Growing and Largest Churches

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Information gleaned from statistics reported in Outreach Magazine in an article about the 100 fastest growing churches in the United States in 2008 as well as the 100 largest churches in the United States in 2008.

• Among the 100 fastest growing churches in 2008, the attendance totaled 651,924, up 137,766 from 2007:
  • 40 are non-denominational
  • 16 are Baptist (but not Southern Baptist)
  • 13 are Southern Baptist
  • 9 are Assemblies of God
  • 5 are Christian Churches, Churches of Christ congregations
  • Any other groups are represented by less than 5.
• The church that gained the most members in 2008: New Hope Christian Fellowship in Honolulu, which gained 4,500 members. The second largest growth in a church is The Rock Church in San Diego which gained 3,778.
• The second fastest growing church in the U.S. in 2008, Elevation Church, in Charlotte, North Caroline, grew 2,094 in attendance. It is pastored by a 20-year old, young man. The church was founded in 2006 and grew by 122% last year.
• The largest number of the top 100 of the fastest growing churches in 2008 are located in:
  • Texas –13
  • Georgia –12
  • California –11
  • Florida –8
  • Arizona — 6
  • Ohio –5
  • Indiana –4
  • Tennessee –4
• Several of the largest churches everyone knows about (Willow Creek, Saddleback, Lakewood) did not make the 100 fastest growing church list at all.
• Among the 100 largest churches, 47 had multiple sites–almost half.
• Among the 100 fastest churches, 40 have multiple sites.

At Church Doctor Ministries, we don’t think bigger is necessarily better. The growth of an organization isn’t the aim of the Great Commission. When new people come to Christ, especially those who are previously unbelievers, we look for what God is doing so we can help other churches see what He is blessing an join Him there. Helping churches do that is the greatest fulfillment for a Church Doctor consultant.

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