Friday, September 25, 2009

Newer churches baptize new believers at higher rate

Will McRaney's research of Southern Baptist Convention baptism rates found the following:

Years in Existence compared to # of Baptisms per 100 worship attenders

0-2 years / 14.4 baptisms per 100 in worship
3-15 years / 9.1 baptisms per 100 in worship
16 or more years / 7.3 baptisms per 100 in worship

Newer churches have significantly higher rates of believer baptisms than established churches.

Source: Journal for Baptist Theology and Ministry, Vol. 1, No. 2 (Fall 2003), pages 69-95