At a Glance
- Major Gender Shift: Men are significantly outpacing women in church attendance since the pandemic, reversing a long-standing trend in Barna’s decades of tracking. The 2025 gender gap is the largest recorded so far (43% for men vs. 36% among women).
- Married Dads Show Up; Moms Step Back: Among parents of kids under 18, married dads have the highest show-up rate at church compared to all other parents. Only 1 in 4 single moms (24%) attend church weekly—significantly trailing other married moms and dads.
- Why It Matters: These shifts reveal new patterns of participation and disengagement among key groups that may reshape the fabric of church life in the years to come.
- Leadership Consideration: How will churches adapt to support the growing faith engagement of young men—and the growing disengagement of women, particularly single mothers? How can leaders assess what people are experiencing inside the church that shapes whether they return? - Barna Research
For decades, women have outnumbered men in church attendance and have often led the way in spiritual participation. But a significant shift is occurring in American Christianity that demands attention: Women—particularly younger women—are attending church less frequently than men. This reversal isn’t just a numerical milestone; it signals a broader cultural and spiritual turning point.
While men traditionally have been less likely to participate in church life, the current data, released as part of Barna’s ongoing State of the Church initiative with Gloo, tells a different story—one that points both to signs of renewal in the Church and to specific, concerning areas of decline.
Regular church attendance is on the rise for all young adults. Since 2019 both Gen Z and Millennials were the least likely generation to frequently attend church. Today, they are the most engaged.
This article explores the generational and gender dynamics now reshaping American church attendance. As women’s engagement patterns change, the effects on church communities, leadership, and culture are likely to be profound. These are trends the Church can’t afford to overlook. Read the full article from Barna
