Covid-19 Pandemic and the Economic Effects on Churches in Nigeria vis-a-vis the Post-Pandemic Era

Abstract

Most rural-based churches in Nigeria share in the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic. Organizations, businesses, institutions,  and even churches have been hit by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The socioeconomic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic vis-à-vis  the post-pandemic era on Nigerian society apply to churches in rural areas. The scope is focused on local churches that are self- sponsored. The COVID-19 lockdown and social distancing interrupted or stalled the church‘s socio-economic activities. Christian scholars  have not provided in-depth discussions on the economic effects of COVID-19 on the church, especially in rural areas. Therefore, there is a  need to probe the economic effects on the church, especially in the post-pandemic era. The paper highlights economic sustenance  strategies for church growth in the post-pandemic era in light of the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-35. Also, the study  employs a documentation method for data gathering. Data are sourced from published literary works on economics and Christian  theology in Nigeria. Primary data is elicited from the Bible, while secondary data is sourced from published literary works on economics  and Christian theology in Nigeria. Data will be content analysed within the ambit of the phenomenological approach whereby attention is  placed on churches‘ economic actions and reactions during the post-pandemic economic crisis. Because of this, the study  recommends that churches should emulate the good Samaritan in Jesus‘ parable in Luke 10: 25-35. Also, churches in rural areas need to   secure economic capacity for compassionate services.