I just finished reading an article on my phone from USA TODAY titled, “Americans are become less religious. None more than this group.” The emphasis of the article was the departure of many from Christianity (especially younger people), and the fact that for the first time in American history, more women are leaving their faith than men.
Two statistics from the survey: Those who nominally identify as Christians in America are 63%, down from 90% in the early 1990’s. Second, “Among generation Z, however, the pattern has flipped (regarding men and women leaving their childhood faith): 54% of those who’d left the church are female. Meanwhile, nearly four in 10 Gen Z women identify as religious unaffiliated, compared to a third of Gen Z males.
The reasons supplied in the article are numerous. Stated: “some fume over gender hierarchies, the inability of women to serve in influential positions, or expectations of chastity placed upon girls. Others, they say, struggle with their church’s positions on reproductive and/or LGBTQ rights.” (USA TODAY, 8/13/24, Marc Ramirez).
This a definitely disturbing trend, as noted by the author. It is a fact that up until now, women have been a group to be more interested in spiritual matters, and as a result have been extremely important to the relative health, and work done in many congregations of Christians.
It was also noted in the article that this is in some way a mirror of our society, as women are skewing much more left politically. We have seen marked changes in cultural thinking, as we have become a much more secular nation, with less dependence upon or interest in spiritual matters, and a disregard of God.
So, what can we do to mitigate these trends. It would be a simple thing to say, “Be more evangelistic, and preach the word.” It would also be true, but let’s be a bit more granular in our analysis.
A primary problem as it relates to these trends is the view that many hold of women being treated inappropriately by the church. So the first thing that must be emphasized is that the church should be taken out of the equation as a “decider” of policy regarding women. In truth, it doesn’t matter how “the church” feels about women, or even what women think themselves. It is needed for everyone to acknowledge and accept the Lordship of Jesus Christ. “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth’” (Matthew 28:18). If Deity has spoken on the matter, it is not a matter of personal preference or to be attributed to the influences of man. It is God speaking, and must be recognized and obeyed.
Another major problem is the treatment of women by men. This had been seen throughout the history of the human race, as women have seldom, either in time or culture, been regarded as equal to men. Nor have they been treated well. Such is seen in our culture today, and leads to disappointment and discontent on the part of women. This is so inappropriate, as the New Testament is especially cognizant of the need for consideration and love in our treatment of one another. The Bible speaks of compassion, brotherly love, hospitality, empathy, and the agape type love that always seeks the best for our sisters and brothers in Christ.
This should be evident in the home, as the husband is admonished by the Holy Spirit to, “love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church” (Ephesians 5:28-29).
It should be present in the church itself as Ephesians 4 teaches that the truth should be preached, in love, to all that we may “grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love” (Ephesians 4:15-16).
If we treat one another with humility, deference and love, the only other real problem will come with the rebellions of the individual. This is of course a human problem rather than a strictly female problem. Rebellion, and letting the wisdom of men interfere with God’s commands has been a problem for all mankind from the beginning, when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit!
“For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar” (Romans 3:3-4a).
It is wrong for a woman (or a man) to chafe under instructions from God Himself. Any thoughts on her (or his) part that disagree with what is taught in scripture is tantamount to the clay saying to the Potter, why have you made me this way! (cf. Romans 9:19-20).
We may not be able to stop this trend because of the world, but we can treat one another more lovingly!
