SBC Statistics

                                                                                                                                                                      Vol. IV, No. 7, October 1991

A Sunday School Board release shows that 1990 was the best SBC statistical year for some time. Thirty-one state conventions had increases in baptisms compared with 20 in 1989. Two-hundred-forty-six churches reported 100 or more baptisms: 64 in Texas, 33 in Florida, 4 in Virginia. On the other hand, 51% of SEC churches baptized five or fewer people last year. The 1990 church membership total exceeded 15 million for the first time: 15,044,413 up 130,875 over 1989, the largest increase since 1986. The net change in numbers of churches was disappointing, however, with 189 compared to 218 last year and 281 in 1988. Sunday School enrollment was up to 48.1% compared to 47.9%. The number of members gained from non-Baptist churches exceeded those lost to non-Baptist churches by 18,125 (64,187 to 46,062) the fourth year in a row this number increased.