The Perceptions and Lived Experiences of African-American Pastors at the Onslaught of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mississippi. (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Funchess, Tanya; Hayes, Traci; Lowe, Samaria; Mayfield-Johnson, Susan; Baskin, LaWanda
• Is Part Of: Journal of pastoral care & counseling. Volume 76:Number 2(2022)
• Page Start: 89
• Page End: 96
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: COVID-19 -- faith-based organizations and administration -- community engagement -- African-American clergy; Pastoral theology -- Periodicals; Pastoral care -- Periodicals; Pastoral counseling -- Periodicals; 253.5
• DOI: 10.1177/15423050221090860
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1542-3050

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.