2023 

## TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT 2023 

BY TRUSTEES AT EDMONTON CHURCH OF CHRIST 



## Trustees Annual Report of Edmonton Church of Christ 2023 

## **Work of the Church as Set Out in Scriptures (Aims & Objectives)** 

The aim of Edmonton Church of Christ is to worship God in truth and spirit and that is shown in the various ways the body of Christ at Edmonton is structured to ensure these goals are achieved to the glory of our Father in heaven. In order to achieve these goals, the church has put in place as evidenced in Scriptures, Deacons who lead in the areas of edification, evangelism and benevolence in addition to administration and finance to ensure members are actively engaged in charitable activities, spreading the gospel which is the only message that saves mankind and also providing opportunities for members and visitors alike to worship God in the beauty of His Holiness. 

In addition to the Deacons who lead in the various service areas as stated above, the Elders have the oversight responsibility of all these deacons to ensure the best is done at every given opportunity. The Elders keep watch over both themselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made them Overseers. These they do willingly or charitably not pursuing dishonest gain, but through their eagerness to serve and also not lording it over the church, but being examples to the brothers and sisters and all that come to worship and partake in the activities of the Church. 

## **Administration and Finance** 

Administration helps organise the Church in a manner that gives glory to God as well as achieving corporate social responsibilities. In doing so, periodic meetings are organised at different levels in the congregation to evaluate the progress of the Church in achieving its financial and 

administrative goals. To ensure that every concern of the members is dealt with in the spirit of God and complaints made receive their desired attention, there is periodic feedback to the church to ensure transparency and openness prevails in the functioning of the administration and finance department. 

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Communication from other congregations and individuals are received on behalf of the Church by the administration and where necessary, responses are given on behalf of the Church. Men have been appointed to be 

responsible for making regular announcements to the congregation to keep the whole church well-informed of the activities of the local and sister churches. 

The deacon in charge is entrusted with the management of the financial resources of the Church, which are mainly from individual voluntary contributions. Part of the Deacon’s duties is to ensure that the financial resources are best used in line with biblical principles. In light of this, the finance and administration section in conjunction with the other Deacons work together to help prepare annual budgets so that all the ministries are properly funded for the purpose of carrying out their godly responsibilities. 

The deacon in charge ensures that all money that are collected and spent is accounted for by providing the congregation with periodic financial reports and other financial information as and when the need arise. 

He also manages transportation needs of the church whether the church is going on a trip or making arrangement for brethren to be picked up for congregational meetings or other activities that helps the brethren to be built up and support the community. 

## **Evangelism and Visitation** 

The aim for evangelism as an arm of the church is to encourage the congregation to be able to make disciples for our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, who is the saviour and the Judge of the world and has entrusted onto us this commission to bring salvation’s message unto each and every one to have the opportunity of deciding for themselves whether to accept the free message of salvation and obey to spend eternity with Christ or not. In fact, God does not want anyone to perish but wants everyone to have everlasting life with His son Jesus Christ. In this vain the Deacon serving in this capacity develops an annual evangelism plan, whereby the entire congregation have the opportunity, resources and skills needed to participate in this godly activity in line with the great commission set out in 

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Mathew 28: 19-20 which states ‘ _Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age’_ . 

The evangelism activity for the past year picked up again after the lock down restrictions were lifted. The church has set out a local vision to evangelise the local area of Edmonton, providing hope to everyone home and every person to have the choice of deciding based on their understanding and the freewill God has given every human being to choose and when the trumpet is sound at the second coming of Jesus Christ, everyone would be rewarded according their works done in the flesh whilst living on the judgment day. The evangelism tools used include word of mouth, leaflets, social media platform and various broadcasting to reach as many as possible to hear the good news about Jesus Christ. 

## **Edification** 

The deacon in charge of Edification oversees the smooth running of congregational worship activities. This include appointing competent men to lead in various classes and activities of the church to ensure most if not all members are edified by the words we hear. The leaders include songs leading, bible teachers, leaders in prayers, those who help in the Lord’s Supper and giving of our means to support the work of the Lord. 

Various bible classes are provided to suit the needs of the various members so that learning would take place and be edified. 

In the course of the year, lectures, workshop, training sessions are organised to help equip both men and women to carry out their godly duty effectively. 

Marriage couples and singles also have their well-prepared sessions to meet their needs to equip the saints to have improved marriages and the singles to be better prepared to understand what marriage is about. This helps families to better and enable children to be brought up the best way to 

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ensure they do not become burden to the society and the government, especially with increased youth crime being fought by the police. 

Edification equips families with daily bible studies resources that are useful in knitting the families together to make the church stronger as the church is largely made up of individual families. Again, various family links have been developed to ensure such smaller groups are given appropriate physical, spiritual and social platforms among others to be integrated properly and have stronger bond among themselves to enhance their 

spiritual, emotional and social growth among others. Various family groups have their own freedom to plan their activities with support from edification to ensure no one group is left out in planning and executing their plans for their growth. 

Throughout the year, fasting and prayer sessions were held as part of our commitment to intercede for members of the body of Christ, the community, the nation and the rest of the world to ensure peace which brings development and growth would prevail. 

Apart from meeting on every Sunday, the church also met on Saturdays mostly to study the word of God, fast and pray and also to sing to glorify our maker. 

## **Benevolence** 

This is another major component of the church as it seeks to meet more of the physical needs of the members and those in the community. The serving Deacon and other brothers and sisters working together make a thorough study of all needs for assistance in the church and in the community. Brethren work closely with other functional areas, and members of the Church in identifying and meeting those who have needs. They have been able to organise charity months where additional resources are obtained to help them meet their aims. They purchase food items and give to families and individuals that have those needs. This particular benevolent act was increased due to the nature of difficulties some of our members encountered as a result of the effects from covid-19 pandemic which brought in its wake lockdown, bereavement, sicknesses and loss of income to some members. 

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Those whose relatives pass away are given the necessary support, encouragement and also cash donations. Families who have new births are given token of items that are needed to support the upkeep of the children. 

## Financial Review of 2022 

Below are the screenshots of the financial statement for the year ending 31[st] December 2022. 


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FINANCIALSTATEMENTFOR THE YEAR ENDED 31ST DECEMBER, 2022
Openin8 Balance 2022
£ 3.000
Church Collection
E 53,163.98
Total Income
E 56,163.98
Total Expenditure
£ 47,796.88
Closing B8lance2022
£ 8.367.01
INCOME AND EXPENDITURE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 315T DECEMEBR, 2022
INCOME
EXPENDITURE
Bal bld
Church Collection:
In-Person
Online 8ankTransfer
3,CMJO
Hall Rental
Transport
Edification
Evangelism
Benevolence
Administration
Youth Ministry
Property payment
Building Fund Transfer
Bal cld
7,104
2,604.38
3,021.89
3,848.83
8,136.74
337.39
600
2,105
20,038.65
8,367.01
43,420.98
9,743
TOTALINCOME
£ 56.163.98
£56.163.98

CASH FLOWSTATEMENTFOR THEYEARENDED31ST DECEMBER. 2022
MONTH
IN-PERSON COLLECTION £
ONLINE BANK COLLECTION £
JANUARY
FEBRARY
MARCH
APRIL
MAY
JUNE
JULY
AUGUST
SEPTEMBER
ocroBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
3,732.09
3.440.15
3.110.83
3.020.78
4,001.48
2,810.53
3.902.88
3.101.35
4,443.27
4,502.55
3,907.56
3.446.07
712
604
1,160
530
910
737
550
1.080
925
755
940
43,420.98
9,743
TOTAL COLLECTION
53.163.98
HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2022
TOTAL INCOME
£ 56.163.98
TOTAL EXPENDITURE
£ 47, 796.88
OPENING BALANCE 2023
£ 8,0367.01

## **Explanation of the financial statement 2022** 

## Income: 

The financial year began with a balance brought forward of £ **3,000.00.** The main source of income which is members’ voluntary contribution accounted for £ **53.163.98** making the total income for the year is £ **56,163.98** 

## Expenditures: 

Our budgetary allocations made for the year saw total expenditures amounting to £ **47, 796.88** 

The breakdown of the expenditure items is found in the account statement 

## Net Balance: 

As the church maintains a policy on reserve for contingency situations, the balance at the end of the year showed an excess income of £ **8,367.01** over our expenditure. 

## **Structure of Edmonton Church of Christ** 

## Church Members 


**----- Start of picture text -----**<br>
4 x Deacons<br>**----- End of picture text -----**<br>


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## **Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Edmonton Church of Christ** 

I report on the accounts of the Edmonton Church of Christ for the year ended 31[st] December 2022, which are set out on pages 5-7 as per the screenshots. 

## **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(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed. 

It is therefore my responsibility to: 

- examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act 

- to follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act 

- to state whether particular matters have come to my attention 

## **Basis of independent examiner’s report** 

My examination was carried out in accordance with the general Directions given by the Charity Commission. This 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 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 next statement. 

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## **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 2011 Act and 

   - to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 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. 

Thomas Obeng-Darko 

175 Little Brays 

Harlow 

CM18 6EY 

- 24[th] August 2023 

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