The Perceptions and Lived Experiences of African-American Pastors at the Onslaught of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mississippi

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore perceptions and lived experiences of African-American pastors addressing the onslaught of COVID-19 with their congregation. Thirty-seven pastors representing various denominations from across Mississippi participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews. From the data, five themes emerged including (1) Pastors’ relentlessness, (2) Pastors’ adoption of new technology, (3) Maximized social capital, (4) Unintended consequences resulting from COVID-19, and (5) Unintended benefits resulting from COVID-19.

Keywords

COVID-19 faith-based organizations and administration community engagement African-American clergy

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