ODENY: How churches can ensure funds are put to good use

However, there has been rising criticism about the extravagant use of church funds by 'men of God' that has left many believers confused in these money-sensitive times.

I must confess from the onset that I'm one of those believers who grew up knowing that what the pastor does with the tithe and offerings is none of my business.

My elders in faith would always tell me, 'When you tithe, you give to God not man and whatever the pastor does with the money is between him and God, since I had done my honest part.'

They will even quote Bible verses like the Book of Leviticus 27:30 that 'All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed, fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy unto the Lord.'

For years I remained silent because how can a sinful man like me contend with what is holy and also judgement and vengeance belong to God, so I allowed the 'corn to grow with the weeds'.

However, voices against the misuse of church funds by 'men of God'  have been rising over the years.

In December 2022, church members in Embu staged a protest over missing millions.

Carrying placards and twigs the members of the Anglican Church in Kiangima, Embu West subcounty, alleged that a church committee had misused funds and demanded an immediate dismissal of the whole committee.

At the centre of their protest were claims that Sh5 million of their Sh8 million contributions could not be accounted for.

Last year in October, a pastor in Kisumu's Nyalenda church was also forced to cut short his sermon after some worshippers protested the pastor's decision to spend church money without their consent.

The protesters even refused to continue with planned church elections scheduled for that day, saying they needed accountability on how Sh609,000 they had raised by contributing Sh30 per day from every member had been utilised.

In 2019, the Seventh-Day Adventist Church dominated headlines with claims revolving around corruption and embezzlement of church resources, by some members of the church.

The separatist Nairobi Cosmopolitan Conference alleged that 15 of its members were removed from the church register for challenging the church leadership over graft and embezzlement of resources.

They claimed that church property worth Sh1 billion had been fraudulently sold, allegations the Nairobi church headquarters denied.

The group also claimed that SDA institutions such as schools, colleges, universities and health facilities are run down due to corruption and nepotism.

Despite this, religious leaders still enjoy a high level of public trust and respect compared to politicians and judges.

These Pentecostal ministers have bought luxurious cars and houses, and generally continue to live in opulence while their church members languish in misery and squalor.

They fill their members with promises of 'givers never lack' while squeezing their pockets dry.

Hence many churches believe that Christian staff should be trusted but just like the government must be held accountable on taxes, so must church leaders account for collections.

Failure to institute professional standards to carry out administrative activities, particularly management of funds, can easily create room for theft and fraud in the church of God.

The recently launched 28-page Code of Conduct for the Church in Kenya is a good place to begin to counter the misuse of church funds.

The code states that contributions given in church forums shall remain private and shall not be used as a campaign tool or a ticket to access the pulpit for political messaging.

On finances and assets, the code states that the church shall adhere to honesty, integrity, due diligence and transparency in financial stewardship.

Additionally, the church shall employ ethical conduct when soliciting contributions or raising funds from members or external donors.

It states that assets belonging to the institutions shall be registered in the name of that institution and its trustees, except where the asset is meant as a gift to an individual church leader.

The code commits that the church shall keep an accurate financial statement in accordance with accepted financial practices and the accounts shall be subjected to an audit.

To further promote efficiency in the management of church funds, the congregations should have professionally trained staff and volunteers,  elders who guide and monitor all activities.

Currently, it also seems much focus is not placed on integrity and ethical issues in financial accountability, because churches believe that those at the front line dealing with church resources will do so with a high level of integrity, because Christ is the centre of all things, an issue that should be relooked at.

All expenditures in the church must also have supportive documents and receipts and should not be left in the hands of God and His Angels to handle.

The Seventh-Day Adventist Church also offers a unique tool called Church Financial Management System (CFMS) that helps to manage church funds.

According to William Bagambe, the Stewardship Ministries director of the East-Central Africa Division of the SDA Church, CFMS is a cashless technology that assists worshipers in giving offerings and returning tithes.

Bagambe says that CFMS improves internal controls on funds, especially at the local church and ensures that every penny collected reaches its rightful and final destination.

He says CFMS increases the reliability and transparency of church finances, thus improving service delivery at all levels of church organisation.

One only needs to key in a short code and follow the prompts to return their tithe and offerings and at the end they receive a receipt acknowledging their giving in the form of a text message with an email option and a hard copy can also be printed.

Finally, Bagambe says church treasurers hold less cash as much of the money goes directly to the banks instantaneously, ensuring transparency and accountability in handling church funds.

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