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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 experiences 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 uncertainty 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 questionnaire 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 experience 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/ + 17 »
