Full Breakdown
Southern Baptists Face Membership Decline Amid Rising Attendance and Baptisms
5/6/2026, 8:37:16 AM
Membership Decline and Engagement Gains (2025)
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) reported a 3 % drop in total membership for 2025, falling to about 12.3 million—its lowest level since 1973. In the same year weekly worship attendance rose roughly 4 % to an estimated 4.5 million, and baptisms increased 5 % to 263,075, marking the fifth consecutive year of growth.
Historical Context
The SBC has experienced a 19-year membership decline, now about 4 million below its 2006 peak of 16.3 million and still above the 7 million recorded in 1950. It remains the nation’s largest Protestant denomination.
Core Metrics
- Membership: ~12.3 million (down 3 %).
- Weekly attendance: ~4.5 million (up 4 %).
- Baptisms: 263,075 (up 5 %).
- Affiliated churches: 46,608 (net loss of 268).
Official Statements
SBC President Jeff Iorg thanked members for growth in baptisms, attendance and Bible-study participation and reaffirmed the focus on evangelism and discipleship. Lifeway Research executive director Scott McConnell said the membership dip reflects church closures and systematic roll cleaning, noting the numbers now reflect updated records. North American Mission Board President Kevin Ezell called each baptism evidence of transformed lives.
Conflicting Data
Membership totals appear as 12.3 million, 12,331,954 or 12.33 million across reports, and attendance is listed as 4.5 million or 4,460,910. Only 61 % of churches submitted non-financial items for the 2025 Annual Church Profile, so the true magnitude of attendance and giving may be larger.
Implications
The data suggest a shift from raw membership counts toward active participation as a health indicator. Sustained attendance and baptism growth may preserve the SBC’s cultural and financial influence despite shrinking rolls, while continued church closures highlight ongoing institutional challenges.
Upcoming Release
Lifeway Research will issue the 2026 Annual Church Profile later this year, updating metrics on membership, attendance, baptisms and giving. The SBC plans to use the new data to refine strategies for church planting, membership verification and outreach.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We are grateful Southern Baptists continue to show growth in key metrics like baptisms, worship attendance and Bible study participation,” — Jeff Iorg, President and CEO, SBC Executive Committee
- “Church closures and churches cleaning up their membership rolls to reflect those people God has currently entrusted to them have negative impacts on total membership numbers.” — Scott McConnell, Executive Director, Lifeway Research
- “Every baptism represents a life transformed, someone who has found forgiveness and new life in Jesus Christ. That is what we celebrate today,” — Kevin Ezell, President, North American Mission Board
- “Southern Baptist churches are focused on sharing the Gospel and making disciples, the mission we cooperate to fulfill. While many other issues vie for our attention, pastors seem more determined than ever to focus on our core mission.” — Jeff Iorg, President and CEO, SBC Executive Committee
