The Biggest Challenges for the Church in India

The church in India in many ways resembles the early church: It’s situated in a pluralistic society with a multitude of religions, cultures and languages. It’s assaulted from the outside by persecutions and from within by schisms and heresies. 

But, despite these challenges, the church continues to grow. As a pastor in India, here are four challenges—and opportunities—I see confronting the church today:

1. Heretical Theology Runs Rampant

The church in India is afflicted by heresies and errant theology. This is perhaps the greatest challenge as heresy is a cancerous rot that destroys the very soul of the church.

The large mainline churches are heavily influenced by liberal theology that seeks to reinterpret and recast the gospel for modern sensibilities.

The social gospel emphasizes social ethics and social reform from a progressive Marxist ideology over personal repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

Another major distortion of the gospel prevalent in India is the prosperity gospel. Since India is a relatively poor country, it’s fertile ground for a message that promises material rewards of health and wealth. The growing popularity of indigenous prosperity gospel preachers who draw tens of thousands of people is a concerning trend.

The church in India also struggles with syncretism of the Christian faith with local traditions, superstitions and beliefs. Discriminatory practices such as the caste system are not only tolerated but sadly incorporated and celebrated within the church. Rather than the gospel being counter-cultural, many times, it becomes submerged and superseded by the local cultural beliefs.

2. Biblical Illiteracy is a Root Problem

The presence of heretical theology within the church in India is a systemic issue that stems from widespread biblical illiteracy. God’s indictment against ancient Israel was that his “people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6) and this rings true for modern India.

Churches in India are often led by men who are insufficiently trained and lack Biblical knowledge and a coherent Christian worldview. Many do not have access to seminary education. There is a real lack of Biblical exposition and doctrinal teaching in many pulpits and churches. That means the leadership and the laity often fall prey to errant teachings and cults.

India is also home to some 122 major languages and 1599 other languages and dialects. This means that Christian literature and resources in local languages are far and few—if not entirely non-existent. There is a great need for good Christian resources in local languages and context.

3. A New Crop of Leaders is Needed

It has been the perennial problem with the church through the ages that it has always lacked good leaders who work hard in the field. Jesus himself stated, “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few” (Matthew 9:37).

India as the most populous country in the world with nearly 1.5 billion people faces a major crisis with a severe shortage of gospel workers. Many pastors work long hours for little pay without vacations or sabbaticals. There is a tremendous need for a new crop of qualified leadership to rise and face the challenges head on.

Furthermore, many parts of India still remain unreached by the gospel! Therefore, as our Lord Jesus commanded us, “Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38).

4. Persecution is Too Common 

One of the biggest challenges of the church in India in recent decades has been the open persecution of the church. In the latest Open Doors World Watch List (2025) which ranks nations where Christians face persecution, India is ranked 11th in the world.

India has always had persecution. One of the most notorious cases in modern times was the burning of the Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons in 1999. But this past (and somewhat infrequent) persecution has now become all too common. 

Hindu extremists view conversion with deep suspicion and a product of colonial enterprise. As a result, numerous states (12 out of 28 states) have passed strict anti-conversion laws to limit the propagation of the gospel. This has led to large scale persecution of Christians—particularly in North and Northeast India.

5. Challenges Still Bring Opportunities

Each of these challenges to the church in India also represents an opportunity for the global church: To pray for the persecuted, to promote sound, biblical teaching, and even to go and help make disciples in this land of great gospel need.

And despite these and many other challenges, the church in India continues to be sustained and supported by her Lord Jesus who loved her and gave his life for her. The Spirit of God is at work here and the kingdom of God expands every passing day!