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LEADERSHIP DURING A LOCKDOWN:
THE EXPERIENCE OF THE COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH
IN MAINTAINING CHURCH SERVICES
DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
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GHADA BARSOUM
The American University in Cairo, Egypt
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1050-0215
EMAN SHENOUDA
Helwan University, Helwan, Egypt
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4950-7692
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic and the lockdown have been a true test of leadership
in different corners of the globe. This paper looks at the leadership approach
of the Coptic Church in Egypt during this difficult time. While the Coptic Church
has a hierarchical structure, the lockdown opened the way for innovative
context-specific responses that varied across communities. This paper utilizes
data from a survey of 68 Coptic priests in 48 churches throughout Egypt and
nine case studies. The strategies adopted involved the then novel use of digital
communication in offering spiritual service and the creation of new social,
medical and economic support channels to congregants. The study concludes
that organic “quiet” leadership approaches were present during the lockdown
in order to continue service and to adapt to the lockdown situation.
Keywords: Christian Leadership, COVID Pandemic, Coptic Church
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Ethical Leadership in Complex Times, 11-24.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56037/978-963-646-420-2-01
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