Megachurch growth rates in 2005
This report summarizes key 2005 statistics for megachurches and emerging megachurches within the Christian churches/churches of Christ. It includes overall totals, growth rates, notable fastest-growing churches, baptisms-per-attendance comparisons, and a state-by-state distribution snapshot.
- Total people represented by the 112 megachurches and emerging megachurches: 275,411 (up 20,232 people from 2004)
- Megachurches and emerging megachurches made up 2% of all Christian churches/churches of Christ (112 of 5,471 churches)
- Christian churches/churches of Christ represented 4% of all megachurches in the United States (51 of 1,210 churches)
By Kent Fillinger and Ben Simms
Core Statistics
- Total number of people represented by the 112 megachurches and emerging megachurches: 275,411 (up 20,232 people from 2004)
- 2% of all Christian churches/churches of Christ are megachurches or emerging megachurches (112 of 5,471 churches)
- 4% of the all megachurches in the United States are from the Christian churches/churches of Christ (51 of 1,210 churches)
(Source: Megachurches Today 2005, Scott Thumma, Dave Travis, and Warren Bird, Hartford Seminary, Hartford Institute for Religion Research, and Leadership Network)
- Average megachurch size: 3,732
- Average emerging megachurch size: 1,395
- Average church size of all 112 on list: 2,459
- 39% of all megachurches were either stagnant or in decline during 2005
3 Fastest Growing Churches in 2005
- Mountainview Community Christian (Highlands Ranch, Colorado): 52.9% growth rate
- White River Christian (Noblesville, Indiana): 31.9% growth rate
- First Christian (Yuma, Arizona): 31.8% growth rate
3 Fastest Growing Churches over the last 2 Years
- Real Life Ministries (Post Falls, Idaho): 72% total growth
- Parkview Christian (Orland Park, Illinois): 61% total growth
- RiverTree Christian (Massillon, Ohio): 51% total growth
3 Fastest Growing Churches (1997–2005)
- Christ’s Church of the Valley (Peoria, Arizona): 392% total growth
- Northside Christian (New Albany, Indiana): 296% total growth
- Canyon Ridge Christian (Las Vegas, Nevada): 194% total growth
Growth Percentage Breakdown
- 5 churches grew by 26% or more in 2005
- 14 churches grew by 11-25% in 2005
- 15 churches grew by 6-10% in 2005
- 28 churches grew by 1-5% in 2005
- 12 churches experienced no growth in 2005
- 23 churches declined by 1-5% in 2005
- 6 churches declined by 6-10% in 2005
- 3 churches declined by 11% or more in 2005
- 6 churches were new to the 2005 list therefore growth percentage is not available
2005 Church Growth Rates
- Megachurches: 5.7% average
- Emerging Megachurches: 3.7% average
Most Baptisms per year per 100 in Attendance (2-year avg.)
- Crossroads Christian (Grand Prairie, Texas): 13.7
- First Christian (Kernersville, North Carolina): 13.1
- Shepherd of the Hills (Porter Ranch, California): 12.8
- Average Megachurch: 7 baptisms per 100 in attendance
Churches Breaking the 2,000 Megachurch Barrier in 2005
- Crossroads Christian Church (Lexington, Kentucky)
- Christ’s Church of Oronogo (Oronogo, Missouri)
New Emerging Megachurches in 2005
- Gateway Community (Austin, Texas)
- Tomoka Christian Church (Ormond Beach, Florida)
- Northside Christian Church (Wadsworth, Ohio)
- Westbrook Christian Church (Bolingbrook, Illinois)
- Southpoint Community Christian (Trenton, Michigan)
- RiverGlen Christian Church (Waukesha, Wisconsin)
Megachurches and Emerging Megachurches by State
- 25 states have a church listed (50% of United States)
- 9 states have only 1 church (Alaska, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Virginia, Oregon)
- 3 states have 2 churches (North Carolina, Idaho, Wisconsin)
- 3 states have 3 churches (Kansas, Nevada, Washington)
- 1 state has 4 churches (Missouri)
- 2 states have 6 churches (Colorado, Texas)
- 2 states have 7 churches (Florida, Illinois)
- 2 states have 8 churches (Arizona, Kentucky)
- 1 state has 11 churches (Ohio)
- 1 state has 13 churches (California)
- 1 state has 18 churches (Indiana)
To purchase a comprehensive, detailed report based on the data gathered for this megachurch issue, CLICK HERE.
Author: Christian Standard
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