Southern Baptist Convention
Formed in 1845. It is the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., a cooperative of autonomous congregations known for its missions (IMB/NAMB).
- U.S. size
- ≈ 12.7 million (SBC Annual Church Profile, 2024 data (reported 2025; approx))
- Founded
- 1845, Augusta, Georgia
- Church government
- Congregational, with autonomous churches
- Ordains women as pastors
- Senior pastor: no (Baptist Faith & Message 2000)
- Official site / locator
- www.sbc.net
Core beliefs
| Topic | What they teach | Scripture they cite |
|---|---|---|
| Scripture & authority | Scripture is the sole authority. Confessions such as the Baptist Faith & Message are not creeds. | 2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:21 |
| Salvation | By grace through personal faith in Christ. Many hold that true believers are eternally secure. | Eph 2:8-9; Rom 10:9; John 10:28 |
| Baptism | An ordinance for believers only, by immersion, as a public testimony. | Matt 28:19; Acts 8:36-38; Rom 6:4 |
| Lord's Supper | An ordinance and memorial of Christ's death. | Luke 22:19; 1 Cor 11:24-26 |
| Worship | Free-church. Ranges from traditional hymns to contemporary. | Col 3:16 |
| Mary & saints | Mary is honored as a believer. All Christians are 'saints'. | 1 Tim 2:5; 1 Cor 1:2 |
| Spiritual gifts | Varies. Many churches are cautious about tongues. | 1 Cor 12-14 |
About these numbers: figures are approximate and come from each body's own most recent report or the National Council of Churches' Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches. Bodies count members differently (baptized, confirmed, adherents, publishers), and some historically Black denominations have not published new figures in years. See also the Pew Religious Landscape Study and the ARDA. Belief summaries are our own short descriptions. Please read each church's own confession.