The Christian Post talks about Saddleback’s growth slowing in this latest season. Here’s a clip:

Lakewood Church in Houston is the fastest-growing U.S. church, according to Outreach Magazine’s 2006 church growth study. The annual report listed the top 100 fastest growing churches in America, including 52 new churches and 48 returning from last year’s list.In 2005, Lakewood, led by Joel Osteen, gained a total of 12,000 members. The annual report listed the top 100 fastest growing churches in America, including 52 new churches and 48 returning from last year’s list.

Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., with bestselling author Rick Warren took a plunge down from number five to number thirty-nine. New membership gains in the past year dropped by nearly 1,500 people to 1,149. Willow Creek Community Church, the most influential church in America, according to The Church Report, rose from the 30th rank to the eighth with a gain of 2,900 in 2005.

JG