The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) reported a continued decline in membership, marking the 17th consecutive year of decreases. The latest figures show a reduction of 241,000 members in 2023, bringing the total to 12.9 million, the lowest since the mid-1970s. This represents a decline of less than 2% from the previous year, compared to a 3.34% decline in 2022 when 457,371 people left. The SBC has lost a total of 3,324,156 members since its peak in 2006. Despite these losses, the SBC remains the largest U.S. Protestant denomination. The denomination also experienced a slight decrease in the number of churches, with 292 fewer congregations, totaling 46,906.
The number of SBC churches fell by 292 โ less than 1% โ to 46,906 last year, according to the Annual Church Profile compiled by Lifeway Christian Resources. https://t.co/UHS3wN8wOG
The denomination said Tuesday that last yearโs membership decline was less than 2%, compared to 3.34% in 2022, when 457,371 people left. https://t.co/UHS3wN94Ee
Still, the largest U.S. Protestant denomination, the Southern Baptists have lost 3,324,156 members since 2006, when its membership peaked at 16.3 million. https://t.co/UHS3wN8wOG
One of the best explanations for the SBCโs declining numbers is the Liberal Resurgence Faithful churches donโt want any part of a denomination embracing CRT, feminism, & LGBT compromise If we come back to the Bible, we may lose a few egalitarian churches, but we will grow again https://t.co/dA2qNgwNaB
Even as SBC recedes, USA Christianity has become Baptist. https://t.co/jlcPH6wigi
For the 17th year in a row, membership in the SBC dropped in 2023. The SBC now claims 12.9 million members, down from 16.3 million in 2006. https://t.co/6Iuud5lksa
Southern Baptist Convention lost 241,000 members in 2023, remains largest U.S. Protestant group https://t.co/xKbjgGnjH8 https://t.co/YSslzohY2d
The Southern Baptist Convention lost 241,00 members last year, lowering its total membership to less than 13 million for the first time since the mid-1970s. https://t.co/apddXgGaNU
Southern Baptist Convention lost 241,000 members in 2023, remains largest U.S. Protestant group - https://t.co/FM5EADGKBU
New Southern Baptist Convention membership numbers are out. 12.9M now. Down 1.8% from last year. The last time the SBC was <13M was in 1976. Down ~8% from 2020. The SBC was 16.3M in 2006. Was still over 15M in 2017. Lost 3.3M from their peak. More to come on Thursday! https://t.co/udd9D47sF5