Urgent Challenges Facing Worship in the SBC
Urgent Challenges Facing Worship in the SBC
The SBC Worship: Congregations and Leadership Study revealed everything from a worship leadership pipeline crisis to the realities of under-resourced local churches. However, these challenges point to something deeper:
Worship of Jesus in spirit and truth is and has been in decline in SBC Churches.
The SBC Worship: Congregations and Leadership Study revealed everything from a worship leadership pipeline crisis to the realities of under-resourced local churches. However, these challenges point to something deeper: Worship of Jesus in spirit and truth is and has been in decline in SBC Churches.
Be Part of the Solution
Be Part of
the Solution.
Renewal will ultimately happen in the local church; however, churches should not be alone in this pursuit. We need a cooperative movement across the SBC committed to:
Renewal will ultimately happen in the local church; however, churches should not be alone in this pursuit. We need a cooperative movement across the SBC committed to:
FORM WORSHIPERS
Recover worship as spiritual formation, not consumption or production.
Recover worship as spiritual formation, not consumption or production.
EQUIP LOCAL MINISTRIES
Give churches practical tools and discipleship frameworks to build healthy worship ministries.
Give churches practical tools and discipleship frameworks to build healthy worship ministries.
DEVELOP LEADERS
Invest in those serving today while developing qualified worship leaders for the next generation.
Invest in those serving today while developing qualified worship leaders for the next generation.
Healthy worshipers. Healthy ministries. Healthy leaders. Together, we can strengthen worship in our convention for generations to come.
Healthy worshipers. Healthy ministries. Healthy leaders. Together, we can strengthen worship in our convention for generations to come.
01 THE STUDY
01 THE STUDY
Congregations & Leadership Study 2026
Congregations & Leadership Study 2026
Congregations & Leadership Study 2026
The largest study of worship and worship leadership among Southern Baptist churches on record — the first comprehensive look since 1938. Here’s what 4,530 churches told us.
The largest study of worship and worship leadership among Southern Baptist churches on record — the first comprehensive look since 1938. Here’s what 4,530 churches told us.
20,000
20,000
new worship leaders needed across the SBC by 2040
new worship leaders needed across the SBC by 2040
70%
70%
of soon-to-retire worship leaders have no successor identified
of soon-to-retire worship leaders have no successor identified
49%
49%
of worship leaders are 50 years or older
of worship leaders are 50 years or older
9.7%
9.7%
of the SBC, 49 states + D.C. + 4 territories
of the SBC, 49 states + D.C. + 4 territories
68%
68%
of worship leaders hold no related degree in music, worship, or ministry
of worship leaders hold no related degree in music, worship, or ministry
4%
4%
of churches have a leadership pipeline
of churches have a leadership pipeline
99% confidence level, 1.8% margin of error. The goal wasn’t simply to understand where SBC worship ministries are today, but to identify where churches need help for the years ahead.
99% confidence level, 1.8% margin of error. The goal wasn’t simply to understand where SBC worship ministries are today, but to identify where churches need help for the years ahead.
See for Yourself
See for Yourself
Download the report and watch a live presentation from the SBC Worship Research Committee.
Download the report and watch a live presentation from the SBC Worship Research Committee.
02 WHAT’S NEEDED
02 WHAT’S NEEDED
Areas of Focus
Areas of Focus
Here are eight areas where SBC churches are asking for help and where associations, state conventions, seminaries, and partners can invest.
Here are eight areas where SBC churches are asking for help and where associations, state conventions, seminaries, and partners can invest.
01
01
Leadership Pipeline
Leadership Pipeline
Only 4% of churches have a leadership pipeline, and 68% of worship leaders hold no related degree.
Only 4% of churches have a leadership pipeline, and 68% of worship leaders hold no related degree.
02
02
Small Church & Bivocational Support
Small Church & Bivocational Support
68% of SBC churches gather fewer than 100 people; 19% of the smallest have no instrumentalists at all.
68% of SBC churches gather fewer than 100 people; 19% of the smallest have no instrumentalists at all.
03
03
Leader & Volunteer Resourcing
Leader & Volunteer Resourcing
10% of all SBC churches have no instruments regularly; however, of those without instruments, 18% sing a capell. Only 43% call their worship team unified and loving.
10% of all SBC churches have no instruments regularly; however, of those without instruments, 18% sing a capell. Only 43% call their worship team unified and loving.
04
04
Congregational Worship Resourcing
Congregational Worship Resourcing
48% report a strong catalog of congregational songs; only 44% say their congregation sings with joy.
48% report a strong catalog of congregational songs; only 44% say their congregation sings with joy.
05
05
Research, Advocacy & Denominational Voice
Research, Advocacy & Denominational Voice
Continued research is needed to gain more clarity and how to serve our convention effectively in worship leadership.
Continued research is needed to gain more clarity and how to serve our convention effectively in worship leadership.
06
06
In-Person Equipping Events
In-Person Equipping Events
Isolation and burnout run high among worship leaders. Opportunities to gather, be encouraged and equipped are critical.
Isolation and burnout run high among worship leaders. Opportunities to gather, be encouraged and equipped are critical.
07
07
Next Generation & Youth Discipleship
Next Generation & Youth Discipleship
Only 26% of churches have young musicians serving, and just 14% have a children’s choir.
Only 26% of churches have young musicians serving, and just 14% have a children’s choir.
08
08
Pastoral Health & Pastor Alignment
Pastoral Health & Pastor Alignment
Resources that encourage and help bring alignment and clarity between Senior Pastors and worship leaders.
Resources that encourage and help bring alignment and clarity between Senior Pastors and worship leaders.
03 IN THE NEWS
03 IN THE NEWS
The Conversation
The Conversation
Articles, podcasts, and conversations happening across the denomination in response to the study — not just from us. This grows as the research spreads.
Articles, podcasts, and conversations happening across the denomination in response to the study — not just from us. This grows as the research spreads.
ARTICLE
Baptist Press - Series Part 1 of 3: Survey Overview
Read
ARTICLE
Baptist Press - Series Part 2 of 3: 20,000 by 2040
Read
ARTICLE
Baptist Press - Series Part 3 of 3: What's Next?
Read
PODCAST
SBC This Week
Listen
Writing about the study? Podcasting about it? Let us know at research@worshipinitiative.com and we’ll add it here.