2023-12-31-accounts - Ashby Baptist Church

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Ashby Baptist Church 2023 Trustees’ Report

Ashby Baptist Church 2023 Report

Statutory Information

Registered Address

Brook Street, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, Leicestershire. LE65 1HA Charity Registration Number 1159600

Trustees

Mrs Sarah Anderson (Appointed as Deacon 22 February 2022) Mrs W Becker (Treasurer) (Appointed as Deacon 28 June 2016) Prof. Richard Craggs (Appointed as Deacon 23 February 2021) Mr Ian Hunt (Appointed as Deacon 28 February 2023) Prof. Martin Insley (Appointed as Deacon 22 February 2022) Mrs Lesley Salter (Appointed as Deacon 23 February 2021) Mr Duncan Scott (Appointed as Deacon 27 February 2018) Mrs Sue Treasure (Secretary) (Appointed 23 February 2021)

Mr Graeme Robinson (Retired as Deacon 28 February 2023)

Property Trustees

The Baptist Union Corporation Limited Baptist House 129 Broadway Didcot Oxfordshire OX11 8RT

Bankers

National Westminster Bank Ashby-de-la-Zouch

Kingdom Bank Beeston

Independent Examiners

Mrs Anne Myring Mrs Sandra Shaw

Ashby Baptist Church 2023 Trustees’ Report

Annual Report for 2023

The Trustees present their Annual Report and financial statements for 2023.

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 declaration of principle of the Baptist denomination to include the advancement of education and other charitable purposes in the United Kingdom and other parts of the world.

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

Members of the Church are accepted in accordance with the Constitution which requires them to be baptised by immersion upon personal profession of faith or, at the discretion of the Church, upon an alternative personal profession of faith.

The members’ Meeting normally takes place five times per year and has responsibility for the overall policy of the Church. In accordance with the Constitution, the members appoint a minimum of six Trustees (including the Secretary and Treasurer), who together with the Minister (who is also appointed by the Members), and collectively known as the Diaconate, 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 the Church meeting for further consideration by the Trustees. Although 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 Charitable Object, 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 Him as Living Lord.

Central to the work and witness of the Church is the provision of regular public services of Christian worship. Anybody is free to attend these services which take place each Sunday morning at 10.30am; there are also occasional services at other times, as advertised from time to time. There is a children’s programme linked to the morning services.

The Church runs a series of mid-week home groups for the growth of faith and discipleship, both in the homes of members and on the Church premises. The Church runs various activities specifically for the wider community, some of which are recommended by the local Council’s social services department, including Renew Wellbeing and a lunch club.

Rainbows and Guides meet regularly in the Church building and a number of activities for young people are held on a regular basis, some in conjunction with Ashby Youth for Christ; the Women’s Institute meets monthly on the premises, and many other organisations use the facilities on an occasional basis.

Ashby Baptist Church 2023 Trustees’ Report

Valued links with the other Churches in Ashby and in to the community find particular expression through involvement with Ashby Youth for Christ, Christians Against Poverty, and Street Pastors, as well as through town-wide gatherings for prayer. Many members are involved individually in the life of the community, in Ashby and further afield.

The Church operates systems to ensure that all people working with children and vulnerable adults are appropriately vetted through the Disclosure and Barring Service.

The Trustees are satisfied that the Church’s activities, which can be seen in more detail on the Church’s website, clearly demonstrate that it is providing a benefit to the public.

Achievements and Performance

The Church does not measure the success of its programmes only in numbers, whether financial or otherwise, but also in less tangible areas like fellowship, encouragement and spiritual growth. The Trustees recognise that these are difficult to measure, but the wide range of successful activities indicate that the Charitable objective has been met and will continue to be met in 2024.

We began the year in Pastoral Vacancy with the Church Profile live on the Baptist Union Pastoral Vacancy list. A number of our members ably led and preached at our Sunday morning services.

At the February AGM, one Deacon retired, while one was appointed.

During the past year, three members died, four members resigned their membership, one member transferred her membership due to moving away, while one person was received into membership. In July we had a baby Dedication and an adult Baptism.

Our Administrator retired in June and a new appointment was made.

For 6 weeks during the summer, we held Café Church in our lounge area instead of meeting upstairs in the Sanctuary. We had anticipated low numbers during this period but in reality, all the meetings were very well attended and attracted new people.

In October we held an away day at home – Upper Room a day of ministry and fun together. Held on a Sunday this was very well attended. It was followed by a week of prayer with a different focus each day.

We held special mid-week meetings during Lent and Advent.

The provision for children and young people continued on a Sunday morning, the monthly Saturday morning group for fathers and their pre-schoolers, ‘Who let the dads out?’ continued.

The mid-week small groups for adult Bible study, prayer and support continued. The Friday ‘Why Jesus?’ and ‘Lunch Club’, and the regular reflective Sunday afternoon service, ‘Prime Time’ continued. The social group started so that Ukrainians staying with local families could meet in a safe place came to a natural end; three Ukrainian families have become part of the church fellowship.

‘Renew 139’ the weekly Wednesday group where it is ‘OK to not be OK,’ with craft and other activities, and an opportunity to gather for quiet prayer; continued to be very popular.

Ashby Youth for Christ ran activities from our premises for young people, as did the Rainbows and Guides. The monthly Women’s Institute meeting continued, and a monthly Saturday morning ‘Make do, mend and create’ group in partnership with another local church continued.

Ashby Baptist Church 2023 Trustees’ Report

As a member of the local East Midlands Baptist Association, we continued to support the ministry of Ebenezer Baptist Church and the Kingsgate Project at Greenhill Baptist Church, both in Coalville, while the annual toy service brought generous contributions for the Marlene Reid Centre. The church also provides ongoing financial and prayer support to a number of ministries, both in this country and overseas, offering assistance to church workers, young people, students, victims of abuse, and those in need of development aid or emergency assistance.

Financial Review

The Church continues to raise the funds which it needs to continue its activities from within its own membership and congregation. The regular expense associated with the cost of employing a Minister has ceased whilst the church looks for a new minister. The church continues to employ a parttime Pastoral Worker, who assists the Minister in providing pastoral care for the congregation and others, and in equipping and encouraging the membership in their life, Christian witness and service. The church also employs an administrator on a parttime basis.

The Church expressed its part in the life of the wider church by making grants to local, national and international Christian organisations 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 established a Reserves Policy and are satisfied that they have sufficient reserves at the Balance Sheet date, together with ongoing income anticipated, to enable the Church to function effectively in the coming year.

The Trustees have made an assessment of the major risks facing the Church and are satisfied that there are policies in place to minimise these risks.

ASHBY BAPTIST CHURCH FINANCE REPORT AND ACCOUNTS FOR 2024 AGM "For os in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. I Corinthlans 15..22 l. Independent Examlnatlon The Independent Examiners have completed their work and signed off the accounts. A copy of their Report and the Accounts in the fomiat for the Charity Commtsslon is attached. 2. Recelpts The Church continues to raise the funds that it needs to carry on its activftles from within its own membership and congregation. Income for 2023 was up by over £114,500 on that for the prevlous year. Towards the end of 2023 Ashby Baptlst Church unexpectedly recer4ed a substantial legacy from a prevlous lon8-Standlng member who had named the church as a sIdUal beneficlary in his wlll. The church acknowledges God's gracious timing In this matter and plans to use a major part of this gift towards providing suitsble housing for the incoming Pastor, when he or she is appointed. However, the final decisions concernlng this depends upon many factors that are a5 yet unknown. 3. Payments Following the retlrement of the previous Pastor in 2022 the church has continued to function well. The maiorty of the regular setvices have been led by member5 of the church family wlth occasional input from visiting contributor5. This has enabled the associated cosis to be kept to a minimum and is reflected In the overall expenditu. a. Mlnlstry The seri15 continue to be avallable vla a sound recordin b. Mlsslon The Church expressed Its part in the life of the wider church with financial sUPlX>rt to local, natlonal and intemational organisations and societies with Christian alms and objectlves compatible with the Church's own charitable purpose. These a summarised in Note 5 to the CoUnt5 and detailed at Note 3. IO% of the church's Income contlnue5 to be tithed equally between BMS World Mlssion and EMBA Home Mission Fund. Flnancial support 15 also given out of Church funds to Ashby Youth for Christ, Oasi5 Intemational Ito support the work of Phil Lane}. Christians Against Poverty IC4P- Ashby), Brltish Youth for Christ and Ashby Street Pastors. Upkeep of church premises The church contlnues to monltor the condttlon of the building and is planning to use some of the money frorn the recently received legary to enable implementstion of necessary repairs. 4. Surplus for the year and bank balances The Trustees are satiSfd that they have sufflcient reserves at the Balan Sheet date, together with ongoing antlclpated income, to enable the church to fijnrtion effectbvely in the coming year. while the church continues to operate without a paid Pastor there is a significant monthty surplus; see No 3 Payments. above. Pagell

ASHBY BAPTisf CHURCH ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 GENERAL RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT P4ote 2023 Recelpts Regular offerings Donations and other income Income tax recovered on gift aided receipts to general funds Bank interest Rents and contrlbutlons for use of premises Ministry & Manse Fund Monies raised and received for other causes 71,384.58 139,341.52 15.986.45 1.361.93 2,396.90 1.020. 1.758.86 233,250.24 82,526 12.344 18.553 207 2,349 1,354 1,416 £118,749 Payments Ministry Mission Administration Upkeep ofchurch pMIseS 17,623.96 23,266.99 11,324.60 17,474.11 69,689.66 47,628 26,052 9,912 18,936 £ 102.529 Surplus/lDeficlt) for the year Balance brought ft)rward at 1st January aos1 Balance at 31st December I63,5.58 62.865.25 226,425.83 16,220 £62.865 Page12

srATEMEKf OF BANK & CASH BALANCES AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 Note 2023 62,865.25 163,560.58 226,425.83 2022 46.645 16.220 £62.865 General Funds - balance brought forward at l January Total General Funds Surplus/lDeficitl for the Year Balance carried forward at 31 December representsd by. Natwest Current & &usines5 Reserve Accounts Kingdom Bank Savings Accounts Petty Cash Total Cash and Bank balances at 31 Dernber 22.785.23 203.613.94 26.66 25.402 37,437 27 226,425.83 £62.866 allo¢ated to: General Fund Building & Maintenance Fund Mlnistry & Manse Deposit Fund Benevolertrce Fund 163.233.81 2.227.93 58.726.96 2.237.13 226.425.83 17.583 2.509 41.207 1.567 £ 62,866 Totsl STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND UABIUTES AT 31 DECEMBER 2023 2023 Bank and other cash balan5 representlng Balances In the followlng Funds Total Funds 226,425.83 £62.865 226,425.83 226,425.83 £62.865 £62,865 Other monetary assets Non-monetary assets £6,039.85 £2.126.681 £ 7,380 £2.064,741 Page13

ADOPTION BY THE MEMBERS OF ASHBY BAPTIST CHURCH The Accounts. including the Notes, were adopted at the Annual General Meeting of Ashby Baptist Church on 27th February 2024. Dated: Signed.. Chair of Deacons Martin In51ev Secretsry Sue Treasure Page 14

NOTES TO THE AcCourS l. Basis of accounts: These accounts have been PrePad on a 'receipts and paymentr basis and accord with Sertion 133 of the Charities Act 2011 2. Donatlon5 and other Ir*ome: General donations Legacy Saturday coffee mornlngs Grants and donation5 for mission Farnily activities Income towards upkeep of Church premises 191.44 85 137.188.07 256.26 48 2,217 8.833 1,161 £12.344 i.rx)6.50 699.25 139,341.52 3, Other causes 2023 Ralsed 82.32 Gl Agape IL Mclntoshl Ashby Food Bank Ashby Youth for Christ BMS World Misslon Brltish Youth For Chrfst IN Roberts} Chrlstlans Agalnst Poverty {Ashby} Chrlstlan Aid EMBA Home Misslon Fund Oasis International IP & R Lane} Open Doors Retlrement Glfts Street Pastors Tearfund 82.32 iO.LX) iO.(M) 32.(Kl 6,c.[KI 210.(M] 4,724. 900. 1,200.00 507.23 S,653.90 2,782.31 177. 24.95 240. 122 122 40 5,620 2,055 507.23 6,050 2,343 82.31 177.0) 387.¢XI 57 I,iio 1,510 271.LX) 186.50 87 87 £1.416 £23.535 £1,758.86 22,488.21 4. Mlnistry Ministerfs Stipend, on-costs and expenses Minister's houslng costs Pastoral worker and costs Family attivities Worship resources Fellowship support and events Benevolence 2023 2022 12. 20,340 5,629 12.605 7. 725 518 327 13396.83 1,891.27 1,626.16 246.20 451.50 17.623.96 £47,629 Page15

NOTES TO THE AccouNfs (contlnued) 5. Mlssion Given to other cause5 Other local outreach Note 2023 22.488.21 778.78 23.266.99 2022 23,535 2,518 £26.053 6. Upkeep of Church Premlses and General Runnlrq Costs 2023 2022 Insurance Gas and electrklty Other running costs Cleaning Catering General paIrs & malntenance 2,487.21 3,182.02 3,312.03 4,605.89 862.31 2.734 2.984 2.600 3.978 1,380 5,259 £18.935 3,024.65 17,474.11 7. Other monetary •ss•ts Current debtors: HMRC- tax recoverable on Gift Ald Q3 Insurance prepaid 2022 3,255.25 2,487.21 £5.742.46 297.39 4.434 2,734 £7.168 212 Cash balance$ of chUh ory¥nls*lons £6,039.85 £7,380 8. Non-monetsry assets Church premises situate Brook Street, Ashby-de-la-zouch, built in 1862 and held by The Baptist Union Corporatlon Ltd. as Custodian Trustees. The building is currently insured for Contents of the Church premise5 are currentty inSUd for Z023 2022 1.949.984 176,697 £2.126,681 1.893.190 171,551 £2,064, 741 9. Cash balances of Churth orpnlsatlons Openlng Balance aoslTrg Balance Recelpts Payments Lunch Club 212.30 722.IX> 636.91 297.39 £212.30 £722.00 £636.91 £297.39 Included in Payments for the Churth orrdnisatlon alThe are 2023 donakn to tharftsble causes of £llXI. Page16

INDEPENDE EXAMINERS. REpoKf ON THE AccouKfs REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF ASHBY BAPTIST CHURCH ON ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023 Respectlve responslbllltles of the Trustees and the Independent Examiners The Charlty's Trustees are responsible forthe Pfeparatlon of the Accounts. The Char$ Trustees conslder that an audit Is not requlred for thls year under Sertion 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Actl and that an independent examination is needed. It is our responsibility to: • examine the Accounts under Section 145 of the Charities Act,. follow the prOdureS laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission {under Sertion 14515llbl of the Charities Act)." and • state whether parkncular matters have come to our attention. Basls of Independent Examlners, Ststement Our examination was carried out in accordance wtth general dlrections glven by the Charity Commlssion. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and a comparison of the Accounts psented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanatlons from the Trustees conceming such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provlde all the evldence that would be required In an audit and consequently no oplnlo is given as to whether the Accounts present a 'true and fairf view and the rewrt 15 limited to those matters set out in the statement below. Independent Examlners, Statement In connection with our examlnation, no matter has come to our attention: l. which gives us reasonable cause to believe that in, any materlal respect, the requlrements lal to keep accountin8 records in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act- and Ibl to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accountln8 requirements of the Charltles Act . have not been met; or 2. to which, in our oplnion, attentlon should be drnwn In orderto enable a proper understandlng of the Accounts to be reathed Dated- Signed: Anne Myring 14 Woodlands Way Moira Swadlincote Derbyshire DE12 6HE Sandra Shaw 41 Ashby Road Moira Swadlincote Derbyshire DE12 6DJ Page 17