Where Are All the Single Mothers?
Only 1 in 4 single moms attends church weekly.
The statistics from Barna's latest research should alarm every church leader, especially when women have historically been the backbone of congregational life and the primary spiritual influence on the next generation.
According to Barna Group's October 2025 State of the Church report, men are now significantly outpacing women in church attendance for the first time in decades. As of 2025, 43% of men attend weekly compared to just 36% of women—the largest gender gap ever recorded and a complete reversal of a 25-year trend. Among parents, married dads now have the highest attendance rate while single mothers lag far behind at just 24% weekly attendance.
Mothers have historically shaped their children's faith. In 2 Timothy, Paul reminds Timothy of "the sincere faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice." Barna's own 2023 research confirms this pattern: nearly 80% of practicing Christians say their mother modeled strong religious faith growing up, compared to only 57% who say that about their father.
Churches are losing women—particularly single moms juggling careers, caregiving, and financial strain—faster than they're gaining men. Many women feel isolated in congregations built for nuclear families, exhausted by churches that add demands rather than provide sanctuary, and disillusioned by leadership scandals and limited roles for women.
Here's what this means for your church: You're facing a demographic realignment that will reshape discipleship, leadership pipelines, and community life for years to come. The question isn't just whether men are showing up more, it's why women, especially single mothers, aren't keeping pace.
Three actions to take this week:
Audit your support systems. Do you offer childcare for single parents beyond Sunday mornings? Are weeknight events accessible to working moms? Survey single mothers in your congregation about barriers they face.
Review your messaging. Does your preaching assume two-parent households? Do your family ministry materials exclude or overlook single-parent realities? Adjust language to reflect the families actually in your pews.
Create belonging for women. Launch or expand women's ministry that provides genuine community, not just another program. Consider mentoring relationships pairing older women with younger ones, addressing the isolation many single mothers feel.
The mothers who shaped yesterday's faith are missing from today's pews. Your church's future depends on bringing them back.The Jesus Resurgence
Ministry Intel
How Church Leaders Are Aiming for Higher Biblical Literacy | Lifeway Research
Despite regular church attendance, many believers lack basic Bible knowledge, prompting innovative leaders to create clear discipleship pathways centered on Scripture. Churches using structured curriculum with consistent markers of spiritual maturity are seeing measurable growth in biblical understanding and application. Higher biblical literacy directly correlates with stronger faith, better evangelism, and increased church engagement.
Quick win: Audit your discipleship approach this week: do people in your church have a clear path from biblical illiteracy to maturity, or just a menu of disconnected classes?
Why Embracing Future-Focused Leadership Is Key for 2025 and Beyond | Church Executive
Barna research shows 61% of church leaders say their congregation is on a future-focused path, but younger leaders often feel disconnected from those plans. Bridging generational gaps through collaborative planning, mentorship, and innovative discipleship tools is essential for sustainable growth. Churches that empower Gen Z and Millennial leaders while leveraging technology are positioning themselves to thrive long-term.
Action step: Host a leadership meeting this month specifically to hear from your younger leaders about where they see your church in five years, and then incorporate their ideas into actual planning.
Growth Toolkit
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24-week video curriculum balancing Bible literacy, theology, and spiritual formation for small groups. Creates mature disciples who naturally multiply leadership and withstand cultural pressures that cause church exits.
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