The news: Christianity Today has published an excerpt from Douglas Groothuis's new work exploring the concept of acedia — an ancient theological term describing a spiritual sluggishness that causes believers to drift from deep, costly faith toward a comfortable, low-demand version of Christianity. Groothuis argues that acedia is widespread but largely unrecognised, even among mature church members who cannot name it but may be living it.
Why it matters for church leaders: Indian pastors are increasingly seeing this pattern in their own congregations — members who attend regularly, give occasionally, but remain spiritually disengaged and resistant to discipleship. Understanding the theological roots of this drift gives leaders sharper language and more precise tools to address it from the pulpit and in pastoral care.
The takeaway: Consider introducing your congregation to the concept of acedia — naming the condition clearly in a sermon series could be the first step toward calling members back to wholehearted faith.
Source: Christianity Today
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