Financial stewardship and accountability within the African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Africa : a missiological perspective

Abstract

The African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Africa (AMEC) is selected as a model to study and analyse financial stewardship and accountability in the missio Oei. The study focuses on the AMEC and its use of financial resources in accomplishment of the missionary statement of the church. Historically the missionary aspect of the church does not only reflect how funds were managed but primarily how the vision was accomplished as described in the doctrine and discipline of the AMEC. Furthermore, visionary consistency is evaluated on current practices and challenges on the management of the AMEC. The researcher's argument is that an opinion on utilisation of resources should not only be based on structural governance and finances but on the intentionality to pursue the missional aspect of the church. Literature and Scripture are studied to assess whether finances, stewardship and accountability relates to the missio Dei and formulate a missiological view on church finances and the mission of God.