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LEADERSHIP DURING A LOCKDOWN
missions with the needs of their communities. By emphasizing adaptation and
resilience, Pillay shifts the focus from describing what churches did during
the pandemic to exploring how they can leverage lessons learned to build a
sustainable future. This perspective invites further research into how churches
can develop leadership frameworks, community engagement strategies, and
organizational models that are better equipped to navigate ongoing and future
challenges.
STUDY METHODOLOGY
The study was designed as a descriptive investigation to document the experi¬
ences of Coptic churches in navigating the challenges posed by the COVID-19
pandemic. Its primary goal was to capture how these churches adapted their
practices, maintained their communal and spiritual life, and responded to the
disruptions brought about by the global health crisis. This approach aimed to
provide a comprehensive overview of the coping mechanisms and strategies
employed by the Coptic community during an unprecedented period of uncer¬
tainty and change.
The study adopted a mixed-methods approach. Its qualitative component
focused on ten case studies with large notable services in the Coptic Church
including the Bishopric of Public, Ecumenical and Social Service and the Anba
Abraam Service along with a number of churches. The quantitative analysis
relied on responses from a survey conducted electronically with the help of
the Church leadership. Questions focused on spiritual support, social and
economic support, and organizational changes. The study was conducted by
COPTICAD, one of the research arms of the Coptic Church.”* The question¬
naire was distributed with the help of the office of the Papal secretariat. Data
was collected virtually in July 2020, at a time when the lockdown’s restrictions
were first easing.
The final sample included responses from 68 priests, reflecting the experi¬
ence of 48 Coptic churches in Egypt. The majority of responses came from
priests in urban areas (76%), with the rest (24%) coming from rural areas. In
terms of geographic distribution, the urban sample was mainly drawn from
the governorates of Cairo, Alexandria, and Port Said. The rural sample was
drawn from the governorates of Beni Suef, Menya, and Qena. All of them are
in Upper Egypt.
24 https://copticad.institute/
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