Where Are They? An Investigation of the Shortage of Men in American Christianity

Abstract

Count the number of men and women in the pews or chairs on Sunday morning. If that congregation is like the majority of them in America, there are likely fewer men in church than women. This has been a popular subject among Christian authors and bloggers within the past few decades. Men’s retreats and men’s groups have surfaced as some reactions to the problem. Many theories have been advanced about why there are far fewer men than women in American churches and just as many tactics have been suggested about how to reach those men who currently do not consider the church to be a place for them. After letting the data determine that the gender gap in American churches is reality, this paper will suggest historical developments and modern day barriers that may have contributed to a perception, or misconception, that church is not really a place for men. This paper will also suggest some things to think about as our churches reinvest in the men we have so that they can reach their spheres of influence.