Outreach magazine in collaboration with Ed Stetzer of LifeWay Research has published their annual list of the top 100 largest churches in America.

Over 8,000 churches were invited to submit their weekend attendance averages from February and March 2009 (excluding Easter). Children and adults were counted. Physical campuses were counted. Internet campuses were not counted.

It is interesting to look at how the attendance of the top 16 largest U.S. churches has changed since 2006. Some change quickly. Some change gradually. And others fluctuate.

For the full list and analysis of Outreach’s 100 largest churches, you can buy a PDF or print copy at OutreachMagazine.com.

Top 16 Largest Churches in America for 2009
13,000+ attendance

1. Lakewood Church (Houston, TX) :: Joel Osteen
   43,500 (#1) for 2009
   43,500 (#1) for 2008
   47,000 (#1) for 2007
   45,000 (#1) for 2006
2. LifeChurch.tv (Edmond, OK) :: Craig Groeschel
   26,776 (#2) for 2009
   20,823 (#5) for 2008
   19,907 (#5) for 2007
   16,071 (#13) for 2006
3. Willow Creek Community Church (South Barrington, IL) :: Bill Hybels
   23,400 (#3) for 2009
   22,500 (#4) for 2008
   23,500 (#2) for 2007
   21,500 (#5) for 2006
4. North Point Community Church (Alpharetta, GA) :: Andy Stanley
   23,377 (#4) for 2009
   22,557 (#3) for 2008
   17,700 (#7) for 2007
   16,700 (#12) for 2006
5. Second Baptist Church (Houston, TX) :: Ed Young Sr.
   22,723 (#5) for 2009
   23,659 (#2) for 2008
   23,198 (#3) for 2007
   22,266 (#3) for 2006
6. Saddleback Church (Lake Forest, CA) :: Rick Warren
   22,418 (#6) for 2009
   19,414 (#8) for 2008
   22,000 (#4) for 2007
   20,595 (#6) for 2006
7. Fellowship Church (Grapevine, TX) :: Ed Young Jr.
   18,355 (#7) for 2009
   19,913 (#7) for 2008
   13,000 (#16) for 2007
   18,124 (#9) for 2006
8. Southeast Christian Church (Louisville, KY) :: Dave Stone
   17,261 (#8) for 2009
   16,264 (#12) for 2008
   18,013 (#6) for 2007
   18,520 (#7) for 2006
9. Woodlands Church (Woodlands, TX) :: Kerry Shook
   17,142 (#9) for 2009
   16,380 (#11) for 2008
   15,600 (#12) for 2007
   14,120 (#18) for 2006
10. Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) :: Bob Coy
    15,921 (#10) for 2009
    18,000 (#9) for 2008
    17,000 (#9) for 2007
    18,300 (#8) for 2006
11. Central Christian Church (Las Vegas, NV) :: Jud Wilhite
    15,081 (#11) for 2009
    13,010 (#22) for 2008
    12,000 (#22) for 2007
    8,994 (#43) for 2006
12. First Baptist Church (Hammond, IN) :: Jack Schaap
    15,059 (#12) for 2009
    13,678 (#19) for 2008
    12,000 (#20) for 2007
    11,300 (#26) for 2006
13. Prestonwood Baptist Church (Plano, TX) :: Jack Graham
    14,975 (#13) for 2009
    14,450 (#17) for 2008
    14,000 (#14) for 2007
    14,871 (#17) for 2006
14. Thomas Road Baptist Church (Lynchburg, VA) :: Jonathan Falwell
    13,100 (#14) for 2009
    13,000 (#23) for 2008
    17,445 (#8) for 2007
    7,626 (#71) for 2006
15. Calvary Chapel (Albuquerque, NM) :: Skip Heitzig
    13,000 (#15) for 2009
    13,500 (#20) for 2008
    12,000 (#19) for 2007
    12,000 (#24) for 2006
16. New Birth Missionary Baptist (Decatur, GA) :: Eddie Long
    13,000 (#16) for 2009
    15,000 (#14) for 2008
    15,000 (#13) for 2007
    22,000 (#4) for 2006

Surprisingly, quite a few large churches are not on the list. Some churches did not respond to the study for various reasons that include:

• did not want to reveal attendance data
• did not have time
• do not like church ranking lists

Churches listed on a previous list with 13,000+ attendance but unlisted on the 2009 list are as follows:

• Last listed in 2008
  20,000 = West Angeles Church of God in Christ (Los Angeles, CA)
  17,000 = The Potter’s House (Dallas, TX)
  16,000 = Hopewell Missionary Baptist (Norcross, GA)
  13,500 = New Light Christian Center (Houston, TX)
• Last listed in 2007
  16,000 = First Assembly of God (Phoenix, AZ)
• Last listed in 2006
  23,900 = Without Walls International Church (Tampa, FL)
  13,000 = Greater St. Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church (New Orleans, LA)

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