2023-03-31-accounts - Abbey Baptist Church

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Trustees' Annual Report for the period

Period start date Period end date 1[st] April 2022 31[st] March 2023

From

Section A Reference and administration details

Charity name

Abbey Baptist Church

Other names charity is known by

Registered charity number (if any) 1176927

Charity's principal address Abbey Baptist Church Checker Walk Abingdon Postcode OX14 3JB

Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity

Trustee name	Office (if any)	Dates acted if not for whole year
Dr Graeme Stonell
Iain Baker		Until 25thApril 2022
John Lipp	Chair of trustees
Elizabeth Rolfe
Peter Akrill
Stephen Mayo
Daniel Bryant
Chris Hawthorne		From 1stJan 2023

Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)

Name Dates acted if not for whole year

Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)

Type of adviser Name Address

Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)

Section B Structure, governance and management

Trustees’ Annual Report

Aug 2023

Description of the charity’s trusts

Type of governing document

Constitution

(eg. trust deed, constitution)

How the charity is constituted

CIO

(eg. trust, association, company)

Trustee selection methods

Elected by membership

(eg. appointed by, elected by)

Additional governance issues (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant, about:

policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
relationship with any related parties;
trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.

In addition to our constitution, we make use of our church handbook to guide our practice in the everyday running of our affairs.

Elders direct the day to day operations of the church. All work conducted by the church is done under their leadership. The elders are also trustees of the charity and are joined by additional trustees. All elders and trustees are selected by the members in accordance with our church handbook.

We are affiliated to two external organisations (The Association of Grace Baptist Churches (South East) and the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches). The nature of these affiliations is mutually supporting and both bodies are non-governing of our church’s affairs.

As a long standing, stable church there are few operational risks. By offering services to vulnerable people there are risks associated to appointing volunteers/workers. These are managed through our Safeguarding Policy.

Section C Objectives and activities

The purposes of the Church are:

the advancement of the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis
of Faith primarily but not exclusively within Abingdon and the surrounding neighbourhood; and

Summary of the objects of the charity set out in its governing document

such other charitable purposes as shall, in the opinion of the members of the Church in general meeting, put into practice the Christian faith in accordance with the Basis of Faith, including but not limited to: the prevention and relief of need, hardship and sickness; the advancement of education; and the provision of facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation or other leisure time occupation of individuals who have need of such facilities by reason of their youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances with the object of improving their conditions of life.
provided that the advancement of such purposes must be undertaken in a manner that is consistent with the Ethical Statements as may be adopted and amended by the Church from time to time in accordance with the provisions of the Church Handbook.

Trustees’ Annual Report

Aug 2023

During this year, we have continued to respond to opportunities which allow us to fulfil our stated purposes. Our main weekly meetings including Sunday worship, midweek small groups and prayer opportunities have continued, with inperson and on-line attendance options at most. Our work amongst seniors has continued through regular events (TOFS and coffee mornings) Work amongst young people has continued, with specific weekly activities for primary aged children and older secondary children. One-off events have made some limited provision for those who do not fall into these age categories.

Summary of the main activities undertaken for the public benefit in relation to these objects (include within this section the statutory declaration that trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit)

English language classes for non-native English speakers have continued and proven to be a useful service to attendees, but also an avenue which has enabled some attendees to explore the Christian faith for themselves.

We established an outreach team to further the aim of advancing the Christian faith. This resulted in training for our members/attendees and a week of focussed events in the lead up to Easter 2022. Following that week, the outreach team has continued to run events aimed at providing benefit to those who are outside of the church.

The trustees are satisfied that these activities are conducted in line with the Charity Commission guidance on public benefit.

Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)

We are not involved in awarding grants or in investing (except for holding reserves in an interest paying bank account).

All of our work is supported and enabled by volunteers from within our membership. The Trustees thank the members of the church who conduct all of these activities on a voluntary basis.

You may choose to include further statements, where relevant, about:

policy on grantmaking;
policy programme related investment;
contribution made by volunteers.

Trustees’ Annual Report

Aug 2023

Section D Achievements and performance

Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year

The continual healthy level of interest in our in-person meetings and activities by a mixture of members, families of members and nonmembers is regarded as an achievement.

The online provision of our main worship activities has benefited our local supporters/beneficiaries, some of whom have faced periods where it was not possible or not wise for them to gather with the church. Although not fully measurable, we are also aware of a more geographically dispersed group of beneficiaries who have also been able to continue to receive benefit though remote ministry.

Following the resignation of our previous minister (effective 31[st] Dec 2021) we embarked on the exercise of finding and appointing a new minister. Dan Bryant, who had been our trainee until the 31[st] Dec, agreed to take on the role of Associate Minister until a new Minister was appointed. When Chris Hawthorne commenced employment as our Minister on 1st January 2023, Dan Bryant remained in employment, but now as our Assistant Minister.

An additional needs team was established to consider how to ensure we are doing everything reasonable to welcome people regardless of what additional needs they may have. This team has focussed on including those with additional needs within our existing programme of activities.

Trustees’ Annual Report

Aug 2023

Section E Financial review

Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves

We seek to maintain reserves of around 3-6 months of operating costs. These are held in order to cushion the effect of any unplanned short term drop in income or increase in expenditure.

Details of any funds materially in deficit

Further financial review details (Optional information)

You may choose to include additional information, where relevant about:

the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;

Our principal sources of funding are donations and income from the renting of property. The former have been generously gifted by members and supporters without any explicit fundraising initiatives. No funding was received from grants during this reporting year.

Our largest item of expenditure has been for the ministry of the church. This has funded the various activities and provided a salary for the staff who support and prepare every volunteer for their work.

A summary of our examined accounts is provided in Section F.

investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.

Trustees’ Annual Report

Aug 2023

Section F Other optional information

Financial Report for the year ending 31[st] March 2022

Income and Expenditure	Notes	2021/22	2022/23
Income
Donations to the church		78.020	104,745
Income fromproperties		10,440	9,330
Bank interest and other income		5,653	13,345
Gifts for support of second worker		0	0
Donations for specificpurposes		4,920	3,771
Grants forpastor in training post		7,517	0
Total income		106,550	131,191
Designatedgiving paid out	2	4,920	3,771
Income for Church use		101,630	127,420

Expenditure
Ministryof the Church	3	52,828	50,342
Gifts made bythe Church	2	17,902	17,656
Church maintenance		33,674	11,841
Properties maintenance		3,582	8,349
Total Expenditure		107,986	88,188

Net income(expenditure)		-6,356	39,232

Balance Sheet	Notes	2021/22	2022/23
Fixed Assets
Church buildings andproperties	4	860,000	860,000
Current Assets
Debtors		3,846	6,400
Cash at bank and in hand		51,581	89,630
Total current assets		55,427	96,030
Creditors		150	1,522
Total Assets less liabilities		915,277	954,508

Represented by
Unrestricted funds		55,277	94,508
Restricted funds
Capital funds		860,000	860,000

Funds at end ofyear		915,277	954,508

Trustees’ Annual Report

Aug 2023

Notes to the Accounts 1. Accounting policies Basis of preparation and audit of accounts These accounts have been prepared on a historical cost and accruals basis and in accordance with the Charities Commission SORP. The church is a small entity and therefore no cash flow statement is included and a full audit report is not required Church properties Church properties are held for the use of the church or for let to church members where possible. The properties are held in the accounts at market value and are independently revalued every five years. 2. Church Giving The church made gifts for the support of missionary work and other Christian work during the course of the year as detailed below. These figures include gifts from members for specific missionary work. Special offerings were taken duringtheyear to assist in ministryof compassion in the UK and other parts of the world. Churchgifts £ Grace Baptist Mission 9,480 Pilgrim Homes 2,760 AGBC(SE)Home Mission 480 Mission work in Poland 1,740 Mission work in Italy 1,525 Open Doors 1,000 Other Missions 500 Gifts to members 171 Total Giving 17,656 Designatedgiving £ Grace Baptist Mission 600 Relief needs arisingfrom Ukraine conflict 3,000 Other compassion ministry 171 Total 3,771 3. The Ministry of the Church Expenditure on ministry 2021/22(£) 2022/23(£) Elders and visitingspeakers 44,986 42,075 Outreach and Church Activities 1,409 2,293 Other 6,433 5,974 Total 48,787 50,342 4. Church Buildings and Properties 2021/22(£) 2022/23(£) Brought forward 860,000 860,000 Revaluation in theyear 0 0 Balance carried forward 860,000 860,000	Notes to the Accounts 1. Accounting policies Basis of preparation and audit of accounts These accounts have been prepared on a historical cost and accruals basis and in accordance with the Charities Commission SORP. The church is a small entity and therefore no cash flow statement is included and a full audit report is not required Church properties Church properties are held for the use of the church or for let to church members where possible. The properties are held in the accounts at market value and are independently revalued every five years. 2. Church Giving The church made gifts for the support of missionary work and other Christian work during the course of the year as detailed below. These figures include gifts from members for specific missionary work. Special offerings were taken duringtheyear to assist in ministryof compassion in the UK and other parts of the world. Churchgifts £ Grace Baptist Mission 9,480 Pilgrim Homes 2,760 AGBC(SE)Home Mission 480 Mission work in Poland 1,740 Mission work in Italy 1,525 Open Doors 1,000 Other Missions 500 Gifts to members 171 Total Giving 17,656 Designatedgiving £ Grace Baptist Mission 600 Relief needs arisingfrom Ukraine conflict 3,000 Other compassion ministry 171 Total 3,771 3. The Ministry of the Church Expenditure on ministry 2021/22(£) 2022/23(£) Elders and visitingspeakers 44,986 42,075 Outreach and Church Activities 1,409 2,293 Other 6,433 5,974 Total 48,787 50,342 4. Church Buildings and Properties 2021/22(£) 2022/23(£) Brought forward 860,000 860,000 Revaluation in theyear 0 0 Balance carried forward 860,000 860,000	Notes to the Accounts 1. Accounting policies Basis of preparation and audit of accounts These accounts have been prepared on a historical cost and accruals basis and in accordance with the Charities Commission SORP. The church is a small entity and therefore no cash flow statement is included and a full audit report is not required Church properties Church properties are held for the use of the church or for let to church members where possible. The properties are held in the accounts at market value and are independently revalued every five years. 2. Church Giving The church made gifts for the support of missionary work and other Christian work during the course of the year as detailed below. These figures include gifts from members for specific missionary work. Special offerings were taken duringtheyear to assist in ministryof compassion in the UK and other parts of the world. Churchgifts £ Grace Baptist Mission 9,480 Pilgrim Homes 2,760 AGBC(SE)Home Mission 480 Mission work in Poland 1,740 Mission work in Italy 1,525 Open Doors 1,000 Other Missions 500 Gifts to members 171 Total Giving 17,656 Designatedgiving £ Grace Baptist Mission 600 Relief needs arisingfrom Ukraine conflict 3,000 Other compassion ministry 171 Total 3,771 3. The Ministry of the Church Expenditure on ministry 2021/22(£) 2022/23(£) Elders and visitingspeakers 44,986 42,075 Outreach and Church Activities 1,409 2,293 Other 6,433 5,974 Total 48,787 50,342 4. Church Buildings and Properties 2021/22(£) 2022/23(£) Brought forward 860,000 860,000 Revaluation in theyear 0 0 Balance carried forward 860,000 860,000
Churchgifts		£
Grace Baptist Mission		9,480
Pilgrim Homes		2,760
AGBC(SE)Home Mission		480
Mission work in Poland		1,740
Mission work in Italy		1,525
Open Doors		1,000
Other Missions		500
Gifts to members		171
Total Giving		17,656

Designatedgiving		£
Grace Baptist Mission		600
Relief needs arisingfrom Ukraine conflict		3,000
Other compassion ministry		171
Total		3,771
3. The Ministry of the Church
Expenditure on ministry	2021/22(£)	2022/23(£)
Elders and visitingspeakers	44,986	42,075
Outreach and Church Activities	1,409	2,293
Other	6,433	5,974
Total	48,787	50,342
4. Church Buildings and Properties
	2021/22(£)	2022/23(£)
Brought forward	860,000	860,000
Revaluation in theyear	0	0
Balance carried forward	860,000	860,000

Trustees’ Annual Report

Aug 2023

Section G Declaration

The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.

Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees

Signature(s) Full name(s) Position (eg Secretary, Chair, etc) Date	Recoverable Signature X John Lipp Chair Signed by: f953579a-e575-4601-a197-fbb992e16481	Recoverable Signature X Stephen Mayo Trustee Signed by: f953579a-e575-4601-a197-fbb992e16481
	John David Lipp
	Chair	Trustee

	11-Oct-2023

Trustees’ Annual Report

Aug 2023

CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the trustees Abbey Baptist Church On accounts for the year ended 31 March 2023 Charity no lif any) 1176927 Set out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounls of Ihe above charity {'Ihe Trust.) for Ihe year ended 3110312023. Responsibilities and basis of report As the charity's trustees, you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 ("the Act"). I report in respect of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5){b) of the Act. Independent I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have examiner's statement come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect.. the accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act., or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records- or the accounts did not comply with the applicable requirements Conrning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports} Regulations 2008 other than any requiremènt that the accounts give a 'true and fairf view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have no concerns and have come across no olher matters in Gonnection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understsnding of the accounts to be reached. Slgned: Date: 0610912023 Name: Andrew Stephen Woods Relevant professional qualification{s) or body (if any): Address: 23 Blenheim Gardens Grove IER Oct 2018

OX12 ONP Section B Disclosure Only cornplete if the examiner needs to highlight material matters of concern (see CC32, Independent examination of charity accounts.. directions and guidan for examiners). Give here brief details of any items that the examiner wishes to disclose. IER Oct 2018