Episode 16 The New Jesus Revolution
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Run of show
1. Opening welcome/introduction: Lorraine
2. Opening prayer: Fr. Myers
3. Introduction of topic and conversation launch: Lorraine
4. Body of podcast / discussion
5. Recommended scripture and explanation of it: Fr. Myers
6. CTA: Fr. Myers
7. Closing prayer: Fr. Myers
8. Housekeeping and sign off: Lorraine
Show focus
· Stats showing a Jesus revolution, especially among young people
· Interest in Catholicism vs. Protestantism
· What Church leaders can do to attract people to the Church
· Combatting bad press, stubbornness, and nay-sayers, especially in light of years of sex scandals
Conversation prompts
· Weekly attendance at all Christian churches has hit record lows, but in the Catholic Church, those numbers may have plateaued.
· Paradoxically, there is a country-wide swelling of interest in and desire for faith.
o Pew Research Center’s 2023‑24 Religious Landscape Study found that the long decline in percentage of U.S. adults identifying as Christian appears to have leveled off since about 2019, staying in the 60‑64% range.
o In the surveys, the percentage of U.S. adults identifying as Catholic has been stable for some years: about 19% in 2023‑24, similar over past ~10 years. Although not an increase, stability over a decade is meaningful.
o Pew’s 2025 “U.S. Catholicism: Connections to the Religion, Beliefs & Practices” report found that 47% of U.S. adults have some connection to Catholicism: identifying, culturally Catholic, having Catholic background, attending Mass in the past, etc. This suggests some tie to Catholicism and a possibility for re-engagement.
o A 2025 Barna study, “Belief in Jesus Rises, Fueled by Younger Adults,” shows that 66% of U.S. adults say they have made a personal commitment to Jesus (still important in their lives), up from ~54% in 2021 (lowest in decades). This confirms a palatable interest in faith commitment, even if it does not map directly to institutional participation.
o Pew surveys in ~30+ countries show that most Christians who are raised in the faith continue in it as adults. In the U.S., about 73% of those raised Christian remain Christian.
· What changes have you noticed in the parish vs nationwide?
· When would you say the tide started shifting?
· What comments from people returning to the Church or coming in new have shocked or resonated with you the most?
· How have you been able to capitalize on the groundswell of enthusiasm for Christ?
· Describe your three biggest roadblocks to getting young people in the pews?
· What can congregants do to aid in your efforts?
· Changing focus a bit, what do prophesies say about periods such as we are experiencing?
· Are we in the end times?
Post-Show Notes
Ep 16
The New Jesus Revolution
Leading a friend or family member to Catholicism may be as simple as extending an invitation to a parish event or to Mass. As crazy as our world is today, we are in the midst of a Jesus Revolution. Young people especially are flocking to the Catholic Church. Fr. Chris Myers with his guest
