Research Explores Pastors’ Personal Challenges During COVID-19

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Masters graduate, Ms Silondiwe Mulaudzi’s study focused on the personal challenges confronted by pastors during the COVID-19 pandemic. It revealed the financial and psychological toll of the pandemic and the need for pastors themselves to receive pastoral care. Based on the findings, recommendations are made to provide such care.

‘Pastors who serve congregations are often taken for granted and are not expected to experience burnout or fear. The study revealed that while providing care for their congregants during the pandemic, a common worry among pastors was that they would lose their coworkers. Despite this, they showed adaptability and resilience by coming up with creative methods to provide their congregations with spiritual guidance and support. The church needs to do more to provide them with both financial and spiritual support,’ said Mulaudzi.

Although maintaining a work-family balance was difficult, she said that she planned her studies meticulously, reserving one day a week for visiting family and friends. ‘My spouse was really encouraging and helped with errands and cleaning. I prioritised power naps and a proper diet to sustain my energy levels so that I could focus on my thesis at night, even if I was exhausted after long workdays.’

She advised her peers to always choose a field of study that they are passionate about and to conduct a comprehensive preliminary evaluation of the literature on the chosen topic to enhance their empirical grasp of the phenomenon and assist them in refining the research topic.

Her supervisor, Professor Herbert Moyo said, ‘Mulaudzi is a hardworking person with insight. Her studies were basically theological while her job is in finance. She was able to bring the two worlds together through multi-tasking.’

Mulaudzi’s future plans include sharing different ideas to benefit the church community.

Words: Sinoyolo Mahlasela

Photograph: Sethu Dlamini