Anugwom Edlyne E, Anugwom Kenechukwu, Nwaoga Chinyere
Department of Sociology/Anthropology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
Institute of Development Studies, University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria.
J Relig Health. 2025 Jan 28. doi: 10.1007/s10943-025-02261-2.
This study utilized in-depth interviews for examining the impact of the restrictions and lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic on small church congregations in Nigeria. Thus, it explored ways and means through which small congregations with structural and social limitations dealt with the severe restrictions of the period as well as the impact of these on ministry, social reach and growth. While the pandemic inter alia made the churches creative, it challenged the capacity of members even as it opened-up spaces for "polygamous" worshippers and the unchurched. However, we identified that there was no direct impact of the pandemic on church growth in Nigeria.
本研究采用深度访谈的方式，以考察新冠疫情的限制措施和封锁对尼日利亚小型教会会众的影响。因此，它探讨了结构和社会方面存在局限的小型教会会众应对这一时期严格限制措施的方式和方法，以及这些措施对教会事工、社会影响力和发展的影响。虽然疫情尤其促使教会发挥创造力，但它在为“一夫多妻制”信徒和未参加过教会活动的人开辟空间的同时，也对信徒的能力构成了挑战。然而，我们发现疫情对尼日利亚教会的发展没有直接影响。
