The Effectiveness of Intervention Strategies Implemented by Church Leadership during COVID-19 lockdown Period in Harare: A case of two churches in Glenview community from March to October 2020

Abstract

Coronavirus is a unique wicked problem that has caused unprecedented changes across the globe. Worldwide, it has caused enormous trauma, disrupted economies, social life and academic programmes. Religious communities have not been spared; they have been severely transformed by the pandemic. This research seeks to establish the effectiveness of intervention strategies used by church leaders during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown period from March to October 2020 using the case of two churches in Glenview community of Harare. This shall be measured in line with the overall liturgical role of the church in supporting communities during pandemics. Five independent variables namely Internet ministry, zoom meetings, pastoral counselling, Google meetings and resource mobilisation were reviewed. Accessibility, convenience, affordability and viewership were the moderating variables which were used as standard measurements of the effectiveness and impact of the strategies used by church leaders. The study population was 20 church pastors and 30 congregants from the two churches ZAOGA and Covenant Faith Church. The research employs the convergent parallel mixed methodology as the research had both qualitative and quantitative features. Snowballing sampling was utilised for the selection of the church congregants and convenience method was used to locate church leaders. In undertaking the research, telephone, questionnaire, interview guide, social media shall be used. Data collected was captured in the IBM SPSS Statistics version 21 data entry template designed by the researcher. The study found that the social media platforms used by church leaders during the lockdown period were effective.

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