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SDA Church Should Account For Funds
Dear Editor,
ALLOW me space in your newspaper to air my deepest concern over the manner in which money collected from the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church members is handled in Zambia.
It must be understood that the SDA worldwide church organisation structure consists of local churches that form district structures then provincial fields/conferences followed by union conferences and union divisions and finally at the apex is the general conference situated in the United States.
The funds in the church are mobilised through the tithing and offering system from the members at local church level that is channelled to the apex structures.
However, it is disturbing that despite the annual colossal sums of money reported by the church treasurers to have been collected, most local church buildings are not modern, lack security equipment, and have pathetic sanitary conditions such as poor toilets with no running water.
The most painful part to me is the failure by the church’s pastors to report to the church members how apex structures use their money and this includes the secrecy of the pastors’ salaries and other emoluments.
My assumption is that one of the major causes for this failure to give financial reports is the fear by church members to ask for the updates because they consider the funds too holy to be discussed.
It is unfortunate that when independent minds raise important issues like these in the church, they are considered not to be in good standing with the church and excommunicated.
These are some of the intimidating strategies employed by the leadership to instill fear in members.
Since all churches, including the SDA, are registered with the government and that the monies collected are from hard-earned salaries/wages of poor members/citizens, I recommend that auditors from the office of the Auditor General extend their work to these churches and publish their findings to the general church membership in a report.
CONCERNED CHURCH MEMBER/CITIZEN
Posted by Editor
on March 23, 2015. Filed under LATEST NEWS.
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Dr Dre
March 23, 2015 at 9:50 am
Pray for your salvation my brother before u bring Gods Church in the political arena
Herve Stalin
March 23, 2015 at 9:59 am
which God’s church? This is ellen white’s church! my advice to this fellow is to just leave SDA and find salvation!
burning bush
March 23, 2015 at 12:07 pm
Mr Profit…please pray for me…. I would like to f…… a girl in her A… Where can I get a good one? As a Man of Gold, Im sure you can help .hehehehe……….. Pls Mr Profit…… Im even prepared to share her with you.
MCCM
March 23, 2015 at 11:47 am
This is as a result of u mt having the true Word of God.U are under deception.
Which part of the Bible teaches t that tithe can be used for church construction?
Tithe is for the prechers welfare and nothing else.In the Bible it was only given to the levites who were chosen to humdle all worship matters
MCCM
March 23, 2015 at 11:48 am
.This is as a result of u not having the true Word of God.U are under deception.
Which part of the Bible teaches t that tithe can be used for church construction?
Tithe is for the prechers welfare and nothing else.In the Bible it was only given to the levites who were chosen to humdle all worship matters
Buholy Bwabufi
March 23, 2015 at 11:56 pm
DID YOU KNOW?
British slave trader John Newton’s wrote the world’s most popular hymn, Amazing Grace.
Tamara
March 23, 2015 at 9:52 am
I’ve seen more money stolen in the name of God than in any other way.
rich pastor
March 23, 2015 at 9:55 am
Church business is a lucrative business, especially in Africa, because people no longer believe in hardwork but miracles.
oliver mudenda
March 23, 2015 at 9:56 am
Let him talk iwe, its not just his church its almost all churches. Ni choipa mwe
KINDOKI PROPHETS OF DOOM
March 23, 2015 at 9:59 am
Many faith healers are con artists that steal money from sick and desperate people!
Analyser
March 23, 2015 at 10:17 am
LEARN THE REAL MEANING OF ‘ EDGAR CHAGWA LUNGU’ and share it to 100 PEOPLE
The real meaning of Edgar Chagwa Lungu;
1. EDGAR.
E= Empty and Useless President who will soon be
D= Dying of several sicknesses and his
G= Grave will also be Embassy Park and
A= Again Zambia will be morning as they say may the soul of Chagwa Agwa
R= Rest in peace.
2. CHAGWA
C= Chibuku addicted President is said to be
H= HIV Positive
A= And has Throat Cancer which will make him go in the
G= Grave at Embassy Park and the
W= World and
A= Africa will conclude that Zambians had voted for a moving
casket.
2. LUNGU
L= Lusaka and Copperbelt Residents are now regretting having voted for a
U= Useless and Sick President who is a 100%
N= None Performer but is busy
G= Gallivanting like a mad dog
U= Under the Influence of rabies.
What a President You Voted for You Fools!
Czar
March 23, 2015 at 10:50 am
Senseless.
Mwansa
March 23, 2015 at 10:46 am
So you have only realised today that Church authorities are milking you of your hard earned money in the name serving the church? I am sorry to say this and I know I might be stepping on many people’s toes… those who work as pastors or so called ‘men of god’ should have other jobs to sustain them while serving God. Their ultimate reward is from above and their fellow men who they sucking dry. For those who choose not to do any other job but serve god, should be sustained on minimal allowances.
lolo
March 23, 2015 at 10:56 am
SDA is for tongas what do you expect?were HH is from.
muzo
March 23, 2015 at 10:57 am
No hard work , no miracles. Go and work cos God only helps those that help themselves
MCCM
March 23, 2015 at 11:52 am
This is a dead church 4 Tongas
sesemen
March 23, 2015 at 3:04 pm
foolish u!
New Educated Zambia©
March 23, 2015 at 12:58 pm
The only fool is the one who actually goes ahead and parts with his hard working money to give to churches when he himself is struggling. It is not obligatory to pass offering. let those PF politicians that are now rich and go to church give out offerings. Look now you are crying over spilt milk? This is why when we the UPND form government we will ensure to separate politics from religion. it is folly to have close relationships between government structures and beliefs that usually contradict themselves. Just look at how many times PF contradicted itseld under so called sata’s rule by ten commandmants.Vote UPND
MUKWASIYO
March 23, 2015 at 1:22 pm
It is sad to listen to one calling himself as a church member to complain about such a matter in a public media when infact the SDA church is one most democratic and open church in all its dealings. The church does not hide anything to its members. Its actually one of the few churches with a well established financial system,auditing system and with a documented financial manual guide.
We will appreciate if our brother brings his personal issues not these. I also advise him to visit the church treasure’s office and seek information about such straightforward issues.
sometimes we lack knowledge and start wondering in ignorance. My God bless you brother so that you do not open the church to such insults as witnessed in this forum.
PJ
March 23, 2015 at 6:51 pm
The writer of the article is a serious problem. Something haunting the fellow. However, I have seen that you are also commenting that this one is a guy, how did you know my friend?
Ndaje Kahks
March 23, 2015 at 1:41 pm
NEZ please leave political parties out of this. It is better to keep quiet if you have nothing tangible to say. I personally I cant comment on this since I have no facts to back me on the issue.
ghm working
March 23, 2015 at 2:35 pm
I pray to God that he forgives u for insulting his church. 3 quarters of church members just returns tithe without offering that remain at local church and even if u brought k20,000 tithe without offering to church treasury it will be all sent to general conference for the workers according to scriptures and who do u think u are wanting to know how much pastors get? Please if u are not comfortable leave the church or ask your district pastor how much he is getting. Convertousness is killing u, repent. In the entire bible there is no scripture that says tithe shuld be used in the Manner u think. Those who are saying sda is for ellen g white and tongas I pray that God forgives u for lack of spiritual discernment and faith but if u show no remorse to your remarks I pray for his anger to be manifested in your life.
LOMBE
March 23, 2015 at 2:43 pm
STOP TALKING ABOUT OUR CHURCH.IFACT YOU AR THE SAME PIPO WHO DNT PAY TITH.ARE YOU THE ONE SUPPOSE TO CONSUME TITH?
Pweele
March 23, 2015 at 4:54 pm
First and foremost,i want to remind our brothers and sisters in this Global church which growing like a burning bush to desist from complaining for something we have already given to God.If we have some people whom we think have not been honest and we have proof that they have fallen into a temptation like Hannanias in the Bible,the first step is to help them in those areas and then we continue praying for them so that our gracious and loving Father in heaven shall be able to forgive them and embrace them in His vineyard once again.
New Educated Zambia©
March 23, 2015 at 5:04 pm
kiki aleyina pastor ati desist from complaining while you are growing thin. You must be a pastor iwe.
King
March 23, 2015 at 7:18 pm
I too have a problem with the extravagance at the general conference at the expense of local churches. The GC is too luxurious for my liking as a born and bred SDA.
The Steward
March 24, 2015 at 9:42 pm
King, you are lost in SDA church. Ati born and bred SDA. you seem to be envious. Brother, do your part and leave all to God. Is he not the owner and the one who gives us strength and means to make wealth. Pray. Pray. Pray and let the grace of God be your guide.
selase
March 23, 2015 at 7:57 pm
New educated zambia e wabako guyz vote upnd (2016)
Pacifier
March 23, 2015 at 9:11 pm
Its a pity the church’s name has been shamefully abused and brot in2 public ridicule by its alleged member. Even when you hv a genuine concern, I dnt think u need 2 use such channels 2 raise it. If civil or political organisations manage 2 resolve differences internally wat makes u feel de church won’t help u? Am a proud SDA church member & I hv never had such concerns.I hop my brother u ar equally transparent as regards tithing & offerings. If not seek God’s 4giviness 4 assaulting his in sucg a manner. Just read thru all de comment & luk at insults are being hurled at your church. Is your concern being addressd by such?
peter Kashmir
March 23, 2015 at 9:16 pm
Unless if some one originated from homohabilis rather than Adam and Eva whom God gave the first sabbath commandment, can say it is for G White and Tongas.
Pacifier
March 23, 2015 at 9:40 pm
Its a pity the church’s name has been shamefully abused and brot in2 public ridicule & disrepute by one of its alleged members. Even when you hv a genuine concern, I dnt think u need 2 use such channels 2 raise it. If civil or political organisations can manage 2 resolve their differences internally wat makes u feel de church won’t help u? I’m & hv been a proud SDA church member & I dnt think I hv ever had any of such concerns.I hop my brother even as u demand 4 accountability u hv also been equally transparent as regards tithing & offerings, including any other stewardship roles u ar required 2 play on behalf of God. If not seek God’s 4giviness 4 assaulting his church in such a manner & exposing it 2 such unpalatables. Just read thru all de comments & luk at how insults are being hurled at your church. Is your concern being addressd by such?
The Steward
March 24, 2015 at 9:36 pm
Pacifier, you hav shown wisdom. I’m touched. Giving to God’s cause is our obligation. We just have to acknowledge our stewardship responsibility. I am gravely disappointed, as an Adventist, with the author of this article. May God give us his grace to be true to him and desist from bringing the name of his church into disrepute.
chrissy k
March 24, 2015 at 12:21 am
joshua and caleb were motivated by the positive spirit of faith rather than the negative spirit of fear and dabt.they were fully satisfied than what they had expected.God wants people who can worship him in truth and in spirit.why exposing the church of God on social media?an eagle’s sight is 10 times shaper than that of the chicken.what imean is,it is to have spiritual eyes than physical.ask forgiveness from God and seek wisdom from him.if you wont do that God will also expose and punish you and iam not judging you but its a fact.example its hanania and safira.read joel 2:28 and malacai on taith.
wezulu
March 24, 2015 at 11:18 am
LAST DAYS EVENTS, IF YOU ARE A REAL SDA MEMBER, AM SURE YOU KNOW THE PROCEDURE THIS IS NOT OUR WAY OF DOING THINGS. CAN YOU DO THE RIGHT THING AM SURE YOU WILL NOT REGREAT.