The Treasury Department of the East Central Africa Division (ECD) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church plays a crucial role in the administrative and financial operations of the church. With a committed team, it ensures that financial resources are managed responsibly and transparently, supporting the mission and various activities of the church with accountability.
Functions of the Treasury Department of East Central Division
The Treasury believes in dealing with sacred money as entrusted by God, and stewardship is all about how we, as humans, take care of the resources God gives us. Wise use of what we have means that God’s work can flourish, and more people can understand the Bible to find freedom, healing, and hope in Jesus. The Stewardship Department helps train Adventist leaders and members around the world in biblical stewardship principles. Here are the key functions of the ECD Treasury Department:
1. Administrative and Financial Leadership:
The Treasury Department offers administrative and financial leadership within the East-Central Africa Division and beyond. It acts as a trustee and steward of the funds received, ensuring that these resources are managed effectively and ethically. We believe that it is the responsibility of organizational leadership to manage financial matters with integrity. Every leader must model behavior that is guided by a commitment to ethics, transparency, and accountability.
2. Championing Internal Controls:
Financial resources are vital to the mission of the church within ECD. The Treasury Department champions good internal control for funds management, emphasizing the sacredness of these funds. This ensures that financial resources are used for their intended purposes, aligning with the church’s mission and values.
3. Training and Capacity Building:
The Treasury Department conducts regular training for financial officers and accountants at the Unions ,Fields and other institutions . This training ensures that personnel are well-equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage finances effectively and uphold the highest standards of financial integrity.
4. Implementation of SunSystems:
The ECD Treasury supports the implementation of SunSystems (SunPlus) across all organizations within the division. SunSystems is a comprehensive financial management system that enhances financial reporting, budgeting, and overall financial management processes. By implementing this system, the Treasury ensures consistency, accuracy, and efficiency in financial operations.
5.Evangelism
Treasury staff across the division are regularly involved in evangelistic campaigns and reaching out to communities in need. This is our primary calling, and it is humbling to note that some treasurers are ordained pastors. We realize that our business is to bring souls to the Lord’s kingdom, demonstrating our commitment to both financial stewardship and spiritual ministry.
6. General conference Auditing Service
In today’s fast-paced corporate world, ensuring the success and efficiency of SDA church entities within the ECD territory is paramount. Transparency in financial and policy matters is a major priority for the General Conference. Partnering with a professional auditing service can help optimize operations and achieve remarkable outcomes. ECD believes that partnering with a professional auditing service demonstrates the church mission and commitment to transparency and accountability. Our detailed reports and recommendations provide a clear roadmap for improvement, fostering trust and confidence among church congregants and stakeholders.The General conference Auditing Service helps use resources more efficiently by identifying areas for improvement, reducing waste, and enhancing the overall effectiveness of the church’s mission as outlined in the ECD working policy and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
7. Transparency and accountability
The Treasury staff’s commitment to upholding the importance of transparency and accountability in business is seen as “an accessible first step for leaders to take to build trust.” The Treasury team believes that safeguarding the church’s resources by investing wisely and spending carefully builds confidence among members that the money is being cared for. And promoting faithful stewardship keeps the importance of personal faithfulness alive in the members’ minds.