Several factors might explain that, the Rev. Goldsmith said.

• Unitarians address a more worldly focus and discuss contemporary issues. Men may find this more appealing.

• The church strives to limit its services to one hour, and men still have time for sports and other things on Sunday.

• There's no dress code in the church — "anything goes" — and this might make men feel more comfortable.

• The faith's contemporary music program that consists of more than the same old hymns.

Having specific roles for men also seems to reduce the imbalance, some leaders say.

Elder Richard Wolf of the North Salt Lake congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses says his church stresses that it is a man's God-given responsibility to lead the family in worship, giving men a critical role in the faith.

LDS Church spokesman Bills offers a similar theory.

"One explanation may lie in our use of a lay clergy," he said. "Nearly all adult men as well as teenage boys hold some form of priesthood authority and play a meaningful role in the life and vitality of our congregations.

"Latter-day Saint men learn at an early age the rewards and satisfaction of serving others and have opportunities to continue that service throughout their lives."

Local clergy stress that attracting male churchgoers can't come at the expense of the religious message. The Rev. Goodier doesn't want church members to lose sight of the most important thing: loving the Lord.

While it is good to investigate ways to better include men, Bishop Niederauer says faithful should never forget that all are one in Christ.

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28, King James Version.)

Whatever the church may do to cater to special niches, it must not forget that teaching, because the church is not meant to be a specialization, but a living tradition.

"What should never be lost sight of is the universal appeal of the good news," Bishop Niederauer said.

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E-mail: lynn@desnews.com