## **TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 2021** The Trustees are pleased to report that 2021 has been a good, if challenging year for the Church, with the continuing Covid pandemic restrictions and lockdown making if difficult to carry out regular services and some plans having to be put on hold. As the pandemic now appears to be drawing to a close and restrictions all but removed, it is hoped that 2022 will bring some sense of “normality” and an opportunity to reach out more into our community. With the exception of a couple of weeks during which we had to conduct the Church service via “Zoom,” we have been able to meet on a regular basis. Until mid- April, we were still meeting at Ledra house, though when Planning Permission was refused for a 2[nd] time, we had to find an alternative venue. We were able to meet at The Barons Court Hotel by the beginning of May, before the Aldridge Community Centre opened back up and we moved back there on 8[th] August. Apart from 2 services being held at the local Scouts hall, we have met every week at the Community Centre and are committed to remaining there for the foreseeable future. It has been a real blessing for the body of Christ to be able to worship as we are called to in the Bible and the times of fellowship have been a real benefit to our spiritual and mental health, at a time when many have struggled in terms of loneliness and over their mental health. Church giving is in line with the year previous, at approximately £28,200 compared to £29,100 the year before. What has been encouraging in these difficult times is the commitment and faithfulness of the members and the strong relationships that exist between them. Although we have not had any new adults join us, the Church is pleased to announce the arrival of 2 new babies born this year. Expenses are down on last year (by around £3,500), with last years accounts also showing a decrease (of around £1,500). Pastors remuneration remains unchanged. Ministry gifts and donations have also reduced and are significantly down from around £6,400 to around £1,300. This reduction was as predicted as we have significantly reduced the amount of aid given to the churches in Uganda. As a small Church, it was not sustainable to be spending so much of our income on churches overseas. The Link Church continues to support the Pastor of the main Church in Kampala, Uganda; Pastor Livingstone who received support of around £800 in 2021. Although the pandemic has meant that we have been unable to visit the churches in Uganda to see for ourselves how they are progressing and to support them through Bible teaching, as well as general advice and counsel; it is hoped that a visit may be possible at the end of 2022. With no trip to Uganda and restrictions seriously curbing outreach events, our travel/motor expenses have been very low this year. This year the Church was pleased to be able to raise money in order to send gifts to 3 worthwhile Christian Organisations; Barnabus Fund (£250), AIG UK (£200) and Christian Institute (£200). We continue to support Christian Concern on a monthly basis and myself and my wife were delighted to be invited to attend their Closing Banquet for the Wilberforce Academy in Oxford. This gave us the opportunity to meet with senior figures within the organisation, as well as meeting many steadfast Christians who have been in the media as a result of standing firm against opposition from various organisations because of their Christian faith. I was also able to participate in a “virtual” prayer event organised by Christian Concern. Rent has significantly increased, from £1,775 in 2020 to £4,813 in 2021. This increase was predicted last year following our stay at Ledra House, which contributed £4,500 to the total figure. Now that we are back at the Community Centre, it is anticipated that this figure will reduce substantially this year. With the Church committed to staying at the Community Centre for the foreseeable future; my wife became a Trustee of the Centre, giving the Church influence in the day to day running of the building. The Link Church has become affiliated to the Centre, resulting in a reduction of 25% on the cost of renting the premises, for only a nominal annual fee, depending on the size of the group. Music/ worship costs have increased this year and are expected to be higher next year. This is due to our plan to develop a “You Tube” channel for the Church, where Blogs as well as complete Sermons would be videoed and put on the channel in an attempt to reach out to those who are currently not attending a Church. This year a new projector and lectern have been purchased and we are currently looking to add to this as the channel goes live in the next few months. Church equipment is predominantly kept in storage and retrieved before each Sunday service. This will increase the amount of Admin costs we will incur in next years figures. The Church has previously discussed the possibility of members visiting the elderly and of putting on a Carol Service in their Care Homes. Although one such home previously proved to be unsuitable, this venture has still to be fully pursued. The outbreak of coronavirus has meant that this, and most other possible outreach events have had to be postponed but it is hoped that these can be looked at again later in 2022. We did have 2 outreach events, one of which was our successful Christmas Carol Service, with 2 visitors welcomed to the meeting. The main outreach event this year was on 29/08/21, when over 50 people, most of them visitors, attended our Dedication Service at Barons Court Hotel to witness the dedication of our 3 youngest congregants. It was a great service, with people travelling as far as from Scotland, Norfolk and Kent and the service live streamed to relatives in Spain. Unlike in previous years, the Church has not been involved in outreach events with other churches in the area. The Link Church still continues to enjoy support from Mike Hennigan, an established Ministers Fellowship International Pastor from the USA, and other Christian Ministers, and I was able to meet with them for a Leaders meeting in Coventry. The Church continues to teach, support and advise both its members and those who are not currently of the faith. I now outline our **Statement of Values** which best describes what is important to us as a Church;- ## **Family** We are a family of believers who care and cherish our time together and with God. As believers, family is what brings us together; no matter what, family will love and support you. As The Link Church, we are part of the same family, being sons and daughters of God and valuable members of His household. We encourage and support each other in all aspects of life, but we all have a part to play and a contribution to make. We value family as God’s model for society to raise, equip and develop the next generation. ## **Teaching and the Bible** The Bible, as God’s Word, is our foundation and we value its teaching. As The Link Church we place our primary focus on the Bible as God's word and direction. It is the absolute truth, so we use it as the foundation to support and guide our lives. When we meet together, this takes place through our Preaching and Teaching; we also encourage personal study of the Word of God. Knowledge of the Bible (God’s Word) enables us to stand firm in everything life brings. ## **Relationships** God desires relationship with us; we build our relationships with God and each other both in and out of Church. Relationships are what we all want, first with God and then with each other. As The Link Church our relationships with one another are real. God created mankind to share his life with, he wants to walk with you in all things. The Link Church develops its members to build this God focused relationship, inside and outside of Church. We are joined together with Jesus at the centre of our lives; it is he who brings us together and keeps us together in the tough times. ## **Growth and Maturity** We look to grow in our faith and also welcome new members into the Church. Every living thing has to grow and as Christians we are no different. Imagine a baby that doesn’t grow, or one that grows and fails to mature - you'd be worried! The same is true in our Christian lives, we should all be growing and maturing in the ways of God. Church growth is an increasing in our understanding and likeness to God, as well as an increase in believers. ## **Godliness, Holiness and becoming like Christ** Jesus Christ is our perfect example. To be a Christian means to become like Christ, but that is a journey, it doesn’t happen overnight. The more we are obedient to God the more he can use us and the more he changes us by the Holy Spirit. We please God as we become more like Christ. We therefore value and practice integrity, excellence and faith. In **conclusion** ; as well as seeking to increase our membership, the Church continues to focus on the development of each of its existing members and to permanently “put down roots” and establish a presence in the village of Aldridge. The year has been a challenging one for The Link Church and, indeed, for all Churches in this country. Nevertheless, we are in a good position both financially and spiritually and look forward to a positive and less restricted 2022. Pastor Douglas Miller For the Trustees THE LINK CHURCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD ENDING 31st MARCH 2021 Prepared by G M Harrison ACMA Chartered Mana8ement Accountant Registered Member in Practice Ref l-NIL5 3 The Downs, Aldridge Walsall WS9 0 1511212021 The Link Church Income & Ex enditure AIC For A Twelve Month Perlod From 1stA ril 2020 to 31st March 2021 2021 2020 Tithes & Offerings Special Gifts 23.175 5.068 22,983 6,115 Total Income 28.243 29,098 Expendlture Pastor Remuneration Travellmolor Expenses Youth Coslslchild Ministry Children Ministry Gifts & Donations Repairs & Maintenance BuildinglPremises Exps Admin Costs Musiciworship Resources FoodlSubsistancelEnUAccom Subs, Conference Costs Training Int Rec Rent Training Depreciation Sundries YOUth￿U¢k Shop Fees, Bank & Interest Paid 15.000 15.000 2.312 174 1.282 136 6,402 14 1,389 1,334 769 1.296 296 922 4,813 1,775 205 895 1,029 Total Expenses 26,918 29,397 SurplusllDeflcltl of Incomo 2,326 -298 The Link Church Account f 31st March 202 Balance Sheet 2021 2020 Fixed Assets Musical Equipment Dep'n to Date Current Assets Business Alc Business Premium Alc 2nd Alc Barclaycard Cash in Hand 3,314 21,023 1.001 21,013 24,437 22,117 Current Llabllltle8 Trade Creditors & Accruals 455 461 455 Net Current Assets 23,982 21,656 Represented By Op Bal SurpluslDeficit) from Income & Expendil 21.656 2.326 21.954 -298 23.982 21.656 The Link Church E 31" March 2021 11 Plant depreciation has been charged at 25% on the reducing balance method.