THE RELEVANCE OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON CHURCH LEADERS' STEWARDSHIP IN KIRYANDONGO ARCHDEACONARY, MASINDI-KITARA DIOCESE

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study aimed at examining the relevance of financial management practices on church leaders’ stewardship in Kiryandongo Archdeaconry, Masindi-Kitara Diocese. The study was guided by objectives which are; assessing the current financial management practices relevant to enhancing church leaders’ stewardship, identifying the challenges faced in implementing financial management practices and their impact on church leaders’ stewardship, and exploring strategies the church can adopt to strengthen financial management practices and improve church leaders' stewardship in Kiryandongo Archdeaconry. The study was carried out using a cross sectional research design where both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were used. The data was collected using questionnaires and interviews and during the data collection, where both simple random and purposive sampling methods were used. A sample size of 50 respondents who include; Clergy and laity working with Kiryandongo Archdeaconry, Masindi-Kitara Diocese and the top management of the Diocese was used in the study. The study findings revealed that while Kiryandongo Archdeaconry has established key financial management practices such as written policies, regular reporting, and training, low financial literacy, inadequate accountability, and sporadic auditing weaken effective stewardship. Impose stewardship through regular training, policy adherence, use of technology, and participatory financial oversight mechanisms to improve transparency, trust, and leadership effectiveness. Lastly, the study called for ongoing financial education for church officials, the execution of well-defined financial policies, promotion of collective decision-making, frequent audits and in-house controls, and utilization of electronic financial systems to enhance accountability, transparency, efficiency, and general stewardship of church finances.