The first day of Provincial Treausurers Workshop.

After a brief prayer service with the theme “God’s Treasure” which was lead by Bro. Theo Suwaryanto, Bro. Martin Handoko, the General Superior, officially opened the “Workshop for Provincial Treasurers 2014”. He stressed one of the important aims of the Workshop regarding the vital role and function of a treasurer in an organization. It is stipulated in our Congregational Statute art. 69 that “a Provincial Council is assisted in the administration of the capital by the Provincial Treasurer. He performs his duty under the direction of the Provincial Superior”. He is the “right-hand” man of the PC in financial matters. Meanwhile the policy making on financial matters is reserved for the Provincial Council.

He mentioned some of the objectives of the workshop, such as:

• All participants may get more clarity and understanding as to some concepts of financial management of the Congregation.
• To give more clarity concerning the function, role and position of being treasurer of the province and congregation.
• To build some consensus regarding ways and means of administering the finances of the congregation, including the methods and the structure of financial reporting.

On this first day of our workshop, the participants had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the offices of General Council and Provincial Council of The Netherlands where the workshop is taking place. Bro. Lo guided us to walk through the offices and rooms of the building.

During the second session, the participants had the opportunity to share their joys/worries in connection with their role, task and functioning as Provincial Treasurer. From the sharing we found that each province has its own joys, worries and challenges. From them we heard that, although there were some difficulties and challenges, they try to do their best.

After lunch time, during the afternoon session, we studied together “Introduction to Bookkeeping”, presented by Mr. Frank Pijpers.

Theodorus Suwaryanto