The SBC Worship: Congregations and Leadership Study revealed urgent challenges facing our churches—
from a worship leadership pipeline crisis to the realities of under-resourced local churches. But 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 urgent challenges facing our churches—
from a worship leadership pipeline crisis to the realities of under-resourced local churches. But 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, but local churches cannot do it alone. We need a cooperative movement across the SBC committed to:
Renewal will ultimately happen in the local church, but local churches cannot do it alone. We need a cooperative movement across the SBC committed to:
FORM WORSHIPERS
FORM WORSHIPERS
Recover worship as spiritual formation, not consumption or production.
Recover worship as spiritual formation, not consumption or production.
EQUIP LOCAL MINISTRIES
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
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
52.5
52.5
Median age of an SBC worship leader today
Median age of an SBC worship leader today
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
5%
5%
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.
Get the Executive Summary
Get the Executive Summary
The headline findings, in a few pages — free to download and share.
The headline findings, in a few pages — free to download and share.
02 WHAT’S NEEDED
02 WHAT’S NEEDED
What’s Needed?
What’s Needed?
Eight areas where SBC churches are asking for help — and where associations, state conventions, seminaries, and partners can invest.
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 5% of churches have a leadership pipeline, and 68% of worship leaders hold no related degree.
Only 5% 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
50% of churches need more vocalists and musicians; only 42% call their worship team unified and loving.
50% of churches need more vocalists and musicians; only 42% call their worship team unified and loving.
04
04
Congregational Worship Resourcing
Congregational Worship Resourcing
41% report a strong catalog of congregational songs; only 44% say their congregation sings with joy.
41% 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 13% have a children’s choir.
Only 26% of churches have young musicians serving, and just 13% 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.
Coming soon!
Coming soon!
Writing about the study? Podcasting about it? Let us know at research@worshipinitiative.com and we’ll add it here.
Writing about the study? Podcasting about it? Let us know at research@worshipinitiative.com and we’ll add it here.