At-A-Glance
- Worship and community lead the way. Across the data, these two priorities consistently rise to the top in what draws moms to church and keeps them engaged.
- Community drives satisfaction. Moms report their strongest sense of connection and support through relationships and small group ministries.
- Teaching ranks lower than expected. Only about 1 in 4 moms (23%) say they’re highly satisfied with preaching and teaching, signaling a deeper opportunity for churches to listen and adapt.
Pastors often ask how best to serve the mothers in their congregation—especially in a season when many moms are carrying significant emotional, relational and spiritual weight. Recent research from Motherhood Today, conducted in partnership with The Mom Co, offers a clear window into what moms are actually seeking from church today. In a recent episode of Leadership Podcast, host Carey Nieuwhof met with David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna, and discussed research findings on a broad range of topics, including shifts among mothers today.
The research brings together two complementary perspectives—why moms choose to attend church and what aspects of church life feel most satisfying. When viewed together, these data points help clarify not just what draws moms through the doors, but what helps them remain engaged and nourished once they’re there. Across both why moms attend church and where they experience the greatest satisfaction, two priorities consistently rise to the top: worship and community.