SBC experiences a massive decline in congregations and members in 2022
The denomination lost nearly 460,000 members in 2022, which represents the largest single-year numerical drop in more than a century.
Editor’s note: With the approaching annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention June 11-12 in Indianapolis, Ind., The Baptist Report revisits notable events and current issues of the nation’s largest and most influential Protestant denomination.
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), the largest Protestant denomination in the United States, has experienced a significant decline in the number of congregations over the past three years, according to data released by Lifeway Research, the research arm of SBC’s Lifeway publishing entity.
As the 2022 Annual Church Profile (ACP) data reveals, 1,253 congregations that were part of the Convention in 2021 are no longer connected in 2022.
The decline not only affects SBC’s membership but also poses challenges for attracting potential new members.
The Numbers: Disbandment and Departure
Among the 50,423 active congregations within the Southern Baptist Convention in 2021, 2% disbanded or closed, and 0.5% left or were disaffiliated from the Convention by the time the 2022 data was compiled. While some new churches were planted to offset these losses, the SBC still experienced a net loss of 416 churches and 165 church-type missions associated with the Convention in 2022 compared to the previous year.
Why are Congregations Disappearing?
The lack of new churches to replace those closing is a broader issue within U.S. Protestantism, and it appears the same problem is impacting the SBC. In 2019, about 4,500 Protestant churches closed, while only around 3,000 new ones were started.
The SBC’s domestic mission entity, the North American Mission Board, has been criticized for its church planting practices that some say have contributed to a decline in replacing closing churches with new churches. NAMB leaders have contended the entity is planting “quality” SBC churches that have lasting sustainability over the number of churches planted.
A closer look reveals reasons behind the congregational decline are multifaceted.
Congregations Ceasing to Exist: The primary reason congregations are no longer considered active Southern Baptist congregations is that they cease to exist. About 79 percent of the missing congregations disbanded or closed, leaving Southern Baptists with 984 fewer congregations. Within this group:
83 percent closed permanently.
14 percent merged into another Southern Baptist congregation.
A smaller percentage became part of non-Southern Baptist churches or never got started.
Some now function as campuses of other churches.
Departure and Disaffiliation: Beyond the congregations that disbanded or closed, 228 congregations (18 percent) either left the Convention or were disaffiliated. These departures impact the overall count of active Southern Baptist congregations.
Constant Changes: Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, explained, “Every week, the national network of Southern Baptist congregations changes.” Churches move, merge, change names, and vote to disband. The annual snapshot of congregations provides a glimpse into these dynamic shifts.
The Broader Context
The Southern Baptist Convention’s decline in congregations mirrors a larger trend within U.S. Protestantism. While attendance and baptisms have seen growth, the current total membership of Southern Baptist congregations stands at 13,223,122, down from 13,680,493 in 2021. This 457,371-member loss represents the largest single-year numerical drop in over a century.
Looking Ahead
The SBC denomination faces critical questions about church vitality, outreach, and adaptation. The challenge lies in fostering new congregations, revitalizing existing ones, and addressing the changing landscape of faith communities. The SBC’s response will shape its future trajectory and impact generations to come.
In a season of transformation, Southern Baptists must navigate the delicate balance between tradition and innovation, seeking ways to remain faithful to biblical beliefs while engaging a lost world with the redemptive message of Jesus Christ.
Editor’s note: The data cited in this article is based on Lifeway Research’s analysis of the 2022 Annual Church Profile (ACP) of the Southern Baptist Convention, baptistpress.org, and other media sources.