Brian Mutebi
28 July 2007
Kampala — IN every church, money is collected. Religious leaders call upon believers to make all kinds of contributions, like the tithe and offertory. In response, believers willingly and generously make their contributions, mainly in the form of money.
With the growing number of people going to church today, there are definitely big sums of money collected. But God does not use money, at least not directly.
Besides, there is widespread discontentment today that some unscrupulous religious leaders use the money collected in church for their own good at the expense of their churches.
It is even said that some pastors cast aside any queries raised on how much money is received and how it is spent. They amass material wealth while the common Christian, who is told to give, languishes in poverty.
Where, then, does the money collected in churches go? Is it accounted for? Pastor Stephen Ssenfuma of United Christian Centre, Kasubi says the money churches collect from the people goes back to the people. "That money flows in a circular way," he says. He explains that one might be blessed today with money, when someone else is in need.
So when someone gives his or her money "the Church uses it to cater for the needs of the one who does not have".
Ssenfuma explains that besides spiritual nourishment, the Church meets the physical needs of both Christians and non-Christians.
"If someone has nothing to eat, would you just pray for that person and say: 'Go, God bless you?' No! That person needs immediate physical solutions," he argues.
The Rev. Can. Alfred Kweteisa of St. Andrew's Church Bukoto says churches organise crusades and gospel missions where the money is spent. He also says that the Church is commissioned to help the poor, the needy, orphans and widows as indicated in Deuteronomy 15:11, which says: "There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land."
"Churches have building projects and they also pay electricity, water and telephone bills," says Apostle John Bunjo of Christian Restoration Ministries, adding that some churches have to pay rent.
Kampala Pentecostal Church's Pastor Mark Kigozi gives the example of Watoto Childcare Ministries and the HIV/AIDS programmes as some of the activities that the church uses the money it collects for.
"We recognise that accountability is very important so we prepare books of accounts and properly account for this money," he stresses.
Apostle Alex Mitala, the chairman of the National Fellowship of Born-Again Churches in Uganda, acknowledges the need for accountability for church funds.
He says churches should have treasurers in addition to the finance committees that handle the money.
"It should not be the pastor to handle the money," he says.
Mitala adds that churches should prepare proper books of accounts showing money inflow and outflow.
Today, some churches hire professional accountants and auditors for good management of church funds.
Ssenfuma says Christians who want to check the church books of accounts should be free to do so.
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