The impact of covid-19 restrictions on the preaching methodology in the Bulawayo Family Covenant Church

Abstract

This study sought to explore the impact of COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in the preaching methods of the Bulawayo Family Covenant Church. The target population constituted of Bulawayo Family Covenant Church pastors and elders. These pastors and elders were 35 according to the Bulawayo provincial database. Purposive sampling was used, hence in this study 14 pastors and 14 elders were used as the research subjects. The study employed a qualitative method to collect & analyse data. Questionnaires were used as the research instruments. The study showed that while online platforms were used for preaching, the WhatsApp platform was the most predominately used. The study findings were that, while virtual services were being conducted, there was no mechanism to collect feedback on whether people were benefitting from these platforms or not? WhatsApp was used not because of its effectiveness but simple because it was deemed affordable. The study recommends that a mechanism of collecting feedback be put in place so as to be able to evaluate the effectiveness of whatever preaching methodology is utilised. It is also necessary for the pastors and other preaching elders to be trained on how to package both their content and preaching methodology in the digital space. Relevant and appropriate language must also be used when preaching to different generations. Finally, it is also recommended that further research be carried out in order to come up with both affordable and effective preaching methods online that further research be carried out in order to come up with both affordable and effective preaching methods online.