Megachurches and Their Role in the United States
Large church networks in the United States are some of the largest and most influential entities, both in religious circles and society at large. As we find ourselves in 2023, the largest churches in America continue to evolve, setting the pace in innovative worship practices and community engagement.
Following the annual research conducted by the Lifeway Research team, this blog looks at the leading figures. What is it that puts these remarkable institutions ahead? Lifeway's survey extends participation invitations to churches featured in past reports, with the focal point being average attendance, not membership.
In the process of compiling the list of the largest churches in America 2023, churches provided information about their 2022 attendance averages, encompassing in-person, online, and adult discipleship in comparison to 2021 figures. The Easter period was intentionally excluded from these statistics.
Keep reading as we explore the breadth and depth of some of the largest churches in the US, their innovative strategies, and the qualities that propel them to the forefront of the megachurch movement.
The Outreach 100 - What's It All About?
Delving into the fast-paced and expansive world of America's largest churches, The Outreach 100 provides an essential guide to the fastest-growing and most significant congregations across the nation. This comprehensive study springs from a fruitful collaboration between Outreach magazine, Lifeway Research, and the Hartford Institute for Religion Research.
Top 50 Churches at the Helm
1. Life.Church
Location: Edmond, OK
Pastor: Craig Groeschel
Attendance: 85,000
2. Church of the Highlands
Location: Birmingham, AL
Pastor: Chris Hodges
Attendance: 60,000
3. Lakewood Church
Location: Houston, TX
Pastor: Joel Osteen
Attendance: 45,000
4. Crossroads Church
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Pastor: Brian Tome
Attendance: 35,253
5. Christ's Church of the Valley
Location: Peoria, AZ
Pastor: Ashley Wooldridge
Attendance: 30,482
6. Saddleback Church
Location: Lake Forest, CA
Pastor: Rick Warren
Attendance: 28,000
7. Elevation Church
Location: Matthews, NC
Pastor: Steven Furtick
Attendance: 26,000
8. Southeast Christian Church
Location: Louisville, KY
Pastor: Kyle Idleman
Attendance: 25,917
9. Christ Fellowship Church
Location: Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Pastor: Todd Mullins
Attendance: 25,000
10. North Point Ministries
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Pastor: Andy Stanley
Attendance: 24,273
11. Fellowship Church
Location: Grapevine, TX
Pastor: Ed Young
Attendance: 24,162
12. Central Church
Location: Henderson, NV
Pastor: Jud Wilhite
Attendance: 21,055
13. Mount Zion Baptist Church
Location: Nashville, TN
Pastor: Joseph W. Walker III
Attendance: 21,000
14. Gateway Church
Location: Southlake, TX
Pastor: Robert Morris
Attendance: 20,500
15. Bayside Church
Location: Roseville, CA
Pastor: Ray Johnston
Attendance: 20,000
16. Dream City Church
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Pastor: Luke Barnett
Attendance: 20,000
17. LCBC Church
Location: Manheim, PA
Pastor: Jason Mitchell
Attendance: 19,000
18. Woodlands Church
Location: The Woodlands, TX
Pastor: Kerry Shook
Attendance: 18,385
19. The Rock Church
Location: San Diego, CA
Pastor: Miles McPherson
Attendance: 18,000
20. 12Stone Church
Location: Lawrenceville, GA
Pastor: Kevin Myers
Attendance: 17,000
21. Christ the King Community Church
Location: Bellingham, WA
Pastor: Grant Fishbook
Attendance: 17,000
22. Prestonwood Baptist Church
Location: Plano, TX
Pastor: Jack Graham
Attendance: 17,000
23. Eagle Brook Church
Location: Centerville, MN
Pastor: Jason Strand
Attendance: 16,990
24. Calvary Church
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Pastor: Skip Heitzig
Attendance: 16,830
25. King Jesus International Ministry
Location: Miami, FL
Pastor: Guillermo Maldonado
Attendance: 16,800
26. Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Pastor: Doug Sauder
Attendance: 16,283
27. Second Baptist Church
Location: Houston, TX
Pastor: H. Edwin Young
Attendance: 15,970
28. World Changers Church International
Location: College Park, GA
Pastor: Creflo Dollar
Attendance: 15,000
29. World Outreach Church
Location: Murfreesboro, TN
Pastor: G. Allen Jackson
Attendance: 15,000
30. World Overcomers
Location: Durham, NC
Pastor: Andy Thompson
Attendance: 15,000
31. Harvest Christian Fellowship
Location: Riverside, CA
Pastor: Greg Laurie
Attendance: 14,560
32. The Rock Church and World Outreach Center
Location: San Bernardino, CA
Pastor: Dan Roth
Attendance: 14,550
33. Triumph Church
Location: Detroit, MI
Pastor: Solomon Kinloch
Attendance: 14,000
34. Family Christian Center
Location: Munster, IN
Pastor: Steve Munsey
Attendance: 13,640
35. Free Chapel Worship Center
Location: Gainesville, GA
Pastor: Jentezen Franklin
Attendance: 13,568
36. Lakepointe Church
Location: Rockwall, TX
Pastor: Josh Howerton
Attendance: 13,278
37. Christian Cultural Center
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Pastor: A.R. Bernard
Attendance: 13,000
38. West Angeles Church of God in Christ
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Pastor: Charles Blake
Attendance: 13,000
39. Southland Christian Church
Location: Nicholasville, KY
Pastor: Jon Weece
Attendance: 12,524
40. Abundant Church
Location: El Paso, TX
Pastor: Charles Nieman
Attendance: 12,400
41. Mariners Church
Location: Irvine, CA
Pastor: Eric Geiger
Attendance: 12,206
42. Calvary Chapel Golden Springs
Location: Diamond Bar, CA
Pastor: Raul Ries
Attendance: 12,000
43. Calvary Chapel of Philadelphia
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Pastor: Joe Focht
Attendance: 12,000
44. First Baptist Church of Glenarden
Location: Landover, MD
Pastor: John K. Jenkins Sr.
Attendance: 12,000
45. New Life Church
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Pastor: Brady Boyd
Attendance: 12,000
46. Potential Church
Location: Cooper City, FL
Pastor: Troy Gramling
Attendance: 12,000
47. The Church of Eleven22
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Pastor: Joby Martin
Attendance: 11,501
48. New Life Church
Location: Conway, AR
Pastor: Rick Bezet
Attendance: 11,500
49. Community Bible Church
Location: San Antonio, TX
Pastor: Ed Newton
Attendance: 11,388
50. Bethel Church
Location: Redding, CA
Pastor: Bill Johnson
Attendance: 11,000
Winning Strategies of Megachurches
America's megachurches have soared to prominence with a blend of novel approaches that keep them relevant and impactful.
Using Technology
Central to their success is their willingness to embrace technology. Making services available online reaches a broader audience, breaking geographical barriers while building a sense of connectedness despite the physical vastness of their congregations. Church presentation software, live streaming, and digital signage are just a few of the technological tools megachurches use.
Engaging Communities
A common theme among megachurches is their knack for engaging communities by initiating local programs, catering to different social needs, and reflecting the core values of their members. As large church networks place high importance on leadership - choosing pastors and staff who are as adept in contemporary management practices as they are in spiritual guidance - the quality of service is maintained across sites. They deliver teachings that resonate with everyday life, ensuring their spiritual lessons are both relatable and applicable.
Creating Collective Identity
What is truly remarkable about large and expansive church networks is their capacity to cultivate a sense of community, adapt to shifts in societal norms, and engage with congregants on an intimate level. Most members of megachurches across borders and oceans can agree on one thing: they feel at home in their ministry and an affinity for other members.
All these elements unite to foster a vibrant, spiritually enriching atmosphere that is appealing to a diverse range of people, explaining why these churches continue to expand their footprint.
The Future of Megachurches in the USA
Surveying the expanse of America's largest churches in 2023, it's evident that the frontrunners understand the significance of evolution and adaptability. It is clear that the essence of a powerful church is not merely in the size of its congregation but in the depth of its engagement and the strength of its community.
Technological advances continue, meaning further transformations and innovations will redefine the future of worship in America's largest churches. These establishments' resilience, adaptability, and innovative spirit create a hopeful vision of faith's future, proving that even the biggest church in the US is capable of personal connections and close-knit community building.