Tanzania: EVANGELICAL LUTHELAN CHURCH OF TANZANIA NORTH EASTERN DIOCESE ARCHIVE

• Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania North Eastern Diocese

• Church Archive

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania – North Eastern Diocese was established in 19th of June 1963 to oversee and coordinate church activities in the northeastern region.
It has developed various directorates to manage mission and evangelism, social services (including schools and hospitals), economic and planning (projects and production units), and administration. The Diocese maintains records documenting its operations, events, personnel, and property management.

ELCT- North Eastern Diocese is located in the northeastern region of Tanga, Tanzania, Lushoto districts,
The Diocese serves communities with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, including various local ethnic groups and traditional practices.
It provides social services, education, healthcare, and community development programs, reflecting the local customs, values, and regional development priorities.
The records document the Diocese’s interaction with local communities and its adaptation to the regional cultural context.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania – North Eastern Diocese derives its authority from the ELCT constitution, Church Council directives, and diocesan policies.

Bishop (Authority over Archive)

• Directorate of Economy & Planning
  Staff: financial officers, planners

• Directorate of Social Services
  Staff: school coordinators, hospital liaisons

• Directorate of Finance & Administration
  Staff: HR, accountants, administrative assistants

• Directorate of Mission & Evangelism
  Staff: missionaries, outreach coordinators

Records Management - centralized office, organized filing system
Scope of Material - administrative, mission, social services, economic, property
Acquisition Method - internal transfer, gifts/donations (no purchases or loans currently)
Special Policies - active records management; no formal survey or rescue yet

Records are maintained in the head office building of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania – North Eastern Diocese in Tanga Region, Lushoto District northeastern Tanzania, stored on shelves and filing cabinets in a secured environment can preserve more than 5 shelves, 10 cabinet, approximate 1300 file per one room

Diocese holds approximately 100 paper files, including correspondence, staff contracts, event photographs, property and land documents, reflecting the activities of its four directorates: Mission and Evangelism, Social Services, Economic and Planning, and Administration.

According to our diocese, there are indeed numerous records that have been preserved, although not yet in a formal manner. For example, records of bishops since the establishment of the diocese, documents of all leaders in general, minutes of major diocesan meetings, various office documents, staff files, and other miscellaneous records. We will apply professionally recommended archival methods to facilitate easy access and retrieval of these records.

Monday to Friday 08:00 to 16 : 00 and observe public holidays as recognized by the United Republic of Tanzania

Most records are kept in regular office storage, following the parish’s preservation rules. We will adhere to proper records management policies and follow the guidelines provided by the diocesan archive.

The diocesan office is easy to reach, has parking, ramps and lifts, and staff can help visitors with disabilities.

• The Diocese Archive will provide inquiry and research services. It will have a research room, library, and computers.
• Staff will speak Swahili and English.
• Access will be free.

The Archive will provide copies of records from Economy & Planning, Social Services, Finance & Administration, and Mission & Evangelism, subject to preservation rules.

Spaces for public use will include internet access and exhibition areas

• General International Standard Archival Description
• International Standard For Date and time Representations

Creation 01/Jan/1990
Revision 31/Dec 2026

• Engels

Internal documents from all four Directorates, diocesan reports, and archival standards (ISAD(G)

Record will be regular reviewed, preserved, updated, with access and reproduction monnitored