ABSTRACT
The stresses and crises associated with priestly ministry are well documented. A consequent dynamic among clergy and in the institutional church is acedia. The myriad of symptoms associated with this condition leads to varying degrees of erosion of priestly identity, as well as carelessness and ambivalence about ministry.
This article briefly describes acedia and then argues that one way it can be defeated is by developing a practical theology of baptism. Two principal remedies of acedia, namely the directive to “stay in your cell” and the practice of a virtue that I call spiritual resilience, are also crucial to living baptismally. Focusing on this primary sacrament of ministry produces a spirituality which potentially helps clergy reconnect more maturely with their priestly identity by seeing the stresses of ministry as invitations to flourishing discipleship. More systemically, it offers a framework for evaluating the church’s mission.
