More young men in church, but where are the young women?
Nay Dawson
Across the Western world, something surprising is happening. After decades of decline, church attendance among young men is rising. For the first time in modern history, men under 25 are more likely than women to attend church [1]. While this is a cause for celebration, it also raises an important question: Where are the young women?
The answer is not that young women are becoming less spiritual. On the contrary, many are deeply engaged in spiritual pursuits – just not in the ways or places the church has come to expect. Psychologist Sabina Brennan points to evidence that young women are particularly drawn to non-religious forms of spirituality, such as tarot, astrology, or manifesting. These practices are not spiritually neutral, and Scripture is clear that they do not lead to life. Still, if we hope to reach young women with the good news of Jesus, our response cannot begin with condemnation. It must begin with understanding the longings that drive their search.
PfE day: Equipping women to share the gospel
Nay Dawson
The Passion for Evangelism: Finding Your Voice Day held recently in Scotland brought together women from across the country to be equipped, encouraged, and empowered to share the gospel message—especially in the lead-up to Christmas.
Hosted by Passion for Evangelism, the event focused on helping women craft and deliver evangelistic talks with clarity, creativity, and conviction. A highlight was the small group workshops, where each participant shared a talk and received constructive feedback.
How Jesus bucks cultural norms with women
Nay Dawson
In these two short extracts from her new book, She Needs – Women Flourishing in the Church, Nay Dawson writes about how women in Christian contexts can often be patronised and infantilised. She cites Jen Wilkin (an author and Bible teacher from Texas who has led studies for women over many years) who speaks of three female ghosts that haunt the church: the Child, the Usurper and the Temptress. Nay writes, concerning the Child:
Many years ago, I was at a conference. I tried to join a conversation with two male acquaintances, but their response was, ‘Go away, silly little girl.’ I felt sick and stupid, and just wished I could disappear. Women are often treated as children; decisions are made for them, and they are patronised and humiliated in conversations.
