The Biggest and Fastest Growing Churches in America

(Photo : Integrity Music)
Israel Houghton leads worship at Lakewood Church

Outreach Magazine recently partnered with LifeWay Research to determine which churches in America are the fastest growing. LifeWay contacted over 27,000 churches during their research to gather the data and the ensuing report, "The Outreach 100 Fastest-Growing and Largest Churches in America," shares some interesting conclusions. The churches that made the list seem to have the same growth strategy - holding worship at more than one location with live music, breaking into smaller groups throughout the week and working to create a welcoming environment for those who are not already involved in church - and it's working. Texas seems to be doing the best with outreach as 19 churches from the Lone Star State made the growth list. California and North Carolina came next with seven each, followed by Virginia with six, and Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee, each with five.

The five fastest growing churches in America are ...

1. Triumph Church in Detroit, Michigan - led by Pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr. added 3800 members (49% growth)
2. NewSpring Church in Anderson, South Carolina - led by Pastor Perry Noble (+44 percent, +7,072)
3. Legacy Church, Albuquerque, N.M., Steve Smotherman (+49 percent, +3,300)
4. Celebration Church, Jacksonville, Fla., Stovall Weems (+44 percent, +3,396)
5. Northview Church, Carmel, Ind., Steve Poe (+50 percent, +2,201)

Over 600,000 people attend the 100 fast-growing churches and are found on over 246 worship sites.

The five largest churches in America are ...

1. Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas - led by Pastor Joel Osteen and founded in 1959 - 43,500 members
2. North Point Ministries in Alpharetta, Georgia - led by Pastor Andy Stanley and founded in 1995 - 30,629 members
3. Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois - led by Pastor Bill Hybels and founded in 1975 - 25,743 members
4. NewSpring Church in Anderson, South Carolina - led by Pastor Perry Noble and founded in 2000 - 23,055 members
5. Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama - led by Pastor Chris Hodges and founded in 2001 - 22,184 members

Over 1.1 million people attend the 100 largest churches and are found on over 398 worship sites. Forty-seven of the 100 churches are non-denominational. Texas has the most large churches on the list with 17, followed by California with 16, Florida with nine, Georgia with six, and Arizona and North Carolina with five each.

Out of the 200 churches on the lists, there were several similiar points from states to multiple locations with televised services to satellite locations to plenty of live music. One other major point jumped out at me -- none of the 100 churches on either list were headed by female pastors. Some were led by husband and wife teams, but there were no Juanita Bynum's, Paula White's or Joyce Meyer's. In a day and age where female pastors are becoming much more commonplace than as recently as the 90s, one has to wonder why.

• View both complete lists on outreachmagazine.com

Tags : megachurch Church