There’s some conflicting information regarding which church actually ranks on top, but this list certainly covers 10 of the largest churches in America. I’m not sure what to think about the whole mega-church movement. I’ve never attended a mega-church (a church with attendance over 2000) so I can’t honestly say what that experience might be like. It does intrigue me as to why and how so many people decide to come together in one place. I suppose it’s different for each church, however, it seems to me there are also likely some common denominators. I’ll list the top ten based on my research and let you figure out what it means.
#10 Bayside Church, Roseville, California
Senior Pastor – Ray Johnston
Founded – 1995
Locations – 6
Attendance – 22,286
#9 Eagle Brook Church, Centerville, Minnesota
Senior Pastor – Bob Merritt
Founded – 1948
Locations – 8
Attendance – 23,790
#8 Saddleback Church, Lake Forest, California
Senior Pastor – Rick Warren
Founded – 1980
Locations – 19
Attendance – 24,195
#7 Southeast Christian Church, Louisville, Kentucky
Senior Pastor – Dave Stone
Founded – 1962
Locations – 7
Attendance – 25,917
#6 Gateway Church, Southlake, Texas
Senior Pastor – Robert Morris
Founded – 2000
Locations – 9
Attendance – 31,550
#5 Christ’s Church of the Valley, Peoria, Arizona
Senior Pastor – Ashley Wooldridge
Founded – 1982
Locations – 9
Attendance – 32,197
#4 North Point Ministries, Aplharetta, Georgia
Senior Pastor – Andy Stanley
Founded – 1995
Locations – 7
Attendance – 40,455
#3 Lakewood Church, Houston, Texas
Senior Pastor – Joel Osteen
Founded – 2005 (as a mega church, originally 1959)
Locations – 1
Attendance – 45,000
#2 Church of the Highlands, Birmingham, Alabama
Senior Pastor – Chris Hodges
Founded – 2001
Locations – 17
Attendance – 51,900
#1 Life Church, Edmond, Oklahoma
Senior Pastor – Craig Groeschel
Founded – 1996
Locations – 24
Attendance – 53,000
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