## **Sutcliff Baptist Church, Olney**
**Registered Charity Number: 1151773**
## **Annual Report and Accounts**
**For the year ended 31st December 2024**
**Sutcliff Baptist Church, Market Place, Olney, Bucks, MK46 4EA www.olneybaptist.org.uk**
## **Sutcliff Baptist Church, Olney**
## **Trustees’ Annual Report and Financial Statements 2024**
## **Mission Statement**
Sutcliff is a Baptist Church family that seeks to look up to God, and out to the world, to make effective disciples for Jesus Christ.
## **Statutory Information**
Charity Name: Sutcliff Baptist Church, Olney Registered Address: Market Place, Olney, Bucks, MK46 4EA Charity Registration Number: 1151773 Property Trustees: The Baptist Union Corporation Ltd. Baptist House, 129 Broadway, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 8RT Charity Trustees: Rev. Stuart Macdonald (Minister) Mrs. Sue Griffiths (Secretary) Mr. James Wharpshire (Treasurer) Mr. Jonathan Billingsley Mr. Sydney Bond (until 19[th] March 2024) Mr. Michael Hailes Mrs. Susan Lynch (until 19[th] March 2024) Mrs. Angela Richardson Ms. Carrie Walker Bankers: Barclays Bank Leicester, LE87 2BB Independent Examiner: Mr. David Greaves 19, Elmlea Drive, Olney, MK46 5HU No. of Paid Employees: 2 (Minister and Cleaner)
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## **The Trustees present their Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2024**
## **Charitable Object**
The charity is an unincorporated body and is governed by its Constitution which was originally agreed and dated 28[th] November 2012, which states that “The principal purpose 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 charitable purposes in the United Kingdom, and/or other parts of the world”.
Following the AGM in March 2022 the Trustees and Membership undertook a review of the voting process. This led to a small amendment to the Constitution which was approved by Members in November 2022. A further change to the Constitution, concerning the length of term Trustees should stand for, was agreed and adopted by Trustees and Membership at a Special Church Meeting held on the 25[th] January 2023.
The Church occupies premises which are held by the Baptist Union Corporation Ltd., on Trusts which are entirely compatible with the above object.
## **Organisational Structure and Decision Making Processes**
Baptism by immersion upon personal profession of faith is the normal mode of entry into the membership of a Baptist church. The church applies an open Baptismal qualification for Church Membership, so that persons seeking membership who have not been baptised in the manner described in the Union’s Declaration of Principle may at the discretion of the Church Members’ Meeting be accepted for full membership based on their own public profession of faith. Church Membership is open to those who:
- Accept the Beliefs of the Church.
- Meet the Church’s qualification on Baptism.
- Commit themselves to serving Christ within the Church and beyond.
- Abide by the decisions of the Church Members’ Meeting.
- Acknowledge their responsibilities as Church Members.
- Have their membership application accepted by the Church Members’ Meeting.
In accordance with the Constitution, the members appoint Elders and Deacons, who together with the Minister, Church Secretary and Treasurer (who are also appointed by members), are collectively known as the Leadership Team and are the Charity Trustees. The Leadership Team, as appointed Trustees, are responsible for the day to day running of the Church’s work and witness, and the financial and legal aspects of the charity.
Church Members’ Meetings are held at regular intervals on not less than six occasions in any calendar year and are an opportunity to consider and review routine matters associated with the life of the Church including issues related to church membership, the appointment of the Charity Trustees, the approval of the budget, with opportunities for considering proposals from the Charity Trustees or other Church Members for the development of the Church and the advancement of its Purpose through its Activities. One Ordinary Church Members’ Meeting each year includes the Annual Church Members’ Meeting for the Church Members to receive annual accounts and reports, to appoint Auditors or Independent Examiners, and to consider proposals for the strategy and vision of the church in the coming year, with other appropriate matters.
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## **Objectives and Activities**
In fulfilling the Purpose of the Church as set out above, it engages in a range of Activities either on its own or with others that will vary from time to time, with Activities being initiated, expanded, or closed, as appropriate.
The Activities may include but are not restricted to:
- Regular public worship, prayer, Bible study, preaching and teaching.
- Baptism, as defined in the Union’s Declaration of Principle.
- The Communion of the Lord’s Supper which shall normally be observed at least once a month.
- Evangelism and mission, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
- The teaching, encouragement, welcome and inclusion of young people.
- 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 with and supporting Baptists and other Christians.
Notwithstanding the appointment of persons to accept responsibility for any of the Activities all individuals, organisations, groups, and committees operating within the life of the Church, and their leaders, shall be accountable to the Charity Trustees and also through any specific direction of the Church Members’ Meeting.
The Church operates systems to ensure that all people working with children, young people or adults at risk are appropriately trained (in line with Baptist Union guidance) and vetted with regards to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).
When planning our activities for the year the trustees have considered the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit and in particular specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion and are satisfied that the activities outlined clearly demonstrate that the charity is providing benefit to the public.
## **Church Attendance**
As at 31[st] December 2024 the Church Membership totalled 88, a decrease of 4 over the previous year. Sunday morning and evening services are attended by approximately 75 and 25 people respectively.
## **Achievements and Performance Review for the Year**
2024 has seen the continuation of some familiar trends and the emergence of new ones. It has been encouraging to see new people appearing among us along with several more children and teenagers. Unfortunately we have seen an increase in the loss of some of our church family through age and illness and the bereavement that some are now experiencing as a result. It is also becoming noticeable that it is more of a challenge to staff certain aspects of the church’s life and ministry.
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The main activities of the church have continued through Cameo, the Craft and Art Groups and First Steps. In some cases, these groups have grown in number and are making new contacts with the community. During this past year we have witnessed the launching of new ventures in the church with the Hope Explored Course and the commencement of Friday Fun which has been well received by the community. 2024 has also seen the maturing of the ministry of the Men’s Breakfast which has allowed men to gather together for fellowship.
The church also launched a new look and feel to its outward appearance with a new logo, colour scheme and website which have been rolled out across the different online and physical materials we use.
Following the creation of the Outreach Group in 2023 the church started an after-school club on Fridays offering fun, craft and a meal to young families. The group also formed a partnership with the Milton Keynes Bridgebuilder Trust as a way to support outreach in our local Olney schools. A team was formed and trained by Bridgebuilder and will now plan to help with assemblies and other activities.
Stuart continued to undertake the vast majority of the preaching at the Sunday services. This was supplemented by preaching from others when Stuart was on holiday and we hosted one visiting preacher.
Encouragingly we maintain a healthy interest in meeting in smaller fellowship ‘House Groups’. We continue to have approximately 50 people meeting in five different groups across the week.
## **Church Activity Annual Reports**
These reports, by the two Church Officers (Secretary and Treasurer), our Minister and all leaders of organisations / groups / committees etc. that have operated throughout the year have been produced for circulation to members as an electronic booklet and as a paper copy where requested. This document was presented to the membership at the AGM in March 2025 for adoption by them. A copy is available on request.
## **Main Church Activities**
Church Members were able to meet face to face for our usual pattern of six Members’ meetings including the March AGM. The Church Trustees were also able to meet face to face throughout the year.
Our activities throughout 2024 included: Sunday services:
- A morning and evening service every week.
- An act of communion held on the 1[st] Sunday evening and 3[rd] Sunday morning of each month.
- An all-age, family service held on the 1[st] Sunday of each month.
- Our morning service is followed by a time of fellowship and refreshments.
- During most Sunday morning services we provide a creche, our Sunday Club group for primary school aged children and our GIGG group for secondary school aged young people.
Regular outreach activities during the week:
- Five Home Groups providing fellowship and bible study within small groups.
- An art group for adults.
- CAMEO, a social group aimed at older people.
- A craft group for adults.
- First Steps, a baby and toddler group
- Friday Fun, a term-time, weekly after-school club for younger families.
- A Men’s Breakfast group for informal fellowship.
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- Saturday coffee morning for local people which also helped to raise money for several local charities.
- Annual events aimed at young people:
- Christmas Cracked held in December and Easter Cracked held in March/April where children from the local middle school learn about the appropriate historical event in the life of Jesus Christ.
- A week-long Holiday Bible Club for children aged 5-12, held in August. This is organised and run jointly by the four churches in Olney.
- Lifepath, held in May where local schools bring children to learn about the life of John Newton or John Bunyan. This event is run in conjunction with Scripture Union.
Other notable events aimed at our local community:
- Carols by Lamplight, a Christmas carol event, open to all which is held on Christmas Eve at the local Infant Academy.
- Dickens of a Christmas, an annual event organised by the town in early December. We support the event by opening our church to provide somewhere warm and quiet to relax, activities for children as well as providing free refreshments and the use of our toilets.
- Hope Explored, a short enquirer course produced by Christianity Explored Ministries.
- Milton Keynes Food Bank for which we are a local collection centre.
- Olney-Newton Link, a charitable organisation based in Olney that provides financial and other help to individuals and the town of Newton in Sierra Leone.
- Outdoor Nativity, repeated after the successes in 2022 and 2023, which sees a small group of adults from the local churches together with a real donkey and sheep, retell the Christmas story of The Nativity. The event is held in a local public space providing the performance across different outdoor settings ending with refreshments.
- The Samaritans Purse Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal helps provide a Christmas gift for children across the world who may not otherwise receive a Christmas present. In addition to participating ourselves we also publicise this across the town and act as a local collection point for Samaritans Purse.
## **Financial Review**
The Church has only one main source of income, namely from the personal giving of the membership and congregation. This being through the cash and credit card offerings made at our Sunday Services, a weekly envelope scheme and by standing order.
Additional income is derived from the General Public through appeals and regular events, such as a fortnightly Coffee Morning, and the hiring of rooms in the church’s premises.
This income is separately directed to the Church’s General Fund and to our Fellowship Fund (for those suffering difficulties amongst the church family).
## **Special Appeals**
In addition to our regular giving to the Baptist Missionary Society (for overseas mission) and Home Mission Fund (for UK mission), we also gave to 14 other mission organisations.
## **Income and Expenditure**
The attached Financial Statement (below), prepared by the Church Treasurer, for the year ended 31[st] December 2024, along with the independent examiner’s report, form part of this report.
## **Reserves**
The Trustees are satisfied that they have sufficient reserves at the end of the financial year, together with anticipated ongoing income, to enable the Church to function effectively in the coming year.
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## **Safeguarding**
The Church and Trustees continue to take Safeguarding seriously and we ensured that all of our activities were operated according to our Safeguarding Policy.
## **The Future**
We thank God for his love and support throughout the year providing a full and wonderful church life and allowing us to serve our fellowship and the community that we are part of. We also thank our minister, our leadership team and the many people in our Church who give much of their time in Church related service.
We are grateful for the ongoing financial resources that help support our church, the services and activities we offer and the repayment of the loan that was taken out for the redevelopment of our premises.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees of Sutcliff Baptist Church, Olney:
James Wharpshire Church Treasurer 1[st] September 2025
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## **SUTCLIFF BAPTIST CHURCH, OLNEY**
## **FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2024**
## **GENERAL RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT**
|**Receipts**
**Note**
Regular Offerings
Donations and other income
2
Income tax recovered on gifts
Investment Income
3
Rent and contributions for use of premises
4
Raised for other causes
5
**Payments**
Ministry
7
Mission
8
Upkeep of church premises
9
Administration
10
Transferred to Development Fund
11
**Surplus for the year**
**Plus Transfer from AJ Wiffen &**
**Furnace Funds Following Closure***
**Plus Transfer from Sunday Club Fund**
**Balance brought forward**
**Balance carried forward**|**2024**
**2023**
77,292
65,071
3,248
5,760
17,794
12,978
1,328
880
6,965
6,115
1,407
1,972|
|---|---|
||**£108,033**
**£92,775**|
||35,426
33,333
28,355
24,937
27,106
19,128
5,815
9,075
-
9,465|
||**£96,703**
**£95,938**|
||£11,330
(£3,163)
£2,161
£882
£40,280
£41,281|
||**£52,492**
**£40,280**|
## **RESTRICTED FUNDS RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT**
||**Balance**|**Receipts**|**Payments**|**Balance**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**01-Jan-24**|**2024**|**2024**|**31-Dec-24**|
|**Fellowship Fund**|9,781|1,793|4,100|7,474|
|**Sunday Club**|1,543|19|882|680|
|**CAMEO**|820|2,065|1,828|1,057|
|**First Steps**|56|260|184|132|
||**£12,201**
|**£4,137**|**£6,994**|**£9,344**|
||**Balance**|**Receipts**|**Payments**|**Balance**|
||**01-Jan-23**|**2023**|**2023**|**31-Dec-23**|
|**Fellowship Fund**|8,516|1,915|650|9,781|
|**Sunday Club**|600|1,205|263|1,543|
|**CAMEO**|320|1,800|1,300|820|
||**£9,437**|**£4,920**|**£2,212**|**£12,145**|
* Funds closed and transferred to General Fund due to inactivity for many years
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## **SUTCLIFF BAPTIST CHURCH, OLNEY**
## **FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2024**
## **STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES AT 31[ST] DECEMBER 2024**
|**Note**
**ASSETS**
Bank and other cash balances
**REPRESENTING BALANCES ON THE FOLLOWING**
**ACCOUNTS**
General Fund
Restricted Funds
Non monetary assets
13
**LIABILITIES**
Loan from Baptist Union Corporation
(LC501)
12|**2024**
**2023**|
|---|---|
||**£61,835**
**£52,425**|
||52,492
40,280
9,344
12,145|
||**£61,835**
**£52,425**|
|||
||**£3,369,800**
**£3,266,000**|
||**Closed**
**£0**|
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS**
**(Notes 2 to 10 refer solely to the General Fund)**
## **1. Basis of accounts**
These accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and accord with Section 133 Charities Act 2011
**2. Donations and other income**
|**2. Donations and other income**||
|---|---|
|
Cash Offerings
Credit Card Donations
Sundry Gifts and Receipts
**3. Investment Income**
General Fund – Interest on Deposit Account
**4. Rent & contributions for use of premises**
Room bookings|**2024**
**2023**
1,919
1,742
87
0
1,242
4,018
**£3,248**
**£5,760**|
||**2024**
**2023**
1,328
880
**£1,328**
**£880**|
||**2024**
**2023**
6,965
6,115
**£6,965**
**£6,115**|
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## **SUTCLIFF BAPTIST CHURCH, OLNEY**
## **FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2024**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued)**
|**5. Other Causes**
Coffee Mornings
Harvest Appeal
Ukraine Aid
**6. Church Events**
Holiday Bible Club
Super Saturday
Men’s Breakfast
Christmas/Easter Cracked
CAMEO
Outdoor Nativity
Mothering Sunday
Friday Fun
Hope Explored
First Steps / Sunday Club / GIGG
Net Difference
**7. Ministry**
Minister’s Stipend
Pension Contributions
Employer’s National Insurance
Travel/Removal Expenses
Book Allowance
Manse Light & Heat
Visiting Speakers
Sundry Gifts|**2024**
**Receipts**
1,303
0
103|**2024**
**2023**
**2023**
**Payments**
**Receipts**
**Payments**
1,303
1,472
1,472
0
500
500
103
0
0|
|---|---|---|
||**£1,407**|**£1,407**
**£1,972**
**£1,972**|
||**2024**
**Receipts**
1,591
244
281
-
49
-
744
-
-|**2024**
**2023**
**2023**
**Payments**
**Receipts**
**Payments**
1,920
1,240
1,428
927
37
514
257
-
10
516
-
140
49
-
-
180
-
99
50
-
50
1,468
-
-
145
-
-
135|
||**£2,909**|**£5,648**
**£1,276**
**£2,241**|
|||**(£2,739)**
**(£965)**|
|||**2024**
**2023**
31,500
29,160
3,146
3,262
-
-
0
0
0
0
556
658
89
90
135
164
**£35,426**
**£33,333**|
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## **SUTCLIFF BAPTIST CHURCH, OLNEY**
## **FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2024**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued)**
|**8. Mission**
Baptist World Mission
Baptist Home Mission
Milton Keynes Bridgebuilder Trust
Scripture Union
TearFund
Mission Aviation Fellowship
Barnabas Fund
Advantage Africa
Mercy Ships
Good News for Everyone (formerly Gideons UK)
World Vision
Cry in the Dark
FEBA Radio
Langham Partnership
Sovereign World Trust
Olney Newton Link
Other Causes (see Note 5)
Church Events (see Note 6)
**9. Upkeep of church premises**
**(a) Church**
Light and Heat
Water
Repairs & Renovation
Insurance
Church Cleaner (employed) and materials
**(b) Manse**
Water
General Repairs & Renovation
Insurance
Council Tax|**2024**
**2023**
7,930
6,700
7,930
6,700
2,600
2,600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
600
300
300
900
1,500
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
300
350
-
1407
1972
2739
965|
|---|---|
||**£28,355**
**£24,937**|
||**2024**
**2023**
5,372
5,878
912
644
9,473
1,966
2,817
2,732
4,909
4,805|
||£23,483
£16,025|
||560
332
983
846
477
435
1,604
1,490|
||£3,623
£3,103|
|||
||**£27,106**
**£19,128**|
Page 11
## **SUTCLIFF BAPTIST CHURCH, OLNEY**
## **FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2024**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued)**
|**10. Administration**
Telephone
Photocopier, Computer & Software
Coffee machines & Supplies
Training
Printing & Stationery
CCLI Copyright Licences
TV Licence
Subscriptions
Sundry Expenses
Website
Piano
**11. Church Development Project**
**2024**
**Receipts**
Regular Gifts
Gift Aid on Development Fund
Interest
Transferred from General Fund
Repayment of BUC Loan
Repayment of Personal Loan
**Closed**|**2024**
**2023**
731
731
171
1,087
1,646
754
60
120
1,071
299
1,022
1,079
159
159
576
544
148
266
230
187
0
3,849
**£5,815**
**£9,075**
**2024**
**2023**
**2023**
**Payments**
**Receipts**
**Payments**
3,780
5,935
17
9,465
29,980
4,000
**Closed**
**£19,197**
**£33,980**|
|---|---|
## **12. Development Loan from Baptist Union Corporation**
Loan number LC501, for an initial value of £344,929 drawn down in 2015 and repayable over 10 years, for redevelopment of the church premises
|
Balance at 1st January
Interest
Monthly Loan Repayments
Balance at 31st December|**2024**
**2023**
29,694
286
(29,980)|
|---|---|
||**Closed**
**£0**|
Page 12
## **SUTCLIFF BAPTIST CHURCH, OLNEY**
## **FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31[ST] DECEMBER 2024**
## **NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS (continued)**
**13. Non-monetary assets Held for the Church’s own use**
The Church is the beneficial owner (subject to the relevant trusts) of the following assets, shown at insured value, the legal title to which is held by the Church’s custodian trustee, Baptist Union Corporation Ltd.
||**2024**|**2023**|
|---|---|---|
|
Sutcliff Baptist Church
Market Place, Olney, Bucks, MK46 4EA|2,939,528|2,845,646|
|The Manse
9 Wellingborough Road, Olney, Bucks, MK46 4BJ|268,194|263,452|
|The Church also owns fixtures, furniture and
equipment with an insured value of:|162,078|156,902|
||**£3,369,800**|**£3,266,000**|
The accounts and statement of assets and liabilities and its notes set out in pages 8 to 13 relating to the year ending 31[st] December 2024 are as approved by the trustees.
Signed on behalf of the Trustees of Sutcliff Baptist Church, Olney
James Wharpshire Church Treasurer 1[st] September 2025
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(HARITY COMMISSION
| FOR ENGLAND AND WALES
Independent examinerfs report on the
accounts
Secllon A
Independent Examinerfs Report
Report to tho trnstees
S 4 1 éAe