Southern Baptist Convention Continues Membership Slide but Grows in Attendance, Baptisms

Fewer Members, More Engagement: SBC Reports Gains in Attendance and Small Groups Despite Decline

Membership in the Southern Baptist Convention declined in 2025, even as key indicators such as worship attendance and baptisms showed continued growth, according to newly released data. A report published Tuesday by Lifeway Research analyzing Annual Church Profile statistics found that total SBC membership fell by more than 3% over the past year.

Southern Baptist membership declines for 19th consecutive year

The Southern Baptist Convention reported this week that membership fell for the 19th year in a row, down to about 12.33 million U.S. members in 2025, but it remains the largest Protestant denomination in America.

Southern Baptist membership drops to lowest level in 53 years

Southern Baptist membership sank last year to its lowest level since 1973.

Southern Baptist Convention continues membership slide but grows in attendance and baptisms

Southern Baptist membership sank last year to its lowest level since 1973. But the nation’s largest Protestant denomination saw increases in worship attendance and baptisms.

Southern Baptists Notch Attendance, Baptism Gains as Membership Drops

Southern Baptists, America’s largest Protestant denomination, said on Tuesday that attendance and baptisms are up even though overall membership has declined for the 19th consecutive year. About 12.3 million people are members of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), a more than 3 percent drop from 2024, according to the denomination’s Annual Church Profile (ACP), a survey compiled by Lifeway Research. This puts Southern Baptist membership at a…

SBC membership down, but baptisms and attendance on the rise: report

Southern Baptist Convention membership declined in 2025, but attendance and baptisms continued to rise, according to a newly released report.