sharing resources - reformiert online2004/2005 budget results of the meeting of sub-committee iv on...

Sharing ResourcesEMS Treasurers´ Consultation

Association of Churches and Missionsin South Western Germany

Treasurers Consultation 04.11.2003 9:36 Uhr Seite 1

Protestant Church in Baden Protestant Church in Hesse and Nassau Protestant Church of Kurhessen-Waldeck Palatinate Protestant Church Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Wuerttemberg Moravian Church in GermanyMission Association of the Moravian Church in GermanyGerman East Asia Mission (DOAM)Association for the Schneller Schools (EVS)Basel Mission

Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG)Moravian Church in South Africa (MCSA)Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East. The Diocese of JerusalemNational Evangelical Church of BeirutChurch of South India (CSI)United Church of Christ in Japan (Kyodan)Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK)Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK)Indonesia:Christian Protestant Church in Bali (GKPB)Toraja Church (GT)Toraja Mamasa Church (GTM)Protestant Indonesian Church in Luwu (GPIL)Protestant Indonesian Church in Donggala (GPID)Christian Church in South Sulawesi (GKSS)Protestant Church in South East Sulawesi (GEPSULTRA)Evangelical Christian Church in Minahasa (GMIM)Evangelical Christian Church in Halmahera (GMIH)

Partnership to the Christian Council in China (CCC)

Partnership to churches by the Basel Mission – German BranchPresbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC)Presbyterian Church of Sudan (PCOS)Ekklesiyar Eyan`uwa a Nigeria (EYN)Protestant Church in Sabah, Malaysia (PCS)

Association of Churches andMissions (EMS)


4

Contents

Editorial 5

The Church of South India 6

The Basel Mission in South Kanara 10

Karnataka Southern Diocese 12

The Karnataka Theological College in Balmatta, Mangalore 12

2004/2005 Budget Results of the Meetingof Sub-Committee IV on 7 May 2003 13

Presentation of the Annual EMS Budget Outline for 2004-2005 14

Sharing Resources 18

Historical steps into a new future 19

Overview of the Policy Framework 22

„Common Witness“ EMS Mission Statement 23

Memorandum of understanding on mutual transparency and accountability in the ecumenical EMS fellowship 24

Impressions from Group Work 25

Final Statement of the EMS Treasurers’ Consultation 28

EMS is becoming visible – Public relations work and fund-raising depend on publicising information 32

Example of a Team Visit 34

Project of the Year 2003/2004In solidarity with the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem – The Health Care Work in the Gaza Strip 40

List of participants of the EMS Treasurers´ Consultation at Sahadaya, Mangalore/India 41

Evaluation of the Treasurers´ Consultation 43

Imprint 46


5

Dear Readers,

„Trust and Transparency“ – this is the message that member and partnerchurches have shared since 1994 in accordance with the new Constitu-tion of the Association of Churches and Missions in South WesternGermany (EMS). Finances and the comprehension of finances are impor-tant aspects of this mission.

As early as 1995, the Mission Council prepared a questionnaire entitled„Trust and transparency concerning the financial situation of EMS part-ner and member churches“. It was sent out to all members of the EMSfellowship in the following year. Replies to this questionnaire were eva-luated during a meeting of the Mission Council in Rantepao, Indonesia.In the process, all participants came to realise that there were so manydifferences in the financial situations, the accounting, presentation andsize of the budgets of all churches associated with EMSthat it would be impossible to clarify everything inwriting. The idea for a Treasurers’ Consultation wasconceived and in the year 2000 the Mission Councilgranted its approval.

Since the middle of the 1990s we have been confronted in Germanywith a new challenge: dwindling funds in our partner churches have ledto diminishing contributions for EMS. This does not only affect the EMSSecretariat but also, although to different extents, our overseas partners.This challenge calls for our joint response.

The Treasurers’ Consultation, which was held in Mangalore, India, from21 to 29 June 2003, provided an ideal opportunity for all of us to realisethis task. It was the first time that almost all financial directors and trea-surers of the churches associated with EMS came together. We had the chance to get to know each other, to deepen our knowledge on theindividual churches and to reflect on and discuss the topic of „sharingresources“ in detail.

The present documentation includes lectures, short summaries of thevarious contributions and the statement of the Consultation as the mostimportant document. I hope that these texts will provide an impetus tocontinue dealing with the topic of „sharing resources“ and strugglejointly to find honest solutions.

Stuttgart, October 2003 Manfred Gieche

Editorial

Manfred Gieche, treasurer of the EMS Secretariat


In 1947 the country and thechurch attained independence.At that time, the General Coun-cil of the Church of India,Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon, theGeneral Assembly of the SouthIndia United Church and theSouth India Provincial Synod ofthe Methodist Church united toform the Church of South India,the largest united national

church. A further real gain forthe unity of this ecumenicalchurch was the joining of theBasel Mission Churches and theAnglican Diocese of Nandyal. Aunique church was born out ofthe blending of Episcopal andnon-Episcopal traditions as a giftof God to the people of Indiaand as a visible sign of the eccle-siastical unity for the universalChurch. The Church of SouthIndia has ever since been a pio-neer in the Ecumenical Move-ment.

Vision and Commitment of the Church of South India

The Church of South Indiaaffirms that the primary purposeof the church union is to fulfil

the prayer of Jesus Christ, theLord of the Church „That theyall may be one, and that theworld may believe that you havesent me” (John 17.20). Anotherobjective of the Church of SouthIndia is to become an effectiveinstrument of God’s mission inorder to achieve greater peace,closer fellowship and richer lifewithin the church and a rene-

wed commitment to the pro-clamation of the Gospel of JesusChrist through word and deed.The Church of South India isdeeply committed to reachingout to the deprived and oppres-sed communities with the touchof Christ’s compassionate love –through worship (Leiturgia),proclamation (Kerygma), fellow-ship (Koinonia), service (Dia-konia), and witness (Marturia).

In order to translate this visionand commitment, the Synod ofthe Church of South India, asthe apex body of the church strives to equip, empower andencourage its dioceses, congre-gations and institutions throughvarious departments:

Pastoral Aid: Providing con-tinuous training to pastorsby lending them every sup-port to become God’s servants and efficient leaderswithin the church and thecommunity; enabling theservants of the Lord to inter-pret the word of God and toengage in building up shalom communities.Christian Education:Providing the ongoing trai-ning of the Sunday schoolenablers with relevanttopics, current trends andmovements in the society,the understanding of God inan inter-faith context andthereby encouraging peopleto interdependent actionand the right relationshipwith the pluralistic com-munities.Mission and Evangelism:Proclaiming the Gospel ofJesus Christ to the un-rea-ched communities for ameaningful witness. TheKadiri Integrated Develop-ment Project is the transfor-ming vision in the lives ofthe Banjara communities inAndhra Pradesh.Women’s Fellowship: Amovement striving towardsproviding women with anew sense of value andidentity and empower themto reach equal participationin the witness and ministryof God in South India.

The Church of South India

6


active members of thechurch to address the perti-nent issues of all areas of lifetheologically and respond tothem contextually.Dalit and Adivasi Concerns:Ensuring self-hood and respect for those woundedand silenced communities inthe church which are still illi-terate and powerless becau-se of their birth, descent,gender, caste and poverty.Diaconal Ministry: The deve-lopment wing of the churchwhose aims are creatingawareness and catering forthe basic needs of the mar-ginal groups of society forexample women, Dalits andAdivasis, also declaring adecade of commitment(2000-2010) to the disillu-sioned, neglected andexploited girl child, and

7

Laity involvement: Traininglay leaders for dynamicinvolvement in the society,supporting them to expe-rience peace and reconcilia-tion within the communitythrough a new understan-ding of the Bible and vibrantinter-action in the society.Commitment to Youth:Empowering young peopleto actively engage as leadersin the community with adynamic vision towards buil-ding up alternative commu-nities characterised by peaceand dignity.Communication: Using theofficial magazine „The CSILife” and other print andelectronic media to expressthe pains and the sufferings,the joys and the fulfilmentsof religious communities,training and enabling the

Pupils from the Mulki Girls Home and School

providing vital support for example basic educationand health care to ruralcommunities through theChurch’s Integrated LifeDevelopment (CHILD).

The Church of South India at a Glance

When the church was founded,it had 14 dioceses with morethan one million members. Overthe past 50 years membershiphas increased to over three mil-lions spread over 21 dioceses inthe four states of South India: six Telugu dioceses in AndhraPradesh, three Kannada diocesesin Karnataka, seven Tamil dioce-ses in Tamil Nadu, one in SriLanka and four Malayalam dio-ceses in Kerala. They all firmlybelieve in unity, the diversity ofcultures and languages and inliturgical traditions.

The Structure of the ChurchThe Synod consists of represen-tatives from the 21 dioceses andhas its head office at the CSICentre in Chennai. The Centrehouses the Secretariat and theConference Centre with facilitiesfor accommodation and boar-ding for approximately 75 peo-ple. The officers of the churchare the Moderator, DeputyModerator, General Secretaryand the Treasurer. The variouscouncils and departments of theSynod employ full-time Direc-tors. There are standing commit-


Church of South India, theChurch of North India and theMar Thoma Church, are alreadymembers of this Communion ofChurches and are venturing intowider ecumenical relations towitness to One Lord Jesus Christ.The Church of South India conti-nues its journey expressing soli-darity with broken communitiesand affirming its faith in thewounded Lord, whose resurrec-tion gives new hope to face thechallenges of growing religiousfundamentalism, violence, ex-ploitation and discrimination onaccount of caste, creed, colouror gender. The Cross of Christcontinues to be the sign of hopefor the church which strives forpeace and commitment. Thewords „That they all may beone” encircle the cross and theburning bush, symbolising a suf-fering and oppressed peoplewhich is assured of hope for libe-ration. The bush is not only thewild thorny plant on the ruggedMount Sinai, but also a lotus infull bloom, opened up in all itsradiance, beauty and splendour,burning and yet not consumed.In the religious heritage of Indiathe lotus flower is the symbol of purity. It grows in muddywaters and yet is not stained orcontaminated by them, like thedisciples of Christ who are in the world and yet not of theworld (John 17.11; 14.16). Theemblem also symbolises theexperience of Pentecost when

8

tees such as the Liturgy Com-mission and the TheologicalCommission providing thenecessary reflection and makingthe church creative and contex-tual. The Women’s Fellowshiphas branch offices in all diocesesand has its central office inBangalore with a full-time Gene-ral Secretary. There is an Order ofSisters committed to a life of celi-bacy, prayer and service.

Mission of the ChurchBeing the largest Protestantchurch in India, the church’s lifeis characterised by Indian cultu-re and spirituality and it also rai-ses its voice for the voicelesswhen it comes to justice, peaceand integrity of creation. It sha-res the love of Jesus Christ withthe people of India throughproclamation of the good newsof Jesus and caters for humanneeds through institutional andemergency relief work. At thesame time, it launches commu-nity development projects andskills training programmes forthe marginal and disadvantagedsections of the society and pro-grammes for the integrity ofcreation.

Ecumenical Relations and Membership

in International BodiesSince its inception, the Church ofSouth India has been an activemember of national and interna-tional ecumenical organisations

such as the national Council ofChurches in India, the ChristianCouncil of Asia, the WorldCouncil of Churches, the WorldAlliance of Reformed Churches,the Council of the WORLD mis-sion, the World MethodistConference, the Association ofChurches and Missions in South-western Germany (EMS) and theAnglican Consultative Council.

Its ecumenical relations alsoextend to the Uniting Church inAustralia, the Uniting Church inthe Netherlands, the Churchesof Christ in the United Statesetcetera.

The Church of South India is aunited and a uniting churchmoving forward with a dynamicvision for the Communion ofChurches in India. The membersof the Joint Council, namely the

Hindu temple in Mangalore


The Church of South IndiaThe Synod SecretariatThe CSI Centre, No.5 Whites Road. RoyapettahPost Box 688 Chennai 600014, South India

Telephones: 0091 (0)44 285215660091 (0)44 28524166

Fax: 0091 (0)44 28523528

E-mail: [email protected]: www.csisynod.org

9

the disciples were filled with theHoly Spirit (Acts 2.49). Dividedtongues as of fire appearedamong them and a tonguerested on each of them (Acts2.3). The foundation of theChurch of South India has beenpraised as the second Pentecost.The circle of the emblem is a reli-gious Indian symbol of comple-teness, fullness and righteous-ness, representing the wealthJesus brings to all out lives. Asthe church follows Jesus Christ’scall for unity, it becomes the bea-rer of hope and life for the wholecreation.

Dr. Surya Prakash

Some statistical data of the CSI:Church members: over three millionsCongregations: over 13,000Presbyters (ordained ministers): 2,500 (men and women)Lay workers: 3,000Schools: 2,103Colleges: 42Theological colleges: fiveEvangelist Training Centres: fiveEngineering colleges: threeMedical colleges: twoPolytechnics: 51Hospitals and clinics: 104Boarding homes and hostels: 512Homes for the aged: 25

Medak

Dornakal

Godavari

Krishna

Vijayawada

Karimnagar

Dharwad

Medak

Nandyal

Cuddapah

Madras

Karimnagar

Dornakal

KarnatakaNorth

KarnatakaSouth

KarnatakaCentral

Nandyal

Rayalaseema

Bangalore

Mangalore

CoimbatoreShoranur

Coimbatore

NorthKerala

Tiruchirapalli

Madurai

South KeralaTivandrum

KanyakumariNagercoil

TirunelveliPalayankottai

East KeralaMelukavumattom

KottayamMadya Kerala

Tiruchirapalli

Thanjavur

MaduraiRamnad

Vellore

Veddukaddai

Vellore

Madras

Jaffna

Bay of Bengal

ArabianSea


10

The Basel Mission has renderedgood service to the church andsociety in two of the southernstates of India, Karnataka andKerala (Malabar). Their work ex-tended over three areas: SouthKanara, North Karnataka andMalabar. Through its multi-face-ted, cross-cultural missionaryactivities in the 19th and 20th

centuries the Basel Mission hasbeen very successful.

The Basel Mission’s coming toIndia depended very much onthe political situation prevailingat that time. Until 1833, onlyBritish missions were allowed tocome to India. In 1833, theBritish Parliament renewed theCharter of the East India Com-pany to include a provisionwhich granted the right of entryinto India to all Europeans andalso permitted them to buy andhold property in the country.Basel seized this opportunityand decided to send three mis-sionaries: Samuel Hebich, JohnChristopher Lehner and Chris-topher Greiner. The missionariesdecided to start their field work

in Mangalore on the West Coastof India and started their journeyin July 1834. During the initialstages of their missionary workthey received support from thelocal British administrators. TheBalmatta Hill in Mangalore, forexample, where the Missionstarted its work was a gift fromthe British Collector.

After a successful beginning in1834, the Mission extended itswork and opened new stationsin Mulki, Udipi, Karkala, Coon-dapur and other places. In 1837,the Mission also started work inNorth Karnataka and from 1839onwards further new stationswere founded in South andNorth Kanara.

When the Basel missionariescame to South Kanara, theywere shocked and grieved to seethe degraded state of large sec-tions of the population wholived as out-castes. They wereserfs with no rights and no soci-al status. They were not evenallowed to walk past high castemembers or to enter or appearin a public place. The missiona-

ries were shocked at the socialand economic backwardness ofthe majority of the people. Therigidity of the caste system cau-sed the socially and economi-cally backward classes to live inutter poverty and misery.Although the Basel missionariespreached the Word of God andoffered Jesus Christ as Lord and

Saviour they came torealise that social andeconomic uplift of thepeople largely depen-ded on the abolishmentof illiteracy and super-stition and also on theprovision of employ-ment.

In this caste ridden society theBasel missionaries tried to build acasteless Christian community.Unlike many other missions inIndia, the Basel Mission took anuncompromising stand againstthe caste system and madeconcerted efforts to ensure thatcaste had no relevance in theirchurches although their convertscame from various caste back-grounds. During the worshipservice, all converts, irrespectiveof their caste background, sattogether and together theyreceived the Communion. Therewas no discrimination in thechurches on account of castemembership. In his biography ofSamuel Hebich, Thomessenreported that caste was com-pletely forbidden in the Basel

The Basel Missionin South Kanara


recognise that there was a lackof schools. Therefore their firstpriority was to provide generaleducation to the masses. Imme-diately after their arrival in Man-galore they set out to master thevernacular and opened their firstschool for Hindus in 1836,which may be deemed as alandmark in the history of edu-cation in South Kanara. TheBasel Mission was also a pioneerin the education of women inSouth Kanara. Not only waseducation made compulsory forgirls in their congregations, buta number of girls schools wereestablished in almost all impor-tant towns.

The Basel Mission is well-knownfor its pioneering work in star-ting industries like weaving,book-binding, printing, watch-making, tailoring and tile-making. No other mission hasventured to undertake industrialestablishments on such a largescale. Seven weaving industrieswere founded, two of them inSouth Kanara and it was particu-larly in that industrial branchthat the missionaries were suc-cessful. Johannes Haller, missio-nary and master weaver, is res-ponsible for the invention of the„Khaki” colour which is produ-ced from the bark of the semi-carpus tree. Clothes of thiscolour were first ordered for thepolice force of Mangalore andlater for the Indian army. This

was indeed a recognition for thework of the Basel Mission.

But the missionaries were notonly active in industrial matters,they also made a significant con-tribution to the development ofthe Kannada language and lite-rature. Particular mention mustbe made of Ferdinand Kittel,who contributed a lot to theKannada language and literatu-re. He was the first person towrite a grammar and a dictio-nary in Kannada, which really isa monumental work. The mis-sionaries also wrote and edited aseries of studies of people, theirthoughts and their habits. Inaddition, they published maga-zines in Kannada such as the„Kannada Samachara” or the„Sabhapatra”. All this literatureand the magazines were printedand published by the famousBasel Mission press.

On the whole, through its multi-faceted activities the BaselMission greatly contributed tobringing about social and cultu-ral changes in the lives of theindividuals and the community.It brought moral and socialvalues such as honesty, equality,individual freedom, dignity oflabour, love and compassion tothe people. Programmes for thesocial and economic well-beingwere launched for all people toraise their social and economicstandard and their quality of life.

Rev. S.D.L. Alagodi

11

Mission churches. Speaking of its accomplishments in relationto overcoming caste prejudiceamong the Basel Mission Chris-tians, the Mission report for theyear 1877 says: „We may safelysay that by far the most generalrule is that our Christians do notthink of caste distinctions, that inthe Lord’s supper not the leasttrace can be discovered, that insocial intercourse nothing is dis-covered of caste.” And it conti-nues: „In our boarding schools allcastes from the Brahmin down tothe Pareyah and the Holeya free-ly share the same meal and evenmarriages between Christiansand different caste members arecommon and so natural that theyare not even noticed as anythingexceptional.”

In South Kanara the missionarieswere not only confronted withcaste problems, they also had to

Visiting the Soans Farm inKarnataka


The Karnataka Southern Diocese came into existence on 1 March1970 after splitting the old Mysore Diocese into three parts. Itsecclesiastical jurisdiction extends over the districts of Udupi, D.K.,Kodagu, Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Mandya, Hassan and Chikmaga-

lur in Karnataka Stateand Talavady Firkha ofthe Periyar District inTamilnadu. It can lookback on a tradition of

unity formed by the United Basel Mission Churches in South Kanaraand the Coorg Area, the Wesleyan Methodist Churches in Mysoreand the Hassan Areas and a few Anglican Churches. Despite diffe-rent backgrounds unity has been achieved to a maximum extent.The peaceful elections at pastorate level and the elections of theDiocesan Council that have been held to date are proof of this unity.

The Karnataka Theological College (KTC), one of the oldest theolo-gical institutions in India, was established by the Basel EvangelicalMissionary Society in 1874. The sapling was a school for cate-chists until it eventually became the Basel Evangelical Mission

Theological Semina-ry in 1863. In 1947,the Seminary wasaffiliated to theSerampore Univer-

sity. In 1965, the Union Kanarese Seminary, Tumkur was amalgama-ted with the Basel Evangelical Mission Theological Seminary to formthe Karnataka Theological College.

Since then the institution has been serving as the only regionaltheological college for the state of Karnataka. It caters for the needsof the Churches in Karnataka, provides theological education andrenders leadership and direction to the process of preparing all peo-ple of God for their missionary work.

Under the motto „Not by might but by My Spirit” KTC providestheological education in the context of secular education formingthe nucleus of 15 educational institutions under the umbrella of theKarnataka Christian Educational Society

Karnataka Southern Diocese

The Karnataka TheologicalCollege in Balmatta, Mangalore

Students of the Karnataka Theological College

12

KarnatakaSouth

Bangalore

Mangalore

Coimbatore

Shoranur

ArabianSea


2004/2005 BudgetResults of the Meeting of Sub-Committee IV on 7 May 2003

Stuttgart, 13 June 2003Manfred Gieche

I Expenditure 2004 in Thousand EURO 2005 in Thousand EUROPers. Mat. Total Pers. Mat. Totalcosts costs costs costs

1. Administration and management1.1 Gen. Secr. & Women and Gender 202 20 222 207 20 2271.2 Dept. I excl. EVP 569 89 658 84 89 6731.3 EVP 141 134 275 144 134 2781.4 Dept. II 491 369 860 504 369 8731.5 Dept. III excl. guest house/trade shop 504 436 940 517 436 531.6 Guest house and fair trade shop 164 165 329 168 165 331.7 BMDZ 254 254 260 260

TOTAL 2,325 1,213 3,538 2,384 1,213 3,5972. Executive Boards (Syn., MC, DOAM, EVS) 85 853. Contributions (legally obliged) 110 1054. Partners (./. 10%) 1.706 1.6665. Ecumenical co-workers (./. 103) 640 6406. Sharing Life Concerns/Team Visits 40 407. Missionary societies (./. 10 %) 1,462 1,4628. Unforeseen 15 15

TOTAL 7,596 7,610II Income1. Donations and Offerings 1,850 1,8602. Allocations from member/partner churches (./. 7%) 4,100 4,1003. EVP special allocations 100 1004. EED contributions to ecumenical co-workers 140 1405. Other income 1,244 1,260

TOTAL 7,434 7,460Deficit total 162 150Deficit from EVP 175 178Surplus excl. EVP 13 28

Assumptions:Allocations to member churches: - 7%

EMS contributions to missionary societies: - 10%Increase in personnel costs in 2004: + 3.0%

in 2005: + 2.5%Reduction in material costs from different aspects


14

The Annual EMS Budget Outline for 2004-2005


15


16


17


18

Procedures and instruments of cooperation

Before the foundation of the International Mission Council therewas little information available about sharing financial resources.This exchange of information took place mainly directly bet-ween partner churches and EMS liaison desks.

In 1997, the Mission Council started a questionnaire on „Trustand Transparency”

Since 1998, information on budgets was shared among partner/member churches and the EMS Secretariat.

Mission Council in 1999:The Mission Council agreed to adopt the „Memorandum ofunderstanding on mutual transparency and accountability in theecumenical EMS fellowship” (see enclosure).

Mission Council in 2000: The Mission Council decided that allrecipients of grants had to deliver audited annual accounts untilthe end of September in the following year.

Mission Council in 2002: The Mission Council is in line with the 1999 memorandum. In case the required balance sheet is not delivered within twelvemonths after closure of the financial year, accruals will be retur-ned to the general budget. In case the required receipt of pay-ment is not sent within six months, one quarterly instalment willbe returned to the general budget with effect from 1 January2003.

Sharing Resources


EMS the special kind of fellow-ship we are and what we standfor. I think the long process ofreflection and reconsideration inthe end produced a MissionStatement which really describesthe spirit of the EMS fellowship:our mission as a response andpart of God’s mission, theinterdependence of witness andservice, the chances of living in

mutual solidarity and of ecu-menical learning, our commit-ment to justice, peace and inte-grity of creation. But I will stoptrying to summarise the shortversion of the Statement. I hopethat you can feel the efforts wemade to express the commonwitness of all partners withinEMS. That behind these wordsyou can sense the spirit of fellow-ship, of belonging together andstanding together in times of joyand in times of suffering andsorrow. We think that this

This year, even more than in theprevious years, our considerati-ons will have an impact on thefuture of the EMS fellowship as awhole.

When we gathered for our Mis-sion Council Meeting in Neu-stadt, Palatinate in November2002 we were all involved in dis-cussions and decisions whichtogether formed thefirst steps on the roadto Chennai. Today, Iwould like to mergethe various streams of preparation, reflec-tion and planning.Therefore I will pre-sent you with the EMSMission Statement cal-led „Common Wit-ness” as well as withideas for the new Po-licy Framework as we considerthese papers to be interdepen-dent parts of one single concept.

Perhaps you remember thatwork on the EMS Mission State-ment already started some timeago. The first impetus was givenin a situation in which it seemedto be necessary for EMS to clarifyits own understanding of missionin order to communicate it tochurches and mission societies. Italso became very clear that itwas a prime concern of EMS to

reject any concept of missionthat proclaims an aggressive attitude towards Christians ofother confessions, non-believersor people of other religions. TheEMS Statement as it is presentedto you today has undergone alot of discussions and differentstages. A small working groupstarted to develop the state-ment, Commission I of the Mis-

sion Council took over, and whatyou have in front of you now isan abbreviated English versionprepared by a Sub-Committee ofCommission I. This Statement ismeant to be the common foun-dation on which we can baseand develop our joint program-mes and commitments. It focu-ses on partnership and a holisticunderstanding of mission. Thetext should not be seen as atheological paper for experts butrather as a possibility to commu-nicate within EMS and outside

„Historical stepsinto a new future”Speech on the Introduction of Theological Orientation and Policy Framework at the EMS Mission Council in Chennai in June 2003 held by Cordelia Kopsch

19


rity in conflicts and difficultsituations, they know each otherand can therefore be credible intheir efforts for advocacy. Theyhave the necessary preconditi-ons to develop joint program-mes focussing on one specialissue that affects many differentchurches and missions withinEMS. What could this mean inpractice? The Mission Councilwould decide upon a theme ofthe year and this would then betaken up by different churches.For example, an issue like„Migrants” or „Trafficking wo-men” would be the focal pointof a joint programme. The pro-gramme would receive financialsupport and while some of theEMS partners would launch spe-cial activities, others would con-centrate on exchanging experi-ences and implementing publicrelations work. EMS itself wouldtry and look for cooperationwith other organisations regar-ding special issues. Its ownpublic relations efforts wouldfocus on this special issue withthe result that it would be com-municated to the public in avery concrete way. This meansthat the work of EMS will beco-me more oriented towards spe-cial subjects and more concen-trated in respect of time becauseafter one or two years a newtheme would be taken up. Thiswill also ensure that the variouspartners within EMS are invol-ved in joint programmes that

reflect their own perspectives,interests and needs.

Besides this new concentrationon joint programmes, the con-cerns of advocacy and solidarityin crises are of special impor-tance within the context of„Sharing Life Concerns”. Soli-darity in crises can be expressedby team visits in connectionwith public relations work.Participants in these visits mayalso include experts for specialregions or issues. These visits arenot only meant as living sign ofsolidarity – as it is indicated inthe Mission statement – but alsoas an attempt to bring the expe-riences and insights gathered inspecial situations into the EMSfellowship and into public dis-cussion. Therefore, before westart a team visit we have to cla-rify the expected results andobjectives. A team visit may also

Mission Statement is to be seenin a line with the developmentof EMS as a whole during thepast ten to twelve years. Inshort, you could say that thisMission Statement reflects allthe efforts we made to illustratewhat partnership in mission real-ly is about. Of course it is not easy to descri-be our common basis in a veryshort and precise way. ThereforeI would like to thank all thosewho, up until now have devoteda lot of time and energy to pre-paring this Mission Statement.Since we have gone a long wayto try and integrate as manyideas and proposals as possible,we would be very grateful if you,as members of the MissionCouncil, could now lend yoursupport to this Statement. Ofcourse we would like to encou-rage you to bring forward yourfeedback and comments on thepaper. At the same time, wewould appreciate your under-standing that we will not be ableto enter into a new process ofreworking the Statement as awhole.

In accordance with the MissionStatement the major part of thenew Policy Framework is called„Sharing Life Concerns”. Itreflects the experiences gainedwithin the EMS fellowship overthe past years in a very convin-cing way. Partners in EMS areable and willing to show solida-

20

Cordelia Kopsch at the MissionCouncil 2003


21

result in advocacy activities butadvocacy is also a special field ofwork in which EMS developscertain activities for examplecombating poverty, requestingsupport for people infected withAIDS/HIV or engaging in peacebuilding in the Middle East.

Of course, the financial means ofEMS are limited and will be evenless in future. Therefore, withinthe framework of „Sharing LifeConcerns” we will not have anypossibilities to launch extensiveprogrammes. The emphasis willbe placed on working on exam-ples rather than running a seriesof new activities. Instead oflarge-scale consultations in futu-re we will carry out result-orien-tated team visits and other mea-sures making the work of EMSmore flexible and topical.Nevertheless, returning fromour discussions in Neustadt wefound it very important todemonstrate, both within andoutside of EMS, that even withlimited means we are willingand able to highlight its specialqualities. The more we are ableto describe and demonstrate thedifferent character and the spe-cial features of EMS the more wewill get support for our commonwitness and work.

The other parts of the PolicyFramework will be closely relatedto the „Sharing Life Concerns”concept. The area of „Sharing

through Cross-Cultural Witnessand Service” includes the follo-wing activities and programmes:the Ecumenical Volunteer Pro-gramme, the exchange of ecu-menical co-workers and theEcumenical Study Programmes.These activities will be linked tothe joint programme(s) as far aspossible featuring an issue of theyear as the common concern ofthe EMS community. This couldmean that the job description ofan ecumenical co-worker is ba-sed on this special issue for exam-ple the situation of migrants, andthat he/she is intentionally pla-ced in a church where this is anurgent issue. At the same time,special seminars or training couldbe offered as part of the Ecume-nical Study Programmes. Volun-teers working in places that arerelated to the joint programmewould contribute by deliveringreports. As you can see, thePolicy Framework is intended torelate most of the work which isdone within EMS to the core taskof „Sharing Life Concerns” andto the respective joint program-me to be planned by the MissionCouncil. In this way, EMS istaking historical steps into a newfuture. Following a long period ofgetting familiar with each other,sharing experiences and resour-ces in general, we now have rea-ched the point where we try tomake use of all the knowledgeand experience we have gathe-red. The objective of the new

Policy Framework is a new quali-ty of working together, and wehope that you all feel the challen-ge and the chances with whichwe are faced.

This is also true for the third coretask called „Sharing Financial Re-sources”. Naturally, not all finan-cial resources can be allocated tothe programmes and activities inthe field of „Sharing Life Con-cerns”. In fact, the amount ofmoney which can be providedfor this task is rather small. ThePolicy Framework acknowledgesthat there are individual chur-ches, institutions and program-mes that will also need financialsupport during the next fewyears and this will be secured. Onthe other hand, it will becomeeven more important to viewthese financial contributions asan attempt to bridge a difficultsituation in order to achieve asustainable development andself-reliance at a certain point intime. In order to ensure solidarityin crises as mentioned in the„Sharing Life Concerns” concept,it may be necessary to mobilisefunds also for such a situation alt-hough the possibilities here arelimited as well. There will be anecessary shift away from non-designated grants to special con-tributions for joint programmes.But as you can clearly see in theproposal made by CommissionIV these are very cautious step inthat direction.


22

Overview of the Policy Framework

„Common Witness“Proposed EMS Policy Framework

Communicationand public relationsMedia (publications on internet)

Marketing and fund-raising

Ecumenical education programmeswith EMS support

Annual Theme an Project,annual EMS Festival

Core Task II„Sharing through Cross –Cultural Witness and Service“

Ecumenical co-workers (three directionsof exchange, common understandingof priorities, based on vision)

Ecumenical Volunteer Programme(three directions of exchange)

Ecumenical Study Programmes

Core Task III „Sharing Financial Resources“

Joint Programmes in core tasks I and II

Sustainable support of individualchurches, institutions and programmes,common understanding of priorities

Core Task I„Sharing Life Concerns“

Joint Programmes

Advocacy

Solidarity in crisis

Instruments:Annual Theme an ProjectTeam VisitsInternational Networks(Women, Youth, Partnership)

Vision and Mission„Common Witness in Mutual Solidaritiy“

EMS – an international ecumenicalfellowship (Mission Statement)

Priorities:Evangelism/spirituality,Reconciliation & healing,interreligious relations,human rights & discriminationFighting poverty

Gender justice and ecumenical learningas cross-cutting tasks

Focus on Annual Theme an Project


23

Mission Statement of the EMS Fellowship

1. We are on a journey together towards an international ecumenical fellowship of churches and mission societies sharing our hope in the Kingdom of God.

2. Mission in the first instance is God’s economy (oikonomia) for the world, in the act ofcreation, in the history with humankind, in Jesus Christ, and in the power of the Spirit.Our witness means our response and our participation in God’s compassionate andtransforming love.

3. The centrality of our faith is the Good News of salvation, of the fullness of life and the overcoming of death in Jesus Christ. The name of Jesus Christ means redemption,liberation, healing, reconciliation, justice, peace and hope.

4. The gospel concerns all dimensions of life. Therefore our witness is holistic. Procla-mation of the Gospel, worship, prayer life, pastoral care, Christian education, diaconalservice and the commitment for justice, peace and the integrity of creation cannot be separated from each other.

5. Our witness is based on faithfulness to the Gospel and on compassion for God’s creation, particularly for all vulnerable and endangered creatures.

6. We witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ at all our respective places in an inviting andfaithful way. The experience of being strangers to each other in encounters and inexchange across borders helps us to rediscover the Gospel in new ways.

7. We belong together in our partnership on mission. The polyphony and diversity of our witness in different contexts is something precious and at the same time a continuing mutual challenge.

8. Our witness finds expression in signs of living solidarity. As reconciling and healing communities we share life, also suffering. We strive for human rights. We also strive for a just community of women and men and in all generations.

9. In our witness we meet people of other faiths and ideologies with esteem, respect,empathy, the willingness to listen, and to live together as good neighbours in boldhumility.

10. As a forum for ecumenical living in our common witness across borders our fellow-ship enables us to learn from each other, to encourage each other, and to challengeeach other.

Adopted by the EMS Mission Council on 2 July 2003 in Chennai, India

„Common Witness“


Memorandum of understanding on mutual transparency and accountability in the ecumenical EMS fellowship

In a spirit of mutual transparency and accountability among partnersIn view of the fact that the EMS budget is a common fund determined by all EMS members andpartners through mutual responsibilityTaking into consideration that fund-raising efforts by the EMS Secretariat require transparency andaccountability towards donors and sponsors regarding the utilisation of fundsAlso considering the urgent need for accountability towards the constituencies of all churches andinstitutions receiving EMS fundsAnd last but not least acknowledging the need to fulfil the requirements of the revenue office andnot to endanger the status of EMS as a non-profit-making charitable registered society

The members of the EMS Mission Council have hereby agreed the following memorandum of under-standing, which they regard as binding for their financial cooperation within the EMS fellowship:

The release of grants as provided for in the EMS budget shall be effected only after acknowledgementof the receipt of grants (MC resolution 56/98) and on receipt of reports on the utilisation of grantsreceived. The following procedure shall henceforth be applied:

1. Grants to budgets of partner churches, member societies and associated mission societies shallrequire the presentation of the audited annual accounts of the previous year as submitted to thesynod or any other constitutionally authorised board of the respective church or society. Theseaccounts shall be presented to the EMS Secretariat by September in the budgetary year, id estbefore the transfer of the fourth quarterly instalments at the latest.

2. Grants to particular institutions shall require the presentation of the externally audited institutionalannual accounts of the previous year accordingly.

3. Grants earmarked for specific programmes run by partner churches or organisations shall normallyrequire the presentation of the externally audited accounts on the utilisation of the grants pre-viously received for the respective programme.

4. As narrative reports on the utilisation of grants are indispensable for the purpose of raising funds,the EMS Secretariat and the partners concerned shall cooperate and assist each other in produ-cing such reports and documenting such programmes.

If these requirements are not met, the members of the EMS Mission Council agree that the release andtransfer of grants shall be withheld until the required accounts are available. The members of the EMSMission Council shall be obliged to communicate the contents of this memorandum to their executiveboards and the treasurers of the churches, societies and institutions involved, and to ensure that theagreed procedure is implemented.

This agreement shall take effect as of 1 January 2000.

MC 17/99, 20 October 1999

24


25

The heart of the Consultationwas an intensive exchange infour discussion groups. Treasu-rers from various churches,members of the Mission CouncilCommission on „Finance andAdministration”, staff membersof the Secretariat, representati-ves of Indian theological colle-ges and the hosting diocesetook part in a process of lively,intercultural discussions.

During three days, reflectionsfocussed on biblical texts, theparables of the hidden treasureand the precious pearl (Matth.13: 44-52), the parable of thetrustworthy servants (Matth. 25:14-30), and Paul’s letter toCorinth on the collection for thecongregation in Jerusalem (2 Cor8: 1-15). In these discussions itbecame clear that the issue atstake was not simply dealingwith pragmatic questions offinance and short-term interests.In the light of the Gospel, thecommon concerns are a matterof existential perspectives and ofpriorities, of entrusted resourcesin a comprehensive sense, ofovercoming the gap betweenthe rich and the poor and ofmutual reliability in common ser-vice. Bible sharing broadenedthe horizon for all issues of finan-ce and fundraising, and for allstructures and procedures in theprospect of God’s Kingdom. Inthis context, it was felt that indifferent countries and churches

we are facing similar challenges,that all of us are at the givingand at the receiving end, andthat the Gospel being a „treasu-re” and an „entrusted talent” inour joint service to the peoplebinds us together.

The group discussions were toprepare the plenary sessions and

to evaluate the presentationsheld in the plenary as well as theexperiences gained during theteam visits. The following issuesand tasks were the focal pointsof five sessions of group work:

1. Getting to know each other:What fills us with joy in ourchurches, what are mattersof concern?

2. Introduction of churches:Discussion on the presen-tations in plenary sessions

3. Partners, members and theSecretariat: What do weexpect from each other?What is our vision?

4. Experiences gained duringthe team visits to three CSIdioceses and recommenda-tions for the final statement

5. Concrete ways of coopera-tion and communication,practical procedures for sharing financial resources

The frank and honest way inwhich all debates took place wasquite remarkable. The exchangein groups was seen as an oppor-tunity to learn from each other,

to share open questions witheach other, to encourage eachother, and to work on concretesteps for the future. The follo-wing impressions are mainlybased on the participation in oneof the four groups includingmembers from Indonesia, India,Ghana and Germany.

1. Members expressed their joyabout the fact that there arevibrant congregations in allchurches of the EMS fellowship,that congregations are mostlyself-supporting, and that there isa sense of unity and respect forauthority in the churches repre-sented. Concerns, however,were stated in a very frank way:external problems like economicdifficulties, problems of commu-

Impressions fromGroup Work


26

ches each single congregation ismore or less autonomous.Despite all differences the mem-bers of the group agreed thatthinking in long-term perspec-tives is required, as „moneycomes and goes” (ReverendTomy Malonda). As far as fund-raising is concerned it is neces-sary to change from blockgrants to a project-oriented stra-tegy. It is also important todevelop human resources and toopen up funds through jointadvocacy work, for examplewith regard to the HIPC debtcancellation programme inGhana.

3. Expectations from each otherwere discussed. Someone por-trayed a negative vision by sup-posing that in view of dimini-shing resources more and moreinstitutions and programmes

would have to be closed untilthe EMS fellowship would beco-me irrelevant. Some membersof the group contrasted this vision with positive values: Theleadership of all churches andinstitutions have to assume res-ponsibility, not in exerting con-trol of one side over the other,but in a sense of ownershipbased on openness, trust andmutual responsibility. It’s notonly a matter of financial resour-ces, but of sharing knowledge,friendship and experiences.Some examples were mentionedas steps towards a sustainablefuture: promoting exchangeprogrammes among partners(„South-south exchange”), trai-ning skills, supporting incomegenerating projects. Commonrules are required. The Secreta-riat should play a facilitatingrole. There were critical remarksstating that very often there is adeep rift between the viewtaken by the hierarchy in chur-ches and the „grass root sto-ries”. Therefore it is important toestablish networks of communi-cation as for example the EMSYouth and Women’s Networksor a network among the treasu-rers.

4. As the groups of the teamvisits differed from the discus-sion groups, each group recei-ved reports on different experi-ences. Many participants wereimpressed by the great number

nication in remote areas, reli-gious tensions and the growinginfluence of Sharia, the „curse ofparty politics” etcetera. Challen-ges within the churches werealso pointed out: Very oftenmatters of property and financecome first and our witness andexperience of our faith are onlysecondary. Rapidly growingcongregations in Ghana arelacking trained pastors whereasthe Church in Germany needs tospeak the language of the peo-ple, and traditional structuresare moving and changing ratherslowly.

2. Presentations of five churchesin plenary sessions (CSI, MCSA,UCCJ, EKKW and GTM) illustra-ted how much churches differ:in some churches a centralisedchurch administration plays aprominent role, in other chur-

Banner for welcoming the treasurers


27

of different projects and institu-tions in the CSI like children’shomes, schools, hospitals, oldpeople’s homes, but also by therich cultural heritage of India.Many institutions, in particularschools, are to a great extentfinanced locally. In some institu-tions, however, problems havearisen: An old people’s home islacking funds necessary to main-tain adequate standards andhealth services face growingcompetition by well-equippedclinics and hospitals run as ent-erprises. Almost all churchesexperience a similar dilemmathemselves: Many social servicesand institutions are an impor-tant witness to Christian loveand service to the people, butthey are confronted with severefinancial constraints. Thereforethe EMS fellowship is facing thechallenge of common respon-sibility and mutual solidarity.Undesignated block grants andthe unquestioning support ofinstitutions out of tradition,however, seem to be more andmore problematic. For this rea-son, members proposed toagree on common priorities fora period of several years basedon transparency along with pro-grammes of human resourcesdevelopment. Wherever chur-ches have to overcome financialcrises they can learn from otherchurches in the EMS fellowship.The Moravian Church in SouthAfrica, for example, has had to

go through an exercise of pain-ful cuts and is prepared to shareits experience. For participationin advocacy initiatives churchesshould look beyond their owncircles and cooperate withNGOs.

5. Ways of communication andsteps of cooperation: Manydelegates expressed their grati-tude for information and ideason how project proposals andreports could be improved andstandardised. For that purpose,programmes of capacity buil-ding and a good network ofpublic relations officers in thechurches are required. In manychurches the role and the func-tion of treasurers are not clearenough. The treasurers empha-sised that they should be direct-ly involved in all communicationrelating to finances. The neces-sity of external audits in interna-tional relations was discussedextensively. Eventually the sensi-tive issue of corruption wastaken up and addressed. It wasevident that all participatingchurches are well aware of theproblem, and that they ensuretransparency and accountability.However, in each country allover the world you can find loo-pholes, whether in the form ofdiverted consignments of rice orof paid working hours notactually worked for in Indonesiaor in the form of tax evasion inGermany. Members of the wor-

king group underlined that weneed each other in order to getrid of such loopholes. Even asingle case of corruption in theEMS fellowship could mean theend of the association and thejoint ecumenical journey. Thefact that it was possible to tack-le this sensitive issue shows thehigh level of trust and opennesswhich was characteristic for theConsultation.

Thus the final statement is a mir-ror of what had been achievedand shared in intensive groupdiscussions.

Bernhard Dinkelaker

Treasurers showing different currencies


28

Following an invitation of theAssociation of Churches and Mis-sions in South Western Germany(EMS), and hosted by theChurch of South India, KarnatakaSouthern Diocese (CSI-KSD) andthe Karnataka TheologicalCollege (KTC), 30 participantsfrom Germany, Ghana, India,Indonesia, Japan, Palestine andSouth Africa, among them finan-cial directors and treasurers of 16churches and societies, members

of the EMS Mission CouncilCommission on Finance andAdministration, and staff mem-bers of the EMS Secretariat, metat Sahodaya Centre in Manga-lore, India, from 21 to 29 June2003. The aim was to exchangeand evaluate experiences on sha-ring financial resources, to studythe context of the Church ofSouth India (CSI) in this region,and to explore practical steps tofurther develop the cooperationbetween the churches, societiesand institutions in the EMS fello-wship. The consultation formsone step in a process, which hasbeen pursued by the EMSMission Council since its founda-tion in 1995, and which is aimedat building up trust and mutual

transparency and accountability.It is meant to foster the spirit ofsharing resources among eachother and to recommend the im-plementation of practical stepswithin the EMS fellowship.

We, the participants at thisconsultation, came together asmembers of the one worldwidebody of Christ. The conferencewas accompanied by worshipservices together with our Indian

hosts, periods of bible readingon Mt 13:44-52, Mt 25:14-30and 2 Cor 8:1-14, encountersand cultural programmes. Allthis made us feel the spirit ofbelonging to a fellowship whichextends beyond cultural and lan-guage borders. Lectures on thehistory of the church in Man-galore and Karnataka State andexposure to the life in churchand society helped us to learnabout the witness of the CSI inthis area. We are deeply gratefulto the CSI-KSD and the KTC forbeing wonderful hosts to thisconference.

Common UnderstandingReports on administration andfinance were delivered by vari-

ous churches and the Secretariatand experiences were shared inworking groups. We agreed onthe following items as the basisof our common understanding:

1. We share a vision in ourcommon witness as an ecu-menical fellowship, based onmutual understanding,openness and trust. Sharingresources is part of our jointcommitment in the longterm. Although we acknow-ledge our limitations in viewof diminishing resources, thismeans a positive approachto our common journey intothe future.

2. Our cooperation is based oncommon guidelines withinthe framework establishedby the Mission Council.Priorities shall be determinedin a joint process. Joint pro-grammes for sharing lifeconcerns shall be paid speci-al attention. We commit our-selves to mutual transpa-rency through open budgetsand audited accounts. Weregard the sustainability ofprogrammes and projects asa prerequisite for supportthrough EMS funds.

3. Sharing resources involvesmore than just finances. Allchurches in our fellowshipare able to contribute to ourcommon cause. We acknow-ledge, however, that the re-gular financial contributions

Final Statement of the EMS Treasurers’ Consultation


29

various contexts in order tolearn from each other andto better understand eachother. Encounters are in-tended to allow grass-rootrepresentatives to partici-pate.

6. We recognise the dilemmathat some churches in ourfellowship still depend onundesignated „blockgrants”, that funds availablefor block grants are steadilydiminishing, and that fund-raising efforts can only besuccessful when program-mes and projects are clearlyspecified. We agree that weneed to find solutions for atransitional period.

7. We see the need to streng-then our efforts in advocacyto address the root causes of the challenges we arefacing.

from EMS member churchesare decreasing and will continue to decrease due toeconomic, demographic andother factors, and that thiswill inevitably affect the EMSbudget. This will requiresacrifices from all parts in-volved.

4. We see the need to improveand intensify communica-tion within the EMS fellow-ship. The churches and insti-tutions receiving grants areasking the member chur-ches to supply them withfurther information on theirfuture perspectives. All reci-pients of grants from theEMS budget are requestedto provide specific informa-tion and narrative reports onthe utilisation of the grants.

5. We emphasise the value of personal encounters in

Public reception of the treasurers in Mangalore

Findings from Team VisitsDuring team visits to four regi-ons in the states of Karnatakaand Kerala we have been able tovisit churches and church insti-tutions of the CSI and to learnmore about the country, thepeople, the rich culture and thechallenges of life. We would liketo express our deep appreciati-on to our hosts for making thisexposure and the encounterspossible. The following findingsare important for our commoncause:

1. It is encouraging to see thatthe CSI relies to a greatextent on its local resources.We agree that in our chur-ches funds from outsideshould complement andincrease existing efforts, par-ticularly with a view to ensu-ring quality standards ininstitutions, programmesand projects.

2. We have witnessed recom-mendable examples ofbalancing the inequality ofresources that exists bet-ween urban and rural, richand poor congregations. Weregard this as a relevantissue of common concern inour churches.

3. We acknowledge the dilem-ma that the CSI, like otherchurches in our fellowship,runs a great number of insti-tutions as a service to thepeople, such as educational


30

and health services, homesetcetera, many of themhaving gained a high reputa-tion from the early days ofmission onwards (for exam-ple the Basel Mission inIndia), and that many ofthese services are confrontedwith strong competitionfrom government instituti-ons and the private sector.We see the need to ensurethe viability of institutions inorder to continue their servi-ces, and at the same timewe see the importance ofkeeping up the Christianwitness through service tothe people, especially regar-ding minority groups andthe poor and marginalmembers of the society. Wesee our fellowship as anopportunity to learn fromeach other in dealing withthis dilemma and helpingeach other to find solutionsand to share the burden.

4. We are impressed by thewitness of the CSI as aminority church in a plura-listic, multi-religious context.We see the chance to learnfrom each other to witnessin our own pluralistic con-text.

5. We see the value of a pro-cess of mutual consultationin planning new projectsand evaluating projects. Weagree on the need for feasi-bility studies for programmes

and projects supported byEMS funds.

6. The treasurers should beactively involved in the pro-cess of determining priori-ties for the allocation of EMSfunds.

7. Insights into the system ofaccountancy and the mana-gement of programmes andinstitutions in the CSI havebeen an encouragement forus to seize the opportunityto learn from each other.

8. We underline the great valueof team visits as a way ofsharing life concerns in ourfellowship. We encouragesuch exchange programmes.

Ways and Procedures of Cooperation

We received papers from theSecretariat dealing with waysand procedures of cooperation.The following conclusions are ofspecial importance to us:

1. Public relations and fund-raisingWe consider the paper presented by the Communi-cation Department to bevery helpful for reportingand fund-raising efforts inour respective churches. Wewould welcome a form forstandardising reports trans-lated into the required languages.We see the need for thecommunication depart-

ments and communicationofficers in our churches tonetwork with the Secretariatand with each other.We see the need for skill trai-ning in the field of publicrelations and fund-raising.We request the evaluation ofEMS media with regard totheir benefits for the entirefellowship.

2. Cooperation of treasurersWe appreciate the exchangebetween the treasurers atthe consultation and see theneed to continue the pro-cess of sharing the role andthe function of the treasu-rers in the various churches.We underline the need tostrengthen the role of thetreasurers in our fellowshipand encourage directcontacts between the trea-surers and the Departmentof Finance andAdministration in theSecretariat.We affirm the requiredimplementation of the„Memorandum of Under-standing on Mutual Trans-parency and Accountability”adopted by the MissionCouncil in 1999, and of theprocedures adopted in 2000and 2002.We ask the Mission Councilto give further considerationto the issue of profit and lossdue to changes in the cur-rency exchange rates.


31

3. Work for the improvementof communication facilities(for example internet and e-mail, language courses,adequate translation).

4. Pay attention to the internalcommunication of the chur-ches.between the Mission Councildelegates and the respectivetreasurersbetween head offices andinstitutions and projects runby the churches

5. Make advocacy a priority in our joint effortsin responding to situations ofemergency and crisisin networking with NGOsand other relevant organisa-tionsin lobbying in internationalrelations

6. Make provisions for teamvisits in the particular fieldsof finance and administra-tion, management of pro-grammes and projects, andfund-raising.

7. Share budgets and auditedaccounts within our fellow-ship for mutual consultationand advice.

8. Raise the issue of financialtransparency and corruptionas a worldwide phenome-non and vice, and to pursueand implement policies andprocedures to prevent theoccurrence in our own chur-ches.

We recommend the following tothe Secretariat:1. Implement programmes of

skill training2. Embark on action in the

field of advocacy3. Plan for team visits4. Ensure direct communica-

tion with the treasurers of allchurches by furnishing themwith copies of all informationregarding finance, adminis-tration and fund-raising(including EMS budget andstatement of accounts)

We thank God for the wonderfulopportunity to share amongeach other and encourage eachother. May God bless our effortsin a spirit of trust, openness andmutual understanding.

Mangalore, 28 June 2003

RecommendationsWe would like to make the fol-lowing recommendations to theMission Council and to thegoverning boards of the indivi-dual churches and societies:1. Make provisions for capacity

building and skill training inthe fields of using and deve-loping resources, runningand managing programmesand projects, as well aspublic relations and fund-raising. Such training pro-grammes could be organi-sed on a regional basis.

2. Promote a treasurers’ net-work and the exchange ofexperiences as regardsaccountancy and financialadministration and the roleof the treasurers in ourfellowship.

Matthew 13:44-52

44 The kingdom of heaven is like a secret store of wealth

in a field, which a man came across and put back again;

and in his joy he goes and gives all he has, to get that field.

45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a trader searching

for beautiful jewels. 46 And having come across one jewel

of great price, he went and gave all he had in exchange for

it. 47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net, which was

put into the sea and took in every sort of fish: 48 When it

was full, they took it up on the sands; and seated there they

put the good into vessels, but the bad they put away. 49 So

will it be in the end of the world: the angels will come and

take out the bad from the good, 50 And will put them into

the fire: there will be weeping and cries of sorrow. 51 Are

all these things now clear to you? They say to him, Yes. 52

And he said to them, For this reason every scribe who has

become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like the owner

of a house, who gives out from his store things new and old.


All public relations conceptshave a common basis:

becoming visible and show-ing a high profilepresenting an image, havinga name and having a historycommunicating what youcan do and what you intendto do

Public relations work is vital tocommunicate our good work. So

is fund-raising in order to obtainthe finances to carry out ourgood work and our benevolentprojects. Efficient public relationswork and efficient fund-raisingare therefore both dependent onpublicising information.

But what information does thisentail? When they write articles,journalists ask the questionswhat, when, who, where, howand why.

What is important with the„who” question is information

related to people. They haveChristian names and are not onlyreferred to as Mr. or Mrs. X. It isjust as important to know a per-son's function, for example thathe is a priest or manager or doc-tor working for the project.

A picture paints a thousandwords. Especially in fund-rai-sing I cannot do without anyphotos of the project. Photos

are meant to show the work we have done and the peoplewho are working on the pro-ject. The same maxim as aboveapplies here: the people on thephotos have names and func-tions. This information is vital ifour work is to be accepted ascredible.

To archive and reuse photos, weneed the following informationwritten on the back: sender, na-me of the institution and theproject, place, date and a capti-on explaining who or what you

can see on the photo from leftto right.

A successful fund-raising cam-paign explains what the moneyor donations will be used for, idest future financial require-ments. This information isnecessary to explain the cam-paign's objectives. A secondcondition for a successful fund-raising campaign is informationon what the money or the dona-tions from previous appealswere used for. This includesinformation on the administrati-ve work involved, id est the per-centage spent on administrati-on. This brings clarity intoappeal work and this is greatlyappreciated by donators.

Finally, these two facts – the pur-pose of the donations and thefuture financial requirements ofa project – must be based onspecific examples. Good fund-raising should be illustrated byspecific examples such as thestory of a person who is suppor-ted by the project. This againrequires the Christian name andsurname of the person as well as his/her age. Another impor-tant slant to the storyline is howthe person was integrated in theproject, for example whathis/her illness is and how it wascured, id est what is the successachieved by the project. Successis a decisive means of motiva-ting donators. Successful outco-

EMS is becoming visible

Public relations work and fund-raising depend on publicising information

32


33

ve parts of a project are a tre-mendous motivation for dona-tors as they want to invest inpositive developments andinnovative futures.

If you could try and exert yourinfluence to use the funds innew projects as well, it would bea major step in the direction ofimproved advertising for fund-raising appeals.

Andrea Seefeld

mes show that it is worthwhileto donate generously.

Let me make one final remark. Itis noticeable that programmefunds are normally used to coverthe basic needs. The innovativeelements of a programme areoften financed by other means.It would be good and helpful forsuccessful fund-raising to use atleast one part of the programmefunds for new projects withinthe programme. Such innovati-

Corinthians 8:1-15

1 We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that has been granted to

the churches of Macedonia; 2 for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their

extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For, as I can testify, they

voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means, 4 begging us earnestly for

the privilege of sharing in this ministry to the saints – 5 and this not merely as we expected; they

gave themselves first to the Lord and by the will of God, to us, 6 so that we might urge Titus that,

as he had already made a beginning, so he should also complete this generous undertaking among

you. 7 Now as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness,

and in our love for you – so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking.

8 I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuiness of your love against the earnest-

ness of others. 9 For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich,

yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. 10 And in this

matter I am giving my advice; it is appropriate for you who bean last year not only to do something

but even to desire to do something – 11 now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched

by completing it according to your means. 12 For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable

according to what one has – not according to what one does not have. 13 I do not mean that there

should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between 14

your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order

that there may be a fair balance. 15 As it is written.

„The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little.”


Example of a Team VisitThe PowerPoint presentation illustrates how the Asha Nilaya Project in Udupi can bedemonstrated to the public. It is a result of the work by the Indonesian team using ideasfrom the fund-raising lecture by Andrea Seefeld.

34


35


36


37


38


39

Matthew 25:14-30

14 „For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted

his property to them; 15 to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one,

to each according to his ability. Then he went away. 16 The one who had received

the five talents went off at once and traded with them and made five more talents.

17 In the same way, the one who had the two talents made to more talents. 18 But

the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and

hid his master’s money. 19 After a long time the master of those slaves came and

settled accounts with them. 20 Then the one who had received the five talents came

forward, bringing five more talents, saying, „Master, you handed over to me five

talents, see, I have made five more talents.” 21 His master said to him, „Well done,

good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put

you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” 22 And the one

with the two talents also came forward, saying, „Master, you handed over to me two

talents, see, I have made to more talents.” 23 His master said to him, „Well done,

good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put

you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” 24 Then the one

who had received the one talent also came forward saying, „Master, I knew that you

were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not

scatter seed; 25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here

you have what is yours.” 26 But his master replied, „You wicked and lazy slave! You

knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter”

27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return

I would have received what was my own with interest. 28 So take the talent from

him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. 29 For to all those who have, more

will be given, and they will have and abundance; but from those who have nothing,

even what they have will be taken away. 30 As for this worthless slave, throw him

into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”


Amount donated for the EMS-Project of the Year 2003/2004„In solidarity with the EpiscopalChurch in Jerusalem – TheHealth Care Work in the GazaStrip” in the collection at thefinal worship of the Treasurers’Consultation: IRS 2,750

US$ 10Euro 50

Project of the Year 2003/2004In solidarity with the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem –

The Health Care Work in the Gaza Strip

Andre Batarseh from Jerusalem presented the EMS-Project of the Year 2003/2004.The Christian-run Ahli Arab Hospital is located in the centre of the Gaza Strip. Thehospital of the Episcopal Church in Jerusalem, a partner church of EMS, plays in thecurrently very tense situation a major role for all people living in the Gaza Strip.Here, sick and injured persons receive high-quality, free medical care irrespective oftheir religion. Since autumn 2002 people from outlying villages who are cut offfrom medical supplies have been served by the mobile outreach clinics of the AhliArab Hospital. Buses pick them up outside their villages and take them to the hos-pital. Since doctors are not allowed to bring medical supplies into the villages, thisis the only way in which those urgently in need of medical care can be providedwith help.

Further information and media: www.ems-online.org

The final worship of the Treasurers´ Consultation

40

Middle East liaison secretary:Andreas MaurerTel. +49 (0)711 6367837Fax +49 (0)711 [email protected]

Person in charge: Johanna HagenTel. +49 (0)711 [email protected]

Please order a poster of the project

by [email protected],

Tel.: +49 (0)711 63678 0


41

List of participants of the EMS Treasurers’ Consultation at Sahadaya, Mangalore/India

Petonengan, Wellem, GMIH, c/oGMIH, Jl. Kemakmuran, Tobelo97762, Halmahera, Indonesia; e-mail: [email protected]

Ristow, Friedrich, EKKW, c/o Landeskirchenamt, WilhelmshöherAllee 330, D-34131 Kassel; e-mail: [email protected]

Stoll, Peter, Wuerttemberg, c/o OKR Stuttgart, Gaensheidestr. 4,D-70184 Stuttgart; e-mail: [email protected]

Sudirman, Dr. Iwayan, GKPB, c/o GKPB, Jl. Dr. Sutomo 101, P. O. Box 72, Denpasar/Bali,Indonesia; e-mail: [email protected]

Uniplaita, Yason, GPID, c/o GPID, Jl. Pattimura 5, Palu 94112, Sulteng, Indonesia; e-mail: [email protected]

Walch, Friedbert, Moravian Church,c/o HMH, Badwasen 6, D-73087 Bad Boll; e-mail: [email protected]

Williams, Frederick, CSI, c/o CSI Synod Centre, No 5 WhitesRoad, Royapettah, Chennai 600 014,India; e-mail: [email protected]

Commission IV

Doda, Adam, GTM, c/o GTM,Mamasa, Kab. Polmas 91362/Sulsel,Indonesia; e-mail: [email protected]

Koehler, Jens, EKHN, Goldbornstr. 24, D-65439 Flörsheim-Wicker; e-mail: [email protected]

Malonda, Thommy, GPID, c/o GPID, Jl. Pattimura 5, Palu 94112, Sulteng, Indonesia; e-mail: [email protected]

Meyer, Derrick, MCSA, c/o MCSA, P. O. Box 24111,Lansdowne (Cape) 7779, Rep. Of South Africa; e-mail: [email protected]

Treasurer

Asamoa-Boadu, Yaw Barima, (PCG),c/o Presbyterian Church of Ghana, P. O. Box 1800, Accra/Ghana; e-mail: [email protected]

Batarseh, Andre, ECJ & Middle East,c/o ECJ & Middle East, P. O. Box 19122, Jerusalem 91191,Israel; e-mail: [email protected]

Engel, Albert, MCSA, c/o MCSA, P. O. Box 24111, Lansdowne (Cape)7779, Rep. Of South Africa; e-mail: [email protected]

Heinrich, Hans, Baden, c/o Evang. OKR, Blumenstr. 1 – 7, D-76133 Karlsruhe; e-mail: [email protected]

Kera, Dr. Yuuji, Kyodan, c/o United Church of Christ in Japan,Japan Christian Center, 3 – 18 Nishi-Waseda, 2-chome, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169,Japan; e-mail: [email protected]

Linting, Jusuf, Gepsultra, c/o Gepsultra, P. O. Box 3, Jl. Dr. Ratulangi 121, Kendari 93121,Sultra, Indonesia; e-mail: [email protected]

Palondongan, Djon, GKSS, c/o GKSS, Jl.Ketilang No. 4, P. O. Box 1186, 90011 Makassar,Sulsel, Indonesia; e-mail: [email protected]

Paotonan, Mac, GTM, c/o GTM, Mamasa, Kab.Polmas,91362/Sulsel, Indonesia; e-mail: [email protected]

Paratte, Yoram, GT, c/o GT, Jl. A. Yani 45, Rantepao91831 Tana Toraja, Sulsel, Indonesia;e-mail: [email protected]

Schneider, Inge (Mrs), Wuerttemberg, Leintelstr. 33, D-71409 Schwaikheim; e-mail: [email protected]

Wagner, Marianne (Mrs), Pfalz,Westbahnstr. 4, D-76829 Landau; e-mail: [email protected]

Will, Eberhard, EKKW, c/o Landeskirchenamt, WilhelmshöherAllee 330, D-34131 Kassel; e-mail: [email protected]

EMS Secretariat

Dinkelaker, Bernhard, c/o EMS, Vogelsangstr. 62, D-70197 Stuttgart; e-mail: [email protected]

Drescher, Lutz, c/o EMS, Vogelsangstr. 62, D-70197 Stuttgart; e-mail: [email protected]

Gieche, Manfred, c/o EMS, Vogelsangstr. 62, D-70197 Stuttgart; e-mail: [email protected]

Prakash, Dr. Surya, c/o EMS, Vogelsangstr. 62, D-70197 Stuttgart; e-mail: [email protected]

Seefeld, Andrea (Mrs), c/o EMS, Vogelsangstr. 62, D-70197 Stuttgart; e-mail: [email protected]

Tulaar, David, c/o EMS, Vogelsangstr. 62, D-70197 Stuttgart; e-mail: [email protected]

Wolz, Guenther, c/o EMS, Vogelsangstr. 62, D-70197 Stuttgart; e-mail: [email protected]


Protestant Church in Baden Protestant Church in Hesse and Nassau Protestant Church of Kurhessen-Waldeck Palatinate Protestant Church Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Wuerttemberg Moravian Church in GermanyMission Association of the Moravian Church in GermanyGerman East Asia Mission (DOAM)Association for the Schneller Schools (EVS)Basel Mission

Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG)Moravian Church in South Africa (MCSA)Episcopal Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East. The Diocese of JerusalemNational Evangelical Church of BeirutChurch of South India (CSI)United Church of Christ in Japan (Kyodan)Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK)Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK)Indonesia:Christian Protestant Church in Bali (GKPB)Toraja Church (GT)Toraja Mamasa Church (GTM)Protestant Indonesian Church in Luwu (GPIL)Protestant Indonesian Church in Donggala (GPID)Christian Church in South Sulawesi (GKSS)Protestant Church in South East Sulawesi (GEPSULTRA)Evangelical Christian Church in Minahasa (GMIM)Evangelical Christian Church in Halmahera (GMIH)

Partnership to the Christian Council in China (CCC)

Partnership to churches by the Basel Mission – German BranchPresbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC)Presbyterian Church of Sudan (PCOS)Ekklesiyar Eyan`uwa a Nigeria (EYN)Protestant Church in Sabah, Malaysia (PCS)

Association of Churches andMissions (EMS)


43

Evaluation of the Treasurers´ Consultation

How did you like the workshop? Did you benefit for your work? Was it satisfactory for you?We would appreciate your comments and kindly ask you to fill in this sheet.

1. Catering very good good satisfactory

accommodation foodgeneral service

2. Programme2.1. Bible sharingComment:

2.2. Plenary sessionsComment:

2.3. Group Work concerning the plenary sessions2.4. Group WorkProcedures and instruments of cooperation (fund-raising and finances)Drafting committee for the final statement

Preparation of closing worship service

3. Team VisitsTeam 1 – Hyderabad Team 2 – VijayawadaTeam 3 – Bangalore and MangaloreTeam 4 – Trivandrum, Shoranur and Melukavu MattomTeam 5 – MaduraiTeam 6 – Chennai and Vellore

4. Please give any general comment about the workshop or address any detail which are important for you:


Please send your answers to

Manfred Gieche

Evangelisches Missionswerk

in Südwestdeutschland e.V.

Association of Churches and Missions

Vogelsangstr. 62

D-70197 Stuttgart

Tel. ++49-711-63678-15 Fax ++49-711-63678-55mailto:[email protected] www.ems-online.org


45


46

Imprint

Publisher: Evangelisches Missionswerk in Südwestdeutschland e.V. (EMS)Association of Churches and Missions in South Western GermanyVogelsangstraße 62, 70197 StuttgartTel.: 0711/63678-0Fax : 0711/63678-55 Mail: [email protected] www.ems-online.org

Person responsible as defined by the German press law: Bernhard Dinkelaker

Editorial staff: Andrea Seefeld, Annette SchummPhotos: Andrea Seefeld, David Tulaar, Bernhard DinkelakerTranslation: Gudrun DreesLayout: Evangelisches Medienhaus GmbH, StuttgartPrinting: Studiodruck, Nürtingen-RaidwangenPrinted in Germany

Circulation: 500

October 2003


moves connects opens up

Association of Churches and Missionsin South Western Germany


sharing resources - reformiert online2004/2005 budget results of the meeting of sub-committee iv on...

Documents