Analysing Financial Stewardship in Contemporary African Church Administration

Abstract

Although financial stewardship is recognized as vital to the health and integrity of African churches, existing scholarship reveals a persistent gap in how congregations reconcile traditional theological commitments with modern demands for accountability, transparency, and professional financial management—resulting in inadequate reporting systems, weak ethical oversight, and eroding community trust. This literature-based study, therefore, examines financial stewardship within the contemporary African church administration, synthesizing existing research on church finance, governance, and ethical leadership in theological context. Drawing data from biblical texts, journal articles, books, online news publications and dissertations, this paper reviewed how financial stewardship has evolved across various African denominations, highlighting key themes such as accountability, transparency, and congregational engagement. The study revealed a growing tension between traditional religious values and the demands of modern financial management, with many churches striving to balance spiritual commitments with professional administrative practices. Moreover, the paper emphasized the significance of ethical leadership, robust financial reporting systems, and community trust in sustaining church operations. By critically engaging with these scholarly perspectives, the researchers offered recommendations to promote financial integrity in church administration.