The Pastor Said What? Responding to the Misinformed and Frustrating Responses of Church Leaders who don’t want to Address AIDS in the Church

Sarah Adams, MCC AIDS Coordinator
August 10, 11:00 a.m.

Our Struggles

Some pastors/church leaders…

• believe AIDS is a result of sin.
• lack the time to address the issue in the midst of their other duties.
• think AIDS should be the work of governments and other organizations and that the church doesn’t have a role to play.
• see no connection between HIV/AIDS and the church.
• feel that there really aren’t many AIDS cases, so there’s no need to talk about the issue.
• believe discussions about AIDS, sex, condom use, and related issues are taboo.
• believe that Christ isn’t present in a person with AIDS.
• won’t discuss sensitive issues for fear that they will lose members in the church.
• are afraid to speak personal truths, instead sticking to the ‘party line’.
• continue to talk in ‘us’ and ‘them’ terms.
• practice ‘silent rejection’; they say AIDS is an issue, but don’t actually take steps to address it.
• are simply ignorant about the issue of HIV/AIDS.
• believe AIDS is only a problem of those outside the church.
• misinterpret the scriptures.
• provide incorrect information about HIV/AIDS to their congregations.
• believe AIDS work is driven by big donors and that pastors should be paid to do AIDS work within their churches.
• are part of a church hierarchy that doesn’t want to address AIDS.
• fear the disease.
• lack the empowerment necessary to address the issue in their church.
• believe AIDS is a health issue that should only be discussed with medical professionals.

Additional Struggles

• The Bible doesn’t talk specifically about HIV/AIDS.
• The type of Christianity brought by the missionaries was a rigid one that has created an atmosphere that is not open or inclusive.
• People are not accessing medical treatment because they are told that their faith will heal them – and that if they are sick, their faith must not be strong enough.
• Internalized messages perpetuate stigma.
• Church leaders need to be sensitized.
• Only a few people in the church really want to address the issue.
• The Africanization of AIDS – what about the struggle with AIDS in the rest of the world?
• Language – how can we speak about AIDS and sex in ways that are culturally appropriate?
• Everyone is at a different level in their understanding and interest in addressing AIDS.

Strategies for Working with Church Leaders

• Get the bishop or high level church officials on board – other pastors may be likely to follow the example of those in leadership.
• Allow people living with AIDS to share their testimonies with those who don’t see a reason to address AIDS in the church.
• Begin by educating children within the church.
• Involve HIV+ clergy.
• Work inter-denominationally.
• Use children and peer educators to take AIDS education directly to people.
• Use people living with AIDS in education efforts.
• Use music and skits in education efforts.
• Use a liturgy for World AIDS Day, focusing on hope (not despair).
• Don’t try to be a lone ranger - partner with other organizations in the community that are already doing AIDS work.
• Focus on stories of stigma, relate the stories to others’ lives, reflect on the connection, and bring in the theological component.
• Relate theological foundations to AIDS.
• Relate AIDS to justice and human rights issues.
• Organize peer education among pastors.
• Empower leaders to stimulate responses in their congregations.