According to a new analysis from Lifeway Research, a majority of the more than 263,000 baptisms that took place in Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) churches last year involved adults. Published on Thursday, the report revealed that 33% of those baptized in 2025 were adults aged 30 and older, 20% were young adults, 25% were youth, and 22% were children.
This represents a shift from historical trends where children aged 11 and younger made up a larger share of baptisms, such as 37% in 1971 and 30% in 2022, while young adult baptisms grew from 15% to 20% between 2022 and 2025. Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, noted that minors historically accounted for roughly two-thirds of annual SBC baptisms, but sharp declines in child and youth baptisms now mirror shrinking youth populations in American communities and churches. Despite fewer children being present locally, McConnell emphasized that large numbers still need the Gospel.
This data builds on the May release of the 2025 SBC Annual Church Profile (ACP), which highlighted broader denominational statistics. Although total SBC membership fell by about 3% from roughly 12.72 million in 2024 to 12.33 million in 2025, the denomination experienced positive growth in several other areas. Weekly worship attendance increased from approximately 4.3 million to 4.5 million, and Sunday school and small-group Bible study participation rose from about 2.5 million to over 2.6 million.
Furthermore, total baptisms grew by nearly 5% to reach 263,075, marking the fifth consecutive year of growth and surpassing pre-pandemic levels from 2017. Expressing gratitude for these trends, SBC Executive President Jeff Iorg stated that pastors remain steadfastly determined to focus on their core cooperative mission of sharing the Gospel and making disciples.
