Faringdon Baptist Church Trustees Annual Report (TAR) for 2022/23
The Trustees present their Annual Report and financial statements for 2022/23.
Charitable Object
The Charity is governed by an Approved Governing Document which states that the principal purpose of the charity is the advancement of the Christian faith according to the principles of the Baptist denomination to include the advancement of education, community service and such other general charitable purposes in such parts of the United Kingdom and the world as the Church shall determine.
The Church occupies premises which are held by the Baptist Union Corporation Ltd, on Trust which are entirely compatible with the above object.
Organisational Structure and Decision-making processes
Members of the Church are accepted in accordance with the Constitution which requires them to be or to have been publicly baptised on the profession of faith in Jesus Christ, or following other modes of baptism to renew their public profession of faith in Jesus Christ.
The Members’ Meeting normally takes place six times per year and has responsibility for the overall policy of the church. In accordance with the Constitution, the members appoint Trustees, who together with the Minister, Church Secretary and Treasurer (who are also appointed by the members), and collectively known as the Leadership Team, are responsible for the day to day running of the church’s work and witness, and the financial and legal aspects of the charity. All members are encouraged to take an appropriate part in the spiritual and practical tasks involved in the furtherance of the charitable objective.
Relevant matters may be submitted to the Church meeting by the Trustees for guidance, or may be raised by members in Church meetings for further consideration by the Trustees. Though the Constitution permits decisions to be made at Church meetings by appropriate majorities, the Church seeks to work by consensus wherever possible.
Objectives and Activities
In order to achieve the principal objective, which is set out above, the Church provides a variety of activities both to its membership and to the community generally. The aim is to show the love of Jesus Christ in both word and deed and to bring people into a closer relationship with Christ as living Lord.
Central to the work and witness of the Church is the provision of regular public services of Christian worship. These services take place each Sunday at 10.30 am. There are also monthly Prayer meetings at other times which are advertised on the Church notices and the website at - www.faringdon baptist.org. There is a children’s programme during the morning services. The church seeks to be a friendly and welcoming community and anybody is free to attend any of these services.
The Church runs a series of house groups for the growth of faith and discipleship in the homes of some members, and further details of these can be obtained from the Trustees on request, or
at the Sunday services. From time to time the Church runs courses for people interested in discovering more about Christianity.
The Church premises are used by the community; Bromsgrove Day Centre Lunch Club, FAAZE centre for teenagers with learning disabilities and a gathering of local Ukrainians use the building regularly during the week. Messy Dads continues to meet monthly on Saturday mornings.
The Church operates systems to ensure that all people working with children and vulnerable adults are appropriately vetted with regard to the Disclosure and Barring Service. The Church has read the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit, and is satisfied that the activities outlined above clearly demonstrates that the charity is providing a benefit to the public.
Achievements and Performance
The Church does not measure the success of its programmes only in numbers, including financial numbers, but also in less tangible areas like fellowship and encouragement. The Trustees recognise that these are difficult to measure but believe that 2022/23 was a positive year in the life of the church. It is cognisant of the changes taking place in the local community and is exploring new avenues to pursue its mission purposes in the future with equal enthusiasm.
As always, membership and attendance has fluctuated during the year, sadly, we have had to bid farewell to some members who have moved on however attendance on a Sunday morning has remained stable. On 1st March 2023 the membership stood at 46. Some members meet regularly for prayer on a monthly basis and the ‘Care and Share’ group which meets during term time on Wednesday mornings is growing.
The church continues to work with other organisations within the town of Faringdon. The Bromsgrove lunch and social club continue to meet here providing a lunch and support for older members of the community. ‘Messy Dads’ happens on the first Saturday of each month giving space for carers and their children to meet together with food, play and friendship and is universally popular.
Financial Review
The Church continues to raise the funds which it needs to carry on its activities from within its own membership and congregation. No wider public appeal was made for funds during the year.
The most significant cost is the employment of a Pastor, together with the cost of providing a Manse for the Pastor. The Pastor works to lead and co-ordinate the church’s activities including the Sunday Services, to provide pastoral care for the congregation and other people, and to equip and encourage the membership in their life, Christian witness and service. The position of Pastor is currently vacant.
The Church expressed its part in the life of the wider church by making grants to national and international Christian organisations and societies with Christian aims and objectives compatible with the church’s own charitable purpose.
The Church is heavily dependent on its membership working 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 to the achievement of the church’s objectives.
The financial results for the year, together with a summary of the accounting policies adopted are set out in the accompanying financial statements.
The Trustees have assessed the major risks facing the church, and are satisfied that there are policies in place to minimise these risks.
| Note | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts | |||
| Regular Giving | 47,553 | 52,269 | |
| Weekly offerings | 2,958 | 1,411 | |
| Donations and other income | 2 | 5,555 | 4,651 |
| Incometax recovered on gifts | 11,930 | 12,629 | |
| Investment income | 3 | 2,714 | U |
| Rents and contributions for use ofpremises (md Manse | 9,201 | 7,736 | |
| Raised for other causes | 4 | 300 | 0 |
| Total Receipts | 80,211 | 78,696 | |
| Payments | |||
| MInistry | 5 | 3,707 | 26,506 |
| Mission | 6 | 12,160 | 10,990 |
| Upkeep of church premises | 7 | 16,150 | 7,434 |
| Administration | 8 | 10,016 | 3,422 |
| Total Payments | 42,033 | 48,352 | |
| Net receipts / (payments) forthe year | 38,178 | 30,344 | |
| Increase in value ofmanse | 65,000 | 10,000 | |
| Netsurplus forthe year | 103,178 | 40,344 | |
| Cash balance at previousyear end | 203,391 | 182,085 | |
| Add net receiptsf(payments) for the year | 38,178 | 30,344 | |
| Change in current assets/ liabilities | 7,976 | (9,038) | |
| Cash balanceatcurrentyear end | 249,545 | 203,391 |
| Note | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assets | |||
| Bank and other cash balances | |||
| Santander Bank Account | 60,450 | 56,971 | |
| BUC deposit account | 14 | 189,095 | 146,420 |
| Other monetary assets: | |||
| Debtors | 3,450 | 4,508 | |
| Loans made | 0 | 0 | |
| Gift aid claimed but not received | 6,075 | 12,629 | |
| Investment Assets | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Assets Held for Church’sown use | 10 | 37S,000 | 310,000 |
| Total Assets | 634,070 | 530,528 | |
| Liabilities | |||
| Current Liabilities | 11 | 720 | 356 |
| Long Term Loans | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Pension Scheme liability | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Other liabilities Total Liabilities |
q_ 720 |
0 356 |
|
| NetAssets | 633,350 | 530,172 | |
| Reserves at 1 March | 530,172 | 489,828 | |
| Net surplus forthe year from receipts and payments account | 103,178 | 40,344 | |
| Reservesat 28 February | 633,350 | 530,172 |
| 2.Donations and other income | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| Donations/ Gifts | 5,555 | 4,651 |
| Leaacies | 0 | 0 |
| Memorial gifts | 0 | 0 |
| Other income | 0 | 0 |
| Total Donations and OtherIncome | 5,555 | 4,651 |
| 3.Investment income | ||
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| Bank interest (BU Deposit account) | 2,714 | 0 |
| Other investhient income | 0 | 0 |
| Total InvestmentIncome | 2,714 | 0 |
| 4.Raised for Othercauses | ||
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| Total Raised for Other causes | 300 | 0 |
| 5.Ministry | ||
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| Minister’sstipend | 0 | 3,189 |
| Pension contribution | 1,569 | 4,231 |
| National insurance PAYE | 59 | 1,896 |
| Minister’sexpenses | 0 | 0 |
| Pastoral Worker | 1,350 | 15,580 |
| Manse running costs | 729 | 1,610 |
| Other ministry costs [md. Moderator) | 0 | 0 |
| Total Ministry | 3,707 | 26,506 |
| 6.Mission | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| Hospitality | 198 | 0 | |
| Events and Outreach | i,oso | 0 | |
| Home Mission | 3,900 | 3,900 | |
| BMS Woild Mission | 2,700 | 2,700 | |
| Wydiffe | 2,400 | 2,400 | |
| SYFC | 240 | 240 | |
| Arshad/Pakistan | 1,200 | 1,500 | |
| Other gifts | 442 | 250 | |
| Total Mission | 12,160 | 10,990 | |
| 7. Upkeep ofchurch premises | |||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| Repairs and maintenance | 8,749 | 3,440 | |
| Utilities | 5,716 | 2,473 | |
| Insurance | 1,685 | 1,521 | |
| Total Upkeep ofchurch premises | i&,iso | 7,434 | |
| 8.Administration | |||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| Equipment and stationery | 5,910 | 380 | |
| Telephone and postage | 624 | 630 | |
| Books and Training | 230 | 346 | |
| Subscriptions & Licence fees | 1,459 | 1673 | |
| Website | 519 | 393 | |
| Misc/Other administration | 1,274 | 0 | |
| Total Administration | 10,016 | 3,422 | |
| 9.InvestmentAssets | |||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| Stocks and Shares | 0 | 0 | |
| Corporate bonds/giltsjlnv properties | 0 | 0 | |
| Total InvestmentAssets | 0 | — | 0 |
| ti Current Liabilities | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| Electricity billed but not yet paid | 0 | 0 |
| Chues written but not cashed | 0 | 0 |
| Othercurrent liabilities - restrictedgiftspayabletocharities |
720 | 356 |
| Total CurrentLiabilities | 720 | 356 |
| 12. Long-Term Liabilities | ||
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| Baptist Buikiing Fund Loan | 0 | 0 |
| Baptist Union Loan Fund Loan | 0 | 0 |
| Loans from Church Members’ | 0 | 0 |
| Other [detailifmater,Ij | 0 | 0 |
| Total Long-Term Liabilities | 0 | 0 |
| Note | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Receipts | |||
| Regular Giving | 47,553 | 52,269 | |
| Weekly offerings | 2,958 | 1,411 | |
| Donations and other income | 2 | 5,555 | 4,651 |
| Incometax recovered on gifts | 11,930 | 12,629 | |
| Investment income | 3 | 2,714 | U |
| Rents and contributions for use ofpremises (md Manse | 9,201 | 7,736 | |
| Raised for other causes | 4 | 300 | 0 |
| Total Receipts | 80,211 | 78,696 | |
| Payments | |||
| MInistry | 5 | 3,707 | 26,506 |
| Mission | 6 | 12,160 | 10,990 |
| Upkeep of church premises | 7 | 16,150 | 7,434 |
| Administration | 8 | 10,016 | 3,422 |
| Total Payments | 42,033 | 48,352 | |
| Net receipts / (payments) forthe year | 38,178 | 30,344 | |
| Increase in value ofmanse | 65,000 | 10,000 | |
| Netsurplus forthe year | 103,178 | 40,344 | |
| Cash balance at previousyear end | 203,391 | 182,085 | |
| Add net receiptsf(payments) for the year | 38,178 | 30,344 | |
| Change in current assets/ liabilities | 7,976 | (9,038) | |
| Cash balanceatcurrentyear end | 249,545 | 203,391 |
| Note | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assets | |||
| Bank and other cash balances | |||
| Santander Bank Account | 60,450 | 56,971 | |
| BUC deposit account | 14 | 189,095 | 146,420 |
| Other monetary assets: | |||
| Debtors | 3,450 | 4,508 | |
| Loans made | 0 | 0 | |
| Gift aid claimed but not received | 6,075 | 12,629 | |
| Investment Assets | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Assets Held for Church’sown use | 10 | 37S,000 | 310,000 |
| Total Assets | 634,070 | 530,528 | |
| Liabilities | |||
| Current Liabilities | 11 | 720 | 356 |
| Long Term Loans | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Pension Scheme liability | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Other liabilities Total Liabilities |
q_ 720 |
0 356 |
|
| NetAssets | 633,350 | 530,172 | |
| Reserves at 1 March | 530,172 | 489,828 | |
| Net surplus forthe year from receipts and payments account | 103,178 | 40,344 | |
| Reservesat 28 February | 633,350 | 530,172 |
| 2.Donations and other income | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| Donations/ Gifts | 5,555 | 4,651 |
| Leaacies | 0 | 0 |
| Memorial gifts | 0 | 0 |
| Other income | 0 | 0 |
| Total Donations and OtherIncome | 5,555 | 4,651 |
| 3.Investment income | ||
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| Bank interest (BU Deposit account) | 2,714 | 0 |
| Other investhient income | 0 | 0 |
| Total InvestmentIncome | 2,714 | 0 |
| 4.Raised for Othercauses | ||
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| Total Raised for Other causes | 300 | 0 |
| 5.Ministry | ||
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| Minister’sstipend | 0 | 3,189 |
| Pension contribution | 1,569 | 4,231 |
| National insurance PAYE | 59 | 1,896 |
| Minister’sexpenses | 0 | 0 |
| Pastoral Worker | 1,350 | 15,580 |
| Manse running costs | 729 | 1,610 |
| Other ministry costs [md. Moderator) | 0 | 0 |
| Total Ministry | 3,707 | 26,506 |
| 6.Mission | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| Hospitality | 198 | 0 | |
| Events and Outreach | i,oso | 0 | |
| Home Mission | 3,900 | 3,900 | |
| BMS Woild Mission | 2,700 | 2,700 | |
| Wydiffe | 2,400 | 2,400 | |
| SYFC | 240 | 240 | |
| Arshad/Pakistan | 1,200 | 1,500 | |
| Other gifts | 442 | 250 | |
| Total Mission | 12,160 | 10,990 | |
| 7. Upkeep ofchurch premises | |||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| Repairs and maintenance | 8,749 | 3,440 | |
| Utilities | 5,716 | 2,473 | |
| Insurance | 1,685 | 1,521 | |
| Total Upkeep ofchurch premises | i&,iso | 7,434 | |
| 8.Administration | |||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| Equipment and stationery | 5,910 | 380 | |
| Telephone and postage | 624 | 630 | |
| Books and Training | 230 | 346 | |
| Subscriptions & Licence fees | 1,459 | 1673 | |
| Website | 519 | 393 | |
| Misc/Other administration | 1,274 | 0 | |
| Total Administration | 10,016 | 3,422 | |
| 9.InvestmentAssets | |||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||
| Stocks and Shares | 0 | 0 | |
| Corporate bonds/giltsjlnv properties | 0 | 0 | |
| Total InvestmentAssets | 0 | — | 0 |
| ti Current Liabilities | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| Electricity billed but not yet paid | 0 | 0 |
| Chues written but not cashed | 0 | 0 |
| Othercurrent liabilities - restrictedgiftspayabletocharities |
720 | 356 |
| Total CurrentLiabilities | 720 | 356 |
| 12. Long-Term Liabilities | ||
| 2023 | 2022 | |
| Baptist Buikiing Fund Loan | 0 | 0 |
| Baptist Union Loan Fund Loan | 0 | 0 |
| Loans from Church Members’ | 0 | 0 |
| Other [detailifmater,Ij | 0 | 0 |
| Total Long-Term Liabilities | 0 | 0 |