27.06.2024

For a Good Financial Management

John Wesley Kabango gave his keynote regarding church finances in case of (natural) disaster. Photo by: UEM

This June, 40 Treasurers and Ambassadors from all African UEM member churches gathered in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

“It is a great opportunity for the UEM Ambassadors and Treasurers to come together and agree on the right way to take in addressing churches financial challenges and ensuring continued contributions to the UEM”, Bishop Mothusi Jairos Letlhage said in his greetings. The Bishop of ELCB* serves as UEM Vice Moderator and Chairman of the Africa Regional Board.

The aim of the workshop was to learn together and to build new networks. To this end, the workshop comprised topics such as financial management, accountability, reporting and project development. 40 participants from all UEM member churches in the Africa Region participated.

During the workshop the following topics were discussed:

I. Financial Management and Budgetary system used at the UEM

II. Challenges of Financial Management, Accountability and Reporting in Religious Organizations (UEM Churches)

III. Auditing and Submission of Financial Returns in Religious Organizations

IV. Church Property Register and Management

V. UEM United Action

VI. Project Development and Management

VII. The impact of transparency and accountability of the church's financial reporting on the interest of the shareholders

“Let us all use our coming together to reach concrete conclusions on needed stewardship. Good financial management has to be reached by all UEM members in Africa”, concludes the Rev Dr John Wesley Kabango, UEM Executive Secretary of the Africa/Germany Division.

*ELCB = Evangelical Lutheran Church in Botswana