According to Pew’s analysis of data from their 2007 U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, women are more religious than men on a variety of measures.

Some 7 percent more women than men self-identify as being affiliated with a religion. Some 12 percent more women than men say they have an absolutely certain belief in God or a universal spirit. A whopping 17 percent more women than men pray at least daily.

More women than men say religion is important in their lives. Some 13 percent more women than men say they believe people can have a personal relationship with God.

Finally, the question that is perhaps most pertinent to church leaders; when asked about attending worship services, 44 percent of women said they attend services at least weekly. Only 34 percent of men said they were weekly attenders.

What’s a church leader to do about more women than men in the church? Some have tried injecting testosterone into events and aesthetics geared to attract men specifically. According to a USA Today story from last summer, one church, 121 Community Church in Grapevine, Texas, outside Dallas, was intentionally designed with men in mind. The male aesthetic translated into stone floors in the worship center, hunter-green and amber décor, rustic-beam ceilings and woodsy scenes on the church Web site.

"No pastels. No flowers. No sweet music. No sit-with-your-hands-folded mood." The article characterizes the male-oriented church mainly in terms of aesthetics.

Are aesthetics really the issue behind the lack of involvement in church by American men? Are aesthetics really all churches have in their outreach arsenal to bring in underrepresented demographics?

Losing focus at Focus on the Family?

In other news, what does Dr. James Dobson’s step down as chair on the Focus on the Family board of directors last week really mean for Christians? Not much, according to the CNN story. Dobson already retired six years ago. Yet even now after the latest in a long transition plan for the ministry, Dobson will continue his radio broadcasts, newsletters, and his characteristically outspoken political statements.