April 17, 2000

SBC gained membership in '99 but didn't make up '98 loss
___NASHVILLE, Tenn.--Membership in Southern Baptist churches registered a slight increase in 1999 but did not fully rebound from a 1998 drop, the first decline since 1926.
___The 1999 total of 15.85 million members is an increase of 122,400 or 0.78 percent over 1998, but it still falls short of the 1997 total of 15.89 million. The 1997 total was the highest on record and the capt to a 71-year string of growth.
___The statistical data is compiled annually by LifeWay Christian Resources using data supplied by churches through their state Baptist conventions on the Annual Church Profile.
___Cliff Tharp, constituent information coordinator at LifeWay, said he feels last year's membership decline "likely was impacted by affiliation and data collection issues."
___"With an increasing trend of churches moving away from traditional affiliation patterns toward greater variety in their affiliations, we have found greater challenges in seeing that everyone is counted and counted only once," he said.
___This year's report on key denominational statistics showed nationwide increases in giving but decreases in most areas of ministry participation other than Sunday morning worship attendance, which grew less than one-half of 1 percent.
___These national patterns have not been reflected in Texas among churches affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas. The BGCT in 1999 registered increases in church membership, Bible study attendance, morning worship attendance, giving and most other categories. Although total baptisms fell slightly, the 1999 total was the state convention's third-highest on record. BGCT statistics for 1999 were reported in the Baptist Standard's March 8 issue.
___Nationwide, baptisms recorded in SBC-affiliated churches increased by 12,078 or 2.97 percent in 1999. The 1999 total of 419,342 marks the third consecutive year of baptisms above 400,000. Baptisms in 1997 were 412,027 and in 1998 were 407,264.
___In other categories for 1999:
___ Total tithes and offerings and special gifts totaled $7.26 billion, a 5.38 percent increase.
___ Undesignated receipts totaled $5.61 billion, an increase of 3.43 percent.
___ Total receipts were $7.77 billion, a 4.30 percent increase.
___ Sunday morning worship attendance increased 0.36 percent from 5.4 million in 1998 to 5.42 million in 1999.
___ Sunday School enrollment dropped less than 500 from 1998's total of 8.15 million for a 0.01 percent decrease.
___ Music ministry enrollment/participation dropped by 165,643 or 9.04 percent to 1.67 million.
___Three areas were affected by differences in reporting methods among some states, with totals possibly skewed by those variances:
___ Discipleship Training enrollment/participation dropped 51,316 or 22.12 percent to 1.98 million. The 1998 total of 2.54 million was the highest enrollment for the program since 1965.
___ Woman's Missionary Union enrollment declined by 81,705 or 8.24 percent to 909,527.
___ Brotherhood enrollment/participation for 1999 was 445,057, down by 80,598 or 15.33 percent.
___Based on a Baptist Press report

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