The Struggle to Stay: Why Single Evangelical Women Are Leaving the Church

University College London sociologist Gaddini debuts with an eye-opening survey of the spiritual trajectories of four single, evangelical Christian women as they navigate complex and often painful relationships with their faith communities. In addition to her extensive research, Gaddini includes her own story of finding her evangelical faith increasingly incompatible with her feminist beliefs, leading her to leave the church. Meanwhile, the women Gaddini studies attest to a profound sense of belonging within their communities, their experiences of Christianity as “transformative and healing,” and hope for the possibility of achieving more female leadership within the church, while also recognizing that “the price of belonging includes embracing traditional femininity, heterosexuality, marriage, and sexual purity.” Gaddini eloquently conveys the longing and heartaches of her subjects and reflects on trends within wider evangelical culture, such as the promotion of luxurious lifestyles by social media stars and support for right-wing political movements. The author’s insider perspective provides essential insight into fractures within the evangelical movement, and the focus on the experiences of individuals puts a human face on larger trends. This moving and incisive account will resonate with anyone who has struggled with their faith. (Mar.)