Don’t settle for an impact smaller than you’re called to make. It's time to unlock your potential and lead confidently into a future filled with growth — for yourself, your church, and your mission. Get access to some of my best leadership content, only published in my newsletters.
On The Rise: Why are women leaving church + Church mergers and tips for authors
Published 13 days ago • 3 min read
Welcome to the On The Rise newsletter, where I feature fascinating, helpful, and sometimes curious content that caught my attention this week.
Today, some data on why women are checking out of church, church mergers as a growth strategy, a killer BBQ book by one of the greatest, and free tips for authors.
So, Why Are Women Checking Out of Church?
The trend didn’t start yesterday.
If you’ve seen my 2026 church trends, you’ll notice fresh data showing that women are disengaging from church and even faith at unseen (i.e., alarming) levels.
While I’ll be doing a podcast interview or two on this topic this year, I’m hoping 2026 brings fresh research, as we don't have much current data.
But, going back 11 years to 2015, Barna noted the trend was starting and uncovered several factors fuelling it. So, if you’re wondering where Gen Z and Millennial women have gone, this piece can help.
I imagine there’s a lot more to the story we’ll discover this year when some fresh research comes out.
In the meantime, this is a trend very much worth praying through, studying, analyzing, and (hopefully) reversing this year.
Exclusive Church Trends Deep-Dive
Why young men are coming to church… and young women are leaving.
This Tuesday, I’m breaking down one of the more alarming 2026 church trends: the growing divide between Gen Z men and women in spiritual engagement.
While young men are showing a surprising resurgence in church involvement, young women are disengaging at record levels across attendance, prayer, and Bible engagement.
You’ll walk away with practical steps to navigate this trend and reach the next generation effectively. Get the Zoom link here.
Church closures are still outpacing church plants, but mergers are trending, too. One of the reasons makes sense: many small churches have no succession prospects and are happy to merge with larger, growing churches.
As the article points out, mergers can be a smart growth strategy for exploding congregations looking for space without the cost of building brand new buildings.
Easter is Coming!
But we just got through Christmas.
How are there fewer than 90 days until Easter? Didn’t we just get through the Christmas push?
This year, give up “creating graphics from scratch” for Lent—download Igniter’s free Easter media pack, featuring a huge selection of graphics and templates that’ll save you a ton of time.
And because “Sunday’s coming” is a relentless reality the other 51 weeks of the year, too, Igniter is also offering On the Rise readers an exclusive discount on any membership.
Raise your visual experience. Free up one thing from your plate and save time in the process.
If you need a new hobby to pick up this year, try getting a smoker. I have an XL Big Green Egg and RecTeq Dual Fire 1200, and few things make me happier (or my family and friends happier) than when the smokers are fired up. You don’t need anything fancy. I started almost 20 years ago with a basic Weber Kettle grill, like this, that you can find used for under $100 or new for $122.
Many would say Aaron Franklin is the king of brisket and all things smoked meat, and in this book, he shares theory (and some recipes). So much good info on fires, smoke, meat, and all the nerdy stuff I love.
One of my go-to podcasts is Rebuilders with Mark Sayers. Nobody has their pulse on current events like Mark does. And in this episode, he outlines several rather chilling current events trends that church leaders need to know.
Very different from my Church Trends, and so needed. Mark is a gift to the global church.
Cheering for you,
Weekend Watching
2026 Church Trends
This week, I unveiled 7 disruptive church trends to track in 2026, including Gen Z leading a surge in young church attendance, a rise in women exiting the Christian faith, and discipleship by algorithm, and why that makes it impossible to lead people with harmony.
Leadership Is Better Shared. Invite Your Friends!
Know someone who would benefit from The Art of Leadership Academy? Invite them to join by visiting your Invitation Hub.
Carey Nieuwhof Communications, PO Box 160, Oro Medonte, Ontario L0L 2X0
Carey Nieuwhof
Where 100,000+ leaders get top insights to thrive in life and leadership.
Don’t settle for an impact smaller than you’re called to make. It's time to unlock your potential and lead confidently into a future filled with growth — for yourself, your church, and your mission. Get access to some of my best leadership content, only published in my newsletters.
