Navigating the financial abyss: A qualitative study of South African pastors’ experiences of money and ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic
Theologia Viatorum
| Field | Value | |
| Title | Navigating the financial abyss: A qualitative study of South African pastors’ experiences of money and ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic | |
| Creator | Magezi, Vhumani Magezi, Christopher | |
| Description | The global COVID-19 pandemic and its associated lockdowns significantly disrupted the financial foundations of religious institutions, particularly in developing nations. This qualitative study addresses a notable gap in empirical research by exploring the lived financial experiences and coping strategies of South African pastors during the crisis. Using a purposive and convenience sampling approach, in-depth, one-on-one interviews were conducted with 25 pastors from diverse denominations in the Vaal Triangle area. Thematic analysis of the data revealed four key findings: significant financial strain on pastors and churches because of salary cuts and loss of income; a clear decline in congregational giving linked to the absence of in-person fellowship; a shift in congregants’ financial priorities towards family needs, exacerbated by economic anxiety and a major hindrance to online ministry caused by limited digital resources and the high cost of data. The study concludes that the church is a subsystem of society, and its financial resilience is contingent upon pastors possessing not only spiritual wisdom but also a keen understanding of their socio-economic context and robust financial literacy.Contribution: The findings serve as a crucial resource for theological training and church leadership in preparing for future crises. | |
| Publisher | AOSIS | |
| Date | 2026-05-19 | |
| Identifier | 10.4102/tv.v50i1.372 | |
| Source | Theologia Viatorum; Vol 50, No 1 (2026); 8 pages 2664-2980 0378-4142 | |
| Language | eng | |
| Relation |
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:
https://theologiaviatorum.org/index.php/tv/article/view/372/941
https://theologiaviatorum.org/index.php/tv/article/view/372/942
https://theologiaviatorum.org/index.php/tv/article/view/372/943
https://theologiaviatorum.org/index.php/tv/article/view/372/944
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