SBC membership dips below 13 million in 2023 - LifeWay Research

In 2023, there were 46,906 Southern Baptist churches with a total membership of 12.9 million, down from 13.2 million in 2022.

The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), the largest Protestant denomination in the United States, has experienced a significant decline in membership in recent years. According to the Annual Church Profile released by Lifeway Research, a division of the SBC’s publishing arm, the denomination reported 241,000 fewer members and 292 fewer churches in 2023 compared to the previous year.

Membership Trends

In 2023, there were 46,906 Southern Baptist churches with a total membership of 12.9 million, down from 13.2 million in 2022. These consecutive losses in key measurements have sparked differing arguments within Southern Baptist circles regarding the best remedy for reversing the decline. Notably, six candidates for the position of SBC president have announced their bids ahead of the annual meeting in June in Indianapolis.

The SBC is not alone in facing downward trends within American Christianity. However, unique financial challenges related to sexual abuse reform have compounded the anxiety in the denomination. Opposition conservatives, aiming to pull the SBC further to the right, emphasize evangelism and sometimes shift focus away from abuse reform. Meanwhile, mainstream conservatives advocate for greater support for abuse reform and initiatives to promote racial and ethnic diversity among Southern Baptist leadership to attract future generations of churchgoers.

Financial Challenges

The SBC's Executive Committee (EC), comprising about 20 staff members and an 86-member elected board, feels the pressures of declining membership, churches, and giving acutely. In February, the EC reported a yearly decrease in total receipts to the Cooperative Program — a denomination-wide budget that receives income from church giving and benefits many SBC entities. A decrease in giving led to recent decisions to lay off staff and approve a smaller 2024-25 fiscal year budget.

Abuse Reform and Leadership Diversity

Jeff Iorg, newly-elected EC president, acknowledges the major issues faced by the denomination, including eradicating racism and stopping sexual abuse. He describes Southern Baptists as a "fractious, willful, sinful bunch" who sometimes act accordingly. The challenge lies in addressing these issues while navigating membership decline and financial constraints.

As the SBC grapples with its future, the tension between conservative and mainstream approaches continues. While some prioritize evangelism, others advocate for abuse reform and diversity initiatives. The path forward will require thoughtful leadership, transparency, and a commitment to addressing the denomination's complex issues.

The SBC denomination faces significant challenges as it seeks to reverse membership decline and address financial constraints. The road ahead will require unity, adaptability, and a renewed focus on its core mission. The decline in Southern Baptist Convention membership is a critical issue; finding solutions will be essential for the denomination's future.

Sources: Lifeway Research, The Tennessean, religionnews.com, and other media reports.