a very difficult period of time?

    I am assuming that the database contains both current and historic census data, and just a couple of SQL statements will spit out the appropriate percentage of population.

    Reply

  28. Thom,
    Thanks for all that you do. Some folks need to chill and realize this is purely for informational purpose. I am not a fan of the “mega churches”, as I don’t see too many examples in scripture of them and it seems that a shepherd can only tend so many sheep effectively. However, if they are diligent in following up for discipleship and getting folks plugged in I imagine they are ok. Isnt it all about seeing folks saved, discipled, serving and maturing until the end anyway ?

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  29. As a deacon of one of these churches, i am concerned that 99% of the SBC attendees? or is it members? attend one of these churches, but the total worshippers is listed in Kevins table is 1,273,239, in a denomination that claims to be the largest at over 16MM members. Especially since i am suspect of some of the estimations (including our own); i havent seen very many UNDER-estimations.

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  30. Dr Rainer,

    Thanks for the info it’s interesting to me–I do think we have a lot of work to do in the New England area! I work at a church on this list and have worked at other churches in my previous years not on the list. I appreciate the work and effort you and your team put into this each year. If it bothers some to see it—then they shouldn’t read it but don’t try and come up with some hypo-spiritual concern.

    It’s just information—I liked it when I was at a church of 400 and when I was at my former church that was 600.

    Good work my friend!!!

    Reply

  33. Always interesting to read the list. I am curious, do you know how many of these are newer churches, say 15 years old or less? And how many are historic churches, say 100 years old or more? Or some other ages if those ones seem arbitrary? That would also be an interesting article.

    Reply

  35. I would like to see the total numbers listed for each campus as opposed to combining them since they are in essence separate churches
    thanks
    jc

    Reply

    • I agree, John. I recently moved from Dallas to Nashville and started looking for a new church home. My wife and I attended First Baptist Dallas, so we were looking for something similar in terms of size (3,426 members according to the list) and outreach. We decided to try Brentwood Baptist (reported to have 5,510 members). While this was by no means a small church, it wasn’t nearly as large as the reported membership led me to believe. As it turns out, there are 4 or 5 different campuses rolled into this total, and I’m guessing there are quite a few churches near the top whose total membership is determined the same way. Interesting.

      Reply

  36. These is quiet encouraging for me specifically pastoring in a village. I have come to understand that it is not the size of the church that matters but the purpose and the mandate that Jesus give to that local church in its community and the nation.

    In the nation of Swaziland (Africa) of which is where I am, we have seen people more hungry for the hands of God than the heart of the Father. In other words for God to do something than for them to have a personal relationship with God the Father.

    However, since in the local church, we have decided to introduce descipleship, the whole mindset has changed, and the church is growing both spiritually and numerically. Having said that it is indeed encouraging to see what is the Lord doing in other parts of the world.

    Thank you for such an eye-opener, lets keep sharing the goodnes and fulfiling Matthew 28 : 19-20 as our Lord has charged us.

    Greater things are yet to come, the best is yet to come

    Blessings

    Reply

  37. Hello,

    I am hoping you can point me in the right direction. I am a Southern Baptist currently seeking a doctorate in Psychology. If possible, I would like to use the Southern Baptist Convention as my population to conduct a research project.

    Do you know who I can contact to discuss my dissertation and seek permission?

    Thank you,

    Suzan Davis
    Member First Baptist Church
    Celina, Texas

    Reply

  38. David asked, way back in July, why you publish this list. I’d like to add my 2 cents. I am just a simple layperson. My pastor has asked for my participation to help rebuild our church. He recommeneded our team check out your Dr. Rainer’s blog. I have found many articles helpful, this list very helpful. I am blissfully unaware of other churches across the nation (except for the ones we visit on mission trips). This list has allowed me to check out statistically how many churches have kept/lost the term “Baptist” in their name. It has given me the names of churches so that I can check out their websites and all the things they are doing that we can grow to do someday (if that is what God desires, natch). Not everyone is fully informed all all activities of life as a Southern Baptist, and that’s ok (I’m loving all the fun of researching and seeking God’s Will for our church, but I haven’t spent my life as a Southern Baptist concerned with other SBC churches/political drama etc…) and this list (as well as the rest of the blog…still reading those things) is helping me grow as a leader. Thanks for all the info.

    Reply

  42. I would love to have a spreadsheet showing more parameters, such as average attendance, total members on roll, contributions to the CP, baptisms in 2014, memberships added in 2014, etc. This would allow sorting in Excel and easier comparison of the stats.

    Reply

  44. This is lists a great list for churches to see where the strongest areas are. It’s not bragging, it’s not counting chickens before they hatch, or whatever. Benefits?
    1. What if you’re moving for work or a new spot in life? Need to find a church. Or a friend needs a church that has moved out of contact.
    2. What if you’re traveling and want to attend a like minded church?
    3. What if you’re seeking support for your ministry?
    4. You can see where there ARE churches and go else where like the Northeast or Northwest for church planting, evangelism, revitalization?
    Many more good reasons for a list like this. I like it. Even if you’re a rural church, it’s still helpful, KNOW YOUR CONTEXT.

    Reply

  45. I know this list is several years old by now (I think the latest thing posted on this topic was a 2015 podcast) and I don’t mean to be uncharitable, but I have a question about Convention affiliation and LifeWay standards in connection to #8 on this list: Elevate Church and their pastor, Steven Furtick. Why are this church and pastor not held accountable by their local association, or state and national conventions, and why does LifeWay continue to publish, market, and sell Furtick’s material? The church’s increasingly cult-like devotion to Furtick — which he does nothing to dissuade — is creepy. And given his, by now, well-documented, questionable teaching and associations, why would LifeWay continue to associate with him; even if what these particular books and study materials teach is either sound or innocuous, why give him legitimacy when his teaching at his church is so unsound? (Although it has nothing to do with this list, I also wonder why LifeWay continues to carry and promote the “Jesus Calling” franchise, but I won’t ask that here.)

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  46. There is no Riverbend Baptist Church in Austin. That church abandoned the SBC because they hold views that are opposed to the views of the SBC.

    Reply

  47. Hello, Thom, Do you have an update on this list? I found the 2015 update but don’t see any newer ones. Thanks!

    Reply

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