A Sample Presentation of The
State of the Church in Oklahoma
and the Oklahoma City and Tulsa
Metro Areas
1990-2000
Dave Olson
www.TheAmericanChurch.org
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
1
The first 18 slides are from the
“State of the Church in Oklahoma”
Powerpoint. The Complete Powerpoint is 43
slides in length, and is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/state/UOK20.htm.
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 Use
2
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 Use
3
The Intent
of this presentation is to answer and then expand on two
key questions:
“How Many People Really Attend Church in
Oklahoma Every Week?”
“Is the Christian Church Going Forwards or
Backwards in Influence in Oklahoma?”
As the data is analyzed county by county assessing a number of
factors, a comprehensive picture of the State of the Church in
Oklahoma will begin to take shape.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
4
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 2000. Oklahoma has an average
church attendance percentage (22.0%)
higher than the national average (18.7%).
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
5
Percentage of Population Attending a Christian
Church on any Given Weekend 2000
11.8%
14.0%
NH
WA
17.5%
11.2%
13.2%
29.4%
MT
23.2%
ND
ME
VT
MN
14.5%
OR
14.4%
11.4%
24.6%
28.0%
ID
14.0%
NY
WI
SD
20.6%
WY
20.3%
CA
20.3%
15.2%
UT
IL
CO
22.7%
KS
AZ
21.7%
IN
WV
22.1%
MO
OK
NM
22.7%
NC
TN
25.0%
28.6% 16.0%
DC
DE
17.7%
MD
23.3%
SC
26.7%
MS
TX
18.0%
VA
KY
AR
19.1%
CT
NJ
17.4%
21.5%
22.0%
17.8%
16.0%
OH
23.5%
14.3%
17.2%
PA
IA
3.1%
NV
RI
20.5%
24.7%
NE
14.8%
20.1%
MI
23.8%
9.7%
MA
15.5%
26.9%
23.3%
GA
AL
29.4%
LA
15.1%
AK
15.1%
13.4%
HI
0.0% to 14.4%
14.4% to 17.5%
17.5% to 20.6%
20.6% to 23.5%
23.5% to 29.4%
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
FL
6
The Next Map
shows the percentage of the population
attending a Christian church on any given
weekend in 2000 for each county in
Oklahoma.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
7
25.0%
Washington
31.2%
Cimarron
34.0%
23.4%
Texas
Beaver
30.6%
27.7%
Harper
Woods
18.2%
40.6%
28.0%
Kay
Grant
33.9%
Major
23.4%
22.0%
Garfield
Noble
45.3%
Dewey
30.2%
27.4%
Kingfisher
Blaine
15.8%
Pawnee
Rogers
Payne
Logan
Creek
Canadian
27.7%
Washita
Grady
26.7%
Pottawatomie
McClain
Comanche
27.2%
Tillman
22.7%
9.4%
19.5%
Pittsburg
Le Flore
Latimer
20.4%
24.0%
23.0%
23.9%
25.2%
Jackson
30.6%
Haskell
Hughes
Kiowa
32.2%
Harmon
McIntosh
20.0% Seminole
21.2%
8.1%
Sequoyah
Okfuskee
21.9%
Cleveland
19.4%
Muskogee
16.9%
18.2%
Caddo
Greer
Okmulgee
Oklahoma
14.2%
24.3%
28.1%
15.1%
25.3%
Cherokee
Adair
20.1%
Lincoln
18.4%
16.1%
Wagoner
21.0%
Custer
Mayes
8.6%
Tulsa
17.2%
30.5%
Delaware
20.7%
22.5%
15.4%
26.9%
25.0%
0.0% to 20.5%
20.5% to 25.3%
25.3% to 46.3%
25.4%
18.1%
19.8%
Beckham
Craig
17.0%
Ellis
28.1%
Ottawa
Osage
26.2%
Roger Mills
19.3%
Nowata
Alfalfa
26.3%
Woodward
Oklahoma Counties
Percentage of Population
in 2000 at Christian churches
on any Given Weekend
Beige = High
Rose = Medium
Blue = Low
23.0%
20.0%
Pontotoc
Garvin
20.2%
26.4%
24.6%
Cotton
Coal
25.3%
Murray
Stephens
31.0%
18.3%
Carter
24.2%
Johnston
20.8%
Pushmataha
Atoka
24.6%
20.5%
Jefferson
Marshall
20.6%
20.1%
Choctaw
23.0%
McCurtain
Bryan
22.7%
Love
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
8
The Next 2 Maps
show the population numbers for each county
in Oklahoma. The first map shows the
population of each county. The second map
shows the growth or decline in population for
each county from 1990 - 2000. Twenty
counties in western Oklahoma have
experienced negative population growth.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
9
48,996
Washington
3,148
Cimarron
20,107
5,857
Texas
Beaver
3,562
Harper
9,089
6,105
Woods
Alfalfa
5,144
48,080
10,569
Grant
Kay
Nowata
33,194
14,950
Ottawa
Craig
44,437
Osage
18,486
37,077
Woodward
27,740
Major
4,075
57,813
11,411
Garfield
Noble
Ellis
4,743
Dewey
13,926
11,976
Kingfisher
Blaine
3,436
Pawnee
Rogers
Payne
67,367
Logan
Creek
87,697
Canadian
19,799
11,508
Beckham
Washita
Greer
Grady
10,227
11,814
Pottawatomie
7,545
Comanche
9,287
Tillman
14,154
43,953
48,109
10,692
Pittsburg
Le Flore
Latimer
114,996
28,439
11,792
35,143
27,210
Jackson
McIntosh
Haskell
Hughes
McClain
38,972
Sequoyah
65,521 Seminole
Kiowa
3,283
Muskogee
Okfuskee
24,894
Cleveland
45,516
69,451
Okmulgee
Oklahoma
21,038
Adair
39,685
38,369
Caddo
6,061
Cherokee
660,448
208,016
30,150
42,521
Wagoner
Lincoln
Custer
Mayes
57,491
Tulsa
33,924
26,142
Delaware
19,456
563,299
32,080
Roger Mills
Harmon
70,641
68,190
Oklahoma Counties
2000 Population
0 to 20,000
20,000 to 50,000
50,000 to 660,449
16,612
Pontotoc
Garvin
12,623
43,182
Coal
11,667
Murray
Stephens
6,614
45,621
Cotton
Carter
6,818
6,031
10,513
Johnston
13,879
Atoka
34,402
Jefferson
Marshall
Pushmataha
15,342
36,534
Choctaw
13,184
McCurtain
Bryan
8,831
Love
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
10
930
Washington
-153
Cimarron
3,688
-166
Texas
Beaver
-501
Harper
-545
-14
-311
Woods
Alfalfa
Grant
2,633
24
577
Kay
Nowata
846
Ottawa
Craig
2,792
Osage
-490
9,007
Woodward
4,945
Major
-422
1,078
366
1,037
15,471
Garfield
Noble
Pawnee
Rogers
Ellis
Oklahoma Counties
1990 - 2000 Population
Growth or Decline
6,683
-808
Dewey
714
506
Kingfisher
Blaine
-711
Custer
13,288
Canadian
67
987
-1,200 to 0
0 to 5,000
5,000 to 60,838
6,452
Logan
Creek
Washita
Beckham
Oklahoma
263
-518
Cleveland
3,769
Grady
-1,120
Greer
Harmon
Pottawatomie
-510
McClain
Comanche
-1,097
Tillman
852
Haskell
1,131
3,372
4,839
359
Pittsburg
Le Flore
Latimer
3,510
-325
McIntosh
1,024
605
Jackson
5,144
Sequoyah
Okfuskee
Hughes
Kiowa
-510
Muskogee
Seminole
6,761
2,617
1,373
Okmulgee
5,003
Caddo
-498
Cherokee
Adair
3,195
33,763
600
8,472
Wagoner
Lincoln
60,837
9,608
Tulsa
4,913
2,864
Roger Mills
Mayes
59,958
Payne
-755
Delaware
2,677
581
883
-37
2,702
-192
251
Coal
670
Murray
Stephens
Cotton
Pontotoc
Garvin
Carter
481
Johnston
1,101
Atoka
969
Jefferson
Marshall
Pushmataha
40
4,445
Choctaw
2,355
McCurtain
Bryan
674
Love
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
11
The Next 2 Slides
show the ethnicity of Oklahoma in 1990 and
2000. 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 Use
12
1990 Ethnicity of Oklahoma
Asian
1%
Hispanic
1%
Non-Hispanic Black
11%
Non-Hispanic White
Non-Hispanic Black
Hispanic
Asian
Non-Hispanic White
87%
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
13
2000 Ethnicity of Oklahoma
Asian
1%
Hispanic
2%
Non-Hispanic Black
12%
Non-Hispanic White
Non-Hispanic Black
Hispanic
Asian
Non-Hispanic White
85%
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
14
Oklahoma 1990 - 2000 Growth or Decline in an Ethnic Group's
Percentage of the Population
68.6%
70.0%
57.2%
60.0%
50.0%
40.0%
30.0%
12.8%
20.0%
10.0%
0.0%
-3.6%
-10.0%
Non-Hispanic White
Non-Hispanic Black
Hispanic
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
Asian
15
The Next Graph
shows the attendance numbers for the churches in
Oklahoma in 1990 and 2000. Evangelicals, Catholics
and overall attendance have grown, the Mainline has
declined slightly. Unfortunately, as overall worship
attendance has increased, the population has grown
at a faster rate. 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 decrease in the percentage of the
population attending church.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
16
Oklahoma Worship Attendance - 1990 & 2000
758,702
800,000
723,790
700,000
600,000
573,477
539,803
500,000
400,000
300,000
200,000
121,829 119,975
60,809
100,000
63,973
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
2000 Total
1990 Total
2000 Catholic
1990 Catholic
2000 Mainline
1990 Mainline
2000 Evangelical
1990 Evangelical
-
17
Oklahoma Worship Attendance in 1990 & 2000 by Percentage of Population
25.0%
23.0%
22.0%
20.0%
17.2%
16.6%
15.0%
1990
2000
10.0%
3.9%
5.0%
3.5%
1.9%
1.9%
0.0%
Evangelical
Mainline
Catholic
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
Total
18
The 3 Next Charts
show the relative strength of the 8 major
denominational groups in Oklahoma. The
first chart illustrates the strong influence of
the Baptist churches. The second and third
charts show the decline in the percentage of
the population attending all denominations in
Oklahoma, with the exception of the
Pentecostal churches.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
19
Oklahoma 2000 Church Attendance by "Denominational Family"
Other
12%
Catholic
8%
Baptist
37%
Baptist
Methodist
Lutheran
Reformed
Pentecostal
Christian
Christian
15%
Catholic
Other
Pentecostal
14%
Reformed Lutheran
2%
2%
Methodist
10%
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
20
The Complete Oklahoma Powerpoint is 43
slides in length, and is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/state/OK20.htm.
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 Use
21
The next 10 slides are from the
“State of the Church in Oklahoma City”
Powerpoint. The Complete Powerpoint is 49
slides in length, and is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/OklahomaCity.htm.
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 Use
22
The Next Map
shows the attendance numbers of churches in
the Oklahoma City Metro Area for 1990 and
2000. There has been strong growth for
Evangelicals, and slow growth for Mainline
and Catholics churches. However, as 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.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
23
Oklahoma City MSA Worship Attendance 1990 & 2000
300,000
257,553
250,000
214,665
197,462
200,000
158,938
150,000
100,000
50,000
32,648
34,439
21,927
24,573
1990
Evangelical
2000
Evangelical
1990 Mainline 2000 Mainline 1990 Catholic 2000 Catholic
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
1990 Total
2000 Total
24
Oklahoma City MSA 1990 & 2000 Percentage of Population at Worship
25.0%
24.2%
22.7%
20.0%
18.6%
16.8%
15.0%
1990
2000
10.0%
5.0%
3.5%
3.2%
2.3%
2.3%
0.0%
Evangelical
Mainline
Catholic
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
Total
25
The Next Chart
shows the 1990 & 2000 average church attendance
by group for both this metro area and the nation.
The second chart shows the 1990 & 2000
population per church for this metro area and the
nation. This shows how many people live in this
metro area for every Christian church. Among
states in 2000, Arkansas is the lowest at 411
people per church, while Utah is the highest at
4,586 people per church.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
26
1990 & 2000 Oklahoma City MSA Average Church Attendance
900
794 794
800
700
614
600
562
500
1990 Oklahoma City MSA
2000 Oklahoma City MSA
1990 US Average
400
2000 US Average
300
200
192
182
156
155
124 131
169
168
172 175
112 115
100
Evangelical
Mainline
Catholic
Total
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
27
1990 & 2000 Oklahoma City MSA Population per Church
939
1,000
843
795
900
738
800
700
600
Metro
National
500
400
300
200
100
1990
2000
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
28
The First Factor
to evaluate is the Percentage of the
Population that attends a weekend
service on any given Sunday. The first
map shows the 2000 percentage for all
orthodox Christian churches in each
county.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
29
15.4%
Logan
18.4%
28.1%
Canadian
Oklahoma
15.1%
Cleveland
21.2%
20.0%
Pottawatomie
McClain
The Oklahoma City Metro Area
Percentage of
Population Attending
Worship
On Any Given Weekend
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
30
The Next Map
shows the 2000 growth or decline in the
percentage of the population that attends
a weekend service on any given weekend
for all Evangelical churches.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
31
-11.9%
Logan
18.4%
10.9%
Canadian
Oklahoma
21.3%
Cleveland
-10.7%
6.7%
Pottawatomie
McClain
The Oklahoma City Metro Area
Growth or Decline in
Percentage of
Population Attending
Evangelical Churches
On Any Given Weekend
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
32
The Complete Oklahoma City Powerpoint is
49 slides in length, and is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/OklahomaCity.htm.
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 Use
33
The next 9 slides are from the
“State of the Church in Tulsa ” Powerpoint.
The Complete Powerpoint is 49 slides in
length, and is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Tulsa.htm.
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 Use
34
The Next Map
shows the attendance numbers of churches in
the Tulsa Metro Area for 1990 and 2000.
There has been slow growth for Evangelicals,
Mainline and Catholics churches. However, as
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.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
35
Tulsa MSA Worship Attendance 1990 & 2000
180,000
158,969
160,000
162,198
140,000
120,000
114,532
116,036
100,000
80,000
60,000
40,000
26,851
28,345
17,304
20,000
17,550
1990
Evangelical
2000
Evangelical
1990 Mainline 2000 Mainline 1990 Catholic 2000 Catholic
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
1990 Total
2000 Total
36
Tulsa MSA 1990 & 2000 Percentage of Population at Worship
25.0%
22.4%
20.2%
20.0%
16.2%
15.0%
14.4%
1990
2000
10.0%
5.0%
3.8%
3.5%
2.4%
2.2%
0.0%
Evangelical
Mainline
Catholic
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
Total
37
The First Factor
to evaluate is the Percentage of the
Population that attends a worship
service on any given weekend. The first
map shows the 2000 percentage for all
orthodox Christian churches in each
county.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
38
17.0%
Osage
15.8%
Rogers
22.5%
Tulsa 8.6%
17.2%
Wagoner
Creek
The Tulsa Metro Area
Percentage of
Population Attending
Worship
On Any Given Weekend
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
39
The Next Map
shows the 2000 growth or decline in the
percentage of the population that attends
a worship service on any given weekend
for all Mainline churches.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
40
-6.2%
Osage
-17.5%
Rogers
-5.6%
Tulsa 8.2%
-10.5%
Wagoner
Creek
The Tulsa Metro Area
Growth or Decline in
Percentage of
Population Attending
Mainline Churches
On Any Given Weekend
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
41
The Next Map
shows the net increase in the number of churches in the
Tulsa Metro Area from 1990 - 2000. The net increase
equals the number of new churches started minus the
number of closed churches. There was a net gain of 18
churches. However, to keep up with the population
growth in the Tulsa metro area, there would have
needed to have been a net gain of 126 churches from
1990 - 2000. This map reveals a net gain smaller than
needed to keep with population growth. Since closure
rates of churches tend to remain constant, the low
numbers reflect a smaller than normal number of new
churches started.
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
42
Tulsa MSA Net Growth in Number of Churches 1990 - 2000
140
126
120
100
80
60
40
25
18
20
0
-5
-1
-20
Evangelical
Mainline
Catholic
Total Gain
Increase Needed to
Maintain 1990 Ratio of
Churches to
Population
The Complete Tulsa Powerpoint is 49 slides
in length, and is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Tulsa.htm.
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 Use
44
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 Use
45
For More Information . . .



Please go to www.theamericanchurch.org for additional
information on the American Church.
12 Surprising Facts about the American Church is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/12supm.htm
The complete Oklahoma Powerpoint presentation is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/state/UOK20.htm

The Complete Oklahoma City Powerpoint presentation is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/OklahomaCity.htm

The Complete Tulsa Powerpoint presentation is available at
http://www.theamericanchurch.org/metro/Tulsa.htm

A Combo Pack (12 Surprising Facts, Oklahoma, Oklahoma City & Tulsa
Powerpoints) is available at http://www.theamericanchurch.org/combo/OK0.htm
© 2004 by David T. Olson
Sample - Not for Public Use
46