Top 100 Largest Churches in America

This is an article done by outreach magazine and I am copying from Church Relevance.

Here is what Church Relevance wrote:
Outreach magazine has released their 2008 list of the Top 100 Largest Churches in America. To see the full list, you can (1) buy a downloadable PDF or (2) buy a copy of the magazine’s special issue. For a sneak peak at this year’s rankings, here are the top 15 largest churches in America for 2008 as well as how they ranked in 2007 and 2006.

Top 15 (of 100) Largest Churches in America for 2008

Lakewood Church (Houston, TX) ::
Joel OsteenFounded 1959 ::
1 location#1 = 43,500 (2008)
#1 = 47,000 (2007)
#1 = 45,000 (2006)

Second Baptist Church (Houston, TX) ::
Ed Young Sr.Founded 1927 :: 5 locations
#2 = 23,659 (2008)
#3 = 23,198 (2007)
#3 = 22,266 (2006)

North Point Community Church (Alpharetta, GA) ::
Andy StanleyFounded 1995 :: 3 locations
#3 = 22,557 (2008)
#7 = 17,700 (2007)
#12 = 16,700 (2006)

Willow Creek Community Church (South Barrington, IL) ::
Bill HybelsFounded 1975 :: 4 locations
#4 = 22,500 (2008)
#2 = 23,500 (2007)
#5 = 21,500 (2006)

LifeChurch.tv (Edmond, OK) ::
Craig GroeschelFounded 1996 :: 11 locations
#5 = 20,823 (2008)
#5 = 19,907 (2007)
#13 = 16,071 (2006)

West Angeles Church of God in Christ (Los Angeles, CA) ::
Charles BlakeFounded 1943 :: 1 location
#6 = 20,000 (2008)
#50 = 8,350 (2006)

Fellowship Church (Grapevine, TX) ::
Ed Young Jr.Founded 1989 :: 5 locations
#7 = 19,913 (2008)
#16 = 13,000 (2007)(rumored misreport)
#9 = 18,124 (2006

Saddleback Church (Lake Forest, CA) ::
Rick WarrenFounded 1980 :: 2 locations
#8 = 19,414 (2008)
#4 = 22,000 (2007)
#6 = 20,595 (2006)

Calvary Chapel (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) ::
Bob CoyFounded 1985 :: 3 locations
#9 = 18,000 (2008)
#9 = 17,000 (2007)
#8 = 18,300 (2006)

The Potter’s House (Dallas, TX) ::
T.D. JakesFounded 1996 :: 1 location
#10 = 17,000 (2008)
#10 = 17,000 (2007)
#20 = 14,000 (2006)

Woodlands Church (The Woodlands, TX) ::
Kerry ShookFounded 1993 :: 3 locations
#11 = 16,380 (2008)
#12 = 15,600 (2007)
#18 = 14,120 (2006)

Southeast Christian Church (Louisville, KY) ::
Dave StoneFounded 1962 :: 1 location
#12 = 16,264 (2008)
#6 = 18,013 (2007)
#7 = 18,520 (2006)

Hopewell Missionary Baptist (Norcross, GA) ::
William ShealsFounded 1860s :: 1 location
#13 = 16,000 (2008)

New Birth Missionary Baptist (Decatur, GA) ::
Eddie LongFounded 1984 :: 1 location
#14 = 15,000 (2008)
#13 = 15,000 (2007)
#4 = 22,000 (2006)

NorthRidge Church (Plymouth, MI) ::
Brad PowellFounded 1929 :: 1 location
#15 = 14,762 (2008)
#15 = 13,865 (2007)
#23 = 12,700 (2006)

These “largest churches” are great sources of ministry ideas and examples. This does not mean you should copy what they do. Your ministry has a unique calling that requires unique actions.
Learn from the mistakes and successes of these “largest churches.” Learn how to do what they do better and within the context of your calling.