Church Attendance Only 14% of Twin Cities Churches Are Growing

Growing metro, declining church

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BRIEFING 7 Church Attendance Only 14% of Twin Cities churches are growing

This briefing is for pastors and church boards, a picture of the whole church of the Twin Cities, a look at 3,476 individual congregations September 2017

All Briefings – and more – are online ta www.churchscouts.org Church Scouts Briefing #7 / The shrinking church Page 2 Twin Cities Church Attendance

TAKEAWAY 1 - Only one way to see the whole church In the Bible, a church is regarded as all the Christians living in a geographic area, as the church in Philippi, the church in Galatia, the church in Rome, etc. The Bible says we should not say, I am of Paul, or I am of Apollos, or I am of Cephas, but rather see ourselves as parts of the whole church of our area.

But the whole church of the Twin Cities is so large – thousands of congregations and hundreds of thousands of people – that no one can personally see it or understand it, except through statistics and reports from scouts.

That’s the reason for this site and these Briefings ... to count churches (congregations) ... to count attenders (believers) ... to track trends ... to spot problems and opportunities ... to facilitate collaboration ... to tell what’s working and what’s not working ... to give a picture of the whole church of the Twin Cities.

The only way to get this picture is from City Vision (gathers statistics) and Church Scouts (analysis and communication), together revealing the whole church of the Twin Cities online, free of charge, constantly updated, to assist local pastors and boards in deci- sion-making for their part in the whole.

The gathering and reporting process here is so exceptional that the Twin Cities is interna- tionally recognized as having more and better information on local churches than any metro in the entire world.

TAKEAWAY 2 - Twin Cities more churched than most cities In the Twin Cities, there is one church for every 1,007 people. As shown in CHART 7.1, this is greater church saturation than most U.S. cities. For example, the Twin Cities has twice as many churches per capita as Denver, and three times as many as Phoenix.

TAKEAWAY 3 - One-in-five attend church Attendance figures for 2016 have been collected for all 3,476 known churches in the Twin Cities metro, and the tally shows that approximately 753,000 people – 502,000 Protestant and 248,000 Catholic – attend a church worship service in a typical week.

Population of the Twin Cities is approximately 3,500,000, so church attendance is calculat- ed as 21% of the population. However, because of over-reporting bias explained in TAKE- AWAY 10, the actual percent is probably closer to 18% as shown on CHART 7.2.

This is about the same percentage locally as church attendance nationally as estimated by the Hartford Study and the Church Leaders Report. Studies show that public opinion polls are not reliable because they greatly overstate church attendance. Even common sense observation of Sunday morning traffic vs. Monday morning traffic gives a good sense of how many people attend church.

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Twin Cities attendance trends are plotted in CHART 7.3, showing that attendance has peaked and is now declining slightly every year, particularly among Catholics. Even a con- tinuing annual 1% decrease in church attendance and 1% increase in population – a 2% compounded differential – has huge consequences for churches in the next decade. More alarming, however, are demographics and cultural trends that predict much steeper de- clines in the years ahead as noted in TAKEAWAY 12.

TAKEAWAY 4 - More churches but fewer attenders In 2016, there were 3,476 known churches in the Twin Cities (3,253 Protestant and 223 Catholic). Five years earlier, in 2011, there were 2,897 churches (2,672 Protestant and 225 Catholic). This interprets to an addition of 579 new churches in the past five years.

In 2016, total reported worship service attendance was 753,296 (511,862 Protestant and 251,434 Catholic). Five years earlier, in 2011, attendance was 793,941 (517,172 Protestant and 276,769 Catholic). This interprets to a loss of 25,335 in weekly attendance in the past five years.

CHART 7.4 shows the relationship between the rise in church count and the drop in church attendance. Small churches are getting an increasing share of attendance.

In 2011, churches size 1-99 had 52% of the count and 12% of the attendance, but by 2016 that had risen to 62% and 17%.

In 2011, churches size 2000+ had 3% of the count and 32% of the attendance, but by 2016 that had fallen to 2% and 27%.

CHART 7.5 shows that the average size of Twin Cities churches is falling steadily. Average Catholic church size is now 1,059, down from 1,150 in 2010. Average Protestant size is now 155, down from 200 in 2010.

TAKEAWAY 5 - Size does not accelerate growth People in the Twin Cities have a huge selection of churches of all types and sizes within easy Sunday morning drive time. If large churches had a growth advantage, one would expect more and more larger churches and fewer and fewer small churches. Most Catholic churches are large by design, but among Protestants, the statistics show: • One third of Protestants choose church size under 200 • One third of Protestants choose church size 200-700 • One third of Protestants choose church size 700+

CHART 7.4 shows that there is a trend toward smaller churches even with the abundance of nearby larger churches. It appears that this is a reflection of generational preferences: Boomers wanted everything bigger and better, Millennials want everything participatory and relational.

One size won’t fit all in the modern world. Churches are learning, like businesses, that they are most effective when targeting a particular segment of the population. This may be a major reason why churches are so dynamic during their first 10 years (seeTAKEAWAY 6)

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but lose effectiveness over time as they try to become all things to all people.

As churches learn to engage with huge segments of the population having no spiritual background, targeting will have to be much more nuanced than just seeker friendly or contemporary music. Targeting will have to focus more on people’s particular place in their spiritual journey, with greater attention given to relevant substance and participation. Many different small venues will be needed, with different leaders and topics, often in the same church but at different times.

Many church buildings are now used by different churches at various times on Sundays and during the week. Sunday morning for church is not nearly as important as was in times past. The younger generations, especially the unchurched, don’t care about church tradi- tion, and meetings can occur almost any time or place.

TAKEAWAY 6 - Churches grow fast in first 10 years As shown in CHART 7.6, half of all Twin Cities churches are less than 20 years old, and this is the half that’s growing.

After 20 years, one might think that the rate of decline would correlate with aging of the church, but CHART 7.7 shows that once a church reaches 20 years, the decline is constant among all age categories, apparently regardless of neighborhood or facility obsolescence.

For most churches, there seems to be a special growth dynamic in the first 10 years that is lost in the teen years and rarely recovered. Many great churches built 20 or 30 years ago by the Boomer generation, still relatively new, are not growing as fast as small start-ups in sub-par rented facilities, and no faster than churches in old buildings constructed over 100 years ago.

TAKEAWAY 7 - 208 Denominations active in Twin Cities In 2016, there were 208 active denominations in the Twin Cities, with 2,540 churches, accounting for 73% of total churches and 75% of total attendance.

There were 936 independent churches with no denominational affiliation, accounting for 27% of total churches and 10% of total attendance.

Five years earlier, in 2011, there were 715 independent churches, accounting for 25% of churches and 9% of attendance, a slight trend away from affiliation and toward indepen- dence.

CHART 7.9 lists the 30 denominations with most number of churches in the Twin Cities. The largest are ELCA Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Assemblies of God, Lutheran Missouri Synod, United Methodist and Converge (BGC).

CHART 7.8 shows that, among these six largest, only Assemblies and Converge experienced any growth in the five year period 2011-2016.

During those five years, independent churches grew 8% in attendance while denominational churches declined 6%.

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TAKEAWAY 8 - Most multisites are disappointments There are 63 multisite organizations (parent churches) in the Twin Cities operating 153 multisite churches (separate locations), with weekly attendance of 115,000, which is 15% of total church attendance.

Over the past five years, multisite churches have increased 5% in attendance while sin- gle-only churches have declined 5%, but the increases are not across the board. Most multisites are a disappointment to the parent organizations because, as shown in CHART 7.10, combined attendance has declined rather than increased for most of them. The success rate (3 in 7) is about the same whether the parent church has only two multisites or three or more multisites.

Briefing 8 will cover Twin City multisite churches in detail and will include a detailed church-by-church listing.

TAKEAWAY 9 - 86% of churches stalled or in 5-year decline As shown in CHART 7.12, among all 3,476 churches in the Twin Cities over the past five years, only 14% are growing, and 86% are stalled or declining.

CHART 7.11 shows that this pattern is quite consistent across all size categories. All are losing more than gaining, especially when considering the bias factor noted in TAKEAWAY 10.

CHART 7.13 shows that all attendance gains over the past five years have come from churches in size category less than 100. In fact, there is a clear and consistent negative correlation between size and growth. Overall, the larger the church, the smaller the percentage growth.

TAKEAWAY 10 - Upward bias in reported numbers Church attendance numbers are obtained primarily from oral or written statements provided to City Vision by individual churches or representatives. The numbers are often overstated because churches are quick to report gains and slow to report losses. Also, some churches report high attendance rather than average attendance as asked. Therefore, there is likely to be an upward bias of 10-20% in the numbers received, and thus actual attendance losses are probably greater than reported and graphed here. Comparisons and trends are meaningful, however, because the bias has been pervasive for decades.

City Vision and Church Scouts have an anonymous online reporting system for flagging attendance numbers that need investigation. Click HERE if online, or enter errors.sf.org in your browser, if you spot any errors in the attached lists.

TAKEAWAY 11 - More than casual shift in Christian practices The Great Commission is not a call to attract people to church worship services, but to make disciples.

Attendance is not the goal, but loss of attendance is a leading indicator of

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other losses that follow: fewer disciples, weaker disciples, loss of commitment, loss of income, loss of participation, and loss of community influence.

There is high correlation between worship attendance and spiritual vitality of a church. Continued loss of attendance is a call to action, a call for pastor and board to make fast, bold, effective decisions for the future.

Some church leaders dismiss the decline in church attendance by saying that Christians just attend church less frequently these days ... or that Christian maturity is now coming more from TV and Internet, or individual study ... or that Christians are spending more time in personal spiritual disciplines and informal group interaction ... or more time sharing their faith with others.

However, that’s not the picture of what’s really happening in the whole church of the Twin Cities. Less frequent attendance and availability of streaming Internet (or radio and TV) are not new; these factors have been occurring for a long time and are already built into the statistical base.

The evidence is clear that there is a steady measurable decline that is weakening the church overall, and without major changes within hundreds of individual churches, the decline will accelerate into the foreseeable future. Contrary to its mission, the whole church of the Twin Cities is losing disciples faster than making them.

TAKEAWAY 12 - Demographic headwinds for the church CHART 7.14 tracks three particularly troubling trends for churches in the Twin Cities – rapid growth of Nones and Muslims and rapid loss of Evangelicals – which will accelerate the decline.

CHART 7.15 shows the demographic pressures against the church as older generations die off.This is the most important chart in this Briefing!!

It is imperative for every pastor and board to understand the huge challenges ahead and to make plans now for coping with them.

Future Briefings will provide information and help for dealing with the new cultural realities.

TAKEAWAY 13 - List of 100 largest churches City Vision has data on more than four thousand Twin Cities churches, past and present, reaching back through 20 years of history. Reports detailing all individual churches would be too long and overwhelming for online presentation. Even a one-line printout of all 3,476 current churches is 86 pages in length.

Most people are interested primarily in the 100 largest churches and like to see them ranked. Even though comprising only a third of total attendance, and usually not the best models for church growth, these are the churches most asked about.

• Attached is a list of the 100 Largest Churches in the Twin Cities (Catholic and Prot- estant combined)

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• Attached is a list of the 100 Largest Protestant Churches in the Twin Cities

This Briefing is encouraging news for small-size and medium-size churches who thought they were at a disadvantage for church growth relative to large churches. Fact is, by peo- ples’ choice, there is equal opportunity for all sizes: One-third choose to attend a small church (under 200), one third choose to attend a medium-size church (200-700), and one third choose a large church (over 700). Attendance gain/loss percentages are essentially the same across all size categories.

TAKEAWAY 14 - Two barriers to growth In examining data from large numbers of churches, patterns emerge that are not easily dis- cernible by personal observation. Statistics on Twin Cities churches reveal two barriers to growth: the 200-Size Barrier and the 20-Year Barrier.

Crossing the 200-Size Barrier means that the church can then afford one or more full-time staff, afford more adequate facilities, and deliver more and better services to the entire church family. However, the church becomes more complex, requires stronger manage- ment and must learn not to lose the personal touch.

The 20-Year Barrier is described in TAKEAWAY 6.

The database of 3,476 current churches was queried to look at Twin Cities churches from both sides of each barrier during the 5-year period 2011-2016:

• 200-SIZE BARRIER. The database was queried to find all churches that crossed the 200-size barrier during the period: It found 58 churches; average growth rate during the period was 114% (all others -6%).

• 20-YEAR BARRIER. The database was queried to find all churches younger than age 20: It found 1,748 churches; average growth rate during the period was 43% (all others -14%).

• BOTH BARRIERS. The database was queried to find all churches that started less than 20 years ago AND that crossed the 200-size barrier during the period: It found 30 churches; average growth rate during the period was 135% (all others -6%).

Church Scouts will look closely at these churches and report in future Briefs what they have done to cross barriers and experience high growth.

Unless otherwise noted, all Twin Cities statistical data in the following charts are from City Vision Report errors to errors.sf.org (anonymous)

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CHART 7.1 Twin Cities Compared to Other Major Cities One church for every x-number of people

Thousands of people

CHART 7.2 CHART 7.3 Religious Profile Total Worship Attendance Percent of population Protestant-Catholic Breakdown by Year

Twin Cities 3,500,000

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CHART 7.4 CHART 7.5 Church Count and Worship Attendance Church Size Trends Twin Cities Protestant Churches / 2016 vs 2011 Average Worship Attendance 2010-2016

2,897 Churches Attendance 2011 517,172

3,253 Churches Attendance 2016 501,200

Average worship attendance size in 2010: 200 In 2016: 155

CHART 7.6 Church Age 3,476 Twin Cities Churches

CHART 7.7 Growth Rate by Church Age Percent change in attendance 2011-2016

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CHART 7.8 Growth Rates of Denominations with Most Churches Percent change in Twin Cities worship service attendance 2011-2016

Percent 5-year growth or decline

CHART 7.9 Church Denominations 208 Denominations Active in Twin Cities CHART 7.10 Multisite Organizations 5-year overall attendance gain/loss

Number of parent organizations Number of parent 63 total (operating 153 Twin Cities multisite churches) 63 total (operating 153 Twin

Number of churches

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CHART 7.12

CHART 7.11 Growth Summary Churches by Size and Growth Worship attendance 2011-2016 Count of all 3,475 Twin Cities Churches This is a consolidation of CHART 7.7. Overall, only 14% of Twin Cities churches have grown over the past five years.

This graph shows the number of churches, by size, which report that they have experienced either an increase, no change, 5-Year or decrease in average weekly worship Attendance Growth/Decline attendance during the five-year period 2011-2016.

‘Growing’ is inferred from weekly worship attendance, an overall statistic which cor- relates closely with disciple-making, com- Stalled (orange) is probably overstated and de- mitment, income and community influence. clining (red) is probably understated because churches are usually quick to report gains but ‘Stalled’ means the individual church slow to report losses. reports that there has been no significant attendance gain or loss during the five- year period 2011-2016. Stalled is probably overstated and declining is probably CHART 7.13 understated because churches tend to be quick to report gains but slow to report Attendance Changes losses. Gain/loss 2011-2016 by size of church

All gains are from the 1,867 churches in the less than 100 in worship attendance category. Overall, the larger the church, the greater the losses.

CHART 7.11 counts number of churches. This chart counts percentages of total attenders gained or lost over five year period.

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CHART 7.14 Troubling Trends for Twin Cities Churches Growth/decline from one generation to the next

Most important chart in this Briefing

Builder Gen Boomer Gen Gen X Millennial 72-92 53-71 38-52 17-37

CHART 7.15 Twin Cities Spiritual Beliefs by Generation Powerful demographic pressures on church growth as older generations die off

*Projected

Percent of Twin Cities Population

SITUATION AWARENESS – Scouts tell what’s happening in churches around you / www.churchscouts.org 100 Largest Churches Twin Cities Metro MN / Year 2016 Grey is average weekly worship attendance 2011 • Black is average 2016 • Purple italics is multisite total

Church City 2011 2016 Multi Denomination

1 Cathedral of Saint Paul St. Paul 6,580 7,000 Roman Catholic 2 Epiphany Catholic Church of Coon Rapids Coon Rapids 7,500 7,000 Roman Catholic 3 Saint John Neumann Church Eagan 6,850 6,850 Roman Catholic 4 Basilica of Saint Mary Minneapolis 6,330 6,600 Roman Catholic 5 Hosanna Lutheran Church / Lakeville Lakeville 6,100 6,600 7,460 Lutheran Congregations in Missions & ARCH 6 All Saints Catholic Church Lakeville 6,030 6,030 Roman Catholic 7 Eagle Brook Church / Lino Lakes Centerville 7,330 5,990 22,030 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 8 Living Word Christian Center Brooklyn Park 9,000 5,730 International Convention of Faith Ministries 9 Pax Christi Catholic Community Church Eden Prairie 5,500 5,500 Roman Catholic 10 Eagle Brook / Woodbury Woodbury 2,100 5,050 22,030 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 11 Grace Church Eden Prairie 4,850 5,000 Non-Denominational 12 Saint Stephen's Catholic Church Anoka 5,200 4,230 Roman Catholic 13 Eagle Brook Church / Blaine Blaine 2,190 4,160 22,030 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 14 Emmanuel Christian Center / Spring Lake Park Spring Lake Park 3,000 4,120 4,650 Assemblies of God 15 Our Lady of Guadalupe Church St. Paul 4,100 4,100 Roman Catholic 16 Saint Joan of Arc Church Minneapolis 4,100 4,100 Roman Catholic 17 Westwood Community Church / Excelsior Excelsior 3,000 3,640 3,900 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 18 Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church Brooklyn Park 3,550 3,620 Roman Catholic 19 Church of the Open Door Maple Grove 3,600 3,600 Non-Denominational 20 River Valley Church / Apple Valley Apple Valley 3,800 3,500 8,000 Assemblies of God & Assn Related Churches 21 Saint Raphael's Church Crystal 3,500 3,500 Roman Catholic 22 Wooddale Church / Eden Prairie Eden Prairie 5,900 3,360 3,930 Converge & CCCC 23 New Hope Church / New Hope (1) New Hope 3,210 3,110 3,450 Evangelical Free Church of America 24 Saint Odilia Catholic Church Shoreview 3,800 3,100 Roman Catholic 25 Saint Ambrose Catholic Community of Woodbury Woodbury 3,400 3,030 Roman Catholic 26 Assumption Catholic Church St. Paul 3,000 3,000 Roman Catholic 27 Risen Savior Catholic Church Burnsville 3,000 3,000 Roman Catholic 28 Saint Agnes Church St. Paul 3,000 3,000 Roman Catholic 29 Saint Michael's Catholic Church Prior Lake 3,000 3,000 Roman Catholic 30 Iglesia Encarnacion Sagrado Corazon De Jesus Minneapolis 2,500 2,980 Roman Catholic 31 Saint Hubert Catholic Church Chanhassen 4,000 2,980 Roman Catholic 32 Substance Church / Spring Lake Park Spring Lake Park 3,000 2,900 3,800 Association of Related Churches 33 Eagle Brook Church / White Bear Lake White Bear Lake 2,830 2,900 22,030 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 34 Christ Presbyterian Church Edina 2,620 2,850 Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians 35 Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church Hastings 2,500 2,720 Roman Catholic 36 Saint Alphonsus Catholic Church Brooklyn Center 3,500 2,630 Roman Catholic 37 Saint Joseph of the Lakes Catholic Church Lino Lakes 2,450 2,630 Roman Catholic 38 Holy Name of Jesus Church Medina 3,000 2,600 Roman Catholic 39 Our Lady of Grace Church Edina 2,500 2,530 Roman Catholic 40 Saint Joseph the Worker Church Maple Grove 2,000 2,530 Roman Catholic 41 Church of Saint Joseph West Saint Paul 1,200 2,500 Roman Catholic 42 Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church New Brighton 2,500 2,500 Roman Catholic 43 Woodland Hills Church Maplewood 5,000 2,500 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 44 Crossroads Covenant Church / Woodbury Woodbury 2,230 2,390 2,830 Evangelical Covenant Church 45 Saint Mary of the Lake Church White Bear Lake 2,800 2,330 Roman Catholic 46 Saint Andrew's Lutheran Church Mahtomedi 2,360 2,310 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America 47 Saint Timothy's Catholic Church Blaine 2,300 2,300 Roman Catholic 48 Saint Peter's Catholic Church Forest Lake 2,430 2,230 Roman Catholic 49 Berean Baptist Church / Burnsville Burnsville 2,100 2,200 2,500 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 50 Church of Saint Paul Ham Lake 2,000 2,200 Roman Catholic 51 Saint Andrew's Catholic Church Elk River 2,150 2,150 Roman Catholic 52 Mount Olivet Lutheran Church / Minneapolis Minneapolis 5,190 2,130 2,630 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America Church City 2011 2016 Multi Denomination

53 Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church Savage 2,700 2,130 Roman Catholic 54 Saint Patrick's Catholic Church Oak Grove 2,100 2,100 Roman Catholic 55 Speak the Word Church Golden Valley 2,580 2,050 Non-Denominational 56 Parish of Saints Joachim and Anne / Shakopee Shakopee 2,050 2,050 3,230 Roman Catholic 57 Saint(1) Peter's/Holy Redeemer Catholic Church North Saint Paul 3,300 2,030 Roman Catholic 58 Mary Mother of The Church Burnsville 3,000 2,000 Roman Catholic 59 Saint Michael's Church St. Michael 1,800 2,000 Roman Catholic 60 Saint Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church Plymouth 2,100 2,000 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America 61 Eagle Brook Church / Spring Lake Park Spring Lake Park 2,060 2,000 22,030 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 62 Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church St. Paul 5,700 1,950 Roman Catholic 63 Eagle Brook Church / Anoka Anoka 0 1,940 22,030 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 64 Bethlehem Baptist Church / Minneapolis Minneapolis 3,200 1,940 3,950 Converge & Treasuring Christ Together 65 Saint Joseph's Catholic Church Rosemount 2,000 1,930 Roman Catholic 66 Passion Church / Maple Grove Maple Grove 380 1,800 Association of Related Churches & COGCT 67 Saint Gerard Church Brooklyn Park 1,800 1,800 Roman Catholic 68 Saint John the Evangelist Church Little Canada 2,100 1,800 Roman Catholic 69 Saint Joseph Catholic Church / New Hope New Hope 2,000 1,800 2,000 Roman Catholic 70 Lord of Life Lutheran Church Maple Grove 1,930 1,750 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America 71 Bethlehem Lutheran Church / Minneapolis Minneapolis 1,700 1,750 1,880 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America 72 River Valley Church / Shakopee Shakopee 0 1,750 8,000 Assemblies of God & Assn Related Churches 73 Saint Michael's Catholic Church Stillwater 2,100 1,750 Roman Catholic 74 Saint Paul Hmong Alliance Church Maplewood 1,600 1,750 Christian Missionary Alliance 75 Santos Rosario Church Minneapolis 1,630 1,750 Roman Catholic 76 Calvary Baptist Church / Roseville Roseville 1,400 1,700 2,000 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 77 Hope Community Church Minneapolis 1,130 1,700 Converge & Free Church & Acts 29 78 Saint Thomas Aquinas Church St. Paul Park 1,700 1,700 Roman Catholic 79 Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church Apple Valley 2,200 1,660 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America 80 Transfiguration Catholic Church Oakdale 3,100 1,660 Roman Catholic 81 Riverside Alliance Church Big Lake 1,000 1,650 Christian Missionary Alliance 82 Woodridge Church / Medina Medina 1,530 1,630 2,080 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 83 Calvary Lutheran Church of Golden Valley Golden Valley 1,790 1,600 Lutheran Congregations in Missions for Christ 84 Cedar Valley Church Bloomington 2,030 1,600 Assemblies of God 85 Guardian Angels Catholic Church Oakdale 3,300 1,600 Roman Catholic 86 Immaculate Conception Church Columbia Heights 2,250 1,600 Roman Catholic 87 Saint Pius X Church White Bear Lake 800 1,600 Roman Catholic 88 Church of the Holy Family St. Louis Park 1,000 1,590 Roman Catholic 89 Saint Charles Borromeo Church St. Anthony 1,600 1,530 Roman Catholic 90 Church of Saint Anne-St. Joseph Hien Parish Minneapolis 170 1,500 Roman Catholic 91 Nativity of Mary Catholic Church Bloomington 1,500 1,500 Roman Catholic 92 Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Maplewood 2,150 1,500 Roman Catholic 93 Saint Bernard's Catholic Church St. Paul 1,510 1,500 Roman Catholic 94 Saint Bonaventure Church Bloomington 1,500 1,500 Roman Catholic 95 Saint Therese of Deephaven Church Wayzata 800 1,500 Roman Catholic 96 Wayzata Community Church Wayzata 1,100 1,500 United Church of Christ 97 Saint Rose of Lima Church Roseville 3,550 1,480 Roman Catholic 98 Bethlehem Baptist Church / Mounds View Mounds View 1,900 1,450 3,950 Converge & Treasuring Christ Together 99 Saint Rita's Church Cottage Grove 2,000 1,450 Roman Catholic 100 Constance Evangelical Free Church Andover 1,250 1,450 Evangelical Free Church of America

Average weekly worship attendance in 100 churches above 285,693 271,390 -5% 5-year growth 100 churches -14,303 Average weekly worship attendance in all 3476 Twin Cities churches 792,587 755,412 -5% 5-year growth all churches -37,175 Data from City Vision and Rev. Dr. John A Mayer / see www.churchscouts.org/cityvision

August 11, 2017 • Data for year 2016 • View and/or download this and other reports at www.churchscouts.org/library Confidential report errors: www.sf.org/errors 100 Largest Protestant Churches Twin Cities Metro MN / Year 2016 Grey is average weekly worship attendance 2011 • Black is average 2016 • Purple italics is multisite total

Church City 2011 2016 Multi Denomination

1 Hosanna Lutheran Church / Lakeville Lakeville 6,100 6,600 7,460 Lutheran Congregations in Missions & ARCH 2 Eagle Brook Church / Lino Lakes Centerville 7,330 5,990 22,030 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 3 Living Word Christian Center Brooklyn Park 9,000 5,730 International Convention of Faith Ministries 4 Eagle Brook / Woodbury Woodbury 2,100 5,050 22,030 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 5 Grace Church Eden Prairie 4,850 5,000 Non-Denominational 6 Eagle Brook Church / Blaine Blaine 2,190 4,160 22,030 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 7 Emmanuel Christian Center / Spring Lake Park Spring Lake Park 3,000 4,120 4,650 Assemblies of God 8 Westwood Community Church / Excelsior Excelsior 3,000 3,640 3,900 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 9 Church of the Open Door Maple Grove 3,600 3,600 Non-Denominational 10 River Valley Church / Apple Valley Apple Valley 3,800 3,500 8,000 Assemblies of God & Assn Related Churches 11 Wooddale Church / Eden Prairie Eden Prairie 5,900 3,360 3,930 Converge & CCCC 12 New Hope Church / New Hope (1) New Hope 3,210 3,110 3,450 Evangelical Free Church of America 13 Substance Church / Spring Lake Park Spring Lake Park 3,000 2,900 3,800 Association of Related Churches 14 Eagle Brook Church / White Bear Lake White Bear Lake 2,830 2,900 22,030 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 15 Christ Presbyterian Church Edina 2,620 2,850 Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians 16 Woodland Hills Church Maplewood 5,000 2,500 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 17 Crossroads Covenant Church / Woodbury Woodbury 2,230 2,390 2,830 Evangelical Covenant Church 18 Saint Andrew's Lutheran Church Mahtomedi 2,360 2,310 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America 19 Berean Baptist Church / Burnsville Burnsville 2,100 2,200 2,500 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 20 Mount Olivet Lutheran Church / Minneapolis Minneapolis 5,190 2,130 2,630 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America 21 Speak the Word Church Golden Valley 2,580 2,050 Non-Denominational 22 Saint Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church Plymouth 2,100 2,000 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America 23 Eagle Brook Church / Spring Lake Park Spring Lake Park 2,060 2,000 22,030 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 24 Eagle Brook Church / Anoka Anoka 0 1,940 22,030 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 25 Bethlehem Baptist Church / Minneapolis Minneapolis 3,200 1,940 3,950 Converge & Treasuring Christ Together 26 Passion Church / Maple Grove Maple Grove 380 1,800 Association of Related Churches & COGCT 27 Lord of Life Lutheran Church Maple Grove 1,930 1,750 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America 28 Bethlehem Lutheran Church / Minneapolis Minneapolis 1,700 1,750 1,880 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America 29 River Valley Church / Shakopee Shakopee 0 1,750 8,000 Assemblies of God & Assn Related Churches 30 Saint Paul Hmong Alliance Church Maplewood 1,600 1,750 Christian Missionary Alliance 31 Calvary Baptist Church / Roseville Roseville 1,400 1,700 2,000 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 32 Hope Community Church Minneapolis 1,130 1,700 Converge & Free Church & Acts 29 33 Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church Apple Valley 2,200 1,660 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America 34 Riverside Alliance Church Big Lake 1,000 1,650 Christian Missionary Alliance 35 Woodridge Church / Medina Medina 1,530 1,630 2,080 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 36 Calvary Lutheran Church of Golden Valley Golden Valley 1,790 1,600 Lutheran Congregations in Missions for Christ 37 Cedar Valley Church Bloomington 2,030 1,600 Assemblies of God 38 Wayzata Community Church Wayzata 1,100 1,500 United Church of Christ 39 Bethlehem Baptist Church / Mounds View Mounds View 1,900 1,450 3,950 Converge & Treasuring Christ Together 40 Constance Evangelical Free Church Andover 1,250 1,450 Evangelical Free Church of America 41 Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Burnsville 1,780 1,450 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America 42 Progressive Missionary Baptist Church St. Paul 1,500 1,400 Missionary Baptist Church 43 The Crossing Church / Elk River Elk River 2,800 1,400 1,600 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 44 Mount Calvary Lutheran Church Excelsior 1,380 1,380 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America 45 Plymouth Covenant Church / Plymouth Plymouth 1,110 1,370 1,430 Evangelical Covenant Church 46 Grace Fellowship Brooklyn Park 1,480 1,350 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 47 King of Kings Lutheran Church Woodbury 1,170 1,200 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America 48 Northgate Church Ramsey 710 1,200 Lutheran Congregations in Missions & ARCH 49 Woodbury Lutheran Church / Woodbury Woodbury 1,260 1,160 1,440 Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 50 Maranatha Assembly of God Church / Forest Forest Lake 1,000 1,150 1,350 Assemblies of God 51 ShepherdLake of the Valley Lutheran Church Afton 1,150 1,150 Lutheran Congregations in Missions for Christ 52 Horizons Community Church Ham Lake 1,500 1,050 Non-Denominational Church City 2011 2016 Multi Denomination

53 Russian Evangelical Christian Church Shakopee 1,030 1,050 US Mennonite Brethren 54 Spiritual Life Church Brooklyn Center 1,030 1,050 Non-Denominational 55 Zion Lutheran Church Anoka 1,180 1,050 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America 56 Living Hope Lutheran Church / Bloomington Bloomington 910 1,040 1,200 Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod 57 Bondservants Spring Lake Park 1,030 Independent Lutheran 58 Hmong American Alliance Church Maplewood 1,120 1,030 Christian Missionary Alliance 59 New Salem Baptist Church Minneapolis 1,500 1,000 National Baptist Church 60 River Valley Church / Eden Prairie Eden Prairie 0 1,000 8,000 Assemblies of God & Assn Related Churches 61 Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church St. Paul 2,000 1,000 Missionary Baptist Church 62 Discovery Church / Burnsville Burnsville 450 980 1,000 Assemblies of God 63 Fresh Water Community Church / St. Bonifacius St. Bonifacius 620 900 1,000 Christian Missionary Alliance & ARC 64 Rockpoint Church Lake Elmo 950 900 Evangelical Free Church of America 65 Saint Andrew Lutheran Church / Eden Prairie Eden Prairie 1,070 900 1,150 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America 66 Substance Church / Minneapolis Minneapolis 0 900 3,800 Association of Related Churches 67 Trinity Evangelical Free Church Lakeville 880 900 Evangelical Free Church of America 68 New Life Church / Maple Grove Maple Grove 780 900 1,000 Assemblies of God 69 The House Church Eagan 500 880 Non-Denominational 70 Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church Prior Lake 1,140 870 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America 71 Hosanna Lutheran Church / Shakopee Shakopee 0 850 7,460 Lutheran Congregations in Missions & ARCH 72 Christian Family Church / Minnetonka Minnetonka 800 850 1,000 Non-Denominational 73 First Evangelical Free Church Maplewood 850 850 Evangelical Free Church of America 74 Our Saviour Lutheran Church East Bethel 810 840 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America 75 Incarnation Lutheran Church North Oaks 1,030 830 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America 76 Westminster Presbyterian Church Minneapolis 900 830 Presbyterian Church USA 77 Trinity Lutheran Church Stillwater 1,030 820 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America 78 Five Oaks Community Church Woodbury 1,050 820 Evangelical Free Church of America 79 Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church Plymouth 750 800 Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 80 Roseville Lutheran Church Roseville 900 800 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America 81 Bethany Russian Baptist Church Brooklyn Park 550 800 North American Baptist 82 Edinbrook Church Brooklyn Park 1,200 800 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 83 Evergreen Church / Bloomington Bloomington 1,020 780 2,180 Great Commission Churches 84 Faith Lutheran Church Coon Rapids 920 760 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America 85 Community of Grace White Bear Lake 750 750 Lutheran Congregations in Missions for Christ 86 Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Minneapolis 880 750 Missionary Baptist Church 87 Holy Christian Church Cathedral St. Paul 700 750 The Holy Christian Churches International 88 Mercy Vineyard Church Minneapolis 750 750 Vineyard Christian Fellowship 89 Trinity Lutheran Church Waconia 870 730 Lutheran Church Missouri Synod 90 North Ridge Fellowship Rogers 280 730 Converge (Baptist General Conference) 91 Augustana Lutheran Church West St. Paul 780 710 Evangelical Lutheran Church of America 92 Christ Lutheran Church Otsego 450 700 Lutheran Congregations in Missions for Christ 93 Eagan Hills Alliance Church Eagan 600 700 Christian Missionary Alliance 94 Grace Church Roseville Roseville 1,000 700 Non-Denominational 95 Hope Presbyterian Church Richfield 1,000 700 Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians 96 Revive Brooklyn Park Church Brooklyn Park 1,000 700 Evangelical Free Church of America 97 River of Life Church Elk River 1,000 700 Evangelical Free Church of America 98 River Valley Church / Minneapolis Minneapolis 0 700 8,000 Assemblies of God & Assn Related Churches 99 Sanctuary Covenant Church Minneapolis 1,020 700 Evangelical Covenant Church 100 Twin City Chinese Christian Church Roseville 600 700 Non-Denominational

Average weekly worship attendance in 100 churches above 165,706 164,202 -1% 5-year growth 100 churches -1,504 Average weekly worship attendance in all 3476 Twin Cities churches 792,587 755,412 -5% 5-year growth all churches -37,175 Data from City Vision and Rev. Dr. John A Mayer / see www.churchscouts.org/cityvision

August 11, 2017 • Data for year 2016 • View and/or download this and other reports at www.churchscouts.org/library Confidential report errors: www.sf.org/errors