From April 10 to 13, 2024, financial managers from 25 international churches and five mission associations will meet at the “Treasurers Consultation” of the Evangelical Mission in Solidarity (EMS) in Hofgeismar, Germany. Financial managers from EMS member organisations in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East will discuss how to invest church funds in an ecologically, socially and economically sustainable way.

“As financial officers, you have a great responsibility in your churches and organisations. Sharing resources is also a central idea in partnership work. And so, we in the EMS Fellowship are also dependent on a responsible handling of finances”, said Bishop Dr Beate Hofmann of the Evangelical Church in Kurhessen-Waldeck in the opening service of the conference, addressing the treasurers: „The challenge for treasurers is to handle the church’s money responsibly and at the same time keep an eye on the acute needs of the people who need our help.”

Rev. Anne Heitmann, Vice-President of EMS, puts financial responsibility in a biblical context: “The Greek word for home is ‘oikos’. ‘Oikos’ is the basis of the economy and of ecology, but also of ecumenism. Ecumenism means the whole inhabited world. Economy therefore means caring for our common home. In the forthcoming days, we will discuss how to manage the treasurers entrusted to us – in money, but also in relationships, in gifts and energy, in deep faith.”

The EMS Consultation will focus on approaches to environmentally and socially responsible investing, as well as considerations regarding compliance and anti-corruption. "We can change the world with sustainable investments," says Sebastian Rink, who teaches about financing climate and sustainable energy projects at the Frankfurt School of Finance and will be speaking at the conference. The churches of the global EMS Fellowship are committed to finding common solutions.