O Sister, Where Art Thou?

What has changed significantly is the share of Americans who seldom or never attend religious services, rising from 42% in 2013 to 53% in 2025. Contributing to this rise is how young women have grown increasingly less likely to identify with a religious tradition. In 2013, only 29% considered themselves religiously unaffiliated. In 2024, that figure rose to 40%, and in 2025, to 43%. PRRI notes that most of this growth has resulted from a decline in religious affiliation among women of color.

While it may seem of small significance that women are simply catching up with men in terms of being unchurched (i.e., welcome to our world), those within the church world know that it matters disproportionately. As Bob Smietana writes for the Religious News Service (RNS), “Women have long been the backbone of religion in America.” In fact, PRRI found that unaffiliated young women – now at the aforementioned 43% – outnumber unaffiliated men (39%).

Once again, this data conflicts with claims of a religious revival among younger Americans. Even more tellingly, it shows the “religion gender gap” is not simply closing but disappearing.

But why?

First, the vast majority of Gen Z women identify as feminists, far more than other generations. They are concerned about the unequal treatment of women. As a result, they are more suspicious and critical of any institution that upholds any kind of traditional social arrangement. The vast majority of Gen Z women do not believe that churches treat men and women equally. Many denominations do not allow women to serve in leadership positions or to have much in the way of formal authority. The Southern Baptist Convention, which, while in decline, is still the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, has doubled down on this over the last few years. They have even kicked out churches that have women not simply as pastors, but who function pastorally, or carry the name pastor in their title, or teach or preach, even if under the leadership of a male senior pastor.

Play that against a wide array of new cultural realities: young women today are more educated than men their age; they have greater professional ambition, and they are more concerned with personal success and growth. There is quite a disconnect when a woman of faith who is a leader in her professional world, a catalyst through volunteer efforts, hits her head on the glass ceiling of her church. It just makes the way some churches and denominations engage women, and allow women to engage them, difficult and alienating.

But it’s not just about gender.

It’s about theology.

They reject the theology behind that kind of gender hierarchy. They also reject the theology behind the idea that personhood begins at conception, as opposed to, say, the start of the second trimester. The majority of women believe abortion should be available during that first trimester, a stance many churches do not embrace. They are also supportive of the right to pursue in vitro fertilization.

And they also do not like the way the church has often treated people of color, or people of same-sex attraction. There is a sense that churches negatively treat, say, gay and lesbian people. Anyone who has studied Generation Z knows that one of their cardinal virtues is inclusion. Even if they are theologically conservative and hold to historic Christian orthodoxy on matters of sexual expression and sexual identity, they don’t like the way the church has acted relationally with the world. Even if they might agree with a church’s stance, they don’t like the way the church has taken it.

So before you simply say, “Women are going liberal,” these sentiments would include women who actually hold what would be considered highly conservative views, such as that women should be able to serve as pastors and teach, though the senior pastor of the church should be male; while abortion should be made legal during the first trimester, abortion should not take place after the 12-week mark; and that the LGBTQ community should be met with love and respect, while still viewing homoerotic behavior as immoral.

But they are not finding that many churches are open to such nuances.

Added to this, as Smietana notes, is the

“Rise of Christian pastors and leaders, known as ‘Theobros,’ who are vocal online and promote very traditional general roles. Some even advocate repealing the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote. That appeals to some social media influencers, who embrace the title of ‘tradwife,’ and some young men. But it’s unlikely to draw many people to church.... As a growth strategy, you know, it seems to be a little dicey.”

Yes, it certainly does.

And the proof is in the polling.

James Emery White

Sources

“2025 PRRI Census of American Religion,” PRRI, April 15, 2026, read online.

Bob Smietana, “Gen Z Women Are Losing Their Religion, New Study Finds,” Religion News Service, April 15, 2026, read online.

Frank Newport and Lydia Saad, “Rise in Young Men's Religiosity Realigns Gender Gaps,” Gallup, April 16, 2026, read online.

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James Emery White is the founding and senior pastor of Mecklenburg Community Church in Charlotte, NC, and a former professor of theology and culture at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, where he also served as their fourth president. His latest book, Hybrid Church: Rethinking the Church for a Post-Christian Digital Age, is now available on Amazon or from your favorite bookseller. To enjoy a free subscription to the Church & Culture blog, visit churchandculture.org where you can view past blogs in our archive, read the latest church and culture news from around the world, and listen to the Church & Culture Podcast. Follow Dr. White on X, Facebook, and Instagram at @JamesEmeryWhite.