The number of baptisms in the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) in 2010 fell by nearly 5 percent, according to the Annual Church Profile compiled by LifeWay Christian Resources in cooperation with Baptist state conventions.
Southern Baptist churches reported 332,321 baptisms in 2010, down from 349,737 in 2009. Total membership in 2010, reported at 16,136,044, represents a 0.15 percent decline from 2009 and is the fourth straight year of decline.
However, the number of churches in the SBC rose to 45,727, an increase of 1.59 percent from the 45,010 reported in 2009. Primary worship attendance in SBC churches mirrored the decline in overall membership, declining 0.19 percent to 6,195,449 in 2010.
Total missions expenditures in 2010 totaled $1.3 billion, down from $1.33 billion in 2009, with one state convention not reporting these figures. Total tithes, offerings and special gifts received in Southern Baptist churches totaled $10.68 billion, a decline of $153 million from 2009, but again with a state convention not asking churches for this information.
Impacted categories and their 2010 totals include:
• Total tithes, offerings and special gifts: $10,680,023,357
• Undesignated receipts: $8,911,796,522
• Total receipts: $11,720,820,320
• Total missions expenditures: $1,302,479,654
• Value of congregational property: $42,509,449,468 (BP)
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