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‘Black congregations’ thrive despite Pandemic's brunt

Post-pandemic burnout is at worrying levels among Christian clergy in the U.S., prompting many to think about abandoning their jobs, according to a new nationwide survey.

In "Understanding The Pandemic Impact on Black and Multiracial Congregations," published by the Hartford Institute for Religion Research this month, researchers found that while white, multiracial and majority-black churches were negatively impacted by the pandemic and lockdowns in the last three years, drops in attendance, finances and clergy well-being were particularly pronounced for predominantly black congregations because they were compounded by structural racism.

Compared to white and multiracial churches, majority-black congregations suffered more from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic but appear to have adapted better to the challenges presented by the virus, a new study shows.

Post-pandemic burnout is at worrying levels among Christian clergy in the U.S. It has prompted many to think about abandoning their jobs. More than 4 in 10 clergy surveyed in fall 2023 had seriously considered leaving their congregations at least once since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. More than half thought seriously at least once about leaving the ministry altogether. That's according to the Hartford Institute for Religion Research. It surveyed nearly 1,700 Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox clergy. About one in 10 clergy half often thought of quitting, it said.