Alarming Statistics for Christian Women
By Gary L. Fiscus
My purpose in writing this article is to bring concern and alarm to especially the women of the Lord’s church. As I have stated before I am in the process of writing material for our Saturday Ladies Bible Class. There are various reasons I have taken on this project but suffice it to say one of the main reasons is that many female Christians are abandoning the Lord. I, for one, appreciate those Christian women who are remaining faithful to God. You are to be commended for your fidelity and continuous worship of the Almighty. You are obviously “remaining steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,” (1 Cor. 15:58).
The internet and other media has inundated us with alarming statistics concerning those who are leaving any type of religion, especially, what is called mainstream theology. You may or may not support many or most of what is allegedly labeled Christianity. As Christian’s, male or female, we do subscribe to what the Bible says the Lord’s followers are to be and how they are identified. They hear God’s word, Romans 10:17, believe that word and in God Himself, Hebrews 11:6, repent of their past sins, Luke 13:3, confess Jesus as the Christ, Romans 10:9-10, are baptized into His body, Colossians 2:12, and practice faithfulness to His purpose and cause, Revelation 2:10. The general public may not believe these things necessarily are actions that identify one’s obedience to Christ, but it is what the Bible says.
Statistically speaking, and yes, I know the cliché, “you can prove anything by numbers,” information is given concerning specifically Americans that they are separating themselves from organized religion, the church of our Lord notwithstanding. E.G., in 2024 statistics show that only 63% consider themselves to be Christian, even by their own definition. The Pew Research Center says this is down 90% from the early 1990’s! Agnosticism, atheism, indifference has risen 28% during the last three decades. Traditionally, men have been the ones to not affiliate or associate with religious organizations. Today, however, women are rushing to the front of this line up and are leaving religion in the dust. Via Barna Group and Impact 360 Institute, young women, age 18-24, known as the Generation Z, are more likely than men to deny any faith in any sort, kind or type of Divine Being. Ryan Burge of Eastern Illinois University said, “Young women are moving farther left politically.”
Research indicates a multiplicity of excuses as to why women leave religion. Data proves that higher levels of education, career goals, disrespect for marriage and Biblical marital laws, impudence toward parents and authority, economic problems in having enough to make ends meet, all are significant lines of reasoning as to non-commitment to the Lord.
In addition, according to the Survey Center on American Life, Generation Z women are more concerned with inequality between the sexes, have disdain for religious chains of command and especially toward groups that are more conservative. They resent not being able to preach from the pulpit or hold office as an elder(ette), deacon(ette), or any other biblically appointed position. These women are more concerned with meeting cultural standards and values than with adhering to biblical teachings. Physical and/or social violence by some religious hierarchies, e.g., sexual, verbal, manipulative, hurtful and harmful abuses have been women on the defensive.
The answer to these church problems is given by the apostle Paul in 1 Cor. 11:3, “But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” If that formula is indeed followed all will have received the respect and honor do them. Men cannot abuse women and honor God at the same time. If that happens, the offended party will retaliate.
1 Jn. 4:20 reads, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, cannot love God whom he hath not seen.” The context of 1 John 4 is addressing a Christian’s love for all men inclusive of women. We determine that by the reading itself. I am not an advocate of the New International Version of the Bible; however, in some places it does help me to better understand the passage. At 1 Jn. 4:20 the NIV reads, “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” Notice the twice used phrase “brother or sister.”
Volumes have been written and clerical authorities cited as to how Generation Z, or whoever, is handling these statistics. Quotations from recognized theological, sociological, and psychological experts have been given. My point is that we stay with the “old paths” (Jer. 6:16) and apply the orders of God, not just to women but to men as well. May all return to the scriptures and commands of the Lord as written in Titus 2:2-8, “…that aged men be temperate, grave, sober-minded, sound in faith, in love, in patience: that aged women likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good; that they may train the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sober-minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed: the younger men likewise exhort to be sober-minded: in all things showing thyself an ensample of good works; in thy doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of us.”
You are welcome to join the ladies Bible study on the second Saturday of each month. They meet at 10:00 am., Jane Fiscus’ house, 179 Fairview Ave. Spencer, IN. For more information see Jane or any of the other ladies who attend.