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Copyright 2012 Church Growth Associates, Inc.
How Much Space Do I Need?
Adding a Second Service
Church Growth and Visitation
The Unchurched In Your State
Growth Rates
Church Growth Basics
Our data for this section of the website is taken from a vast range of sources, the largest one being the latest edition of The Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches. Since the numbers from that source are self reported, denominations and religious bodies self describe themselves. Our numbers have been adjusted by taking cults that claimed to be Christian or even Evangelical Christian out of that category and placing them in the Other Theology category where they belong. The numbers you find here are among the most reliable available.
Unclaimed are those that are not adherents of any of the religions included in the Church Membership Data. This is not an indicator of atheism or not being a member of any church, since some groups do not report attendance or adherents.
Attendance figures are taken both from records reported by denominations and pollsters asking Americans if they attended church or synagogue in the last seven days. The Gallup organization has placed the number at about 40% of Americans attend church weekly. I have seen some researchers place the number in attendance at about half that number by tracking actual attendance in a sample of churches. Either way, we know church attendance has room to grow. This information is not presented to simply give you an interesting fact. The idea is to understand the mission field the United States is, and to provide help in reaching out into our communities not just to fill our church buildings, but to make disciples.
Adherents are those who claim to be part of a church. They may or may not attend or even be members, but they are claimed by a church.
Here are some interesting facts about the unchurched in America.
THE UN-
How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe on Him whom they have not heard?
Romans 10:14
WHERE THE COMPLEXITY OF CHURCH GROWTH INTERSECTS WITH THE SIMPLICITY OF THE GOSPEL
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…upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
— Matthew 16:18