Where are the men? The gender imbalance in the churches and its wider consequences

By

Richard Sebaggala

A lively discussion was sparked at my old church when my friend and passionate leader, Henry Kigula, posted a photo from a recent service. To everyone's amusement (and perhaps concern), it looked like an all-female event, with the women far outnumbering the men in the pews. Henry's observation is not an isolated incident in our church, but a snapshot of a wider, ongoing trend. Across the world, women consistently outnumber men in churches,  transforming many congregations into what some jokingly call "women's services"

This striking gender imbalance goes beyond mere numbers — it reflects a deeper social and cultural dynamic that shapes our faith communities. From the earliest days of religious gatherings to modern times, the presence of more women than men has been a constant. Scholars suggest that this imbalance has its roots in traditional gender roles, where women, often seen as caregivers and nurturers, are drawn to the communal and spiritual aspects of church life. Men, on the other hand, may be socialised towards individualism and self-reliance, making them less likely to attend church regularly.

But this disparity is not just an interesting quirk, it has serious implications for the vitality and future of congregations. If this trend continues unchecked, it could impact the growth of churches, the cohesion of congregations, and even the broader dating and marriage market within faith communities. So let’s explore what we know, why it matters and what can be done to address the "men deficit' " in our churches.

The statistics speak: a global phenomenon

Research consistently shows that women outnumber men in church attendance and membership across denominations and cultures. The gender imbalance in church attendance starts early, with girls outnumbering boys in Sunday groups (Levitt, 2003). This trend continues into adulthood, with declining attendance observed in the United States, Canada and parts of Europe (Brenner, 2016). Women clearly outnumber men in American churches. On any given Sunday, women make up 61% of the congregation, compared to only 39% of men. This imbalance exists across all denominations and age groups. This trend is not limited to the Western world, but is a consistent global pattern. In some global contexts, such as African churches, the gap is even more stark — women reportedly make up as much as 85% of church members in certain communities.

In Uganda, only about 37% of men attend church weekly, a figure well below the historically high rate of 89% male church attendance in Nigeria. In Kenya, the ratio of men to women attending church is around 3 to 7 (Muli et al., 2020). These figures highlight a universal trend of underrepresentation of men in religious congregations, regardless of geography or denomination.

Why does this matter?

Implications for congregational health: The presence of enthusiastic male worshipers correlates strongly with several positive outcomes: Church growth, health, unity, increased giving, and retention of young members. Churches with a gender balance are statistically more likely to grow than those that are dominated by one gender. Conversely, a significant lack of men can often be a precursor to declining membership and vitality. Research has shown that churches with a higher proportion of male members also tend to have a higher level of giving.

Impact on social and family dynamics: Gender differences in attendance also impact the dating and marriage market within religious communities. Churches often serve as semi-closed dating pools where people seek partners who share their faith. However, with fewer men in attendance, especially of marriageable age, it can become increasingly difficult for women to find potential partners. This imbalance may have wider social implications, including affecting marriage markets within religious communities, potentially leading to delayed marriages or partnerships outside the faith (Lichter et al., 1992; McCutcheon, 1988).

Cultural and leadership implications: Despite the numerical dominance of women in church congregations, studies show that church leadership is still predominantly male. This "glass ceiling" effect persists across different denominations and cultures (Adams, 2007; Min, 2008; Yih, 2023). Women are underrepresented in leadership positions, especially in larger churches (Hoegeman, 2017). Although some progress has been made and women are more likely to be found in leadership positions in some church organisations, there is still significant gender inequality (Hoegeman, 2017). Although the gender imbalance in leadership does not appear to significantly affect church growth (Woolever et al., 2006), the discrepancy often results in a leadership structure that does not fully reflect or serve the interests of the majority of the congregation. This can increase feelings of marginalisation and discourage both genders from active participation.

What can be done?

Rethink engagement: Churches need to rethink their outreach strategies, especially when reaching out to young men. Creating spaces and programmes that appeal to men’s interests and life stages could help bridge the gap. Community service projects, sports activities and more inclusive forms of worship could appeal to a broader demographic.

Focus on families: One promising strategy is to focus on family involvement. When men are attracted to church through family-centred activities, they are more likely to attend. Jesus modelled this approach by focusing on men to transform families and communities. He showed that reaching men can lead to broader church growth.

Representation in leadership positions: Addressing the gender imbalance in leadership positions could also make a big difference. Getting more women into leadership positions could lead to greater participation from men as they may feel more included and represented in the various leadership structures.

Innovative worship and outreach: The church can benefit from innovative methods of outreach that align with today's culture. Digital platforms, casual gatherings and even outdoor services can break the mould of traditional settings and appeal to those who may feel alienated from conventional church environments.

Conclusion: Towards a balanced future

The gender imbalance in church attendance is not just a statistical anomaly, but reflects a broader societal shift. Addressing this issue requires targeted strategies to make churches more inclusive and engaging for all genders. By creating an environment where both men and women feel valued and included, churches can not only correct this imbalance, but also ensure that their congregations thrive for generations to come.

With a balanced congregation, churches can better fulfil their mission, attract families and grow stronger together. The challenge is clear, but so is the opportunity for transformative change.