Top 10 Reasons Why Christian Moms Attend Church

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.

Why Worship Matters So Much to Christian Moms

When asked why they attend church, moms most often point to spiritual growth. They come to learn more about God, deepen their faith and reconnect spiritually—making worship and music a central draw. For many moms navigating full schedules and constant demands, worship functions as a rare and meaningful space to encounter God, recalibrate their hearts and experience spiritual renewal.

Community Is Where Moms Feel Most Supported

At the same time, community emerges as an equally strong driver of engagement. Moms attend church for their children, value being known and connected, and report their highest levels of satisfaction in small group ministries. These relational environments often serve as places of belonging, shared understanding and mutual support—particularly during seasons of stress, isolation or transition.

Taken together, the data suggests that encountering God through worship and belonging through meaningful community function as a one-two priority for moms. Both elements matter deeply—and both shape how moms experience church as a place of spiritual formation and relational care.

Preaching and Teaching Rank Lower for Moms

What’s notable is what appears further down the list. While preaching and teaching remain important, they are not where most moms report the highest satisfaction. Only about one in four moms says they are highly satisfied with preaching and teaching, and “relevant teaching” ranks lower among the top reasons for attending church. This may reflect not a lack of interest in Scripture or learning, but the reality that many moms are already navigating information overload—and are especially drawn to spaces that help them experience God and feel supported, not just informed.

In addition, moms express a desire for more intentional support structures, particularly around mental health and ministries designed specifically for mothers. This desire surfaces alongside their continued appreciation for small groups, suggesting that relational connection and emotional support are closely linked needs for moms today.

What This Means for Churches and Pastors

Recent Barna research shows a shift in attendance patterns between men and women. Understanding and finding ways to address the particular stresses and needs that mothers have is one way churches can help close this widening gender attendance gap. The research shows that moms are drawn to communities that prioritize worship as a place of spiritual renewal and cultivate authentic, supportive relationships—especially in ways that acknowledge the emotional and relational realities of modern motherhood. For pastors and ministry leaders, this data offers an invitation to thoughtfully align ministry priorities with what moms say they need most in this season.