Southern Baptist Convention

Southern Baptist Convention

901 Commerce St.
Nashville, TN 37203
United States

Attesting Officer
Dr. Roger S. Oldham
VP, Convention Communications, and Relations SBC Executive Committee


Media Contact
Vice Pres. for Convention Communications, and Relations, Roger S. Oldham

36.1594575, -86.7836945


The Southern Baptist Convention was organized on May 10, 1845, in Augusta, Georgia. Cooperating Baptist churches are located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa and the Virgin Islands. The members of the churches work together through 1,136 district associations and 42 state conventions or fellowships. The Southern Baptist Convention has an Executive Committee and 12 national entities - four boards, six seminaries, one commission, and one auxiliary organization.
The purpose of the Southern Baptist Convention is "to provide a general organization for Baptists in the United States and its territories for the promotion of Christian missions at home and abroad and any other objects such as Christian education, benevolent enterprises, and social services which it may deem proper and advisable for the furtherance of the Kingdom of God" (Constitution, Article II).
The Convention exists in order to help the churches lead people to God through Jesus Christ.
From the beginning, there has been a mission desire to share the Gospel with the peoples of the world. The Cooperative Program is the basic channel of mission support. In addition, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions support Southern Baptists' world mission programs.
As of June 2017, there were 3,582 missionaries serving in foreign countries and 5,262 missionaries serving in North America.


Full Communicants Average Attendance Other Members Total Inclusive Members Total Churches Membership Calculation Method
2010
16,136,044
6,195,449
16,136,044
45,727
2009
16,160,088
6,207,488
16,160,088
45,010
2008
16,228,438
16,228,438
44,848
2007
16,266,920
6,148,868
16,266,920
44,696
2006
16,306,246
6,138,776
16,306,246
44,223
2003
16,439,603
5,873,880
16,439,603
42,972
2001
16,052,920
5,730,980
16,052,920
42,334
1998
15,729,356
15,729,356
40,870
1997
15,891,514
15,891,514
40,887
1996
15,691,964
15,691,964
40,565
1995
15,663,296
15,663,296
40,039
1994
15,614,060
15,614,060
39,863
1993
15,398,642
15,398,642
38,682
1992
15,358,866
15,358,866
38,401
1991
15,232,347
15,232,347
36,168
1990
15,038,409
15,038,409
37,922
1989
14,907,826
14,907,826
37,739
1988
14,812,844
14,812,844
37,517
1987
14,722,617
14,722,617
37,238
1986
14,613,618
14,613,618
37,072
1985
14,477,364
14,477,364
36,898
1984
14,341,822
14,341,821
36,668
1983
14,178,051
14,178,051
34,464
1982
13,991,709
13,991,709
36,246
1981
13,782,644
13,782,644
36,022
Serving Churches Retired Other Service to the Church Total Clergy
2010
105,536
16,453
121,989
2009
105,906
16,379
122,285
2008
104,503
16,525
121,028
2007
102,439
18,025
120,464
2006
101,777
18,140
119,917
2003
96,466
4,779
16,456
112,922
2001
82,315
4,238
22,129
108,682
1997
57,300
80,274
1996
37,955
71,257
1995
38,123
59,338
1994
38,732
60,045
1993
39,141
60,439
1992
38,417
63,352
1991
38,700
65,450
1990
37,800
64,500
1989
37,500
64,100
1988
37,300
63,625
1987
37,150
63,400
1986
37,000
63,200
1985
36,800
62,900
1984
35,600
62,600
1983
35,900
61,900
1982
35,800
61,600
1981
35,700
61,400
1980
33,600
56,200
Total Schools Staff Pupils Total Individuals
2010
44,915
684,665
6,922,725
7,607,390
2009
44,989
697,452
7,052,015
7,749,467
2008
38,481
697,751
7,055,043
7,752,794
2007
44,859
708,895
7,167,716
7,876,611
2006
40,754
730,500
7,386,162
8,116,662
2003
39,718
737,396
7,455,888
8,193,284
2001
39,664
736,447
7,446,297
8,182,744
1997
36,417
8,140,107
1996
36,188
8,241,105
1995
38,045
8,204,823
1994
37,807
8,258,262
1993
36,869
8,240,524
1992
36,778
8,256,745
1991
36,615
8,178,345
1990
36,439
8,003,918
1989
36,322
7,931,112
1988
36,211
7,905,239
1987
36,039
7,936,607
1986
35,975
7,938,479
1985
35,863
7,950,213
1984
35,621
7,847,895
1983
35,497
7,807,291
1982
35,310
7,669,883
1981
35,123
7,520,828
1980
34,897
7,425,999
Total Benevolences Total Financials Total Giving Local Expenses Method
2010
$1,302,479,654
$11,720,820,320
$10,418,340,666
$10,418,340,666
2009
$1,334,157,703
$11,912,179,313
$10,578,021,610
$10,578,021,610
2008
$1,358,802,036
$12,121,220,925
$10,762,418,889
$10,762,418,889
2007
$1,327,856,082
$12,107,096,858
$10,779,240,776
$10,779,240,776
2006
$1,285,616,031
$11,372,608,393
$10,086,992,362
$10,086,992,362
2003
$1,102,363,842
$9,648,530,640
$8,546,166,798
$8,546,166,798
2001
$980,224,243
$8,878,776,318
$7,954,789,416
$7,954,789,416
1998
$953,491,003
$7,452,098,393
$6,498,607,390
1997
$930,176,909
$7,029,110,046
$6,098,933,137
1996
$91,149,403
$6,878,182,518
$5,987,033,115
1995
$858,635,435
$6,068,383,938
$5,209,748,503
1994
$815,360,696
$6,078,782,460
$5,263,421,764
1993
$761,298,249
$5,382,456,000
$4,621,157,751
1992
$751,366,698
$5,214,281,810
$4,462,915,112
1991
$731,812,766
$5,015,095,825
$4,283,283,059
1990
$718,174,874
$4,864,460,435
$4,146,285,561
1989
$712,738,838
$4,586,039,620
$3,873,300,782
1988
$689,366,904
$4,396,019,065
$3,706,652,161
1987
$662,455,177
$4,292,297,820
$3,629,842,643
1986
$635,196,984
$4,116,321,455
$3,481,124,471
1985
$609,868,694
$3,882,145,180
$3,272,276,486
1984
$567,467,188
$2,336,062,506
$3,094,913,877
1983
$528,781,000
$3,367,354,815
$2,838,573,815
1982
$486,402,607
$3,114,675,160
$2,628,272,553
1981
$443,931,179
$2,779,993,685
$2,336,062,506