megachurch attendance is summarized here with average size figures, total weekend and Easter attendance, and baptisms across 113 churches.
Megachurch attendance averages and growth highlights
This snapshot also lists state-by-state counts, fastest-growing churches, and baptism ratio leaders.
- Average sizes are shown for megachurches, emerging megachurches, and all 113 churches.
- Growth highlights include fastest-growing churches (2007, since 1997, and since 2002) and a growth overview.
- Baptism totals, a baptism-per-100 ratio, and top churches by baptism ratio and total baptisms are included.
By Kent Fillinger and Ben Simms
WHAT IS “AVERAGE”?
The 52 megachurches’ average size: 4,019
The 61 emerging megachurches’ average size: 1,441
All 113 churches average size: 2,628
Total attendance of all 113 churches on an average weekend: 296,926
Total attendance for Easter 2007: 486,677
Total baptisms for all of 2007: 19,107
STATE BY STATE
Number of churches reported in each state:
- 17—Indiana
- 11—California, Ohio
- 8—Arizona, Illinois, Kentucky
- 6—Florida
- 5—Colorado, Texas
- 4—Missouri, Nevada
- 3—Idaho, Kansas, North Carolina, Washington
- 2—Georgia, Oregon, Wisconsin
- 1—Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia
26 states have a megachurch listed
FASTEST GROWING
Fastest-Growing Churches in 2007:
- Hillside Christian, Amarillo, TX, 62%
- Real Life Ministries, Post Falls, ID, 33%
- First Christian, Springfield, OH, 29%
- Manchester Christian, Manchester, NH, 26%
- Central Christian, Henderson, NV, 24%
Fastest-Growing Churches since 1997:
- Christ’s Church of the Valley, Peoria, AZ, 451%
- Northside Christian, New Albany, IN, 334%
- Central Christian, Henderson, NV, 286%
- Canyon Ridge Christian, Las Vegas, NV, 239%
- Indian Creek Christian, Indianapolis, IN, 206%
Fastest-Growing Churches since 2002:
- Real Life Ministries, Post Falls, ID, 220%
- Savannah Christian, Savannah, GA, 148%
- Southeast Christian, Parker, CO, 99%
- Northside Christian, New Albany, IN, 99%
- Central Christian, Henderson, NV, 77%
Growth Percentage Overview in 2007:
- 4 churches grew more than 26%
- 17 churches grew 11 to 26%
- 19 churches grew 6 to 10%
- 19 churches grew 1 to 5%
- 6 churches were stagnating between 0.4 and -0.4%
- 28 churches declined 1 to 5%
- 12 churches declined 6 to 10%
- 7 churches declined more than 11%
Overall:
- 53% grew and 47% stagnated or declined
- The average 1-year growth rate was 3.2%
- The 52 megachurches grew 3.2% in the past year
- The 61 emerging megachurches grew 2.5% in the past year
New Emerging Megachurches:
- River Run Christian, Chuluota, FL, 1,221
New Emerging Megachurches (those falling below the 2,000 threshold):
- Westlink Christian, Wichita, KS, 1,950
- Christ’s Church of Oronogo (MO), 1,859
New Megachurches (those breaking the 2,000 barrier):
- Eastside Christian, Fullerton, CA, 2,333
- The Crossing, Quincy, IL, 2,284
- Abundant Life Church, Happy Valley, OR, 2,246
- First Christian, Canton, OH, 2,094
BAPTISM RATIO
2007 average ratio, baptisms per 100: 6.4
(This ratio had held close to 7.2 for a decade)
Top 5 churches with the highest baptism ratio per 100 (2-year average):
- Parkway Christian, Surprise, AZ, 15.5
- Tomoka Christian, Ormond Beach, FL, 14.9
- Southpoint Community Christian, Trenton, MI, 13.8
- Crossroads Christian, Grand Prairie, TX, 12.6
- Abundant Life Church, Happy Valley, OR, 12.5
Most Baptisms in 2007:
- Central Christian, Henderson, NV, 1,415
- Southeast Christian, Louisville, KY, 935
- Shepherd of the Hills, Porter Ranch, CA, 789
- Christ’s Church of the Valley, Peoria, AZ, 700
- Real Life Ministries, Post Falls, ID, 603
