## Oxford Vineyard Church
Report and Accounts Year ended 31 August 2023
## **OXFORD VINEYARD CHURCH**
## **LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE Stowford Farm Bayswater Road Headington Oxford OX3 9RZ GOVERNING DOCUMENT Constitution for a charitable incorporated organisation from 17 November 2021. CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1064237 TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE FOR A Myatt MANAGING THE CHARITY Mrs J Durber S Morris C Prahacs (resigned 15 January 2023) W Buchan (appointed 28 January 2024) BANKERS CAF Bank INDEPENDENT EXAMINER Ajay Rajani FCIE Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB
## **INDEX**
||**INDEX**|
|---|---|
|Page 1|Legal & Administrative Details|
|Pages 2-4|Trustees' Report|
|Page 5|Independent Examiner's Report|
|Page 6|Receipts and Payments Account|
|Page 7|Statement of Assets & Liabilities|
|Page 8|Notes to the Accounts|
Page 1
## **OXFORD VINEYARD CHURCH**
## **TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**
The trustees, who are the charity's directors for the purposes of company law, have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year.
## **Legal Status**
Until 17 November 2021 Oxford Vineyard Church was a charitable company limited by guarantee and was governed by a Memorandum and Articles of Association. On 17 November the charity converted to a charitable incorporated organisation and is now governed by a Constitution.
## **Charity Objectives**
The objectives of the Company are set out in its Memorandum of Association and may be summarised as under:
1. The furtherance of religious or secular public education.
2. The advancement of the Christian faith including missionary activities in the United Kingdom and overseas and also including but not limited to the planting of new churches and organisations of congregations.
3. The relief of the poor and needy.
4. The relief of the sick and elderly.
5. Such other charitable objects and for the benefit of such other charitable bodies and institutions as the Committee shall in their absolute discretion see fit.
## **Review of Activities**
The Charity is a Vineyard Church affiliated to Vineyard Churches UK, and a member of the Evangelical Alliance. The Church was started in April 1992 to reach out to unchurched people in the Oxford area, providing a style of worship and church life which would appeal especially (but not exclusively) to those in the 18-35 age group. The Charity is committed to providing teaching and instruction to equip people for all life’s situations, to advance the Christian faith through outreach events and to plant new Churches. It is also committed to provide care and support to the poor and sick in the community.
**Church Focus.** Our vision and aim as a church remain the same - _‘To build worshipping communities in the Oxford area, that reach out & bring the transforming reality of Jesus into every life.'_ We have continued to see a flow of people coming to know Jesus for the first time and lives changed by the power of God. We aim to grow passionate followers of Jesus.
We continued to implement the DMM model with Discovery Studies – a process we expected to take 3 years to transition. A year into the model, we were encouraged by the number of Studies starting.
A slimmed down weekend model of meetings would go hand in hand with the DMM launch. We would have a Worship Gathering on the first Sunday of the month, and a Lunch on the third Sunday. The 2 nd and 4 th Sundays would be devoted to the continuation of Explorers. Each of the months with a 5 th Sunday would have a Retreat day, using spiritual exercises to strengthen & encourage our people.
Our **Compassion Ministry** continued as we gave out food to those in need. Food is taken to the Community Emergency Foodbank, which is supported by a large group of churches in Oxford. Our Help Fund continued to provide support to those in need, who almost exclusively had no connection to the church. Several people also helped deliver food for CEF, and others in need we were told about, especially families in difficulty in St Andrews & Barton Park Schools.
We continue to support a couple from the church in Central Asia who do language, medical training and provide water and sanitation to remote mountain villages, building bridges to enable road building and cutting hours or even days off the travel time; as well as building worshipping communities. We help to finance this family and to support them while they had to be back in the UK. Andrew Myatt continues to lead the Vineyard Persian Partnership, which coordinates the work of Vineyard Churches in USA, Germany and the UK into the countries of the ancient Persian empire. Justice & Joy is a special offering taken up in the early autumn to provide food & emergency help to some of the poorest in Central Asia survive through the winter.
Page 2
## **OXFORD VINEYARD CHURCH**
## **TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT CONTINUED**
## **Review of Activities continued**
**Transformation** comes from knowing God - he changes us from the inside & not by religious conformity. As we give the Holy Spirit room in our lives, we find healing in many dimensions bringing personal growth. The church also ministers to the sick at the Sunday Services and at mid-week meetings. Pastoral assistance is provided as requested.
To that we add training in what the Bible says, releasing each person to their unique calling from God. We are all called to ‘do the stuff’ - an army not an audience. Our aim is to release each person into the unique calling God has for them, and help them discover their God-given gifts.
We continue to use the Immanuel Prayer Ministry model to help ordinary people draw close to Jesus and get rid of emotional & psychological baggage they have picked up through life.
Andrew & Mandy continue to organise the Leaders Soul Care Retreats for Vineyard Churches, both online and in person.
**Church Planting.** Part of our vision is to plant churches that reach unchurched people. Members of the church are trained when they show interest and released when the staff considers them to be ready – this process of training can take many years. For local church plants we use the satellite model which allows the leader to grow as the church grows, starting with a Connection Group and then gradually developing into a fully fledged church. Church plants that are more distant need more experienced leaders. We have helped plant 10 churches so far, including plants in New Zealand and more recently in Australia. VCUKI provides Hub training in a number of locations to help with the training of new leaders.
## **Oversight**
Oxford Vineyard Church is part of Vineyard Churches UK. Oversight of the church is provided through our area, which is led by Guy & Esther Pritchard from Farnham Vineyard. Our Pastoral Support is given by David & Alison Flowers who lead the Leeds Vineyard. Andrew & Mandy Myatt provide Pastoral Support to the Vineyard Church in Salisbury.
**Office** . All staff now work from home.
## **Risk Assessment**
The Trustees carry out a full risk assessment annually, including reviewing the DBS policy, buildings and Health & Safety.
## **Public Benefit**
In planning the activities the Trustees have given consideration to the guidance provided by the Charity Commission on ‘public benefit’. Public Benefit is seen in the above activities, including the provision of worship and teaching, training and pastoral support, helping those in need in the Oxford area and Central Asia, and giving leadership support across the Vineyard movement. All these things are available to anyone in the community whether or not they come to a Sunday meeting. Sunday meetings are open to anyone from any background or belief system. A considerable amount of our financial, time and energy resources go towards those who are not part of the church. We continue to give 12% of our income to organisations outside the Oxford area.
## **Structure and governance**
Selection and training: Trustees can be suggested by any of the current trustees, and if after discussion deemed appropriate are approached by Andrew Myatt. They are given various documents, including the VCUKI Trustees’ Handbook. Most of the training is on-the-job and working alongside more experienced trustees.
Page 3
## **OXFORD VINEYARD CHURCH**
## **TRUSTEES' ANNUAL REPORT CONTINUED**
## **Structure and governance continued**
Decisions by staff and trustees: The Trustees take responsibility for legal and financial areas, and allow the Leadership (currently Andrew & Mandy Myatt) freedom to handle the pastoral and spiritual direction of the church. Before each trustees’ meeting a report is circulated by Andrew Myatt bringing the trustees up to date on what is happening in the church (which is especially relevant for the trustees who live away from Oxford), so that their decisions are fully informed. Financial reports are sent to the Trustees by the middle of the following month and adjustments to the budget are made as necessary. Andrew Myatt leaves the room whenever there is a discussion or decision regarding staff salaries.
## **Future Plans**
Andrew & Mandy put together a plan (diary and budget) every April/May which starts in September for the next 12 months. The budget is presented to the trustees before adjustment and approval. The plan is discussed with some of the leaders in the church.
The DMM model will continue to be implemented and further training will be held. A lot more attention will be given to individuals, especially those who are seeking to, or are already running Discovery Studies. This mentoring is to help them in their personal lives as well as helping them to succeed with the DMM model, and each person will receive a couple of calls a month, as well as holding a central training session online.
## **Financial Review**
During the year income decreased by £1,909 to £98,062, and expenditure decreased by £9,210 to £88,271. As a result, the cash surplus for the year was £9,791 (2022: £2,490). The total cash held by the charity increased by £9,791 to £32,632, of which £896 was restricted.
## **Reserves Policy**
The trustees have established a policy whereby free reserves (which the trustees define as being unrestricted cash) held by the charity should be no less than £20,000 (which equates to about 3 months' unrestricted expenditure). The charity ended the year with unrestricted cash of £31,736 and the charity is complying with its reserves policy.
## **Risk Statement**
The trustees have reviewed the risks to which a small charity operating with few employees is exposed. Appropriate procedures are in place to identify, monitor and review these risks on a regular basis.
## **Responsibilities of trustees**
Charity law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
## **Approval**
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
_____________________________________ Andrew Myatt
Date: 5 May 2024
Page 4
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT**
## **TO THE TRUSTEES OF**
## **OXFORD VINEYARD CHURCH**
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Oxford Vineyard Church ('the charity') for the year ended 31 August 2023 on pages 6 to 8 following.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’s accounts 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 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner’s statement**
I have completed my examination. I 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:
1. accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with the accounting records.
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Ajay Rajani FCIE Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage London EC1Y 8AB
Date: 7 May 2024
Page 5
## **OXFORD VINEYARD CHURCH**
## **RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**
|Notes
**_Income receipts_**
Donations
Gift aid receipts
Other grants
Income from courses and events
Bank Interest
**_Capital and similar receipts_**
Sale of motor vehicle
**_Total receipts_**
**_Payments_**
2
3
**_Total payments_**
Transfers between funds
5
**Net movement in funds**
Cash funds as at last year end
**Cash funds at this year end**
A
**Net of receipts / (payments) before**
Payments
in
relation
to
charitable
activities undertaken directly
Grants
paid
in
relation
to
charitable
activities undertaken by others|Unrestricted
Funds
£
74,152
16,875
-
35
213
91,275
528
91,803
72,990
8,545
81,535
10,268
-
10,268
21,468
31,736|Restricted
Funds
£
5,037
1,222
-
-
6,259
-
6,259
115
6,622
6,737
(478)
-
(478)
1,374
896|2023
£
79,189
18,097
-
35
213
97,534
528
98,062
73,104
15,167
88,271
9,791
-
9,791
22,842
32,632|2022
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||77,531
17,426
5,000
-
14|
|||||99,971
-|
|||||99,971|
|||||74,894
22,586|
|||||97,481|
|||||2,490
-|
|||||2,490
20,351|
|||||22,842|
The notes on page 8 form part of these accounts.
Page 6
## **OXFORD VINEYARD CHURCH**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**
|**A Cash funds**
Cash at bank with immediate access
**B Other monetary assets**
Gift aid due to charity
Other debtors
**C Liabilities**
Trade creditors
Payroll related creditors
Independent examiner's fee
Other creditors
**D Assets retained for charity's own use**
Music. PA and computer equipment|Unrestricted
funds
£
31,736
**31,736**
1,234
359
**1,592**
-
1,558
1,020
24
**2,602**|Restricted
funds
£
896
**896**
-
-
**-**
-
-
-
-
**-**
Fund to
which asset
belongs
Unrestricted|2023
£
32,632
**32,632**
1,234
359
**1,592**
-
1,558
1,020
24
**2,602**
Cost
£
958|2022
£|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|||||22,842|
|||||**22,842**|
|||||1,181
-|
|||||**1,181**|
|||||313
2,212
1,380
1,620|
|||||**5,525**|
|||||Current
value
£|
|||||-|
The current value of the equipment owned by the charity is believed to be negligible.
## **E Guarantees and secured debts**
The charity has not given any guarantees and has not provided its assets as security for any liabilities.
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
-------------------------------------------Andrew Myatt
Date: 5 May 2024
The notes on page 8 form part of these accounts.
Page 7
## **OXFORD VINEYARD CHURCH**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
## **FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 AUGUST 2023**
## **1 Accounting policies**
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
Unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
|Unrestricted
funds
£
2**Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly**
Pastoral worker and related costs
50,886
Pastoral expenses
1,729
Meetings expense
2,205
Motor vehicle costs
1,741
Children and youth work
211
Mission expenses
1,446
Other ministry costs
265
Staff and office services
9,319
Office costs
2,298
Insurance
860
Professional fees and subscriptions
650
Independent examiner's fee
1,380
72,990|Restricted
Funds
£
-
-
90
-
25
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
115|Total
2023
£
50,886
1,729
2,295
1,741
236
1,446
265
9,319
2,298
860
650
1,380
73,104|Total
2022
£|
|---|---|---|---|
||||54,069
2,241
1,360
1,913
185
-
552
8,739
2,199
824
1,216
1,596|
||||74,894|
|3**Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others**
Frontiers
4,070
Vineyard Churches UK
For their general work
4,475
For their work in Ukraine
-
Individuals working in Central Asia
-
Individuals facing hardship
-
8,545|6,229
-
-
-
393
6,622|10,299
4,475
-
-
393
15,167|4,070
4,068
4,425
9,323
701|
|---|---|---|---|
||||22,586|
## **4 Transactions with related parties**
A Myatt served as a church leader and was paid £12,220 (2022: £17,821) for serving in that capacity, not for serving as trustees; these payments are permitted by the charity's governing document.
In addition the charity incurred expenditure totalling £37,600 (2022: £36,646) in respect of the provision of accommodation (which is customary for ministers) to A Myatt, who is a trustee so that he could better perform his duties. This includes rent payments totalling £30,000 (2022: £30,000) to A Myatt in respect of a manse that he owns and occupies.
## **5 Movements on restricted funds**
|**vements on restricted funds**||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|Building fund
Help fund
Justice & Joy fund
Children and Youth Work fund|Opening
balances
£
90
1,259
-
25
1,374|Receipts
£
-
30
6,229
-
6,259|Payments
£
(90)
(393)
(6,229)
(25)
(6,737)|Transfers
£
-
-
-
-
-|Closing
balances
£
-
896
-
-|
||||||896|
The **Building** fund represents donations given for a church building.
The **Help** fund was created from donations received to help those in the local area facing hardship. The **Justice & Joy** fund represents donations given to support international missions work.
The **Children and Youth Work** fund represents donations given to help support the charity's work with children and young people.
Page 8