BROMSGROVE AiiNI
Baptist Church
Bromsgrove Baptist Church
New Road, Bromsgrove,
Worcestershire B60 2JD
01527 877190
www.bromsgrove-baptists.org,uk
Charity Number: 1154922
offo.ying thÉi tran%forming lovp_
ol JesLlS Lhrist in the realities of life
Charity Commission Annual Report 2020
Our year began with disappointment as we said farewell to our Associate Minister with Responsibility for Children &
Youth. The remainder of the year was then dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, we have continued to
strive to maintain our core focus on those we serve within our wider community, as well as those who form our church
communitv.
Aim & Purposes
Bromsgrove Baptist Church's aim is that that through all of our church activities, as well as through involvement in our
wider communities. all people will come to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Jesus has so much to offer all people,
whether life seems easy or not.
We are seeking to demonstrate the love of God for all people through the way in which we live our lives of faith in
unity together.
With the Bible to help everyone understand who God is, we believe that we are guided by God's Holy Spirit to be an
expression of the community that God longs to see throughout the world.
ObjeLtive.s & Activities
When planning our activities for the year, we have considered the Commission's guidance on public benefit and, in
particular the specific guidance on charities for the advancement of religion.
We believe our purpose as a church is to be 'Offering the transforming love of Jesus Christ in the realities of life" We
hold that closely through our core values of "Belonging" Growing" "Serving" in the words that we speak, as well as
in our care for each other, and support for our local community.
GROWING
Phlllpplans 2.1-18. Galallans 5.16-26, Luke 4."14-21
Our vision is to be a communlty of God's people who are growlng In understanding
of our relatlonshlp wllh HIM through Inspirlng teachlng and nurtvrlng dlsclpleshlp.
We will do this by:
Showing our dependence on God through vlbront prayer and worshlp thal
embfaces a varfety of tradltlons and styles so os to be helpful to all.
Seeking inspiration through Splrlt-led biblical teaching on Sundays, and looklng out
for other opportunities to leam logether.
Nurturing spiritual ar0h and frlendshlp through Llfe Groups 0$ our core place for
walking wlth and wotching over each other I'doing Ilfe together").
Providlng opportunltles for people of all ages to dlscov8r falth le.g.: Alpha cout5esl.
and deepen faith le.g.: Spiriluollly courses).
Supportlng people at dlfferent Ilfe slages through appropriole courses le.g.:
parenting and marrfage courses).
BELONGING
I Corlnthlans 12.12-27, Acts 2.42-47. John. 13."31-38
Our vlslon Is to be a commvnty of God's people living ovl compasslonate care,
offering generovs hospitality. and embracing ways of graclous belonglng.
We will do this by:
Loving each other as family, caring for the whole person, and lovtng our nelghbour
as ourselves.
Being open wilh our welcome to ensure that everyone feels at home and knows
that they ale valued in our communlty.
Glvlng prlority to Ihose In need as we release time and resources to the meef fhe
needs of those around us.
Demonstrating our commilment to Jesus throvgh baptlsm and our commltment to
each other through Covenant Partnership.
Respecting vlew-polnts and opinlons differont to our own as we willingty eyplore
divetsity together, and respond to each other in Chrisl-like ways.
SERVING
Joshua 1.6-9. Acts I:l-1 l. Epheslans 4.1-16
-'4
Our vision is lo be a cornmvnlty of God's people who are Ilvlng out a courageous lallh
as we engage in innovative oulreach and intentional mission.
We will do this by:
Helping each other to discover Ihe unique ways In which God has glfled and
equipped us so that we can oll serve him as he intends.
Ailowing God to chollenge us through the Holy Spiril to embroce fresh ways of
being church, even when that feels risky.
Evangelisticolly meeting the needs of our local cornmunity os we seek lo be church
away from our buildings. sharing Ihe love of Jesvs in crealive and imaginative woys.
Supporling the mission ond ministry of Churches Together in 8romsgrove and
responding lo opportunities for community engagemenl / development as they
ar6se.
Partnering with others beyond ourselves Ilocally and globollyl who are seeklng to
achieve God's Kingdom purposes in ways and places that we con't do or go to on
our own.
Achievements & Performance
Beloii%ing'.
We have continued to enable that people understand that Bromsgrove Baptist Church is a place where we belong
together in Covenant Partnership. As the first Covid-19 lockdown began in March 2020, we put in a place a "Staying
Connected" plan to ensure that we maintained regular contact with those who were the most VLtlnerable and isolated.
This plan proved to be so successful that it will continue into 2021.
Due to the nature of a very unusual year, it is less easy to comment on the number of those who continue to be fullv
connected to our church. The graph below shows a small decline in the later part of the year when we bid farewell to
some of our friends.
li li li li li'.ii.4111
The Strength of our belonging together is seen in the outworkinE of church life, not in numerical data. To that end, it
is through all that we share together, and through all that we offer to others, that we truly demonstrate that
BroTmsgrove Baptist Church is a place to belong together. where the depth of our love and care for each other, and
those who are currently beyond our church community, is unquestionable.
Gi'i)WlllL'-
Whilst much of our time this year has seen us concentrate on survivin& we have nonetheless ensured that there has
been growth in our spiritual and emotional wellbeing.
To that end, we have learnt to adapt to new forms of communication such as Zoom meetin8s and online services.
Despite the steep learning curve as we mastered new skills, we are so pleased that through the creative use of
technology, we have been able to connect with each other and learn together.
Live streaming of worship services is beginning to become our regular Sunday morning setup. Whilst we are keen to
be meeting in person again as soon as possible, we are lookir)g to continue to use live streaming as we have already
seen an increase in the number5 of those who we are able to connect with each week.
Sei'viiiL
As Covid-19 gained more of stronghold, many differing needs emerged across our community, as well as pre-existing
needs becoming magnified.
When people have been shielding or isolatin& we have been able to ensure that all they have needed from
supermarkets has got them at the right time. Prescriptions have been collected and delivered, and for those who do
not use computers, printed material has been delivered to ensure they remain updated and know they have not been
forgotten.
Through our many strong wider community links, we have also been able to respond to the needs of those we had not
met before by serving alongside other organisations and partner agencies in Bromsgrove.
This has taken a huge commitment from our church family, reflecting just how much we do consider ourselves to be
here for other people, not just ourselves. We have done all that we can to serve people with the compassion and grace
of Jesus Christ.
Our ongoing support of Bromsgrove Youth & Community Hub (The Hub), which operates out of the basement area of
our premises, has continued to be vital. During the year, we have seen a sharp rise in the mental health needs of young
people, and more complicated family scenarios exacerbated by Covid-lg lockdowns and restrictions. It has been a
privilege to be part of all The Hub is doing to serve the needs of those around us.
Leadership
Our leadership priority is to enable other5 to actively participate in the life of the church. Our Minister and Deacons
form our core "Leadership Team" alongside whom we affim) others in "Co-ordinatorf, roles.
During the autumn term it became increasingly apparent that the relationship between the church and Associate
Minister was deteriorating. We all worked together to pull this back, acknowledging that some of the work being
undertaken was having a positive impact.
Sadly, we were unable to turn thing5 around and received the resignation of our Associate Minister late December.
Financial Review
Overview
Giving to the church in 2020 reached a higher level than we had anticipated after assessing the additional financial
pressures on some of our church tommL¢nity due to Covid-19. Please refer to the attached accounts for details of
income and expenditure during the year.
Resetves Polic
Bromsgrove Baptist Church does not have a formal reserves policy. We are mindful of the guidance to retain sufficient
reserves in order to be able to close the church in an orderly manner should this be required.
Fabric
Most of our planned works for this year had to put on hold due to Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions. However. we
have been able to set a robust recovery plan for 2021. Throughout the year we have paid careful attention to the
dditional needs that we have been faced with within our premises to ensure that we have been Covid-safe at all
times.
Administration Information
Bromsgrove Baptist Church is situated on New Road in the town of Bromsgrove. The correspondence address is..
Bromsgrove Baptist Church; New Road. Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B60 2JD.
Those individuals who have served on our Leadership Team for all or part of the period of this report are:
• Mrs Sian Anderson (co-opted to provide AdministratNe support)
Mr David Bell
Dr Claire Curtis
Dr David Law
Rev Paul Lewis
Mrsimon Miles
Mrs Rose Pauley
Miss Morgan Robinson
• Mrs Jean Spencer
Mr Michael Stringer
Approved by the Leadership Team on 141h October 2021 and signed on thelr behalf by Rev. Paul Lewis.
## **Bromsgrove Baptist Church - 2020 Accounts**
## **Summary Accounts**
**----- Start of picture text -----**
Actual '19 Budget '20 Actual '20
Income (see below) 131,152.85 140,105.00 131,169.01
minus
Expenses (see page 2) 131,040.92 140,040.96 130,922.66
TOTAL 111.93 64.04 246.35
Funds holdings: Start 2020 End 2020
Restricted funds: £ 41,206.53 £ 35,401.52
Designated funds: £ 12,900.00 £ 43,672.00
£ 54,106.53 £ 79,073.52 Funds change: 24,966.99
Accounts change: 25,213.34
..
Bank Accounts: Start 2020 End 2020 should be
CAF Cash £ 28,402.41 £ 53,577.28 equal to:
CAF Gold £ 47,944.88 £ 47,983.35 ..
£ 76,347.29 £ 101,560.63 25,213.34
Income Actual '19 Budget '20 Actual '20
Offering 91,298.28 100,000 92,612.52
Gift Aid Refund 18,557.50 17,000 21,329.20
Church Rental Income 16,509.00 17,000 13,077.00
Bank Interest 71.85 25 38.47
Trusts and Dividends 80.30 80 82.10
Other Income (tickets etc.) 4,635.92 6,000 4,029.72 A
- - -
Stategic change - from contigency fund
TOTAL INCOME 131,152.85 140,105 131,169.01
**----- End of picture text -----**
Page 1
|**Church Expenses**
**Bank Charges**
**Cleaning**
**Rubbish Collection**
**External Preaching Fees**
**Fees, Subscriptions and Licenses**
**Insurance**
**Heat, Light and Water**
**Photocopier**
**Communication Services**
**Stationery & Consumables**
**Repairs and Renewals**
**Audiovisual Systems**
**Strategic change - to funds**
**Miscellaneous**
**Ministerial and Manse Expenses**
**Stipend, NI and Pension**
**Expenses incl. Travel, Conf etc.**
**Cnl Tax, Water, Gas, Elec, Phone**
**Repairs and Maintenance**
**Manse Insurance**
**Property Rental Cost**
**Major Repairs and Renewals**
**Major projects**
**Mission and Evangelism**
**Children's Work**
**Church Events**
**Literature / Advertising**
**BMS**
**Home Mission**
**AHAVA**
**Hope & Kindness Kenya**
**Meninadanca Brazil**
**Novimost Bosnia**
**Compassion**
**Mission Visit Subsidies**
**Miscellaneous**
**TOTAL EXPENSES**
**Expenses**|**Actual '19**|**Budget '20**|**Actual '20**
60.00
2,872.50
906.88
150.00
1,891.16
4,083.94
7,522.84
414.24
1,102.08
B
699.62
2,623.98
C
990.98
D
31,038.22
E
260.00
F
**54,616.44**
45,961.10
425.99
3,852.86
596.25
379.41
1,450.00
**52,665.61**
1,828.00
**1,828.00**
1,498.24
3,799.62
G
260.75
5,100.00
5,500.00
1,250.00
H
1,250.00
1,250.00
1,250.00
654.00
-
-
**21,812.61**
**130,922.66**|
|---|---|---|---|
||65.00|**60**||
||4,680.00|**4,700**||
||884.00|**950**||
||128.35|**150**||
||1,923.01|**1,950**||
||3,854.01|**3,900**||
||6,945.37|**7,000**||
||970.66|**800**||
||480.32|**500**||
||1,869.53|**1,500**||
||8,202.13|**5,000**||
||1,241.83|**500**||
|||**15,000**||
||100.00
**31,344.21**|**-**
**42,010**||
||57,578.18|**48,261**||
||1,948.27|**1,500**||
||3,809.10|**5,520**||
||192.07|**1,000**||
||358.53|**350**||
||8,337.50
**72,223.65**|**1,450**
**58,081**||
||1,539.36|**15,000**||
||**1,539.36**|**15,000**||
||3,528.11|**4,500**||
||3,822.99|**3,500**||
||632.60|**750**||
||5,100.00|**5,100**||
||5,500.00|**5,500**||
||3,000.00|**1,250**||
||1,250.00|**1,250**||
||1,250.00|**1,250**||
||1,250.00|**1,250**||
||600.00|**600**||
||-|**-**||
||-
**25,933.70**
**131,040.92**|**-**||
|||**24,950**
**140,040.96**||
Page 2
**Start 2020**
**End 2020**
## **Funds of Money held within Church Bank Accounts**
**Income Outgoing**
## **Restricted Funds**
(Restricted Funds may only be used for the purposes that they are provided.)
**----- Start of picture text -----**
£ 1,693.66 £ - Mission Visits £ - £ 1,693.66
£ - £ - BMS £ - £ -
£ - £ - Home Mission £ - £ -
£ 528.08 £ 416.22 Fellowship Needs -£ 194.30 £ 750.00
£ - £ - Youth Worker £ - £ -
£ 9,149.42 £ 585.06 Little Wonders -£ 252.00 £ 9,482.48
£ 20,969.86 £ - 1000 Days £ - £ 20,969.86
£ 8,235.93 £ 4,166.60 Youth & Community Hub -£ 12,402.53 £ - I
£ 444.06 £ 10,359.00 Holding Fund -£ 9,661.06 £ 2,392.00 J
£ 185.52 £ - SBHS CU -£ 72.00 £ 113.52
£ 41,206.53 £ 15,526.88 -£ 22,581.89 £ 35,401.52
**----- End of picture text -----**
## **Designated Funds**
|**Designated Funds**|**Designated Funds**|**Designated Funds**|
|---|---|---|
|12,000.00
£
30,172.00
£
-
£
42,172.00
£
K
900.00
£
600.00
£
-
£
1,500.00
£
**12,900.00**
**£**
30,772.00
£
-
£
**43,672.00**
**£**
**54,106.53**
**£**
**46,298.88**
**£**
**22,581.89**
**-£**
**79,073.52**
**£**
PA/IT Failure Contingency
(Designated Funds are set aside for a proposed purpose but may be redirected to general (unrestricted) funds if required.)
Contingency Fund|||
|12,000.00
£|30,172.00
£
Contingency Fund|-
£|
|900.00
£
**12,900.00**
**£**
**54,106.53**
**£**|600.00
£
30,772.00
£
**46,298.88**
**£**
PA/IT Failure Contingency|-
£
-
£
**22,581.89**
**-£**|
## **Notes for 2020 accounts**
|**A**|**Other Income**|||
|---|---|---|---|
||Panto tickets (2019)|£|142.50
|
||Panto tickets (2020)|£|737.00
|
||General Donations|£|344.00
|
||Sprout Income|£|239.85
|
||Mens Night Income|£|40.00
|
||Stipend Overpayment|£|27.83
|
||24a Ednall Lane Deposit Refund|£|1,087.50
|
||24a Ednall Lane Rental overpayment refund|£|427.50
|
||Bible Reading Notes|£|101.00
|
||Baptist Uniont Refund|£|179.00
|
||Electricity Service refund|£|487.54
|
||2019 Holiday Club (backpackers) income|£|216.00
|
||**TOTAL**|**£**|**4,029.72**
|
|**B**|**Communication Services**|||
||Website (Barclay James)|£|144.00|
||Zoom|£|210.40|
||Telephone and Broadband|£|341.68|
||Survey Monkey|£|396.00|
||Church mobile phone|£|10.00|
||**TOTAL**|**£**|**1,102.08**|
|**C**|**Repairs and Renewals**|||
||Solihull Sparky - monthly electrical cover|£|473.88
|
||Solihull Sparky - electrical works|£|83.71
|
||MD Services - Gas Leak|£|168.00
|
||MD Services - annual Gas Service|£|1,158.00
|
||MD Services - gas works|£|132.00
|
||24a Ednall Lane Key|£|7.00
|
||Protectahome (Basement Sump annual service)|£|576.00
|
||Church key|£|7.40
|
||Lightbulbs|£|17.99
|
||**TOTAL**|**£**|**2,623.98**
|
|**D**|**Audio Visual Systems**|||
||Camera for Live Streaming|£|990.98
|
|**E**|**Strategic Change - to funds**|||
||Transfer to PA/IT Contigency Funds|£|600.00
|
||Transfer to Contigency Funds|£|17,000.00
|
||Remained of 2020 budget for Major Repairs - set aside for 2021|£|13,172.00
|
||Transfer to Fellowship fund|£|266.22
|
||**TOTAL**|**£**|**31,038.22**
|
|**F**|**Miscellanous**|||
||C. Mungazi refund due to cancelled wedding (Covid-19)|£|130.00
|
||Land Registry Fee|£|130.00
|
||**TOTAL**|**£**|**260.00**
|
|**G**|**Church Events**|||
||Panto Costs (2019)|£|570.68
|
||Panto Costs (2020)|£|2,800.00
|
||Flowers (various events)|£|262.90
|
||Nativity Trail Expenses|£|48.87
|
||Birthdays and Anniversaries|£|68.12
|
||Food|£|49.05
|
||**TOTAL**|**£**|**3,799.62**
|
|**H**
Donation transferred to Holding fund to be paid in 2021 due to challenges making payment in 2020 (see note
**I**
**Community Hub Fund**
**Date**
**Item**
Start of 2020
27/01/2020
Heart of England Baptist Association - grant year 3
25/02/2020
Heart of England Baptist Association - grant year 3
25/03/2020
Heart of England Baptist Association - grant year 3
27/04/2020
Heart of England Baptist Association - grant year 3
11/05/2020
Payment to YMCA for Youth and Community Hub Costs
26/05/2020
Heart of England Baptist Association - grant year 3
25/06/2020
Heart of England Baptist Association - grant year 3
27/07/2020
Heart of England Baptist Association - grant year 3
25/08/2020
Heart of England Baptist Association - grant year 3
25/09/2020
Heart of England Baptist Association - grant year 3
26/10/2020
Heart of England Baptist Association - grant year 3
02/12/2020
Transfer of remaining monies to Youth and Community Hub
**J**
Donations for the Basement Project (Harvest Offering)
£ 1,122.00
Donation for Hope & Kindness
£ 20.00
2020 Donation to AHAVA (see note h)
£ 1,250.00
**TOTAL**
**£ 2,392.00**
**K**
Contingency Fund
£ 29,000.00
2020 Major projects remaining funds - to be used in 2021
£ 13,172.00
**TOTAL**
**£ 42,172.00**
**Contingency Fund -**is made up of
**AHAVA**
**Holding Fund -**is made up of|J)
**Income**
**Expenditure**
**Balance**
8,235.93
416.66
£
8,652.59
£
416.66
£
9,069.25
£
416.66
£
9,485.91
£
416.66
£
9,902.57
£
5,000.00
£
4,902.57
£
416.66
£
5,319.23
£
416.66
£
5,735.89
£
416.66
£
6,152.55
£
416.66
£
6,569.21
£
416.66
£
6,985.87
£
416.66
£
7,402.53
£
7,402.53
£
-
£
4,166.60
£
12,402.53
£
|
|---|---|
## **Pension Statement 2020**
The Church is an employer participating in a pension scheme known as the Baptist Pension Scheme (“the Scheme”). The Scheme is a separate legal entity which is administered by the Pension Trustee (Baptist Pension Trust Limited).
The Minister(s) are eligible to join the Scheme.
Since January 2012, pension provision has been made through the Defined Contribution (DC) Plan within the Scheme. In general, members pay 8% of their Pensionable Income and employers pay 6% of members’ Pensionable Income into individual pension accounts. In addition, the employer pays a further 4% of Pensionable Income (or 3% if the employer is in the segregated DC section) to cover Death in Service Benefits, administration costs, and an associated insurance policy which provides income protection for Scheme members in the event that they are unable to work due to long-term incapacity. This income protection policy has been insured by the Baptist Union of Great Britain with Aviva. Members of the Basic Section pay reduced contributions of 5% of Pensionable Income, and their employers also pay a total of 5%.
Benefits in respect of service prior to 1 January 2012 are provided through the Defined Benefit (DB) Plan within the Scheme. The main benefits for pre-2012 service were a defined benefit pension of one eightieth of Final Minimum Pensionable Income for each year of Pensionable Service, together with additional pension in respect of premiums paid on Pensionable Income in excess of Minimum Pensionable Income. The Scheme, previously known as the Baptist Ministers’ Pension Fund, started in 1925, but was closed to future accrual of defined benefits on 31 December 2011.
A formal valuation of the Defined Benefit (DB) Plan was performed at 31 December 2019 by a professionally qualified Actuary using the Projected Unit Method. The market value of the DB Plan assets at the valuation date was £298 million.
The valuation of the DB Plan revealed a deficit of assets compared with the value of liabilities of £18 million (equivalent to a past service funding level of 94%). As a result of the valuation, in addition to the contributions to the DC Plan set out above, it was agreed that the standard rate of deficiency contributions from churches and other employers involved in the DB Plan will remain at previously agreed levels, increasing each year in line with increases in the Minimum Pensionable Income. The deficiency contributions are broadly based on 12% of Pensionable Income / Minimum Pensionable Income, reflecting each employer’s contributions in March 2015. Some employers that were involved in the DB Plan for a short period pay lower contributions. The Trustee and the Council agreed a 50% reduction for all deficiency contributions payable between 1 July 2020 to 31 December 2020.
In addition, the Baptist Union of Great Britain agreed to contribute a lump sum of £0.5m by 31 December 2020. The current Recovery Plan dated 30 September 2020 envisages deficiency contributions continuing until 30 June 2026. The key financial assumptions underlying the valuation were as follows:
|Type of assumption|% pa|
|---|---|
|RPI price inflation assumption|3.20|
|CPI price inflation assumption|2.70|
|Minimum Pensionable Income increases (CPI plus 1.0% pa)|3.20|
|Assumed investment returns||
|-
Pre-retirement|2.95|
|-
Post retirement|1.70|
|Deferred pension increases||
|-
Pre April 2009|3.20|
|-
Post April 2009|2.50|
|Pension increases|2.70|
As there is a large number of contributing employers participating in the Scheme, the Church is unable to identify its share of the underlying assets and liabilities of the scheme. Accordingly, due to the nature of the Scheme, the profit and loss charge for the period represents the employer contributions payable.
The total pension cost for the Church in 2020 is £7392.74, which comprises
- For Paul Lewis, £6897.78 which comprises £3649.80 to the DC Plan and £3247.98 to the DB Plan Deficiency Contribution.
- For Jacob Wain, £494.96 to the DC Plan
For comparison, the total pension cost for the church in 2019 was £9880.24 which comprised £5612.44 to the DC Plan and £4267.80 to DB Plan Deficiency Contribution.
The next actuarial valuation of the DB Plan within the Scheme is due as at 31 December 2022.
BROMSGROVE BAPTIST CHURCH
## INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
CHARITY NUMBER 1154922
PERIOD OF ACCOUNTS 1 January 2020 to 31 DECEMBER 2020
## **Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner**
The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The charity's trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under section 144 of the Charitees Act 2011 (the Charitees Act) and that an independent examination is needed
- examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charitees Act
- to follow the proceedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145 [5] {b} of the Charity Act) and
* to state whether particular matters have come to my attention
## **Basis of independent examiners statement**
My examination was carried out in accordance with the general directions given by the Charity Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a 'true and fair' view and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention
- (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in, any material respect, the requirements:
- to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act.
- to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the Charities Act have not been met ; or
- (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding
of the accounts to be reached.
**Signed**
## K R Moore
**Date 11**[th] **October 2021**
**Keith Roger Moore KLM Accounts Independent Examiner 15 Shenstone Road Great Barr Birminggham B43 5LW**