Charity number: 1051796
CHRISTIAN LIFE FELLOWSHIP
TRUSTEES' REPORT & UNAUDITED ACCOUNTS
For the year ended
31[st] DECEMBER 2023
Christian Life Fellowship – Charity No: 1051796 Trustees' Report & Unaudited Accounts ended: 31 December 2023
Contents
LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION ............................................................................................................ 3 Structure, Governance and Management .......................................................................................................... 4 The Church Council ......................................................................................................................................... 4 Leadership Team ............................................................................................................................................ 4 Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees ................................................................................................... 4 Connected Organisations ............................................................................................................................... 4 Risk Management ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Donations Policy ............................................................................................................................................. 4 Objectives and Activities of the Charity ............................................................................................................. 5 Public Benefit ...................................................................................................................................................... 5 As a church, we offer: ..................................................................................................................................... 5 To the wider community, we offer: ............................................................................................................... 6 Influencing our communities for good: .......................................................................................................... 7 Achievement and Performance .......................................................................................................................... 8 Within our Community: .................................................................................................................................. 8 Overseas Community: .................................................................................................................................... 9 Significant Donations: ..................................................................................................................................... 9 Financial ........................................................................................................................................................ 10 Future Plans .................................................................................................................................................. 10 FINANCIAL REVIEW ............................................................................................................................................... 11 Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities ........................................................................................................... 11 INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF CHRISTIAN LIFE FELLOWSHIP ................................. 12 Responsibilities and basis of report ............................................................................................................. 12 Independent examiner's statement ............................................................................................................. 12 STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES ................................................................................................................ 13 BALANCE SHEET .................................................................................................................................................... 14 NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS ................................................................................................................................... 15
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Christian Life Fellowships – Charity No: 1051796 Trustees' Report & Unaudited Accounts ended: 31 December 2023
LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
The following information is accurate as of 31 December 2023:
| Charity Name: | Christian Life Fellowship |
|---|---|
| Charity Number: | 1051796 |
| Church Name: | PCF Church(Poynton Christian Fellowship), Poynton, Cheshire |
| Charity Web Site: | www.pcfpoynton.com |
| Financial year commencing: Financial year ending: |
1stJanuary 2023 31stDecember 2023 |
| Address: | 307 Park Lane Poynton, Stockport, Cheshire SK12 1RJ |
| Charity Trustees: | Wayne Wilson (Chairman) Simon Frank (Secretary) Andrew Allan (Treasurer) Debbie Longden Richard Sheldon Helen Jackson-Roberts Dr Maggie Clifford |
| Church Council: | The Charity Trustees, Staff Ministers and Senior Leadership Team |
| Property Holding Trustees: |
Assemblies of God Property Trust |
| Accountant: | Spencer Accounting Services 65 Arnfield Road, Withington Manchester M20 4AG |
| Bankers: | Barclays Bank Kingdom Bank Hampshire Bank Green Pastures CBS Redwood Bank |
| Solicitors: | Geldards LLP (formerly Robinsons), 3 Mundy, HEANOR, Derbyshire, DE7 7EB |
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Christian Life Fellowship – Charity No: 1051796 Trustees' Report & Unaudited Accounts ended: 31 December 2023
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements for the twelve months ending 31[st] December 2023. The Trustees who served during the Year and up to the date of this report are set out on page 3.
The Charity carries out its activities under the banner of PCF Church (Poynton Christian Fellowship).
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
The Trust is an unincorporated Charitable Trust, set up by a deed dated 20th October 1993. A new constitution was adopted on 12th April 2007 and is the current version.
The Church Council
The Church Council is our senior decision-making body, comprising Ministers, Senior Leaders and Charity Trustees. An Annual General Meeting of the members of the church is held to receive reports and accounts.
Leadership Team
Wayne Wilson is the Senior Pastor and leads the church together with his Associate Pastor and wife, Clare Wilson.
They are supported by Josh Bull (Youth Pastor), Andrew Allan (Retired Minister – Finance Team), Leoni Gould (Worship Pastor) and our Senior Leadership Team, as well as our Charity Trustees. We are delighted to welcome Rhoda Henderson onto Team as Kids/Family Worker from Sept 2023.
Recruitment and Appointment of Trustees
In line with the Constitution, the existing Trustees are responsible for identifying and recruiting new Trustees. In so doing, consideration is given to respected members who attend regularly, who have the competencies for the role, the ability to contribute to the “ Team ” ethos and meet other established criteria.
New Trustees serve a probationary period of at least a year, which allows due consideration of a person’s suitability, competence, and specialist knowledge and skills. Annually the Senior Pastor discusses with existing Trustees the possibility of serving the Church in the role of Trustee for an additional year.
Connected Organisations
Although we are an autonomous local church, we belong to the Assemblies of God (AoG) movement and look to AoG for support, doctrinal oversight, ministerial accreditation, and national identity.
We are also members of Churches Together in Poynton and The Evangelical Alliance.
Risk Management
The Charity Trustees consider the major risks to which the Charity is exposed and look to establish procedures to minimise and manage such risks. Church charity policies are regularly reviewed to ensure fit for purpose and to align with current Government & Charity Commission guidance.
Donations Policy
We aim to help other charities with similar aims, who are known to us and who have proved trustworthy in distributing monies where most needed, with minimal deductions for administration.
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OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES OF THE CHARITY
The objects of the Charity are set out in the 2007 Constitution, which adopted the Model Deed for local Assemblies of God Churches. It states that: the objectives of the Church are for the benefit of the public:
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a) To advance the Christian faith in accordance with the Statement of Faith in such ways and in such parts of the UK or the world as the Church Council sees fit.
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b) To relieve sickness and financial hardship and to promote and preserve good health by the provision of funds, goods or services of any kind through the provision of counselling and support in such parts of the UK or the world as the Church Council from time to time sees fit.
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c) To advance education in such ways and in such parts of the UK or the World as the Church Council from time to time may think fit.
From this, the purpose of PCF Church is to provide a Pentecostal expression of the Christian faith, to make a difference in our community for good. We strive to multiply in all aspects of Christian faith as our people connect with one another, with the local community and with God, and as we grow in God, and show our faith in practical and spiritual ways.
Our facilities provide foremostly a facility where Christians can worship, and additionally a community facility that the people of Poynton and the surrounding areas can enjoy.
Within these purposes, the Trustees are mindful of The Charity Commission’s guidance on the advancement of religion for the public benefit.
PUBLIC BENEFIT
As a church, we conduct a wide range of activities in pursuance of our charitable aims. We feel these activities provide benefit both to those who worship with us and to the wider community.
AS A CHURCH, WE OFFER:
Bible Teaching and Exposition
Bible teaching is a fundamental of the Christian faith and is especially important to us and forms one of the spiritual pillars of our church. Most of our services incorporate bible teaching in some form including teaching for the wider church, appropriate teaching for children and fun interactive bible studies for young adults.
Worship and Prayer
A second spiritual pillar in our church in that of Worship and Prayer. Vibrant contemporary worship is included in all our Sunday services, with music, worship, and prayer for all ages.
Special Events
We provided a wide range of services and events which our people and our community find beneficial and spiritually fulfilling including regular Sunday morning services, prayer meetings, music, and worship nights. No Christian calendar will be complete without special services for Easter and Christmas.
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Baptism and Baby Dedication
These services are always well attended by family and friends as we celebrate congregation members following in obedience to biblical teachings on baptism, and as parents ask for God’s blessing on their children and commit themselves to bring up their children wisely.
Weddings
Communities always need weddings, and our venue and facilities are well utilised to this end. To help young couples make the most of their marriage, we run marriage preparation courses, which gives a firm foundation for a lifelong relationship for those who are planning marriage.
Online Services
All our main services are streamed online providing a vital link to the church community. Having an online presence enables us to engage with the isolated, sick, vulnerable, and lonely.
TO THE WIDER COMMUNITY, WE OFFER:
Funeral Services
We serve our community by providing a full Christian funeral service, either at the church or elsewhere. We serve our members, their direct relatives, and the local community known by us.
Pastoral Care
Our Pastoral Team support our members that are in need with home and hospital visits where necessary. Our Connect Group Leaders take a lead in looking after their small groups and encourage members to look out for their neighbours and seek to home-visit those in need, particularly the sick, housebound, and isolated.
Children
As well as our regular Sunday Children’s ministry under the banner of “ Lions ” (4-10yrs), we run several open services for families, young adults and children keeping our ethos of a multigenerational church alive. Special events include birthday parties, Easter, Christmas and the Light Party - which gave local families an attractive alternative to Halloween.
For the under 4 years of age, our crèche facility also hosts “ Little Feet ”, for babies, toddlers and their parents in a safe and friendly environment.
Young Adults
We provide a range of events for young people in our community, including midweek groups, youth clubs, youth camps, bible studies, as well as a conference specially designed for young people. One of our aims is to teach “ life principles ” which will stand them in good stead for their futures, with many of our young adults are increasingly involved in volunteer work as part of the life and witness of the church in our community .
Ladies Groups
Ladies groups meet both electronically via social media platforms and also in-person in small groups. Regular events are held where women can get together and including meeting on ZOOM, local cafe and reaching and helping isolated people.
Men Gatherings
Men’s groups are also meeting both electronically via social media platforms and in-person. Regular activities where friends & neighbours can get together and relate include walks, breakfasts, exercise programmes and meeting up to watch your favourite team play.
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Building Facilities
Our facilities continue to be used by several community groups with more and more heath, dance and exercise groups meeting weekly for both young and old alike.
Training & Education
We continue to run courses open to all, on important subjects like Mental Health Awareness, First Aid, Safeguarding, Bereavement and even Food Hygiene. Many of these courses are now online and are now even more accessible.
INFLUENCING OUR COMMUNITIES FOR GOOD:
Foodbanks
In addition to individuals and families we help directly, we have again partnered with (and supported practically and financially) local food banks and local charities that feed families in emergencies, provide food for needy children, which has enabled us to continue to help local families in need.
Community Service
Members of our church are encouraged to get involved practically in community projects and also service in their local councils. Our members support a wide range of charities that support community transport, orphanages, financially ‘adopt’ a third world child or take an isolated elderly neighbour their weekly groceries but to name a few.
High Schools
Our Youth Pastor works closely with the other local churches to support our local schools providing pastoral care for troubled pupils, youth courses and contribute to some of their learning outcomes such as “Life and Beyond” subjects .
Older People
For the seniors, we provide Small Groups, fellowship, and home visiting. We also provide bereavement care packs to support those who have suffered loss and in desperate need of love and care.
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Christian Life Fellowship – Charity No: 1051796 Trustees' Report & Unaudited Accounts ended: 31 December 2023
ACHIEVEMENT AND PERFORMANCE
The Trustees are delighted to report on many positive outcomes for PCF church during the period under review.
WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY:
Online Church Services
As part of maintaining a healthy balance of attending church services, we continue to livestream all main services specifically aimed for those who are not able to attend due to health, distance and/or other personal reasons. Additionally, our online streaming service allows us to stream weddings, and funerals as we support the isolated, vulnerable, and lonely.
Pastoral Care & Community Response Team
To better support people in our church community, members are divided up into Connect Groups under the care of a Connect Group Leader. Out Connect group leaders continue to provide pastoral care offering practical support, visitation to the sick or isolated and oversee food deliveries, offering help wherever a need is identified.
Our response teams continued to provide care and support for those impacted by the economic pressure and for those in desperate need, debt, or missing basic essentials.
Handforth Church Plant
In May 2023 we expanded the church activities into the Handforth area. This community has several deprived areas with many needy families. The local churches in the area do not have capacity for children and youth work. By partnering with these churches and local charities, we aim to provide hope and love to a community in need.
Handforth Sunday evening services were started, and we were pleased to welcome new families soon after starting. To reach the community, we partnered with an amazing local charity – Hope Central – that provides support to the local community with foodbanks, debt management, substance abuse and job seeking support.
Hockley Centre Facilities
Various different dance / exercise / fitness small businesses use the Hockley Centre on a weekly basis with more than 500 people passing through the doors each week.
These small businesses are still impacted by the economic pressure the community face and have experienced a reduction in class attendance specifically in the aftermath of the covid pandemic.
To help these businesses, we have been able to:
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Provide a flexible booking system with friendly supportive administrators, and,
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keep the room hire costs at a minimum, well below the huge rise in energy costs.
Poynton Arts Festival
The Hockley Centre provided a venue at no cost to eight local artists. By providing the venue, arranging the booking system, PA & lighting equipment, with a complimentary café and art display, we were able to support these artists, and provide a loving and safe environment for the Arts Festival and local community.
Youth Events
The youth team continued to support the local community with youth related conferences, youth away weekends, and community outreach while partnering with other local churches in the area.
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Poynton Youth Outreach Week
In partnership with the other local churches, Youth Leaders from three different churches partnered with The Message Trust Evangelism School Students connecting with local young people on the streets over the summer holidays through detached youth work. There was volleyball, football & cricket, PLUS our “LET’S TALK TENT” where young people were able to explore faith and interact with trained youth workers.
OVERSEAS COMMUNITY:
Our policy is to partner with other organisations where they/we can make a difference. Our giving helps in many ways, for example: international disaster relief, Bibles for deprived areas, and support for displaced refugees to name a few.
Local Communities
We supported underprivileged and orphaned children in India & Uganda.
International disaster relief
We supported the Turkey earthquake Appeal in February 2023, again later in the year we supported Morocco earthquake that caused widespread destruction, and Libya in September when catastrophic flooding resulted in loss of thousands of lives.
SIGNIFICANT DONATIONS:
In addition to supporting our church members and their families when required, our policy is to form partnerships with other local and international organisations where we can make a difference.
Food Banks
We continued to support our local Stockport food bank charity to provide food to families and children that go without. In the current economic climate, this charity has been inundated with requires for help.
We also partnered with Hope Central in Handforth. They understand that there are many, often complex, reasons why people end up in poverty including loss of employment, bereavement, illness, benefit issues, relationship breakdown and addictions, and Hope Central support these individuals and families out of the dire situations.
Local & International Organisations
We were able to support AoG Missions where missionaries are on the ground in dangerous countries providing love and support to families in desperate need of spiritual and practical help.
We also supported international ministries that make a difference in our world with biblical training and guidance, such as Dr John Andrew, and 24/7 Youth Prayer under the leadership of Josh Green.
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FINANCIAL
On the financial side, our regular monthly income remains stable and consistent over the review period. Our members are faithful and very reliable, and we are thankful for their help and support and generous financial contributions.
The Trustees are very grateful to the Treasury Team for all the effort and over and above approach to supporting the Church Charity, in particular Pauline Hague, Mike Hughes and Andrew Allan.
FUTURE PLANS
The Church Charity seeks to continue to develop our work in the life of our church and the wider community, and to that end, we are looking at the structures and staffing needed to achieve this. Looking to the future, we need to provide facilities for the new church plant in Handforth and its associated community projects.
We continue to expand our reach and impact lives for the good, as we pursue our charitable objectives.
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FINANCIAL REVIEW
Funding sources & donations
The vast bulk of our income continues to be the "giving" by our members for which we are grateful. We also have some hire income from the Hockley Centre, and the rental income from the flats at 311 Park Lane.
Reserves Policy
As stated in our Accounts, any surplus we make goes to help us to build and maintain a sensible level of reserves, as per the Charity Commission guidelines for the "prudent charity". Thereafter funds are being held for planned expenditure, church multiplication and ongoing essential maintenance with the possibility of new premises at some stage.
Our current building has served us well, but the main building is now over 170 years old, so we seek to maintain a balance between keeping our premises in good order while looking also to the future.
Investments
Our four-part investment strategy continues to be:
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1) Immediate Access funds - in the current account.
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2) Short Term funds - in a 35 Day access account (for projects etc)
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3) Medium Term funds – in a reserve account with 90-day access
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4) Long Term funds – in an investment account with a one-year access
STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES
The charity trustees are responsible for preparing a trustees' annual report and financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the applicable Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations, and the provisions of the Trust deed. The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees . . . . . . . . . . /. . . . . . . . . . / 2024 Signed on behalf of the charity's trustees .. 2! ee oF .../ 2024
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
S Frank S$ Frank (Secretary) (Secretary)
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Christian Life Fellowship – Charity No: 1051796 Trustees' Report & Unaudited Accounts ended: 31 December 2023
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF CHRISTIAN LIFE FELLOWSHIP
I report to the trustees on my examination of the financial statements of Christian Life Fellowship for the year ended 31 December 2023.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND BASIS OF REPORT
As the charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ('the Act').
I report in respect of my examination of the charity's financial statements carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S STATEMENT
As the charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in
section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination by being a qualified member of MAAT.
I have completed my examination. I can confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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the accounting records were not kept in respect of the charity as required by section 130 of the Act; or
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the financial statements do not accord with those records; or
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the financial statements do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of financial statements set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the financial statements give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . /. . . . . . . . . . . / 2024 23rd July Uepono— Michael Spencer MAAT Spencer Accounting Services 65 Arnfield Road Withington Manchester M20 4AG
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STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER 2023
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Christian Life Fellowship – Charity No: 1051796 Trustees' Report & Unaudited Accounts ended: 31 December 2023
BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2023
Approved by Trustees Approved by Trustees
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . /. . . . . . . . . . . / 2024 10 O7 Wayne Wilson Wayne Wilson Date Date Chairman of Trustees Chairman of Trustees
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NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
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