Gillingham Baptist Church
Annual Report 2020
Registered Charity Number 1169769
CONTENTS
Elders’ Review 3 Regulatory Information 4 Risk Management 6 Review of activities 7
APPENDICES
Appendix 1 Church Annual Accounts & Independent Examiner’s Report Appendix 2 Ladies’ Fellowship Annual Accounts Appendix 3 Parent & Toddler Group Annual Accounts Appendix 4 Chapel and Manse Holding Trustees
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ELDERS’ REVIEW
[on behalf of the Management Trustees]
Introduction
The single most significant influence on church life in 2020 ‘under the sun’ was the Covid-19 pandemic, which has affected the whole of the world. Apart from the first twelve weeks of the year, this novel coronavirus has – along with government direction – severely limited the church’s ability to function.
Nevertheless, we recognise that even such things are under the wisdom and purpose of God. Jesus told his disciples that during the course of history after his ascension and until his second coming ‘there will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences.’ (Luke 21:11) In 2020 we had a pestilence. But God’s Word has not been bound.
Though two lockdowns prevented us from gathering, we used the internet, telephone and Royal Mail to maintain ministry and fellowship. The Lord has kept us safe, and the bond of unity in Christ has remained strong. God has been good to us and we give thanks for his care and blessing.
This annual report is shorter than would otherwise have been the case as there is less to describe. Our active life and witness has been circumscribed by circumstance, but we have continued, and our salvation now is nearer than when we first began 2020. For this, the Lord should have all the glory.
Membership matters
The number of members declined to 22 by the end of the year due to four deaths. Muriel Bolt, Joyce Boughton, Eileen Sparks and Patrick Underwood went home to glory. None succumbed to Covd-19 but rather they reached the end of their days and are now with their Saviour, which is far better.
Quarterly Members’ Business Meetings were suspended for most of the year, but we had one in January and were able to hold one further meeting, including the Annual General Meeting, in October.
The Elders and Deacons held one formal meeting, but continued to lead and support church life through continual communication in various ways.
Outreach
Our opportunities to proclaim the gospel through organised activities has been very limited. However, when the church has been able to meet, we have been pleased to be able to welcome visitors. In addition, we have prayed for those we know and for our country during this trying time, asking the Lord to show grace and mercy to many. Even personal witness has been reduced by the need for social distancing, but the Lord has his ways of bringing people to himself. When circumstances allow, we shall consider how to return to a more active witness.
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Missionary matters
We are also concerned to spread the gospel to other parts of this country and overseas. We were glad to have visits from Chris Menzfeld of Slavic Gospel Association, and Andrew Alsop, who presented the work of Covenant College in Zambia. Later in the year the church agreed to provide prayer and financial support to this ministry, which equips pastors in a very rural part of Africa.
The church was pleased to be able to agree lump sums to a number of societies and families involved in gospel work in various parts of the world.
REGULATORY INFORMATION
1. History
Christians identifying themselves as Baptists have been gathering for worship in Gillingham since the 1830s. After a while land was given in trust and a chapel was erected. This stipulated that worship should be according to the principles of the Particular Baptists. A church has existed continuously since then and, in accordance with the requirements of the Charity Commission, was registered as a charity on 19 October 2016.
2. Details
Charity Name: Gillingham Baptist Church, Dorset
Registration Number: 1169769
Address: Gillingham Baptist Church, Newbury, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4HZ
Current Trustees: John Blake, Simon Chase, Peter Gray, Gilbert Muspratt, David Poolman, Peter Wick. These trustees have served for the whole of the calendar year 2020.
3. Structure and Governance
The church has a Constitution and Rules & Regulations which were formally revised and adopted in 2016, pursuant to Charity Commission registration.
The functional operation of the church is intended to reflect the teachings and principles revealed in the Bible. Therefore, the leadership is by elders supported by deacons. All these church officers are trustees and each is appointed by the church meeting of all members, at which approval by a substantial majority is required. Only those persons meeting the Scriptural criteria should be considered and appointed.
Whilst persons in whom the appropriate gifts are seen can be encouraged and developed, we believe these persons are gifted by God and cannot be manufactured. Thus, formal appointment to serve the church is more an act of recognition than of creation.
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Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Blake | Elder | Members of Gillingham Baptist Church | |
| Simon Chase | Elder & Pastor | Members of Gillingham Baptist Church | |
| Peter Gray | Deacon & Treasurer | Members of Gillingham Baptist Church | |
| Gilbert Muspratt | Deacon | Members of Gillingham Baptist Church | |
| David Poolman | Deacon | Members of Gillingham Baptist Church | |
| Peter Wick | Deacon & Secretary | Members of Gillingham Baptist Church |
4. Financial Review
The church believes God will provide and that the chief instrument he will use is the free and voluntary giving of his people. No fund raising is undertaken and no contribution levels are set for members. As an independent church there is no overarching body to provide support, but we believe the Lord Jesus Christ is the direct head of each true church and provides as he pleases. We are grateful to God for providing our needs over 2020, the details of which are in the annual accounts in Appendix 1.
It is not the church’s policy to create reserves, however some amount will be retained in order to meet the inevitable demands of buildings that are over a century old. The church officers agreed that £10,000 is the appropriate amount to hold as an operating reserve. Apart from that it is the church’s practise to use funds that have been given to further its objects.
5. Public Benefit
The trustees confirm that the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit has been carefully considered and helps to frame the context for all trustee meetings.
As a Christian church we are devoted to the ‘advancement of religion’, one of the original purposes of a charity and dating back to 1601. In the original sense ‘religion’ meant Christianity, although subsequent centuries have significantly changed this meaning. Christianity proclaims the Gospel – ‘good news’ – to all. Once the good news is believed, it must be lived out through love to God and love to our neighbour – Jesus’ own summary of the Bible’s message. Such an approach in itself is aimed at all the public. And such a message, as a living reality in people’s lives, changes both them and their relationships for the better, both personally and for the community. It is the testimony of countless Christians living today that their conversion changed their lives for the better – in ways their families, friends, colleagues and neighbours could observe and benefit from. It is also demonstrable historically and from other parts of the world that where Christian values permeate a society, that society values human life more highly, cares for the vulnerable and marginalised more generously and displays higher levels of honesty and integrity in community and public life. The Christian faith, lived out in the world, measurably benefits all aspects of society.
2020’s pandemic has been a challenging time to reach out to the local community. Our web site has information and contact details for the church. When meetings in person have been
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possible these have been open to visitors as well as regular attenders. We have been pleased to welcome new faces and will continue to provide an open but Covid secure environment within the constraints of our times.
6. Objectives, Activities, Achievement and Performance
For the first part of 2020 the church held its usual pattern of services, meetings and activities. Lockdown very nearly meant shutdown, but use of the internet enabled twice-weekly Zoom meetings. Whilst our technical prowess fell short of implementing live streaming, Zoom allowed virtual gatherings for the majority of the congregation. Such a context is superior to streaming in that it allows interaction between participants and that helped sustain Christian fellowship.
Whilst government guidance could only conceive of private prayer or public worship, the Bible speaks eloquently of the fellowship of mutual love in Christ. That was the aspect of church life that was most difficult to replicate during lockdowns. By the end of the year, the church was able to hold an in person service on a Sunday and a midweek Bible study, but the governmental direction was still that individuals outside their ‘bubbles’ ought not to ‘interact’. So one of the distinctive marks of Christian life was inhibited by the virus and prohibited by the government.
Jesus said “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) How can a church be a church without such mutual ‘interacting’? We long for the day when we may freely express this once more.
Financially the church has paid its way and also made gifts to missionary activity.
In summary, the trustees are thankful to the members and principally to God for the ability to function as a Christian church throughout 2020 despite the difficulties.
RISK MANAGEMENT REPORT 2020
The major challenge the church faced during 2020 was to digest and implement safely the Covid secure environment that was required in order to restart in person meetings. With the invaluable support of officers and particular church members this was achieved and regular Sunday morning and Wednesday evening meetings on the church’s premises have been possible at times during the year.
The advantage of a large Victorian chapel is that there is plenty of space for distancing, and plenty of capacity for good ventilation. This meant that we did not have to place restrictions on numbers. The congregation is not large, but the building is, so there was even scope for the occasional visitor.
Other risk management issues of a more routine order have still been overseen by the church officers and the fellowship has benefited from a safe environment during the year.
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REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES
For the first part of the year the usual activities of the church continued as normal, but in mid March all the following meetings had to cease. They remain in suspension at year end. During 2021 there may be opportunity to restart some or all these activities.
As circumstances improve and opportunity to recommence meetings is possible, each activity will be reviewed by the leaders and elders in fellowship, and a way forward agreed.
The list of regular meetings is set out below as a reminder of better times;
Bible Roots
Wednesday Afternoon Bible Study
Ladies’ Fellowship
Parent & Toddlers
Two Ys’ Club
Coffee Morning
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APPENDICES
Appendix 1 Gillingham Baptist Church Annual Accounts 2020
| Accounts for the year to December 31st 2020 | |
|---|---|
| GENERAL FUND | |
| RECEIPTS Balance brought forward from 2019 Offerings Gift Aid Gift Aid Tax Refund Gift Aid - Small Donation Scheme Bank Account Inetrest Liquidity/Reserve Gift from Ladies fellowship Funeral expenses P Underwood paid |
PAYMENTS TOTAL 5,114.83 £ 7,786.54 £ NI Payments 1,016.56 £ 14,420.00 £ Building services 1,783.16 £ 3,651.25 £ Coronaviras safety items 202.74 £ 675.00 £ Buildings & equipment maintenance 1,628.18 £ 21.33 £ Buildings insurance (Chapel) + employer's liability 1,813.76 £ 235.00 £ New Toner cartridge 92.39 £ 200.00 £ Sunday Ministry 240.00 £ Pastors Salary 13,476.20 £ Bourne-Romsey Fire certificate 48.00 £ Payroll Services 310.00 £ New communion sets 49.94 £ Copyright Licence 80.00 £ Kitchen items/Cleaning materials 38.00 £ Charity payment re Audit 50.00 £ SGA meeting 75.00 £ 26,989.12 £ Evangelical Times advert 156.29 £ Andrew Allsop 100.00 £ |
£ 21,160.22 Balance 31st December 2020 £ 10,943.73 £ 32,103.95 £ 32,103.95
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| CONTINGENCY FUND | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RECEIPTS Balance brought forward from 2019 |
PAYMENTS TOTAL 7,999.30 £ Total Energy Balance 31st December 2020 7,999.30 £ |
5,826.00 £ |
TOTAL 2,173.30 £ |
|
| 5,826.00 £ |
||||
| 7,999.30 £ |
||||
| MANSE MAINTENANCE FUND | ||||
| RECEIPTS Balance brought forward from 2019 Manse rent (nett) |
6,423.55 £ |
PAYMENTS TOTAL 15,463.07 £ Baptist Insurance(Manse) Balance 31st December 2019 21,886.62 £ |
520.50 £ |
TOTAL 21,366.12 £ |
| 6,423.55 £ |
||||
| 520.50 £ |
||||
| 21,886.62 £ |
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SUMMARY
Represented by General Fund £ 10,943.73 Contingency Fund £ 2,173.30 Current Account £ 17,803.12 Manse Maintenance Fund £ 21,366.12 Reserve Account £ 3,203.79 Liquidity manager Account £ 13,476.24 TOTAL £ 34,483.15 Total monies held £ 34,483.15
NOTE
Statement of Assets and Liabilities of the Gillingham Baptist Church membership
Other than the above account balances the assets comprise kitchen equipment, 2 pianos, a laser printer, stack away tables and chairs, games and play equipment, a display stand, sound recording computer, hymn books etc. The value of these is unknown.
ADDRESS OF CHURCH'S BANKERS
Nat West Bank The Commons, Shaftesbury SP7 8JY
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CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND ANO WAiES Independent examine5 report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to tha trusto091 members of ILCH Cbol4AT) On •¢¢ounts for th• y¢•r •nd•d Iè 20 ZO Charlty no ltt anyl 1165769 S•t out on I report to the trustees on my examir¢ation of the accounts of the above charity Dhe Trusl'l for the year ended 1020 R•sponslbiltles and ba•1• ol report As the Chari trustees, you are resportsible for the preparation ofthe accounts in accordance wth the Tequirernents of Ihg Charities Act 2011 I'lho Act'i I roport in 19$et of my èxamlnion of the Trust's accounts caTri8d out under seclion 145 of the 2011 Act and in caryitYJ out my examination, I havè followèd all th8 ¥piCabl8 Dir8¢tions gi¥8n by th• Charity Commission undèr section 1451Sllbl of tha Act. Indgpendenl •xamln•rf8 Ststsmont appl41. Delete I I Ifno£ applicable. I have completed rny examination. I confimi that no material matters have come to my attention in connection wtth the examination (other than that disdo8ed below'l which gwes me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. tho accounting records were not kept in accordance with Section 130 of Charitios Ad.. or the a¢¢ounl$ did not accord wrth the accounting records., or the accoijnts did not comply with the applicable requirernents con¢oming the forrn and conlenl of accounts sel out in the Chariti¥$ IAceounts and R•port$l Rogul•lion$ 2008 oth¥r than any requir¢m¢nt that the accounts givtr a'trug ond f¥irf vigw whi¢h 1$ not a rnotttrr considered as part of an indend•t èxamination. I have no concern8 and have come across no other matters in connection wrth exarninalion to which attention shoukl te drawn in this report in ordr lo enable a rxoper understanding of the acryjunts to be reached. . Please delete the words in tha br8ckats rfthgy do not apply. Slgn•d: O•t•: Name: THOMAS OAKS R•l•vant prof•sslon•l quallficatlorfsl or body /A IER Oct 2018 12
(Sf any}: Addrnss: loKrH Ar1 £oseAWr sr S£1 , b79SA Section B Disclosure Only complete If thè examiner needs to highlight material matters of concem {s•e CC32, Independgnt examination of eharity accounts.. dirèctions and gLtidance for examimrnl. Glve hero brt•f d•talh ol any item$ that th• •xamln•r wlsheg to dl5¢lo8•. IER t2018 13
Appendix 2 Gillingham Baptist Church Ladies’ Fellowship
RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR 2019
| Receipts | |
|---|---|
| Balanceat 1 January | 33.88 |
| Donations | 245.00 |
| Offerings to 18 March | 198.64 |
Donations
Speakers’ expenses & gratuities 20.00 Gift to church funds 235.00
Balance as at 31 December 2020 222.52 477.52 477.52
These figures were independently examined by Mrs M Challen and found correct according to records provided, 28 January 2021.
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Appendix 3 Gillingham Baptist Church Parent & Toddler Group
RECEIPTS & PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR 2020
| RECEIPTS | PAYMENTS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Balance brought forward | Purchase of Play-Doh | 4.99 | |
| 1 January 2020 | 137.73 | ||
| Donations received | |||
| to 16 March 2020 | 36.87 | ||
| Balance as at | |||
| 31 December 2020 | 169.61 | ||
| 174.60 | |||
| 174.60 |
I have undertaken an independent examination of the books of account of Gillingham Baptist Church Parent & Toddler Group, and I am satisfied that the above figures represent a true record of the transactions throughout the year ended 31 December 2020. The transactions relate to the period 1 January 2020 to 16 March 2020 when, owing to Covid19 government directions, activity ceased for the rest of the year.
Peter J Wick January 2021
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Appendix 4 Holding Trustees of Gillingham Baptist Chapel
The governing document of the Trust is the Trust Deed of 1838. Trustees are appointed in accordance with the Trust Deed and the Constitution of Gillingham Baptist Church.
The following persons were the Holding Trustees at 31 December 2020
Mr J A C Blake, ‘Sundown’, Cucklington, Wincanton, Somerset, BA9 9PT
Mr R E Burge, 5 Banstead Road, Broadstone, Dorset, BH18 9BB Pastor S V Chase, 27 Bayfields, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4AE
Mr P C Gray, 21 Thrift Close, Stalbridge, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 2LE Mr G Muspratt, 11 Birdbush, Ludwell, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 0PR
Mr B Thomason, The Old Malt House, Bridge Street, Sturminster Newton, Dorset, DT10 1BZ Mr P J Wick, Oak Cottage, 10 Olde Fairfield, Bourton, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 5YG
The Trust properties and assets consist of the Chapel Building and Hall with the Pipe Organ, Fixtures and Fittings, together with the Baptist Manse, situated at Newbury, Gillingham, Dorset SP8 5HZ.
The Holding Trustees have no financial administration responsibilities, as there are no trust funds and management of the Manse tenancy has been delegated to the Management Trustees.
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