Financial literacy level assessment among church members in Southern Highland Conference, Tanzania: a basis for financial literacy training program

Abstract

It has been observed that when people lack the financial skills to make informed decisions, they tend to lose their business, meet increased poverty and unemployment as a result of not exploiting available business opportunities. In particular, equipping church members with financial skills tends to impact their returning of tithes and offerings. The overall objective of this study was to assess the level of financial literacy among selected church members in the Southern Highland Conference, Tanzania, to highlight areas where there could be a need for training. The variables used were the level of understanding of church members regarding financial matters, the source of the financial knowledge acquired by church members, and the use of financial skills in real life as well as the level of giving of the church members. Finally, the effect between the use of financial skills and their giving was established. The respondents were randomly picked from the 1,527 churches of the Highland Conference and 306 respondents were asked to participate in the study. A survey was used as the instrument for the study. The study design was a causal type and descriptive. Inferential statistics calculated and analyzed. From the findings it was discovered that the majority of the respondents have knowledge on financial issues. Respondents contended to have it through interaction with other people, entrepreneur struggle, workshops or seminars and formal education institutions. The study also revealed that church members have financial skills like budgeting, saving; planning (tax, estate and retirements), though the analysis shows that they do not have sufficient confidence to engage in financial business and they are not well financially as most of them are not able to pay short term and long obligations, as well as the lack of financial freedom. Though financial knowledge has brought big improvement, the majority of church members still needs emphasize. Hence, the study recommended that knowledge on financial issues needs to be built from the childhood stage to impact on individual attitude. Secondly, financial training in formal education should be done practically rather than theory as most of church members they have knowledge, skills but lack confidence to make financial decision. Thirdly, financial training to be done in peer’s groups since business interactions seems to be the major source of financial knowledge among church members. Also, financial training is to be given more emphasizing parallel to stewardship seminars/workshops so as to empower the church and church members financially.