Writing for USA Today, Cathy Lynn Grossman shares the largest churches in America according to Outreach Magazine’s latest survey:
- Lakewood Church in Houston, TX, led by Joel Osteen, average weekly worship attendance: 43,500
- North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, GA, led by Andy Stanley, average weekly worship attendance: 27,429
- Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, IL, led by Bill Hybels, average weekly worship attendance: 24,377
- Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY, led by Dave Stone, average weekly worship attendance: 20,801
- Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA., led Rick Warren, average weekly worship attendance: 19,742
So What?
The largest of large congregations seem to be moving toward a multisite model. Of the top five, only Lakewood Church is not a multisite congregation.
- What is the largest church you have ever attended? What was that experience like?
- What do you see as the potential greatest strengths of a congregation with an average worship attendance that exceeds 20,000? What concerns do you have about churches of this size?
- Why do you think many churches, not only these incredibly large ones, are embracing a multisite model?