Megachurches: By the Numbers

 

By Kent E. Fillinger and Ben Simms

 

Fastest-Growing Churches in 2008:

 “¢ The Crossing, Quincy, IL, 27%

“¢ Crosspointe, Cary, NC, 22%

“¢ Compass Christian, Colleyville, TX, 22%

“¢ Central Christian, Mesa, AZ, 22%

Fastest-Growing since 2003:

“¢ Parkview Christian Church, Orland Park, IL, 183%

 “¢ Real Life Ministries, Post Falls, ID, 172%

“¢ Crossroads Christian Church, Grand Prairie, TX, 101%

Fastest-Growing since 1997:

 “¢ Christ”s Church of the Valley, Peoria, AZ, 477%

“¢ Northside Christian Church, New Albany, IN, 371%

“¢ Central Christian Church, Henderson, NV, 307%

What  is “AVERAGE”?

The 54 megachurches” average size: 4,116

 The 63 emerging megachurches” average size: 1,419

All 117 churches” average size: 2,664

Total attendance of all 117 churches on an average weekend: 311,636

Total attendance for Easter 2008: 515,717

Total baptisms for all of 2008: 21,384

 

State by State

Number of churches reported in each state:

 16″”Indiana

12″”California

10″”Ohio

8″”Arizona, Illinois, Kentucky, Florida

5″”Colorado, Missouri

4″”Nevada, Kansas

3″”Idaho, North Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington

2″”Georgia, Oklahoma, Wisconsin

1″”Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee

27 states have a megachurch listed

Growth Percentage Overview in 2008:

1 church grew more than 26%

 20 churches grew 11 to 25%

15 churches grew 6 to 10%

26 churches grew 1 to 5%

7 churches were stagnating between 0.4 and -0.4%

21 churches declined 1 to 5%

9 churches declined 6 to 10%

5 churches declined more than 11%

Overall:

63% grew and 37% stagnated or declined

 The average 1-year growth rate was 2.8%

The 54 megachurches grew 3.5% in the past year

The 63 emerging megachurches grew 2.2% in the past year