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 11, 11:00 a.m.

Our Struggles

Some pastors/church leaders…

• believe AIDS is a result of sin.
• lack the time and resources to address the issue in the midst of their other duties.
• think AIDS should be the work of governments.
• find it hard to overcome cultural barriers and hard to link religion with cultural issues.
• have received no theological training in order to know how to address this issue.
• don’t want to partner with groups doing HIV/AIDS work outside the church.
• are judgmental toward those with HIV/AIDS.
• want to respond, but don’t know how.
• know they need to respond, but fear their response won’t be accepted.
• suffer from apathy.
• continue to talk in ‘us’ and ‘them’ terms.
• are not included in grassroots work.
• perpetuate stigma and discrimination.
• are dealing with internalized homophobia.
• struggle to offer pastoral care, and look for reasons to push the AIDS issue aside.
• share only their personal views, but not correct, factual information.
• let condoms be a divisive issue in the church.
• have a misconception of sexuality that makes it difficult to discuss.
• don’t acknowledge HIV/AIDS among their migrant parishoners.

Strategies for Working with Church Leaders

• Begin by educating yourself.
• Be persistent.
• Personalize the message.
• Use different forms of media.
• Provide training with correct information.
• Use the media, and existing church publications.
• Include HIV/AIDS in the theological training of church leaders.
• Ensure that you fully understand the location and culture in which you’re working.
• Build on commonalities.
• Use faith as we talk about the issue.
• Stick to a message that is relevant to the situation and the people with which you’re working.
• rovide on-going training.
• Use testimonies of PLWAs.
• Use existing material that you known is effective and adapt it to your situation.
• Work with and through respected church leaders.
• Take advantage of NGOs in your area who are already doing good work.
• Continue to pray.
• Identify barriers to your work.
• Take the time to plan well.
• Light an HIV/AIDS candle each Sunday during the worship service.
• MAP – “Choosing Hope” materials.
• We need to focus on a more holistic message – and acknowledge that we all need healing, both spiritual and physical.
• As organizations, be willing to learn and adjust as we work with churches.
• Start small – begin where you are.
• This work is a process in need of multiple strategies.
• Get the bishop or high level church officials on board – other pastors may be likely to follow the example of those in leadership.