Outreach magazine has released their 2008 list of the Top 100 Largest Churches in America. To see the full list, you can (1) buy a downloadable PDF or (2) buy a copy of the magazine’s special issue.

For a sneak peak at this year’s rankings, here are the top 15 largest churches in America for 2008 as well as how they ranked in 2007 and 2006.

Top 15 (of 100) Largest Churches in America for 2008

1. Lakewood Church (Houston, TX) :: Joel Osteen
   Founded 1959 :: 1 location
   #1 = 43,500 (2008)
   #1 = 47,000 (2007)
   #1 = 45,000 (2006)
2. Second Baptist Church (Houston, TX) :: Ed Young Sr.
   Founded 1927 :: 5 locations
   #2 = 23,659 (2008)
   #3 = 23,198 (2007)
   #3 = 22,266 (2006)
3. North Point Community Church (Alpharetta, GA) :: Andy Stanley
   Founded 1995 :: 3 locations
   #3 = 22,557 (2008)
   #7 = 17,700 (2007)
   #12 = 16,700 (2006)
4. Willow Creek Community Church (South Barrington, IL) :: Bill Hybels
   Founded 1975 :: 4 locations
   #4 = 22,500 (2008)
   #2 = 23,500 (2007)
   #5 = 21,500 (2006)
5. LifeChurch.tv (Edmond, OK) :: Craig Groeschel
   Founded 1996 :: 11 locations
   #5 = 20,823 (2008)
   #5 = 19,907 (2007)
   #13 = 16,071 (2006)
6. West Angeles Church of God in Christ (Los Angeles, CA) :: Charles Blake
   Founded 1943 :: 1 location
   #6 = 20,000 (2008)
   #50 = 8,350 (2006)
7. Fellowship Church (Grapevine, TX) :: Ed Young Jr.
   Founded 1989 :: 5 locations
   #7 = 19,913 (2008)
   #16 = 13,000 (2007)(rumored misreport)
   #9 = 18,124 (2006
8. Saddleback Church (Lake Forest, CA) :: Rick Warren
   Founded 1980 :: 2 locations
   #8 = 19,414 (2008)
   #4 = 22,000 (2007)
   #6 = 20,595 (2006)
9. Calvary Chapel (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) :: Bob Coy
   Founded 1985 :: 3 locations
   #9 = 18,000 (2008)
   #9 = 17,000 (2007)
   #8 = 18,300 (2006)
10. The Potter’s House (Dallas, TX) :: T.D. Jakes
    Founded 1996 :: 1 location
    #10 = 17,000 (2008)
    #10 = 17,000 (2007)
    #20 = 14,000 (2006)
11. Woodlands Church (The Woodlands, TX) :: Kerry Shook
    Founded 1993 :: 3 locations
    #11 = 16,380 (2008)
    #12 = 15,600 (2007)
    #18 = 14,120 (2006)
12. Southeast Christian Church (Louisville, KY) :: Dave Stone
    Founded 1962 :: 1 location
    #12 = 16,264 (2008)
    #6 = 18,013 (2007)
    #7 = 18,520 (2006)
13. Hopewell Missionary Baptist (Norcross, GA) :: William Sheals
    Founded 1860s :: 1 location
    #13 = 16,000 (2008)
14. New Birth Missionary Baptist (Decatur, GA) :: Eddie Long
    Founded 1984 :: 1 location
    #14 = 15,000 (2008)
    #13 = 15,000 (2007)
    #4 = 22,000 (2006)
15. NorthRidge Church (Plymouth, MI) :: Brad Powell
    Founded 1929 :: 1 location
    #15 = 14,762 (2008)
    #15 = 13,865 (2007)
    #23 = 12,700 (2006)

These “largest churches” are great sources of ministry ideas and examples. This does not mean you should copy what they do. Your ministry has a unique calling that requires unique actions.

Learn from the mistakes and successes of these “largest churches.” Learn how to do what they do better and within the context of your calling.