Is the Evangelical Church in America Dying… or Finally Waking Up to the Father’s Heart?(What the Parable of the Prodigal Son Is Really Telling Us Today)

Hey family, at Christian Podcast we’re always tuned in to the questions people are actually asking online. “Is the evangelical church in the U.S. dying?” “Is there a real revival going on, or is it all hype?” “Are evangelicals just the new Pharisees—more focused on rules and power than on grace?” These questions hit deep because so many of us have felt that tension: we see churches closing (around 4,000 in 2024 according to Lifeway Research, still outpacing new plants in many areas), yet we’re also hearing stories of younger people coming back (Gen Z now attending church more frequently than any other generation—averaging 1.9 weekends a month according to Barna’s latest 2025 data, edging out older groups for the first time).

“Is the evangelical church dying… or waking up to the Father’s heart? This episode hits hard: power vs. grace, modern Pharisees, and what real revival actually looks like. Mili’s raw stories + Scripture that confronts us all. Don’t miss it—watch and step into the party with us!  #Revival #ProdigalSon #GraceOverPower”

We recently sat down with two brothers who carry a lot of wisdom: Stu Streeter (former church planter, now serving planters through North American Baptists—deeply passionate about the church’s future) and Pastor Mike McNeff (45+ years in ministry, lead pastor at Magnolia Baptist Church in Anaheim—with humor, decades of perspective, and straight-up clarity). Together with us—Beto and Mili—we unpacked these real questions, leaning on Scripture and sharing what God is actually doing in everyday life.

The Parable That Confronts Every One of Us

The whole conversation centered on Luke 15: the Parable of the Two Sons (what many call the Prodigal Son). We usually fixate on the younger son—the rebel who blows everything and crawls home broken. But Jesus told this story to the Pharisees who were grumbling because He was eating with “sinners.” The real punch lands on the older son: obedient, never left home, followed all the rules… yet furious when grace is shown to the lost one. He doesn’t truly know the father’s heart.

Stu and Mike (echoing Tim Keller’s The Prodigal God) reminded us: this story is about the Father—extravagant, running toward both sons. The younger finds grace in his brokenness; the older stays outside because of pride. Today, a big part of evangelical America is at risk of being the older son: we’ve been really “good at church” (moral codes, political influence, cultural majority for generations), but we can become disconnected from the Father’s heart when we cling to power. As Mike put it: “Every time we wed spirituality to political power, it gets corrupt.” History proves it. The craving for control rarely comes from heaven—it quickly shows us whether Jesus or power is what we treasure most.

Are We the New Pharisees?

The question stings because it’s fair. The Pharisees weren’t cartoon bad guys—they knew Scripture inside out, tithed meticulously, fasted regularly. But Jesus confronted them for missing mercy, justice, and humility (Matthew 23). Today’s critiques land in the same place: hypocrisy, legalism, wielding truth like a weapon without grace, caring more about being “right” than loving our neighbor.

Mike shared how many churches drop “Baptist” from their name to shake off the baggage of old legalistic lists (“no dancing, no drinking”). But labels don’t fix hearts—actions do. Stu warned: churches that chase size, money, or causes above simply showing the way of Jesus won’t thrive long-term. Jesus promised: “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). The key? Focus on revealing the Father—grace to the rebellious, loving pursuit of the self-righteous.

Revival: Not Hype, But Total Surrender

I (Beto) brought up the confusion: headlines say Gen Z is leaving… others say they’re returning. The data is mixed—overall Christian identification is holding steady (~62% per Pew 2025), evangelicals around 23%, closures continue (though slowing), but Barna 2025 shows Gen Z and Millennials now leading in attendance frequency: 1.9 and 1.8 weekends per month, higher than older generations.

Mili’s stories cut straight through the noise: quitting alcohol, confronting a victim mindset, cooking for neighbors, praying over strangers, seeing healings and deliverances. Revival isn’t measured by podcasts or movies (though she loves The Chosen and quality storytelling), it’s total surrender. Heal the sick, preach the good news, cast out demons (Mark 16). It’s obedience in the hard places: giving when the fridge is empty, trusting daily manna.

The church shines brightest when it’s a community that bears burdens together, walks through mysteries (why one is healed and another isn’t?), and lives out grace and truth. The Pharisee tries to do the Holy Spirit’s job of conviction; Jesus’ way lets the Spirit work through authentic love.

Can the Two Sons Become Friends?

I asked the final question: Can the “older son” church (legalistic, rule-focused) and the “younger son” seekers (broken, returning) actually reconcile? Yes—through humility, the Holy Spirit, and stepping into the Father’s party. Pride keeps us outside; love wins. The invitation stands open: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28)—not riches or power.

If you’re skeptical but still searching, or if you’ve been “good at church” but feel something’s missing, this is for you. The Father is running toward both sons. Will you come inside to the party?

Watch the full episode at ChristianPodcast.com. Subscribe for updates, live streams (English & Spanish), and more real stories like this. Drop a comment below: Which “son” do you relate to most right now? What’s giving you hope (or stirring questions) about the church?

Thank you to Stu, Mike, and everyone who joined us for reminding us: the church isn’t dying if it’s waking up to grace. Jesus is still building. Let’s step into the party together!