Photo by Vadim Sadovski on Unsplash. This article is a follow-up to the WADR episode The Missing Women.
As senior staff with the University Fellowship of Christians at the University of Tasmania, I have the unique privilege of walking alongside Gen Z women and men as they navigate faith, purpose, and community during a formative time in their lives. The recent data from sources like the 2022 Australian Community Survey, hinting at a divergence in church engagement between young men and women, sparks vital conversations. While young men may increasingly claim Christian identity, we are seeing a nuanced, often silent shift among young women: a quiet quitting of the church.
This isn’t a loud, rebellious exit. It is a gradual disengagement, a slow drift away from formal church involvement, even if they still hold to Christian belief. To truly understand this phenomenon, we must look beyond simplistic answers and instead consider the complex interplay of historical, societal, and theological factors.
The Shifting Sands of Society
Our religious landscape is never static; it constantly interacts with the broader cultural currents. Gen Z has grown up in a rapidly secularising Western world, saturated with digital information and diverse perspectives. They are often acutely aware of social injustices and societal inequalities. This context shapes their expectations of any community, including the church.
For young women, the intersection of faith with evolving societal expectations around career, education, and personal autonomy is particularly salient. If the church feels out of step with these realities, or if its teachings seem to perpetuate outdated norms, it creates a subtle but persistent friction.
Peta,1 in her thirties, reflected to me, “When I was young, I thought in black and white, my whole life revolved around church, I supported the party that my church repeatedly said was the only one Christians ‘in any good conscience’ could vote for. I had the energy to commit to 101 things and so was able to win the favour that I’ve now all but given up on with church leadership. I’m sort of resolved to being a permanent outsider now, because I think very differently and no longer gel with as many people. I didn’t have to when I was young, but now I’d need to be a contortionist to fit in, and the will for all of that has left me. I am still part of it, but at the moment I have a sense that I just don’t belong there.”
The Unspoken Assumption: God’s Goodness
One of the most profound insights from my work with university students is that the inherent goodness of God is no longer a foundational assumption for many in this emerging generation. While they might grasp the goodness of creation, the very character of God as merciful, gracious, and abounding in faithful love (as described in Exodus 34:6-7) isn’t a given.
I experienced this firsthand in an evangelism training where I had to “punch the pause button” to establish this truth before discussing God’s judgment of sin. The hunger for this understanding was palpable, especially among young women in the group, many of whom photographed the Exodus passage and its scriptural allusions I had mapped out on butchers paper for the training. If God is primarily presented as a figure of rules or judgment, without a clear, consistent grounding in his profound love and desire for human flourishing, the entire message of the church can feel alienating. Why engage if the foundation feels shaky or unloving?
Why the “Quiet Quitting”?
So, what are the specific factors contributing to young women’s quiet departure?
- Feeling Unseen and Unheard: Young women are seeking communities where their voices are genuinely valued, their questions are engaged with thoughtfully, and their experiences are understood. If they perceive that their concerns are dismissed or their perspectives are marginalised, disengagement naturally follows.
- Unequal Participation: Biblically, women have played vital roles in the early church – from evangelists (Samaritan woman), prophets (Philip’s daughters), deacons (Phoebe), to being imprisoned and notable among the apostles (Junia), to partners in ministry (Priscilla, Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis, Euodia, Syntyche, Nympha, Apphia), to founders of charitable movements (Dorcas). However, historically, institutional limitations have often stifled their full participation. When young women don’t see clear pathways to meaningfully use their gifts, it signals that their full potential isn’t valued. As Romans 12:4-8 reminds us, the body of Christ thrives when all its diverse parts function.
- Lack of Relevance: If sermons, programs, or community discussions fail to address the complex issues young women navigate – mental health, social justice, career aspirations, healthy relationships just some – the church can feel disconnected from their lived realities.
- Perceived Hypocrisy or Injustice: Young women are often acutely attuned to inconsistencies. If they witness abuse scandals, unhealthy power dynamics, or a lack of accountability within the church, it erodes their trust. Similarly, if the church’s practices seem to embody sexism or gender bias, it conflicts with their core values of equality and justice.
- The Shadow of Patriarchy: As scholars like Beth Allison Barr and Kristin Du Mez suggest, the “sin of patriarchy” – systems of power that subordinate women – can be a significant driver of disengagement. When church culture feels rooted in “1950s domestic ideals” rather than the radical inclusivity taught and lived by Jesus, it alienates those seeking a truly Christ-like community. This isn’t about rejecting the church; it’s often a rejection of structures that feel oppressive or unbiblical.
Interacting Trends: Men and Women
The increased interest in Christianity among some Gen Z men, particularly those leaning traditional, and the disengagement of young women are interacting trends. If the church’s response to the former leads to an increased focus on rigid gender roles or a less inclusive environment, it risks further alienating young women. Elizabeth Hance writes for The Gospel Coalition of the need for ‘good shepherds’ in traditional churches to step up. They can make a marked difference to whether a young woman stays or leaves her church. Today, in the eyes of many young women, a ‘good shepherd’ isn’t just one who is kind, but one who listens deeply and actively champions and empowers all members to flourish.
Beyond Assumptions: Fostering Flourishing
Hance’s idea that highly educated, ‘left-leaning’ women will eventually find the promises of feminism ’empty’ and return to traditional norms feels like a misreading of the situation. Many women deeply committed to equality also have vibrant faith lives. Their critique of church structures often stems from a profound desire for justice driven by their confidence in God’s character, not a lack of need for God.
To counter the quiet exodus, churches must embody the goodness of God in their very structures and culture. This means:
- Actively Listening: Creating genuine spaces where young women’s questions, doubts, and critiques are heard and engaged with respect.
- Empowering Participation: Ensuring women are reflected in all aspects of church life, including leading, teaching, and decision-making, acknowledging and cultivating their diverse spiritual gifts.
- Demonstrating Relevance: Connecting faith to the issues that matter to young women, living out justice and compassion in tangible ways.
The future of the church hinges on its ability to be a place where young women don’t just stay, but thrive—a community that truly reflects the compassionate, gracious, and empowering heart of God for all his children.
Christine Jolly is senior staff with AFES campus ministry in Tasmania. She also teaches high school Visual Art and Christian Studies.
- Not her real name ↩︎
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