## LINCOLN BAPTIST CHURCH
Lincoln Baptist Church – Registered Charity 1130524
## Consolidated Accounts
For the year ending:
31[st] December 2024
(Including Notes and Subsidiary Accounts)
1
## Independent Examiner’s Report
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity, Lincoln Baptist Church for the year ended 31st December 2024 which are set out on pages 3 to 20.
## Responsibilities and Basis of Report
As the charity trustees of the Lincoln Baptist Church, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011. The church’s trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
I report in respect of my examination of the Lincoln Baptist Church accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 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 which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:
- accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
- the accounts do not accord with the accounting records
- the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts 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 order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Ryan Rousseau MAAT AATQB
RFBS Accounting Ltd 22 Beechcroft Close South Hykeham Lincoln Lincolnshire LN6 9NB
Date: 14.02.2025
2
## Lincoln Baptist Church
The Trustees Report, the Consolidated Accounts and Notes relating to the year ending 31st December 2024 have been approved by the Leadership Team as Managing Trustees of the Church in compliance with the Statement of Recommended Accounting Practice. Further Subsidiary Accounts relate to the same year and are provided for the information of Church Members for their approval at the March Church Members meeting.
Mrs Marion Watson (Treasurer)
Dated: January 2025
## Report of Trustees
Lincoln Baptist Church is governed under God by the Church Meeting, being those properly admitted members under the rules. It is affiliated to the Baptist Union of Great Britain and holds property under the ultimate trust of the East Midland Baptist Trust Company who permits the Church to manage their affairs locally. Further details are contained in:
- The Approved Governing Document (B.U. & Charity Commission) adopted 1[st] February 2009
- Baptist Model Trust for Chapels and Halls (BUC B8) obtainable from: The Baptist Union Corporation, Baptist House, 149 Broadway, DIDCOT, Oxon
Under these rules the Leadership Team including the Pastor act as Trustees of a Charity (Lincoln Baptist Church Reg 1130524 13[th] July 2009 and revised in 2017) and Managing Trustees of the property. They are now appointed and elected in accordance with the Governing Document.
- Pastor: Rev Daniel Pollin (appointed March 2023)
The following leaders were elected during the last three years to serve on the Leadership Team alongside the Pastor: (when in post)
- Leader: (Secretary): Dr. Richard Windle (re-elected in September 2022)
- Leader: (Treasurer): Mrs. Marion Watson (re-elected in June 2024)
- Leader: Dr. Ola Ogunyemi (re-elected in September 2024)
- Leader: Rev Nic Hasnip (elected in March 2022)
- Leader: Mrs Patrica Housham (elected in March 2022)
The Trusteeship Secretary of the East Midland Baptist Association is Mr Tim Chowns contactable at the Baptist House (see above).
Agents and Advisors
Ryan Rousseau MAAT AATQB
[RFBS Accounting Ltd] as Independent Examiner
Anthony Collins 134 Edmund Street, BIRMINGHAM B32ES
as Solicitors
Golding and Young Station Road, NORTH HYKEHAM
as Valuers in earlier years
## Investment Powers
The Treasurer and other members of the leadership team manage the church's monies independently under the authority of the Church Meeting and are permitted to authorise capital expenditure (according to a schedule of authorities) for repairs, renewals, improvements, investments and loans. Matters concerning sale, lease or license of lands and buildings require consultation with our Ultimate Trustees.
3
Our Vision Statement is taken straight from the Great Commission. We are focused on seeing people become believers in Jesus, and then growing in their faith.
## To make and grow disciples in Jesus
Alongside this sits our Mission Statement, based on Acts 2:42:
Lincoln Baptist Church is devoted to:
- Teaching the Bible
- Sharing in Fellowship
- Sharing the Gospel through Communion
- Meaningful prayer
## Public Benefit
As a charity, we also need to address the public benefit reporting requirements that now apply. This report concentrates on what the charity seeks to achieve, through the Vision Statement and the activities of the church in seeking to meet the needs of its members, friends and the wider community.
When planning our activities, the Leadership Team have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, and in particular the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion in particular. We try to enable ordinary people to live out their faith as part of the community through:
- Worship, prayer, preaching and study of God’s word to develop their knowledge of, and trust in Jesus.
- Provision of pastoral care for people in our community
- Mission and outreach work
## Activities
The Pastor, Church Secretary or other members of the Leadership Team normally preside over the main activities of the church which include:
- Worship at Sunday services, including communion services
- Monthly Leadership team meetings for prayer, planning and administration
- Monthly and weekly prayer meetings
- Bi-monthly Church meetings
- Planning and coordinating the regular House Groups held in locations across the City plus surrounding villages
- Coordinating the Family Ministries teaching
- Pastoral care, including visitation and assistance of the elderly and sick
- Personal counseling of those in need of spiritual support or guidance
The Church meeting and Leadership team delegate authority to others within the fellowship to lead the House groups and other activities.
Sunday church services continued alongside Leadership Team meetings and Church Members meetings. Monthly and weekly prayer meetings continued; House Group meetings were also facilitated by Zoom or in person. Numbers on a Sunday morning have generally increased over the year. Fellowship meals have continued, with 80-100 in attendance each month.
4
Financial Affairs
Funds are raised in a variety of ways:
- Regular giving through standing orders, (many covered by Gift Aid declarations), to the general funds of Lincoln Baptist Church
- Occasional special offerings for nominated charities
- Occasional sales in support of a particular cause or activity
- Contract parking charges in respect of the church car-park
- Letting of the premises for the Children’s Centre and other bookings
- Charges for weddings and funerals
- Legacies and in-memoriam donations
A lease agreement between Lincoln Baptist Church as the landlord, and Lincolnshire County Council (Children’s Services) as the tenant runs to June 2026. This permits use of the Abbey Suite of rooms at the church premises on Croft Street by the tenant each weekday from 8.30am – 5.00pm. Under the terms of the lease which was approved and countersigned by East Midlands Baptist Trust Co. Ltd as well as both parties, calculated utility costs, service charges (cleaning and waste), car parking and premises rent are now invoiced quarterly to the tenant, in advance, according to the terms of the lease.
Small amounts of cash (via a locked collection box in the building) coming into the main church fund are handled by the treasurer. An immediate BACS transfer is witnessed being made into the church general fund by a second member. All payments from the church general fund are managed by on-line BACS payments, debit card payment or other bank transactions.
The main costs of the church are: maintenance of the church building, heating and lighting, and administration; payroll - a full time Pastor from and a part time caretaker.
During 2024 improvements were made to the church building including:
- Partition work between the sports hall and lounge
- Security fencing around the back step
- Upgrade to doors and security at each end of the corridor used by the Children’s Centre
- Upgrades to electrical systems
The disbursement of funds beyond the church is equally varied:
- Budgeted support for: Baptist Home Mission; BMS World Mission; New Tribes Mission; Tearfund; Shepherd Food Ministries; Leprosy Mission; Challenge Ministries including partner church is Eswatini
- Budgeted support for our own church-based missionaries
- Small donations to people in need at the discretion of Leadership Team
- Donations to the local community (mainly through Monks Abbey School) to meet specific needs
- Annual disbursement of money, determined by the Leadership Team, to various causes.
All organisations and individuals who have received significant sums are listed in the accounts.
The Annual General Meeting at the end of 2000 agreed to permit temporary resort to overdraft in future years. Giving to outside causes from unrestricted funds can be reduced if income falls. All employees' contracts include a clause allowing termination within no more than nine months ensuring that the commitments of the organisation can be matched to its actual resources.
5
The Treasurer Mrs Marion Watson is assisted by Mr Malcolm Morton (Finance Administration). Church member Mr Malcolm Morton and Mrs Marion Watson (Treasurer) are signatories for the church bank accounts, with two required to authorise payments including on-line payments, using the agreed e-mail authorisation and internal audit processes. Following ‘financial direction’ discussions at the November AGM, the Treasurer draws up a budget for approval at the January Church meeting (or at the next quorate Church meeting). This sets out the financial plan and objectives for the year, authorising the Treasurer, Leaders and other delegates.
The following group in the church undertake their own banking via current or savings accounts.
- FiSH – Mr Malcolm Morton
Any organisation with its own banking is required to have two signatories for transactions and to adhere to Rules for Church Organisations. These funds are reported in the following Accounts and consolidated into the Church Statement.
Income during 2024 slightly exceeded budget expectations as a result of a slight increase in giving and some specific gifts. Additional expenditure in missions giving occurred as a result of significant payments made of a ‘caring’ or ‘missions’ nature.
The financial performance is tracked during the year and reported on a regular basis by reports and notes circulated amongst the Leadership team and church members. The finance policy, as agreed by church members, is reviewed on an annual basis. There were no changes made this year.
Annual Accounts are presented after Independent Examination to a meeting of Members each spring.
## LINCOLN BAPTIST CHURCH
Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities For The Year Ended 31 December 2024
|||General|Restricted|Total Funds|Total Funds|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|||Fund|Funds|2024|2023|
||Note|£|£|£|£|
|INCOMING RESOURCES||||||
|Offerings||94,394|-|94,394|95,314|
|Legacies||-|-|-|-|
|Rental Income||35,245|-|35,245|31,533|
6
Other Income
|Other Income
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES
RESOURCES USED
Staffing Salary and Expenses
Property Maintenance and Upkeep
Administrative Expenses
Church Events and Projects
Outward Giving
TOTAL RESOURCES USED
NET INCOMING/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES
BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD
TRANSFER BETWEEN FUNDS
BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD|19,890
-
19,890
18,179
149,529
-
149,529
145,026
39,676
-
39,676
39,940
46,039
-
46,039
50,161
8,044
-
8,044
8,143
17,560
-
17,560
46,674
43,026
-
43,026
39,654
154,342
-
154,342
180,771
(4,813)
-
(4,813)
(35,745)
87,420
50,084
137,504
173,573
-
-
-
-
82,607
50,084
132,691
137,828|
|---|---|
7
## LINCOLN BAPTIST CHURCH
|Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024
Note
FIXED ASSETS
4
Tangible Fixed Assets
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash at bank and in hand
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Loans
Creditors & Advanced Receipts
NET CURRENT ASSETS
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES
FUNDS
Unrestricted Funds|2024
£
£
1,539,984
132,691
132,691
-
-
-
132,691
1,672,675
508,594
8|2023
£
£
1,562,097
137,828
137,828
-
-
-
137,828
1,699,925
535,844|2023
£
£
1,562,097
137,828
137,828
-
-
-
137,828
1,699,925
535,844|
|---|---|---|---|
|||137,828
-
-||
|||-||
||||1,699,925|
||||535,844|
Restricted Funds 1,164,081 1,164,081 Total Funds 1,672,675 1,699,925
LINCOLN BAPTIST CHURCH Notes To The Accounts For The Year Ended 31 December 2024
## 1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accounts have been prepared in accordance with applicable Accounting Standards and the Charities SORP (Statements of Recommended Practice). The accounts have been prepared under the historical cost convention as modified by the revaluation of the Church land and buildings.
## A. Funds
General funds represent the funds of the Church that are not subject to any restrictions regarding their use and are available for application on the general purposes of the Church. Funds designated for a particular purpose by the trustees are also unrestricted.
The accounts include all transactions, assets and liabilities for which the trustees are responsible in law. They do not include the accounts of church based groups that owe their main affiliation to another body nor those that are informal gatherings of Church members.
## B. Incoming resources
## Donations
Collections are recognised when received or certificated by or on behalf of the Church. Planned giving receivable under covenant is recognised only when received. Income tax recoverable on covenants or gift aid donations is recognised when the income is received. Grants and legacies are accounted for as soon as the Church is notified of its legal entitlement and the amount due.
## Other income
Other income is accounted for when payment is received.
Income from investments
Dividends and interest are accounted for when receivable.
## C. Fixed assets
## The Church land and buildings
The church is regarded as a specialised building under the provisions of Financial Reporting Standard no. 15 and is valued on the basis of depreciated replacement cost. The trustees' best estimate of this value is the rebuilding costs for insurance purposes plus the market value of the land. The surplus over the original cost is credited to a
9
revaluation reserve which is shown separately on the balance sheet. There are considerable practical difficulties in obtaining the precise measurement of the original cost of the land and buildings, not least due to the passage of time. The Treasurer and Finance team have made the most accurate assessment that is possible in the circumstances. The amount of the Church valuation transferred to the Capital Reserve, therefore, is the best estimate available.
## Manse land and buildings
The manse is a non-specialised building and included in the accounts at valuation less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is charged at the annual rate of 2% on cost. A new manse was purchased during 2023 at a cost of £345,000
## Other fixtures, fittings and office equipment
Depreciation of equipment used within the church premises is on a ‘straight-line’ basis at the rate of 10% or 20% per annum according to the anticipated 5 or 10 year life of the asset. The register has been updated to reflect the situation at the end of 2023 and to include only those items with a purchase value of £500 or above.
## 2. EMPLOYEES' REMUNERATION
Total remuneration (all employees) for the year was £39,673 No employee earned £40,000 p.a. or more.
The number of paid staff for the year was: 2
- a) Pastor (full-time)
- b) Caretaker (part-time)
## 3. TRUSTEES REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES
The Pastor (when in post) is also a trustee of Lincoln Baptist Church. Remuneration (including salary, pension contributions and travel expenses) for the Pastor was £29,735 during 2023 which included just over £3,500 travel costs to and from Scotland until the manse purchase/move date was completed in June/July 2023
## 4. FIXED ASSETS - Tangible
LINCOLN BAPTIST CHURCH
4. FIXED ASSETS - TANGIBLE
Fixtures and Church Manse Equipment Total Note £ £ £ £
COST OR VALUATION
10
|At 1 January 2024
Additions
Disposals
Revaluation
At 31 December 2024
DEPRECIATION
At 1 January 2024
Charge for the year
On Disposals
At 31 December 2024
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2024
At 1 January 2024|At 1 January 2024
Additions
Disposals
Revaluation
At 31 December 2024
DEPRECIATION
At 1 January 2024
Charge for the year
On Disposals
At 31 December 2024
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2024
At 1 January 2024|At 1 January 2024
Additions
Disposals
Revaluation
At 31 December 2024
DEPRECIATION
At 1 January 2024
Charge for the year
On Disposals
At 31 December 2024
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2024
At 1 January 2024|1,164,081
345,000
128,210
1,637,291
-
-
7,224
7,224
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|1,164,081
345,000
128,210
1,637,291
-
-
7,224
7,224
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|1,164,081
345,000
128,210
1,637,291
-
-
7,224
7,224
-
-
-
-
-
-
-|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
||||1,164,081
345,000
135,433
1,644,514|||
||||-
-
75,193
61,297
-
6,900
22,437
29,337
-
-
-
-|||
||||-
6,900
97,630
104,530|||
||||1,164,081
338,100
37,803
1,539,984
1,164,081
345,000
53,016
1,562,097
Manse
Fixtures and Equipment
Total
£345,000
£128,210
£1,637,291
£7,224
£345,000
£135,434
£1,644,515
£75,193
£75,193
£6,900
£22,734
£29,337|||
||Church||Manse|Fixtures and Equipment|Total|
|COST OR VALUATION||||||
|At 1 January2024|£1,164,081||£345,000|
£128,210|
£1,637,291|
|Additions||||£7,224||
|Disposals||||||
|At 31 December 2024|£1,164,081||£345,000|
£135,434|
£1,644,515|
|DEPRECIATION||||||
|At 1 January2024||||£75,193|
£75,193|
|Change for theyear|||£6,900|
£22,734|
£29,337|
|On disposal||||||
11
|At 31 December 2024||£6,900|
£97,630|
£104,530|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|NET BOOK VALUE|||||
|At 31 December 2024|£1,164,081|£338,100|
£37,803|
£1,539,984|
|At 1January2024|£1,164,081|£345,000|
£53,016|
£1,562,097|
Supplementary financial information
|Ledger Reference Description|2024 Budget|Actual Position
31.12.2024|NOTES|
|---|---|---|---|
|INCOME COST CENTRE|£|£||
|Opening Balance Current Account - Jan ‘24|£87,420.22|£87,420.22||
|Revenue - Offering Standing Orders, Loose Offering & Other Gifts|£90,000.00|£94,394.38||
|Revenue - Gift Aid Recovery|£20,000.00|£19,889.77||
|Revenue - Lettings|£32,000.00|£35,244.70||
|TOTAL|£229,420.22|£236,949.07||
|||||
|Ledger Reference Description|2024 Budget|Actual Position
31.12.2024|NOTES|
|STAFFING COST CENTRE|£|£||
|Staffing - Ministerial Gross Pay|£34,320.00|£34,262.29||
|Staffing - Ministerial Pensions Contributions|£3,620.00|£0.00||
|Staffing - Caretaking|£5,490.00|£5,410.60||
|TOTAL|£43,430.00|£39,672.89||
|||||
12
|Ledger Reference Description|2024 Budget|Actual Position
31.12.2024|NOTES|
|---|---|---|---|
|PROPERTY COST CENTRE|£|£||
|Manse - Insurance|£600.00|£511.37||
|Manse - Council Tax, Water Rates.|£3,500.00|£2,675.44||
|Manse - Maintenance Requirements|£1,400.00|£240.00||
|Church - Insurance|£4,020.00|£3,918.72||
|Church - Water|£350.00|£282.00||
|Church - Electricity|£2,500.00|£2,306.95||
|Church - Gas|£7,500.00|£8,189.78||
|Church - Fire, Security, Health & Safety|£4,000.00|£4,228.09||
|Church - Maintenance Requirements|£34,000.00|£9,476.50||
|Church - Housekeeping & Cleaning|£14,000.00|£14,210.18||
|TOTAL|£71,870.00|£46,039.03||
|||||
|Ledger Reference Description|2024 Budget|Actual Position
31.12.2024|NOTES|
|ADMINISTRATION COST CENTRE|£|£||
|Admin - Mobile, Phone & Broadband|£2,000.00|£1,097.92||
|Admin - Subscriptions & Licences|£5,500.00|£5,604.48||
|Admin - Misc. Admin incl Auditor, Postage & Photocopier|£1,550.00|£1,111.75||
|Admin - Bank Charges & Payroll Charges|£250.00|£229.90||
|TOTAL|£9,300.00|£8,044.05||
13
|||||
|---|---|---|---|
|Ledger Reference Description|2024 Budget|Actual Position
31.12.2024|NOTES|
|GLOBAL COMMUNITY COST CENTRE|£|£||
|Global Community - Online Church|£4,000.00|£3,087.22||
|TOTAL|£4,000.00|£3,087.22||
|||||
|Ledger Reference Description|2024 Budget|Actual Position
31.12.2024|NOTES|
|GLOBAL ACTION & MISSIONS COST CENTRE|£|£||
|Global Gospel Missions|£16,800.00|£16,200.00||
|Global Action & Gospel Missions|£13,200.00|£15,400.00||
|TOTAL|£30,000.00|£31,600.00||
|||||
|Ledger Reference Description|2024 Budget|Actual Position
31.12.2024|NOTES|
|LOCAL COMMUNITY COST CENTRE|£|£||
|Local Community - General, incl Monks Abbey School|£11,000.00|£11,425.63||
|TOTAL|£11,000.00|£11,425.63||
|||||
|Ledger Reference Description|2024 Budget|Actual Position
31.12.2024|NOTES|
|LOCAL CHURCH COST CENTRE|£|£||
|Local Church - Fellowship Meals and Refreshments|£5,000.00|£3,941.39||
|Local Church - Caring Needs|£7,000.00|£5,552.42||
|Local Church - Resources - All Ministries|£3,000.00|£2,844.35|I|
14
|Local Church - Training & Development|£2,000.00|£981.66||
|---|---|---|---|
|Local Church - Visiting Speaker Fees & Sunday Service Needs|£2,000.00|£1,153.24||
|TOTAL|£19,000.00|£14,473.06||
|||||
|CURRENT ACCOUNT ACTUAL BALANCE AT 31.12.2024||£82,607.19||
|SAVINGS ACCOUNT ACTUAL BALANCE AT 31.12.2024||£50,084.08||
|ALL ACCOUNTS ACTUAL BALANCE AT 31.12.2024||£132,691.27||
## OTHER MINISTRIES ASSOCIATED WITH LINCOLN BAPTIST CHURCH
## FiSH Accounts 2024
|INCOME|£|£|
|---|---|---|
|Balance Brought Forward|4,208.56||
|LBC(reclaimed tax)|793.75||
|Talk donations|45.00||
|Other donations(11 individuals)|3611.00||
|TOTAL||8,658.31|
||||
|EXPENDITURE|£|£|
|Summer 2024 vouchers|2,310.00||
|Christmas 2024 hampers|784.07||
|TOTAL||3,094.07|
||||
|BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD|(bank account)|5,564.24|
15
Consolidated statement of Financial Activities for the year ending 31 December 2024
|INCOMING RESOURCES|CURRENT BANK ACCOUNT|RESERVES BANK ACCOUNT|TOTAL FUNDS|
|---|---|---|---|
|Standing Orders, Loose offering & Additional Gifts|£94,394|||
|Gift Aid|£19,890|||
|Lettings|£35,245|||
|TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES|£149,529|||
|||||
|RESOURCES USED||||
|Staffing|£39,673|||
|Property|£46,039|||
|Administration|£8,044|||
|Global Community (online)|£3,087|||
|Global Mission Giving|£31,600|||
|Local Community Giving|£11,426|||
|Local Church Giving & Expenses|£14,473|||
|TOTAL RESOURCES USED|£154,342|||
|||||
|NET INCOME/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES 2024|(£4,813)|||
|BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD from 2023|£87,420|||
|BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD to 2025|£82,607|£50,084|£132,691|
Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024
16
|FIXED ASSETS||||
|---|---|---|---|
|Tangible Fixed Assets|£1,539,874|||
|CURRENT ASSETS||||
|Cash at bank (Current & Reserves Accounts)|£132,691|||
|CURRENT LIABILITIES||||
|Loans, Creditors, Advance Receipts|£0|||
|||||
|TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES|£1,672,675|||
|||||
|Unrestricted Reserves|£508,593|||
|Restricted Reserves|£1,164,081|||
||£1,672.674|||
17