© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use1 A Sample Presentation of The State of the Church in Florida and the Largest 5 Metro Areas Dave Olson

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use2 The first 19 slides are from the “State of the Church in Florida” Powerpoint. The Complete Powerpoint is 42 slides in length, and is available at It includes maps of church attendance in every county, as well as denominational charts, average size charts, church planting charts, ethnicity charts and population growth information.

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use3 In 1996, polls taken immediately after the Presidential election revealed that 58% of people claimed they had voted, when in reality only 49% actually did. This is called the Halo Effect. People tend to over-inflate their participation in activities that create acceptability within their social group. For many decades, pollsters such as Gallup and Barna have reported that around 45% of Americans attend church every Sunday. But there is a religious Halo Effect. Actual attendance counts have shown that the percentage of people attending church on any given weekend is much lower than was previously thought.

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use4 The Intent of this presentation is to answer and then expand on two key questions: “How Many People Really Attend Church in Florida Every Week?” “Is the Christian Church Going Forwards or Backwards in Influence in Florida?” As the data is analyzed county by county assessing a number of factors, a comprehensive picture of the State of the Church in Florida will begin to take shape.

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use5 This study uses weekend church attendance as a more reliable and more immediate snapshot of Christian influence than membership. The following map shows the percentage of the population attending a Christian church on any given weekend in all 50 states in Florida has an average church attendance percentage (15.1%) lower than the national average (18.7%).

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use6

7 The Next Map shows the percentage of the population attending a Christian church on any given weekend in 2000 for each county in Florida.

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use8

9 The Next 2 Maps show the population numbers for each county in Florida. The first map shows the population of each county. The second map shows the growth or decline in population for each county from

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© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use11

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use12 The Next 2 Slides show the ethnicity of Florida in 1990 and The third slide shows the growth or decline in the percentage of the population for each ethnic group.

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use13

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© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use16 The Next Graph shows the attendance numbers for the churches in Florida in 1990 and All groups have grown numerically in attendance. Unfortunately, as overall worship attendance has increased, the population has grown. A more reliable standard for evaluating increasing or declining influence is the percentage of the population attending church on any given weekend, shown in the second graph. This graph reflects a significant decrease in the percentage of the population attending church in all categories.

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use17

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use18

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use19 The 2 Next Charts show the relative strength of the 8 major denominational groups in Florida. The first chart illustrates the significant influence of the Catholic and Baptist churches. The second chart shows the significant decline of all denominations in Florida, with the exception of the Pentecostal church.

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use20

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use21

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use22 The next 3 slides are from the “State of the Church in Orlando” Powerpoint. The Complete Powerpoint is 45 slides in length, and is available at It includes maps of church attendance in every county in the metro area, as well as denominational charts, average size charts, church planting charts ethnicity charts and population growth information.

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use23 The Next Graph shows the attendance numbers for the churches in the Orlando area in 1990 and Evangelicals, Mainline and Catholic churches grew in attendance numbers. As population has grown however, a more reliable standard for evaluating increasing or declining influence is the percentage of the population attending church on any given weekend, shown in the second graph.

© 2004 by David T. Olson

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use26 The next 3 slides are from the “State of the Church in Tampa” Powerpoint. The Complete Powerpoint is 45 slides in length, and is available at It includes maps of church attendance in every county in the metro area, as well as denominational charts, average size charts, church planting charts ethnicity charts and population growth information.

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use27 The Next Graph shows the attendance numbers for the churches in the Tampa area in 1990 and Evangelicals and Catholic churches grew in attendance numbers, while Mainline churches declined. As population has grown however, a more reliable standard for evaluating increasing or declining influence is the percentage of the population attending church on any given weekend, shown in the second graph.

© 2004 by David T. Olson

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use30 The next 3 slides are from the “State of the Church in Orlando” Powerpoint. The Complete Powerpoint is 45 slides in length, and is available at It includes maps of church attendance in every county in the metro area, as well as denominational charts, average size charts, church planting charts ethnicity charts and population growth information.

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use31 The Next Graph shows the attendance numbers for the churches in the Jacksonville area in 1990 and Evangelicals, Mainline and Catholic churches all grew in attendance numbers. As population has grown however, a more reliable standard for evaluating increasing or declining influence is the percentage of the population attending church on any given weekend, shown in the second graph.

© 2004 by David T. Olson

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use34 The next 3 slides are from the “State of the Church in Miami” Powerpoint. The Complete Powerpoint is 45 slides in length, and is available at It includes maps of church attendance in every county in the metro area, as well as denominational charts, average size charts, church planting charts ethnicity charts and population growth information.

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use35 The Next Graph shows the attendance numbers for the churches in the Miami area in 1990 and Evangelicals grew dramatically in attendance numbers, while Catholics grew slightly and Mainline groups declined over the last decade. As population has grown however, a more reliable standard for evaluating increasing or declining influence is the percentage of the population attending church on any given weekend, shown in the second graph.

© 2004 by David T. Olson

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use38 The next 3 slides are from the “State of the Church in Southwest Florida” Powerpoint. The Complete Powerpoint is 45 slides in length, and is available at It includes maps of church attendance in every county in the metro area, as well as denominational charts, average size charts, church planting charts ethnicity charts and population growth information.

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use39 The Next Graph shows the attendance numbers for the churches in the Southwest Florida area in 1990 and Evangelicals, Mainline and Catholic churches all grew in attendance numbers. As population has grown however, a more reliable standard for evaluating increasing or declining influence is the percentage of the population attending church on any given weekend, shown in the second graph.

© 2004 by David T. Olson

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use42 This Presentation is based on a nationwide study of American church attendance, as reported by churches and denominations. The database currently has average worship attendances for each of the last 10 years for over 200,000 individual churches. It also uses supplementary information (actual membership numbers correlated with accurate membership to attendance ratios) to project the attendances of all other denominational and independent churches. All told, accurate information is provided for over 300,000 orthodox Christian churches. 1 1 This presentation looks only at people attending orthodox Christian churches. Approximately 3 million people attend non-orthodox Christian churches, and perhaps 3 million attend a religious service of another religion. Those ‘houses of worship’ would add another 35,000 churches in the United States and increase the 2000 percentage to 20.5%.

© 2004 by David T. Olson Sample - Not for Public Use43 For More Information... Please go to for additional information on the American Church. 12 Surprising Facts about the American Church is available at 12supm. htm 12supm. htm Florida is available at Orlando is available at Tampa-St.Pete is available at Jacksonville is available at Miami-Palm Beach is available at SW FL is available at