Georgia Baptists urged to help shape SBC worship survey

By HENRY DURAND, The Christian Index

Monday, March 30, 2026

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — Georgia Baptist churches have a chance to help shape a clearer understanding of worship across the Southern Baptist Convention, and Rhon Carter says every congregation’s participation matters.

A new SBC-wide worship survey is being conducted through SBCWorship.com and the SBC Worship Research Committee to better understand how churches are conducting and experiencing worship in today’s ministry context. Organizers say the goal is to develop a broad overview of worship practices across the convention and provide insight that can help strengthen churches moving forward.

Carter, worship and music catalyst for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board, is encouraging Georgia churches to take part. “With thousands of Southern Baptist churches representing a wide range of sizes, styles, and settings, the strength of this survey depends on participation,” Carter said. “Each response helps contribute to a more accurate and helpful understanding of how worship is being expressed and experienced across our churches.”

 The survey is being conducted through SBCWorship.com and the SBC Worship Research Committee. Jonathan Welch, assistant professor of Christian worship at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, told Baptist Press the study is intended to give leaders a clearer picture of worship across the denomination and help them better serve local churches.

Carter said the survey is about more than collecting data. He said it gives Georgia Baptists a chance to help paint a more accurate picture of worship life across the convention.

“For Georgia Baptists, this is more than just filling out a survey,” Carter said. “It’s an opportunity to share what worship looks like in your local church, contribute to a larger conversation about discipleship and formation, and help leaders better understand the current landscape of worship.”

He added that while the survey only takes a few minutes to complete, “the impact could be long-lasting.”

That potential value, Carter said, comes from the central role worship plays in the life of the church. “Worship gatherings remain one of the primary ways our churches disciple believers, proclaim the gospel, and unify the body of Christ,” he said. “Gaining a clearer picture of these gatherings helps all of us lead more intentionally and faithfully.”

The survey takes about 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Only one response is needed from each church, to be submitted by the worship leader, music minister, or senior pastor. Multisite churches are also asked to complete the survey once as a general representation of the church. Organizers said all information will remain confidential.

The survey includes four sections. One focuses on the congregation’s background, including size, ethnicity, and meeting location. Another asks about the church’s worship leaders, including their title, age, gender, and training. A third section examines worship practices, such as the types of songs used, instruments played, and how often congregants stand. The final section asks respondents to reflect on their own experience in worship ministry in order to assess needs, strengths, and successes.

According to Baptist Press, the results will be shared during one of the micro-conferences on Monday, June 8, as part of the SBC Pastors’ Conference.

Church leaders across Georgia are encouraged to participate, Carter said, because every response helps strengthen the usefulness of the study for churches across the convention.

 “Every church has a voice,” he said, “and this is a moment to make it heard.”

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The survey can be accessed at this link.

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Caption: Don Startup, worship pastor at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Cartersville, Ga., leads the worship choir during service Sunday, June 16, 2024. (Index/Henry Durand, File)