ShirleyBaptistChurch a church for the whole community Annual Report & Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2024
Statutory information Registered address Shirley Baptist Church Chuich Street Shirley Southampton S015 5LG Trusteos Mr James Adams Mrs Brenda GreenWd (Secretary) Mr Keith Hawton Mr Kevin Ings fvlrs Sheila Price Mrs Anne Richards (freasurer) Mr John Waldron Mr Clint Zvavamwe Property Trustees The Baptist Union CorporatK)n Limited Baptist House 129 Broadway Didcot Oxfordshire OX118RT Bankers Bank of Scotland 33 Old Broad Street London EC2N 1HW Independent examlner AG D Mills FCA 40 Thornbury Avenue Shirley Southampton S015 5DA Charity Number 1131764
Charitable ObJ•ct The Charity is governed by an Apwoved Goveming t)ocument whh states that the principal pur- pose of the Church is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination. The Church may also advance education and carry out other charttable purposes in the United Kingdom andlor other parts of the world. The Church occupies premises. induding a manse. which are held by th8 Baptist Union Corpora- 'on Ltd. on Trusts which are entirely compatible with Ihe above objecl. Organisational Structure and Decision-making ProeASS M8mb&rs of the Church are accepted in accordan with the Constitution. which nonnally re- quires them to be. or to hav8 been. publidy baptised on profession of faf(h in Jesus Christ or. fo lowing other modes of baptism. to renew their public piofession of faith in Jesus Christ. The Church operate5 an open membership so that persons seeking membership who have not been baptised in the manner described may al the discretion of the Church Members, Meeting be ac- cepted for full membership based on Iheir own public profession of faith. Ordinary Church Members, Meetings are held at regular intervals on about four (Kcasions in any (xlendar year and are an opportunity to consider and review routtne matters as- sociated with the lrfe of the Church. including issues related to Church membership. the approval of the budget. with opportunitres for considering proposals from the Charity Trustees or other Church Members for the development of the Church and the advancement of its purpose through rts activities. In addition. one Sk)ecial Church Members, Meeting each year includes the Annual General Meeting for the Church Member5 to receive annual accounts and reports. the election or re-election of charity trustees and the appoinlment of the Secretary and Treasurer. Special Church Members, M&tings may also be convened when neSary to consider the appointment or dismissal of a minisler, matters relating to the purchase. sale, lease, mortgage or redevelop- ment of Church property. or matters considered by tIE Charity Ttustees to be of sufficient im- pOrtan to require the calling of a such a meeting. Charty Trustees are chosen from among the Church Members. with the maximum number of Charity Trustees bel agreed on from tirne to time by the Special Church Members. Meeting. In this Church it is the Minister(s) rf any and Secretary. Treasurer and Leadership Team who to- gether are the Charity Trustees of the Church. They are responsible for the day-to-day running of the Church's work and witness arKI the financial and legal aspects of the Charty. All Members are enCTaged to take an appropriate part in the spititual and practical tasks in- Volv in the furtherance of the Charitable Objective. This is done sometimes through teams led by members of the Leadership Team. In addition to this. there are other teams heading up differ- ent aspects of the woth, including Vision (Worship) and Pastoral. Together with other groups. there are approximately 50 volunters in the Irte and ministry of the thurch. Since covid the num- ber of volunleers has dropped as fewer come out in the evening. Relevant matters may be sub- mitted to the Church Members. Meeling by Ihe Trustees for guidance or may be raised by Mem- bers in the Church Members. Meeting for further consideration by the Trustees. Though the Con- stitution permits decrsions to be made at Church Members. meeting5 by appropriate tnajorities, the Church seeks to work by consensus. This year the church has had a Pastoral Vacancy btrt has employed two part tivne administrators and a part time cleaner.
ObJ6ct and Activitles In fvlfilling the Oiyec¢ Ihe Church engages in a range of activities either on its own or with others that vary from time to time, wilh activities being initiated, expanded or closed, as approprkqte. Our activities include but are not restricted to: Regular public worship. prayer, Bible study. preaching and teaching; Bapiism. as defined in the Union's Declaration of Principle,. The Communion of the Lord's Supper. which we nomially observe monthty: Evangelism and mission, locally. regionally, nationally and internationalty- The teaching, encouragement. welcome and Inclusi of young people- The nurture and growth of Christian disciples: Education and training for Christian and community service". Giving and encouraging pastoral care" Supporting and encouraging charitable social action in the United Kingdom and abroad. Encouraging relationships wtth and supporting Baptists and other Chiistians. The regular activit of the Church can be VieNed on our website Ivvvw.shirleybaptist.oi'g Achiovements and Perforniance Theme: As we had a Pastoral Vacancy the Leadership Team wanted to encourage unity, so the theme for 2023-2024 was 'Growing Togetherf wilh the text for the year coming from Colossians 2.6-7. So then. just as you reiVed Christ Jesus as Lord. continue lo live in him. rooted and built up in him. strengthened in the faith as you were laught, and overtlowing with thankfulness.. Attendance and demographlcs Typical attendance on Sundays has grown this year. But there are some people with compro- mised immune systems that need to shield and have not retumed Sin covid. Over the year the average attendan therefore was around 100. although an average of 200 would join us online. The membership on 31 March 2023 was 127. sixteen more than a year ago. 3 members passed away. There have been 16 new members and 2 baplisms. Children up to 11 years of age, with whom we have regular contact through organised activities was severely disrupted during covid, and those clubs have yet to restart- although we are advertising for a Youth, Children and Fami- lies Worker. However. there are al)out 40 children in our Fir81 (Sunday School) regtstei. Young people in the chalknging 11-18 age group numbered around 16. The trend towards a more international congregatM)n has continued again thts year with steady attendance from Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) groups- mainly from Africa and Eastern Eu- rope {Romania) and the Church is multi-elhnic in its demographic. Worshlp The worship, leading and preaching ministry has been shared amongst our WOTship team and some visiting preachers. and since kKkdown there is a stable number who join us online as well as in person on a Sunday. Vvorship over the year has seen excellent preaching along with special Home. overseas and cross-cultural mlssion Cross cultural connections weie maintained with BMS link missionaries. Ilve had one missionary from the church working with OFeration Mobilisalion in Moldova. We operate a chanty called ChildsPlay Romania, which provtdes practical support to Roma children in Romania. were unable to happen this year to Ukraine. including to our partner church in Buzikva. due to Ihe war there. The growing work in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) continues. Mission is supported through gifts of 5Vo of our general income to home mission and 5% to Baptst Mission- ary Society.
Discipleshlp In line with our commitment to whole life discipleship. our small group5 are n(yw kni)wn as life groups, as they aim to support and challenge participants as tntentional disciples in the whole of lif8. This vffis reflected in a change to the church's strap line to "Everyday church for everywhere people" in earty 2018. Some 100 people are involved in life groups. Links were maintained with LICC and with the Navigators. and resources from both organisations have proved useful. Fellowship Fellowship has bn fully restored following covid, and visits to homes and shut4ns increasing. People are also contacted in other ways, such as phone calls. Our commitment to visit the house- bound, lonely and bereaved or those in hospital is still very much a focus and the flower ministry is greatly appreciated. This is °bread and butter MlStry and occupies a great deal of lime and effort from all those involved. The signtficant ministry to older people has also been growing. Most meetings see a good num- ber there. but some older folks have nol retumed since covid. But the group is still growing in numbers. M & M's is a group that has been running for several years now on a monthly basis. for vrnen aged roughly 30 - 60, and has been very popular. The leadership of the group has changed hands. but tt still has b)th a fellowship and rnissional focus and several non-christian ladi8s at- tend. Chbldr8n and FamEty's Minlstry Our work among children up to the age of 11 years has been disrupted Sin our Children's and Family Worker moved when her husband took up the Pastorate of another church. There is a general lack of volunteers in many aspects of Church work. We have been activety looking for Children, Youth and Families V**rker who can revNe some of the children's work. and this will conb'nue into the new year. A 8eGond Growing Together event took pla on a Sunday as part of our worship and was well supported by old and young alike. The Parent and Toddler Group continued to attract good numbers. Iwe have taken small steps to identfy ourselves as a Christian toddler group by developing a simple mission statement which is on wew and by a(fvertising other church activities which may be of interest. We also introduced an cccasional 'pause for thought.. A Facebook group began enabling messages to be sent and for people to book theii place at the meets'ng. Social action The Church supports a social action programme. Communicare. and many of our members take part in it. Now an independent charity. Comniunicare coordinate5 volunteers from local churches who provide practical and emotional support to needy people across the Cty. This indudes visit- ing housebound older people, helping mothers with babies and young children, and providing transport for hospital and other appointments. Sadty. our Child Contact Centre had to close due lo lack of participants. It provided particularly important support to families going through divo and enabled children to meel their non-resi- dent parent in a safe environment. It was appreciated by Southamplon City Council and two councilors who had attended AGM'S. We still offer a hall for the Basics Bank to use, a much-needed food bank programme op8rating in Shirley. and numbers vtsiting for food have increased quite considerabty durirKJ the year. It is also a place to chat and be listened to.
Support Services (Admini5tratlon team) Support services ensure that SBC As safe, legal. accessible. sustainable and financially sound and has facilib'es which support our mission. In practice this covers all aspects of fabric. finan, safeguarding (see below), Health and Safety and any other Complian issues. There has been a significant rise in utilty costs and we are preparing ourselves for further rises in the future, consid- ering whether we have to raise the price for those using our premises to cover the cosl of iheir use. Connections As well as being a member of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and the Evangelical Aliance, the Church joins with Churches Together in Shirley and local Baptist churches in various actiVFties, most notably opewir acts of wrxship when we a able to do this. Safeguarding The Church operates systems to ensure that all people working with children are appropriately vetted via the Disctosure and Barring Service. We have safeguarding FK)licies and procedures in ft)r working with children and vulnerable adults. and designated persons and a safeguarding trustee appointed by the Church Members. Publlc benefit: The Trustees have read the Charty Commission guidan on public benefit and are satisfied thal the activities outlined above clearly demonstrate Ihat the Charity is woviding a benefrt to the public. Financial Revi•w The Church continues to raise the funds which it needs lo carry on its activities primarily from within its own membetship and congregation. Income showed an increase on the prevK)us year of £39,637. excluding exceptional income from the sale of the Manse of £598.360. Income, prior to transfers, net of exceptional income above. exceeded expenditure by £55,691 of which unre- slricted was £44.367. this being as a result of only having a minister for five months of the year. The balance sheet showed an increase in net assets from £189,248 to £843.299 al 31103124 as result of the 8xceptional restricted income above of £598.360. The Accumulated Fund (General Fund) increased from £105,432 to £141.753 (£36.321) and the underlying financial position of the thurch remains healthy. Wè dosed the year above Ihe top of our reserves range. The Church expressed its part in the life of the wider church by making grants of some £34.950 to national and intemational Christian organisations and societies with Christian aims and objectives compatible with the Church's own charitable purpose. The Church is heavily dependenl on its membership wotking as volunteers in all aspects of the Church's activities. many of which run with little or no impact on the Church's expenditure but nevertheless contribute substantially lo the achievement of the Church's objectrves. The financial results for the year. together with a summary of the accounting policies adopted, aTe set out in the accompanying financial statements. Our ReseNes Policy is that we should maintain 3 - 6 months expenditure of £10,000 per month, or approximately £30.000 - £60.000 in our Accumulated Fund. Any fall below the mid-point of
£45.000 would activate a serious review of our income and expenditure. The Truslees have re- viewed the Reserves Policy and are satisfied that they have rnore than suffiaent reserves at the Balance Sheet date. together with the ongoing income anticipated. to enable the Church to func- lion effectivety in the coming year. The Twstee5 have made an assessment of the major risks facing the chUh and are satisfied thal there are policies in place to minimise these risks. Future Plans Our plans for the 24r25 financial year Include: A continued search for fhe rigm person to fill our Pastoral VancY. We also plan to appoinl a new member of staff to focus our growing children and youth wot Having sold the old Manse in 202314. we will be purchasing a new one in 202415. Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities Charity Law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements that give a true and fair view of the stste of affairs of the charity at tha end of the financial year. In doing so. the trustees are re- quired to: Select suitable accounling policies and apply them consistent. Make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent" State whether applicable accounting stsndards and statements of recommended practi have been followed. subject to any material departures disclosed and ex- plained in the financial statements- and Prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropri- ale to presume that the charity w1 continue tis operalions. Slgnature and declaratlon I declare, in my capacity as charty trustee, Ihat the truslees have approved the report above". arKI have airthorised me to sign it on their behalf Brenda Greenwood. Secretary 69 Stratton Road Shirley Southampton S015 5RA Dated: 13 January 2025
Independent Examine5 Report to the Trustees of Shlrley Baptist Church I report to the Gharity trustees on my examination of Ihe account8 of the Charity for the year ended 31 March 2024, which are set out on pages 8 to16. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charty trustees. you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with lh8 requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Acr). I report in re8P8ci of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Acl and In canying out my examination I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charty Commission under section 145{5)(b) of the Act. Independent ExamineVs statement I have complet8d my examination. I confinn that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the exarnination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect.. (1) accounting rec{d$ were not kept in resp8Ct of Ihe Trust as required by section 130 of th8 Act: or (2) the accounts (k> not accord with those records: or (3} the accounts do not comply with the applicable requir8ments (x>nceming the fom) and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2CKJ8 other than any requirernent that the accounts give a Irue and fairvithrf which is not a matter considered as part of the independent examination. have no concerns and hav8 come acnjss no other matters in connection with the examination to whh attention should be drawn in this report in order lo enable a proper und8rstanding of the accounts to be reach1. AGD Mills FCA 40 TkKJmbury Avenue Shirley Soulhampton S015 5DA 13 January 2025
SHIRLEY BAPTIST CHURCH STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTlVtriES YEAR ENDED31 MARCH 2024 Notes ilnrnlricted D•slgn•lad R•¥trlct•d Totsl 2023 2L124 Incoming vesourcts D(18 legacles Investmènt intorne 138.19B 22.574 4V53 188382 2213 156.221 26.729 In¢ome frorn charttabl? ac¥eS Othw Int<ne 41 411 5.764 5,764 098.360 14.M2 598.360 Totsl Incom8 14.031 65U22 83SW9 197.392 Expendlture EXpenDThlu on chaTitabi8 8dviikes 122.169 12.933 46236 1•1J38 158.184 Total re$(W expended 122.169 11933 46236 181,331 158.184 Net InGomÈl(expendttur•) 44J67 600.586 654,051 39.228 18.0461 11007 Not moyonwnt In FNdS 36.321 619. 654.051 39,228 Total Funds bmught 105,432 16.927 67,809 189,241 150.020 Tol•l Fund• carri•d foThvard 141.763 1{084 843399 189.248
SHIRLEY BAPTIST CHURCH BALANCE SHEET 31 MARCH 2024 Not•s 2024 2023 CurTent A55ets Deblors Bank and Cash 24.972 100,839 205,811 11 Curmit Lk?tMlies Credttorn . an($ OJerythxi one year 12 10,757 12,563 Net Cur1 ASBets 843399 193,248 Total a88ets1gss current 143.2Y9 193.248 Crethkns: arnounts lallirwj due after rn0 th 13 Netpssets 843,299 189248 Charity FurKIs 14 16 6J7A82 14,064 141.753 Designated Unrest 67,889 15.W27 1t15.432 189.248 The noles on pages 11 to 16 forni an tntsornl patrf¢se ac&)unts Thes& awounts were apprd ty Ihe Tryslees 13 January%)25 and Sned on Iheir b8haifby Anne Rtcha Treasurer Brenda GreN00d Se¢wEfary
SHIRLEYWT15T CHURCH NOTes TOTMEACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024 COLINTING POL Thea(rynts are pwed li Oran[ • cl5 Sl8lewld RELXMnrnrfed Prath (Charkns SORP 2021). FRS102 artd Ihp CtAc12011. Shtry82ptst Chuth tsa thtyno.lJ317M and meets the ola puEberwUndoT FRS102.A$8 and IAIiEs knfdal¥ rwntsÈ(t at hfsbJttae¥torlransactiDn va)J& stated kn thÈtv•r)1 alterallyperfOFMarKe(ns hav8 been thp bemo reWI and yobthth•i thg iicomo Ibe rKNe¢. d Lppdts thatthe kga¢ycan be Fryquanlffj8d. g bwoth]eNt Inrqme Plexp8ndibJr• arKfwrthd toron aryyuals ba8iL EyndthrÈl¥ m)wJtsedtfieTp IhBfBi5 a W wtyTr5trudve to m•ke paymenlslDthi¢ paTip4 ftls Ihat seNernlabètÈtyknd and the an01thE b¢ mwa5uTrJ r. g Funrf rthng 8nd h tkntspwyabJ8 MithÈ)var In pattyWh the Kh8%beeTr nolfjed ufthe and p•JThnli5uThx)thknaT.. b)Ih8 oJ5tof raISg bJnds8rK1 eywdlurB on (arlablè b¥it*50na b8SiS0zl5IEntVth the use of re[te$. Thls io
SHIRLEYWTIST CHURCH NQTE8TO THEACCOUNYS VEARENDED31 ITaRCH 2024 k F bIarunfrJrthv Flan as Trismontsin dendtobWIv has•y¢•dv•htrnf4ts"ftyrortr• ttqfO pftiL¥ate InadearatfjJ DE08¥j legacfes I. 4Z4D4 1I41U 121,0 JbBT 167$ GiftAld Legatses 1l315 1OM75 12.252 14.031 or2 1Q 14T 25.a3ft Tda15 21574 11L4OB a986 4764 14442 11
SHIRLEY WTtST CHURCH NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 21124 Chayitalth Actti• 2024 2023 Mity Misston 44429 46.429 3511 81400 64,654 20,845 58,687 5,1D9 36.765 4,025 4535 Support C4 ChUh wisauons 12.613 12.933 11613 181.33B 122,169 158,184 Support Costs 2023 IT 1.239 3.870 2.518 2.516 IndeFwth EyArninaDon ojsts Total 4.028 109 Expondltur• Suwmxt Total 2024 T(d 20ZJ nisty 46.429 3S.871 81400 35,871 82,400 4.025 12.613 181A3B 2Q,B45 58,687 5,109 Estsbfjshmant SupFuieosis Churthcrfwib"ons TolaLs 12.613 177.313 158,184 Grants payable 2024 2023 Bu H(Th Missl¢Yb BMS Worfd Pasyon 5.905 7.066 21.979 5M15 6.330 7.297 19,127 21.979 34.950 Total 12
SHIRLEY8mT CHUR¢H NOTESTOTHEACC4)UNTS YEARENOEDJI AIARCH 2024 Sl•ff co¥ts Ind Trrat••• •xygn¥•s 2023 s8rfe8 sodq15e¢w¢oS 4712 54.999 4141 242 Tatal 60.4 No Empl• eRreMfjf£BO.o duthl1r(2O23 nona) Tha oFlhechwth tsue¥. In s[an¢etththe TN5tDqed and r8muneAb]n (t17NS (2023: £40A531 and othorbeneffts in res as Th¢ Clturth Pfj%p8ns nI1[0r11YMkn1Slerlo the 84th1 Par[5 Penw Tnwiiirnle¢ whpth r$afir Salary dthpd benatsrlwne. Is n0le4nh¢jI0rthe Sl set4nd p9DDTr. s(lmo is a nolwssièl pJeWlhB a598ts and bIr19 s(emBIKare8llribJlab to the(L¥th. Ihor0. li FRSID2 28. tho sthpmo s orxtynterFlw4s a sdLem•. Plan. IQ D•hfor4 1311 V11 7.656 770 24 72 11 Bankfth1 ¢4¥h balwKes 24 2023 BankofScthnd. vJTht Baptst dEPO 85.877 91269 719.17F 180B39 12 CRdltorn: Afflounls tsknJdu• thIn on•Jvr 2•24 2023 7ST 4.863 170D 4.OOD 12A63 LoÈTh SC ¢mmeiir¥l 2014 and sc9Ak nSqpternb•r2016. MpJnb¥s repad kn theygaT. 13
SRiv BAPIMCHURCH NOTE5 70 IHEACCOUNTS YEIR ENDED 31 IAARCH 2ffj24 13 CJ•dllorn.' •mountsf•knJ aliwmoTrlhanofi•Jwt lo SCBA sllptath2015 be by31 kl•th ZOZ5. 14 Restrfcl•d Fund8 31m202J lo 6.719 14141 11210 8ulding Pn4grtFw¥J TO¥Ap SupportFth 5,501 9111 31A¥ {40 (11MI FulLre Manse FuThl 44.915 $1247 .769 Tal8 11.(1)7 SOCAI Fundyepresent5rn0fdes bYwayofdé0md grand Is BylldiNJ Proiqd Fund isu8 lulthg prr4vtsa% thtyarix for the Prqe£L the ¢lwth to the haly. 14•wBul&llty r8pre6N mrteXr¥ed tofvrtd thoc•XtrfrntKfrwairs. bvsfjdh)fvTrJ AloM• Fund rAthedd bpuxd farthepL¥(Agorfa rthvm SuLial Adlon F Buildiry PrnierlFw Support Fu Flow FuiLTr MiNstryFw Maftè• FLThI 13.Z41 12.2 14241 112 2,fj4B 52,247 601 52247 Tow$ $VT 14
SHIRLEY BAPTL9T CHURCH NOTES TOTHEACCOUNrs YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 20 1.42023 Re¥owro8 G8Disand 3IA1I2024 Namg olFund Funrf Hok4tyatHo MinHTrartet FuThd Barnabas Fund (1292) (2.554) S.175 SA76 5.256 1.879 12.61 I2 Tolal$ 14 MiMi•n dqrwedfrom E•ents fram £IOOw 11N (thkhe¥er151heryWis d¢rtatod thè Nla)¥5Toyapp8al aftd thE ithrEY4t8lever1fi#M)nTPQSe b agreed h&8nthv begn Iransfe Support Fund IfrIDtE 14 RErf¢ted Holldayat Homi Fund d&fr#edliLm a Surnrnere¥ent PbJftlhe arB b)ha¥è to Ihè SoeialAdiJn Fund INtts 141¢85trrtW. tsagr arnab•8 F rq¥esertsmon(8Bi¥IMTh monlJyoJWmskn beused #t thÈ ltsiefsdlKfe church oryartbaUtrn¥ reprB8tsffjtr funds Wby organisHtK)Trs andkTh)J¥ syoups. These Jnds hehl in 5BP8T818 b8nk the WE exarn¥uafy by CuEnt Cuffenl Titsl IAnkmaEkei 5.47S SJ7S 523S JJ34 l{Q64 chh orytkns Tol 11 knalpL ofmetasstts 11p1(1Thrt Lorwj 18nn T•)lal RosmLtsdFW DognalwJ peroots IS Unresbfjctlld Fwmls TolaL 687M82 14.064 141.753 141703 17 R•l•lwJ Ghath Tretsjsb)d Twslee olthethurthJs BW Unh)n LimdedvthK i5th• numb 249635. Ecllrbtrdkd B4&iUnbn C¢uncL 7he(aMCkn ¢+a rnBntsrLth0 Tho cknurch h45Tr(w8d fffom the8apb8iunltsn CoJpwakna88alotstknno*s I2d l& 15
SHIRLEYBApnsT CHURCH
NOTES TO THEACCOUIffiS
YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2024
18 PeTh8iO
The Churth is a partidOrKJ ompfoyw