2025-12-31-accounts - Lincoln Baptist Church

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LINCOLN BAPTIST CHURCH

Lincoln Baptist Church – Registered Charity 1130524

Consolidated Accounts

For the year ending:

31[st] December 2025

(Including Notes and Subsidiary Accounts)

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 2025 which are set out on pages 3 to 2025.

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: 4[th] March 2026

Lincoln Baptist Church

The Trustees Report, the Consolidated Accounts and Notes relating to the year ending 31st December 2025 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 2026

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: VACANT (since May 2024)

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 2025)
Leader: (Treasurer): Mrs. Marion Watson (re-elected in May 2024)
Leader: Dr. Ola Ogunyemi (re-elected in September 2024)
Leader: Rev Nic Hasnip (re-elected in March 2025)
Leader: Mrs Patricia Housham (resigned September 2025)
Leader: Mr Richard Wood (elected in September 2025)
Leader: Mrs Alan Foster (elected in September 2025)

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.

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.

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
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 (when in post) and a part time caretaker.

During 2025 improvements were made to the church building including:

Refurbishment of the sports hall including fitting acoustic panels
Full refurbishment of the manse prior to temporary tenants moving in
Upgrade to doors and security at each end of the corridor used by the Children’s Centre

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; local homeless charity via Lincoln YMCA
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.

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.

Food in School Holidays (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 2025 slightly exceeded budget expectations as a result of a slight increase in giving and some specific gifts. Additional expenditure in local church caring needs and in missions giving occurred as a result of 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 2025

		General	Restricted	Total Funds	Total Funds
		Fund	Funds	2025	2024
	Note	£	£	£	£
INCOMING RESOURCES
Offerings		100,608	-	100,608	94,394

Rental 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	44,672 - 44,672 35,245 18,675 - 18,675 19,890 163,955 - 163,955 149,529 26,057 - 26,057 39,676 61,535 - 61,535 46,039 8,994 - 8,994 8,044 27,905 - 27,905 17,560 46,999 - 46,999 43,026 171,490 - 171,490 154,342 (7,535) - (7,535) (4,813) 82,607 50,508 133,115 137,504 - - - - 75,072 50,508 125,580 132,691

2025 £ £ 1,538,205 125,580 125,580 - - - 125,580 1,663,785	2024 £ £ 1,539,984 132,691 132,691 - - - 132,691 1,672,675	2024 £ £ 1,539,984 132,691 132,691 - - - 132,691 1,672,675
125,580 - -	132,691 - -
-	-
		1,672,675

FUNDS

Unrestricted Funds Restricted Funds Total Funds	503,785 1,160,000 1,663,785	508,594 1,164,081
		1,672,675

LINCOLN BAPTIST CHURCH Notes To The Accounts For The Year Ended 31 December 2025

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 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 2025 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 £26,057 No employee earned £40,000 p.a. or more.

The number of paid staff for the year was: 2

a) Pastor (full-time, resigned May 2025)

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 £20,230 during 2025 (to May 2025)

4. FIXED ASSETS - Tangible

LINCOLN BAPTIST CHURCH

4. FIXED ASSETS - TANGIBLE

Fixtures and Church Manse Equipment Total Note £ £ £ £

COST OR VALUATION At 1 January 2025 Additions Disposals Revaluation At 31 December 2025 DEPRECIATION At 1 January 2025 Charge for the year On Disposals At 31 December 2025 NET BOOK VALUE At 31 December 2025 At 1 January 2025	£1,164,081 345,000 128,210 1,637,291 - - 7,224 7,224 - - - - - - - 1,164,081 345,000 135,433 1,644,514 - 6,990 83,624 83,624 - 6,900 8,886 15,786 - - - - - 13,800 92,510 106,310 £1,164,081 331,200 £42,924 £1,538,205 1,164,081 338,100 £44,586 £1,546,767

	Church	Manse	Fixtures and Equipment	Total
COST OR VALUATION
At 1January2025	£1,164,081	£345,000	£128,210	£1,637,291
Additions			£7,224	£7,224
Disposals
At 31 December 2025	£1,164,081	£345,000	£135,434	£1,644,515
DEPRECIATION

At 1 January2025		£6,900	£83,624	£83,624
Change for theyear		£6,900	£8,866	£29,337
On disposal
At 31 December 2025		£13,800	£92,510	£106,310
NET BOOK VALUE
At 31 December 2025	£1,164,081	£331,200	£42,924	£1,538,205
At 1 January2025	£1,164,081	£338,100	£44,586	£1,546,767

Supplementary financial information

Ledger Reference Description	2025 Budget	Actual Position 31.12.2025	NOTES
INCOME COST CENTRE	£	£
Opening Balance Current Account - Jan ‘25	£82,607.19	£82,607.19
Revenue - Offering Standing Orders, Loose Offering & Other Gifts	£96,000.00	£100,607.76
Revenue - Gift Aid Recovery	£20,000.00	£18,674.69
Revenue - Lettings	£42,160.00	£44,672.11
TOTAL	£240,676.19	£246,561.75

Ledger Reference Description	2025 Budget	Actual Position 31.12.2025	NOTES
STAFFING COST CENTRE	£	£
Staffing - Ministerial Gross Pay	£20,230.00	£20,229.56	Updated in May 2025
Staffing - Ministerial Pensions Contributions	£0.00	£0.00
Staffing - Caretaking	£5,830.00	£5,827.60

TOTAL	£26,060.00	£26,057.16

Ledger Reference Description	2025 Budget	Actual Position 31.12.2025	NOTES
PROPERTY COST CENTRE	£	£
Manse - Insurance	£600.00	£535.38
Manse - Council Tax, Water Rates.	£3,000.00	£2,444.71
Manse - Maintenance Requirements	£8,000.00	£7,535.23
Church - Insurance	£4,100.00	£3,993.74
Church - Water	£360.00	£500.00
Church - Electricity	£3,500.00	£3,547.49
Church - Gas	£8,500.00	£7,893.47
Church - Fire, Security, Health & Safety	£4,500.00	£3,973.00
Church - Maintenance Requirements	£37,000.00	£15,960.48
Church - Housekeeping & Cleaning	£14,500.00	£15,151.12
TOTAL	£84,060.00	£61,534.62

Ledger Reference Description	2025 Budget	Actual Position 31.12.2025	NOTES
ADMINISTRATION COST CENTRE	£	£
Admin - Mobile, Phone & Broadband	£1,500.00	£1,091.17
Admin - Subscriptions & Licences	£6,000.00	£5,920.64
Admin - Misc. Admin incl Auditor, Postage & Photocopier	£1,500.00	£1,716.41

Admin - Bank Charges & Payroll Charges	£260.00	£266.15
TOTAL	£9,260.00	£8,994.37

Ledger Reference Description	2025 Budget	Actual Position 31.12.2025	NOTES
GLOBAL & LOCAL ACTION & MISSIONS COST CENTRE	£	£
Global Gospel Missions (LBC missionaries)	£16,800.00	£16,800.00
Global Action & Gospel Missions	£13,200.00	£13,830.00
Local Action & Missions - General incl Monks Abbey School	£16,000.00	£16,368.65
TOTAL	£46,000.00	£46,998.65

LOCAL CHURCH COST CENTRE	2025 Budget	Actual Position 31.12.2025
Local Church - Fellowship Connect Times	£6,000.00	£5,843.66
Local Church - Caring Needs	£7,500.00	£8,108.97
Local Church - Resources	£7,000.00	£6,901.31
Local Church - Training & Development	£1,500.00	£1,026.60
Local Church - Visiting Speaker Fees & Sunday Service Needs	£3,000.00	£2,802.04
Local Church - Online Church Resources	£4,000.00	£3,222.47
TOTAL	£29,000.00	£27,905.05

CURRENT ACCOUNT ACTUAL BALANCE AT 31.12.2025		£75,071.90
SAVINGS ACCOUNT ACTUAL BALANCE AT 31.12.2025		£50,508.09
ALL ACCOUNTS ACTUAL BALANCE AT 31.12.2025		£125,579.99

OTHER MINISTRIES ASSOCIATED WITH LINCOLN BAPTIST CHURCH

FiSH Accounts 2025

INCOME	£	£
Balance Brought Forward	5,564.24
LBC(reclaimed tax)	644.00
Talk donations	260.00
Other donations(10 individuals)	3111.00
TOTAL		9,579.24

EXPENDITURE	£	£
Christmas 2024 hampers outstandingexpenditure	455.44
Easter 2025 hampers	1,947.67
Summer 2025 vouchers	2,562.50
Christmas 2025 hampers	1,330.29
TOTAL		6,295.90

BALANCE CARRIED FORWARD	(bank account)	3,283.34

Consolidated statement of Financial Activities for the year ending 31 December 2025

INCOMING RESOURCES	CURRENT BANK ACCOUNT	RESERVES BANK ACCOUNT	TOTAL FUNDS
Standing Orders, Loose offering & Additional Gifts	£100,608
Gift Aid	£18,675
Lettings	£44,672
TOTAL INCOMING RESOURCES	£163,955

RESOURCES USED
Staffing	£26,057
Property	£61,535
Administration	£8,994
Global & Local Community Mission Giving	£46,999
Local Church Giving & Expenses	£27,905
TOTAL RESOURCES USED	£171,490

NET INCOME/(OUTGOING) RESOURCES 2025	(£7,535)
BALANCES BROUGHT FORWARD from 2024	£82,607
BALANCES CARRIED FORWARD to 2025	£75,072	£50,509	£125,580

Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024

Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2024
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible Fixed Assets	£1,538,205
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash at bank (Current & Reserves Accounts)	£125,580
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Loans, Creditors, Advance Receipts	£0

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES	£1,663,785

Unrestricted Reserves	£503,785
Restricted Reserves	£1,160,000
	£1,663.785