From Disengagement to Devotion
The Restoration of the Men of the West Has Come
You’ve likely seen the popular meme: ‘Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times.’ It resonates with those enduring struggles, offering a glimmer of hope that these hard times might forge stronger men who will usher in better days. If you were to ask people today where we stand in this cycle, many might point to ‘good times create weak men.’ Indeed, our institutions, political spheres, churches, and even households seem to be suffering from a deficit of strength and resilience, particularly among men. However, I’d argue that recent signs suggest we may be at a turning point. Hard times are upon us—and may still worsen—but there is an emerging shift. For the first time in decades, more men, especially younger men, are attending church than women. Why? Because, as the saying goes, hard times create strong men.
In his book The Church Impotent: The Feminization of Christianity, Leon Podles explores the growing gender disparity within modern Western Christianity, where churches increasingly attract more women than men. Podles argues that this shift stems from a transformation in church culture, which has become more emotionally focused and relational, often prioritizing qualities like gentleness and personal relationships over traditionally masculine traits such as duty, strength, and sacrifice. The result? A noticeable rise in female attendance at the expense of male involvement. This is a familiar scene: a wife regularly attends church while her husband remains at home, disengaged. She confides in friends and pastors, puzzled over why she can’t seem to get him to join her. But why would he, when church culture seems to ask men to set aside their masculinity in favor of an environment where emotional expressions are often centered on hips swaying to lyrics about “unforeseen kisses” and sermons resembling therapy sessions about personal relationships? It’s no surprise, then, that major organizations like Lifeway tailor their marketing efforts predominantly toward women.
For decades, churches grappled with a steady decline in male membership, sparking countless discussions, articles, and even books trying to answer the pressing question, “Why won’t men go to church?” Yet, today we’re witnessing an unexpected and profound shift. Traditionally, women attended religious services far more regularly than men, a trend that held steady across generations—until recently. Around five years ago, survey data began showing a reversal: women born after 1980, particularly those in Generation Z, are now more likely than men of the same age to rarely or never attend church. This is the first time in American history that young men are showing greater religious engagement than young women. It’s a striking cultural shift, reshaping long-held assumptions and leaving one central question on everyone’s mind: Why?
While many churches aim to steer clear of politics, it’s difficult to ignore the political undercurrents in this trend. Young men are attending church more frequently, while young women are attending less. This shift mirrors a parallel trend in the political landscape: young men are gravitating toward conservatism, placing value on family, traditional American ideals, and Christian principles, often with a decreased interest in activism. Meanwhile, young women are increasingly aligning with liberal ideologies, championing empowerment, equality, and social justice. This correlation is far from trivial; it signals a larger cultural transformation where gender dynamics are reshaping both political and religious spheres, often in contrasting ways. For many young women, religious institutions represent outdated hierarchies or instruments of oppression, while young men increasingly view them as solutions to societal decay. As Meridith Kohut observes New York Times article,
“Young women are still spiritual and seeking, according to surveys of religious life. But they came of age as the #MeToo movement opened a national conversation about sexual harassment and gender-based abuse, which inspired widespread exposures of abuse in church settings under the hashtag #ChurchToo. And the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 compelled many of them to begin paying closer attention to reproductive rights…“At the same time, they place a higher value on traditional family life. Childless young men are likelier than childless young women to say they want to become parents someday, by a margin of 12 percentage points, according to a survey last year by Pew. The young men at Grace and Hope churches “are looking for leadership, they’re looking for clarity, they’re looking for meaning,”
In other words, Young women today are “spiritually engaged” but often approach faith with caution, influenced by #MeToo, #ChurchToo, and evolving conversations around autonomy and reproductive rights. Their spiritual pursuits reflect a desire for personal agency and institutional accountability. Meanwhile, young men are showing renewed interest in traditional values like family and leadership, with many desiring fatherhood and clear purpose within structured communities.
I recently spoke with a man we’ll call Tom, a former military man, who now runs his own business. Despite his ambivalence toward traditional faith, Tom has recently started attending church—a decision he made not out of conviction but out of openness to the possibility of belief. Additionally, he prays with his young son each night, with a desire to show his son the value of giving thanks oto God for life’s blessings. This raises an intriguing question: why would someone who neither firmly believes in God nor finds personal enjoyment in church choose to attend weekly services and guide his son in nightly prayer?
Tom’s answer is both straightforward and profound, revealing two intertwined motivations. As he told me, “Partly for my son, as he needs someone to set an example for him. And partly because I have concerns about where our country is headed. We might soon face a national ‘come to Jesus’ moment.” Tom feels a duty both to his son and to his country—a belief that his presence in church and in prayer strengthens both the family and, by extension, the nation. Observing signs of societal decline, he recognizes the effects of a world that has drifted away from the stabilizing influence Christianity once provided in public life. He sees the consequences of eroding family values—and he’s not alone. Many others, particularly young men, are noticing this too. Christianity offers more than just a solution; it stands as a comprehensive defense against the chaos of the modern world
Tom’s concerns about the erosion of family and community values resonate deeply with a growing segment of society. Echoing Thomas Jefferson’s somber reflection—“Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever”—Tom perceives this decline as a moral reckoning long overdue. His perspective is not isolated. A rising number of individuals, particularly younger men, are arriving at similar conclusions. For them, Christianity is not merely a historical or cultural artifact but a dynamic and necessary response to the fragmentation of modern life. More than a spiritual solace, it represents a bulwark against the societal disorder threatening the foundations of civilization.
This cultural shift is gaining recognition even among prominent figures on the political Right. Elon Musk, for instance, has described himself as a “cultural Christian” and expressed admiration for the teachings of Jesus Christ, citing their potential to enhance both happiness and birthrates. In a recent interview with Tucker Carlson, Musk argued that the decline of religion has created a vacuum now filled by the chaos pervading contemporary society. Such endorsements from high-profile voices suggest that the reevaluation of religious and communal values is not confined to personal conviction but is permeating broader cultural and intellectual discussions
Of course, it would be a mistake to read the above and assume that most men returning to church are doing so disingenuously or out of uncertainty. Many sincerely recognize and affirm that Christ is King, the Bible is true, and that submission to His lordship is paramount. A personal friend of mine, for instance, was a left-leaning New Age pagan for years. Yet, around the time he had a son, he repented and began attending church, embracing the faith wholeheartedly. He came to realize that building a stable family—and by extension, a stable nation—requires the Christian tradition as its cornerstone. This isn’t an isolated story, but part of a broader awakening among men who are seeking meaning, structure, and truth in a world increasingly led by chaos and moral ambiguity. The return to church is not merely a nostalgic gesture; it is a deliberate step toward rediscovering the foundations of order, purpose, and transcendent virtues.
While it is discouraging to see women leave, the importance of more men coming back can’t be overstated. A 2016 survey on family conversions to Christianity revealed that the likelihood of the entire household following suit depends significantly on who converts first. If a child is the initial convert, there is only a 3.5% chance the rest of the household will follow. When the mother is first, this probability rises to 17%. However, if the father is the first to embrace Christianity, there’s a remarkable 93% probability that the entire family will join, highlighting the influential role of fathers in spiritual leadership within the home. If it is true that strong families create strong churches, and that strong churches create strong communities, this has huge implications on the future of America. A revival of father-led faith could be the key to restoring cultural stability and unity
Progressivism and secularism, ironically, have done the church a favor by alienating young men and pushing them to the brink. Protestant churches, in particular, would be wise to recognize and respond to this opportunity, less these men find a stronger sense of masculine identity within Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions. While these men may tolerate emotionally driven worship, passive cultural stances, and shallow, conversational sermons for a time, it’s uncertain whether they’ll remain if Christianity once again assumes a less influential role in politics and society. Will they stay, or will they drift toward traditions that speak more directly to their hunger for discipline, duty, and conviction? This is a critical question for church leaders to consider as they shape the future of their congregations
Why are men coming back to church? Perhaps it’s a natural, almost defiant response to a society unraveling in the absence of faith. Call it rebellion, call it a vibe shift, or even a revival—whatever the term, these men see firsthand the chaos that weak convictions and absent virtues have wrought. They’re returning with a renewed respect for the timeless truths that have anchored civilization: the enduring Word, the wisdom of tradition, and the lordship of Christ. They come not just for themselves, but for their nations, their homes, and their families. With every sermon, they are reclaiming strength, fighting to rebuild the pillars of order, purpose, and faith—one Sunday at a time.
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