- Medium-sized churches continue to decrease in number while large churches are getting larger, with all churches on the 100 largest list averaging at least 7,000 people in attendance. - Mega churches are adding more satellite locations and online worship venues as growth catalysts, as digital connections and technology help churches like LifeChurch.tv and Northland make inroads with the unchurched. - The use of multisite campuses is growing rapidly, with 16% of all US churches considering this option, as it allows churches to multiply and reach new people for Christ.

1. Behind the Numbers Learning from America’s Largest and Fastest-Growing Churches

2. Dichotomies Medium-sized churches continue to decrease in number Most churches have always been small Large churches are getting larger

3. For the first time, all 100 churches on the 100 Largest list averaged at least 7,000 people Last year’s list included churches of 6,376 or more. The 2004 Largest list included churches of 5,800 or more.

4. While churches are getting larger, attendees are not often in one location. Mega churches are adding more satellite locations and online worship venues

5. Growth Catalysts New sites New buildings Regional population increases New leadership

6. Digital Connections LifeChurch.tv (#5 Largest) & Flamingo Road (#73 Largest) use digital connections to make inroads with the unchurched. Northland (#67 Fastest, #62 Largest) is prolific at using online technology as a Great Commission strategy.

7. Internet Campuses Not without flaws and unique set of issues No doubt that several churches aggressive in finding and reaching the unchurched are finding that this manner of engagement is working for them.

8. Multisite In 2000, only 5% of all U.S. megachurches had multiple locations. In 2007, 25% had more than one site. 2010 predictions have 50% of megachurches with more than one site MultisitechurchRevolution.com

9. Multisite 16% of all U.S. churches – approximately 48,000 –say they are seriously considering multisite as a ministry option. Multi-Site churches: guidance for the Movement’s Next Generation, B&H, Scott McConnell

10. Multisite Congregations are willing to take risks and make sacrifices to multiply and ultimately reach new people for Christ. Our team heard story after story of churches that have let go of church members to “seed” the new congregation—a painful and difficult process.

11. NorthPoint #41 Fastest/#3 Largest From the beginning, Andy Stanley gave everyone a phrase to think about… “We don’t get any credit for who we keep; it’s who we reach .”

12. NorthPoint When NorthPoint considers building new facilities for one of its campuses or adding another site, the church uses an empty chair icon to represent its ultimate goal.

13. Church for All Ages Churches are becoming multigenerational Church leaders recognize the need to be a church for all ages.

14. Heartland Community Church #35 Fastest Growing Both older and younger generations are drawn to 10-year-old Heartland Community Church On a recent weekend at the Rockford, Ill., church, about 10 percent of the people baptized were aged 65 and older.

15. Community Bible Church #78 Fastest-Growing Becoming multigenerational has been intentional Fosters multigenerational relationships beyond the church service through intergenerational outreaches and activities Connect senior adults in the church with the children of Community bible and attendees are forming non-blood-related families

16. 20-something intentionality Other churches are focusing intently on the often-elusive generation of 20-somethings A significant number of young adults across the country embrace megachurches (especially when these large churches are intentional about reaching them)

17. Community bible church (San Antonio) #24 Fastest, #26 Largest The church’s most intentional and effective environment is people’s living rooms. Friends invite friends to their apartments and use video-based curriculum to guide the conversation as they wrestle with different questions about God and faith.

18. What you can learn (good and bad) from the Outreach 100 Outward focus Climate of Creativity Leader teams Hyper focused on the vision Willingness to restart Monocultural congregation Overwhelmed by growth Leadership burnout