BIAPT (Bri*sh and Irish Associa*on for Prac*cal Theology) Charity no 1181208 Registered 17/12/2018 TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD 1/1/2022 TO 31/12/2022 TRUSTEES Revd Dr David Beedon (From July 2022) Revd Mark Bennet (Treasurer) Revd Dr Sarah Brush (Vice Chair) Codie Crawshaw Prof. Elaine Graham Revd Owen Griffiths (Chair) Revd Dr Gillian Henwood (un*l July 2022) Dr Sanjee Perera Dr R David Muir (Un*l July 2022) Prof. Anthony Reddie (un*l July 2022) Revd Jayson Rhodes Professor John Swinton (from July 2022) Dr Saiyyidah Zaidi The trustees are grateful to be able to present their annual report together with the independently examined accounts for the year ending 31st December 2022. ## **Preamble** BIAPT con*nues to be an associa*on which is rooted in local communi*es and united across the na*ons of the Bri*sh Isles and beyond with increasing membership from overseas. We con*nue as an associa*on which draws from both local worshipping communi*es and academia, uni*ng around the common interest in the synthesis of prac*ce and theology. We con*nued with an online conference in 2022 mindful of the con*nued risk to many of large gatherings in the season of Covid-19 and of the concurrent financial crisis which impacted many households. ## **1. Objec.ves and Ac.vi.es** 1.1. Summary of the purposes of the charity as set out in its governing document The objects of the CIO are for the public benefit, the advancement of educa*on in the subject of prac*cal theology and the promo*on of prac*cal theology within the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and throughout the world by: - advancing prac*ce, teaching, learning and research in prac*cal theology; - promo*ng contact and exchange between the various contexts of prac*cal theology, - educa*on and training; - organising events and consulta*ons appropriate to the above; - fostering interna*onal links and ac*vi*es; - encouraging interchange between the worlds of prac*cal theology, other disciplines, - and local and na*onal faith communi*es. ## 1.2. Summary of Ac*vi*es Our vision is to foster and promote a wide engagement with the field of prac*cal theology within and without the academy and across all cultural and religious divides. In pursuit of this our ac*vi*es over the past year, which can be divided into three areas: conferences, financial support and publica*ons, have included: - Organising and running Summer and Autumn online conferences - Organising other events relevant to par*cular regions of the country and to special interests within the field of prac*cal theology - Supplying our members with the Prac*cal Theology Journal - Maintaining a website dissemina*ng informa*on about the charity and its ac*vi*es and news relevant to the subject of prac*cal theology The trustees are grateful to all who have helped to make these ac*vi*es possible and to realise BIAPT’s goals. ## **2. Main Achievements** Aeer an historic surge in membership in 2021 peaking at 506 by the end of 2021, in 2022 BIAPT had 499 members by the end of the year. The interna*onal nature of BIAPT’s membership con*nues to highlight the significance of BIAPT in the advancement of the field of prac*cal theology globally. ## 2.1. Conferences ## 2.1.1. Annual Conference Our 2022 annual conference focused on Flesh & Blood: Embodiment & Prac*cal Theology. The theme of embodiment seemed a natural next landing point for our Annual Conference following last year’s explora*on of the theology of climate change. It included a Keynotes from Dr Karen O’Donnell and Dr Saiyyidah Zaidi as well as a Keynote panel on Embodiment in Black Theologies with Professor Anthony G Reddie, Fr Jarel Robinson Brown and chaired by Dr Delroy Hall. (We had also planned a third panelist, the Revd Dr Tessa Henry-Robinson to speak on womanist theologies of embodiment but she was that day elected as Moderator of the United Reform Church and unable to ajend). ## 2.1.2. Doctoral Students’ Day Conference The BIAPT Doctoral Student Conference 2022 took place on 8 April online, and was ajended by approximately 45 people. Dawn Llewellyn gave a keynote on wri*ng reflexively which was much appreciated by conference ajendees, and there were 16 work-in-progress papers from doctoral students. This con*nued growth in ajendance can be ajributed to numerous factors such as a growth in interest in the field in prac*cal theology, the convenience of ajending a virtual event and also the hard work of our Doctoral Student Secretary Chrissie Thwaites, to whom the trustees wish to express their deep apprecia*on and gra*tude. ## 2.1.3. BIAPT Mission Studies Special Interest Group We were also delighted to be able to hold a small in-person conference for our t the Queens Founda*on in Birmingham. The theme was Mission and Lament with a response which brought the theme of joy into the conversa*on. Our keynote speaker was Peniel Rajkumar and Eve Parker responded. Three other papers were shared in the aeernoon from Heather Major, Frog Orr-Ewing and Tim Davy. We had a smaller number of par*cipants (15) but the high quality and maturity of input was appreciated by everyone – as well as being in-person. ## 2.1.4. BIAPT Bible Special Interest Group The Bible SIG con*nues to hold its annual mee*ng at conference. This year the second symposium on Bible and Prac*cal Theology (in partnership with Bible Society), and this has now been set for 1-2 December 2022 at Woodbrooke Study Centre in Birmingham exploring Authority recognized and challenged: Approaching the Bible as prac*cal theologians. ## 2.1.5 BIAPT Wales Local group The Wales SIG launched in January 2022 and has met via Zoom. The ini*al phase of the group’s work has been rela*onship building and vision sharing. Each mee*ng has involved members sharing current projects and discussing future aspira*ons, both for our own work and for theology in, from, and for Wales. There is a desire within the group for Welsh prac*cal theology to have a stronger role in Wales and in BIAPT, contribu*ng both to the na*onal and prac*cal theological conversa*ons. We are looking for new ini*a*ves and developments to emerge from the enriching and crea*ve conversa*ons that have begun this year. ## 2.2. Financial Support We awarded £300 in conference bursaries this year. It could be that the rise from the £50 conference fee in 2021 which was deemed to be affordable by those who might have applied for a bursary had it been an in-person conference with a fee of around £400. More likely, however, is that this represents the large amount of work that faces BIAPT if it is to ajract more working class and black members. We are commijed to accep*ng the reality of the demographic of BIAPT’s membership and facing up to the task of transforming BIAPT into a more inclusive and welcoming community. ## 2.3. Publica*ons ## 2.3.1. Prac*cal Theology We have been pleased to con*nue to work very closely with the Contact Pastoral Trust and Taylor and Francis to publish and distribute the Prac*cal Theology Journal to all our members. As trustees we remain very pleased and proud to be able to furnish our Charity members with such a highquality journal. In 2022 we published 43 ar*cles from 54 authors, and eight poems. Eve Parker as Book Reviews Editor and the new appointment of Stephanie Addenbrooke as Social Media Assistant both needed to step down aeer a short *me in role due to unforeseen circumstances. We were very pleased to welcome Jayson Rhodes to take up both combined roles at the end of 2022. ## 2.3.2. Websites BIAPT has con*nued to maintain an ac*ve website throughout the year, keeping members and others informed of developments and news in the field of prac*cal theology. This year we also launched the Prac*cal Theology Hub which has published papers on prac*cal theology intended to appeal to a wider audience than simply those in academia. This website enables BIAPT to bejer fulfil its charitable object of promo*ng prac*cal theology and to broaden BIAPT’s reach beyond its current demographic. We appear to have ajracted a regular readership though purng exact numbers on this is difficult. Although we have been able to include voices from numerous tradi*ons with authors hailing from the UK, Australia, Japan, India, Brazil, and Kenya, there is need to grow both our readership and our content. The hard work and dedica*on of our PTHub editor James Morris has enabled the website to have such a good tart and trustees express their thanks to him. ## **3. Governance** Most trustee and sub-commijee mee*ngs con*nued to be held online in response to the coronavirus pandemic and its consequent social restric*ons though trustees met for an in-person vision mee*ng. ## 3.1 Chair Owen Griffiths served as our new chair throughout 2022 and did significant work in bringing us to a new strategic focus around three areas: - We seek to foster rela*onships with organisa*ons which would enhance the work of BIAPT - We aim to diversify our income stream in order to bejer achieve our charitable objects - While valuing our respec*ve heritage, we aim to become a learning community marked by mutual accountability, honesty and hospitality ## 3.2 Conference Secretary This year we gladly welcomed David Beedon as our new Conference Secretary aeer Gill Henwood needed to step down from the role. David was able to take up the role with impressive speed and adaptability and the trustees wish to thank him for all his hard work. ## **4. Policies** The trustees con*nued to review BIAPT’s safeguarding policy and also worked on upda*ng BIAPT’s data protec*on policy. We con*nue to review our financial controls with the aim of not only ensuring the security of BIAPT’s finances but also of managing our finances more effec*vely as the charity con*nues to grow and its opera*ons con*nue to mul*ply. ## **5. Financial Review** ## 5.1 Overview The charity’s income for the year ending 31st December 2022 was £33,420.80 (2021: £29,701.54). Of this £18,669.00 was received through membership subscrip*ons (2021: £19,706.00), £11,600.00 was received through conference and event bookings (2021: £8,480.00), No money was donated (2021: £11.40) and £40.40 was earned as interest (2021: £5.22). Our expenditure for the year totalled £33,119.25 (2021: £20,352.31). The largest items of expenditure were £19,525.20 spent on the Prac*cal Theology journal (2021: £9,518.08), £2,928.33 spent on conference expenses (2021: £4,457.81) and £3,886.17 spent on administra*on and expenses (2021: £2,275.20). Other expenditures included £2,373.33 spent on website costs (2021: £2,880.00) and £481.33worth of transac*on charges (2021: £442.44). ## 5.2 Reserves Policy Having con*nued with a reserves policy this year that sets the desired level of BIAPT's financial reserves at approximately 50% the cost of an in-person conference, and our reserves remain sta*c this year at £13,500 due to a late request for payment from the Prac*cal Theology journal. It is to be noted, however, that this s*ll represents a welcome increase on the £7,000 reported as the reserves figure for 2020. ## BIAPT (BRITISH AND IRISH ASSOCIATION FOR PRACTICAL THEOLOGY) (A Charitable Incorporated Organisation) ## Accounts ## to 31 December 2022 Charity no: 1181208 Registered: 17 December 2018 _**BIAPT Accounts 2022**_ ## **OBJECTS** The objects of BIAPT are for the public benefit, The advancement of education in the subject of Practical Theology and the promotion of Practical Theology within the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and throughout the world by: - (i) Advancing practice, teaching, learning and research in Practical Theology; - (ii) Promoting contact and exchange between the various contexts of Practical Theology, education and training - (iii) Organising events and consultations appropriate to the above - (iv) Encouraging interchange between the worlds of Practical Theology, other disciplines, and local and national faith communities ## **TRUSTEES** Revd Mark Bennet (Treasurer) Revd Dr Sarah Brush Prof. Elaine Graham Revd Owen Griffiths (chair) Revd Dr David Beedon Codie Crawshaw Dr Sanjee Perera Dr Delroy Hall Revd Dr Jayson Rhodes Revd Dr Lucy Dallas Saiyyidah Zaidi Page 2 of 6 _**BIAPT Accounts 2022**_ ## **Income and Expenditure** _Year to 31 December_ |||Year| |---|---|---| ||to 31 December 2022|to 31 Dec 2021| ||£|£| |**INCOME**||| |Subscriptions|18,669.00|19,706.00| |Conference income|11,600.00|8,480.00| |Event income|3,111.40|287.92| |Summer School income||1,220.00| |Donations||11.40| |Interest|40.40|5.22| |**Total**|**33,420.80**|**29,701.54**| |**EXPENDITURE**||| |Practical Theology|19,525.20|9,518.08| |Conference expenses|2,928.33|4,457.81| |Summer School|240.00|350.00| |Other events|3,052.67|28.78| |Prizes and bursaries|400.00|| |Committee and administration expenses|3,886.17|2,275.20| |Practical Theology Hub|232.22|| |Website|2,373.33|2,880.00| |Transaction charges|481.33|442.44| |**Total**|**33,119.25**|**20,352.31**| |**Surplus/ (deficit) for period**|**301.55**|**9,358.23**| |Funds carried forward from previous year|26,359.64|17,001.41| |**Funds carried forward**|**26,661.19**|**26,359.64**| Page 3 of 6 _**BIAPT Accounts 2022**_ ## **BALANCE SHEET** |**BALANCE SHEET**||| |---|---|---| ||**31 Dec 2022**|**31 Dec 2021**| |**ASSETS**||| |Cash and bank|26,661.19|26,359.64| |**REPRESENTING**||| |General funds|29,976.38|24,964.65| |Mission studies fund|-|297.00| |Summer school balance|857.99|1,097.99| |**Total**|**26,661.19**|**26,359.64**| Mark Bennet Treasurer June 2023 Page 4 of 6 _**BIAPT Accounts 2022**_ ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF** ## **BIAPT (British and Irish Association for Practical Theology)** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the BIAPT (British and Irish Association for Practical Theology) for the year ended 31 December 2022. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the charity 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 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 examiner's statement** In connection with my examination, I confirm that no matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. The requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act have not been met; or 2. The accounts do not accord with the accounting records; or 3. The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Mrs Monika Tabatabaian ATT MAAT Tax Avenue Turnfields Gate, Turnfields Thatcham, Berkshire RG19 4PT 23 June 2023 Page 5 of 6 _**BIAPT Accounts 2022**_ ## **Notes to accounts** 1. BIAPT became a charity on 17 December 2018 and now operates with its new constitution under the umbrella of a CIO. 2. The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis. Membership remains strong, but we are about 15 subscriptions lower than last year. The big item in these accounts is payment of a Practical Theology invoice from 2018, which had been missed by the publishers, which means reserves will remain static this year. There is some work still to do to separate out conference costs and student conference costs. 3. Admin costs include our first post-covid in person committee meetings and also £750 towards the establishment of the new Practical Theology Hub 4. The 2022 online conference made a substantial surplus which is part of our plan to rebuild reserves to a level where in person conferences involve less financial risk to BIAPT. 5. Given the position on admin, we do need to make sure that our other activities are at least self-financing. We also have to bear in mind our commitment to bursaries and prizes. 6. New projects are involved with reaching the global south, and also the new website, which will require an honorarium for an editor. The cost of the global south project eventually depends on the extent of reach. Comparing with Australia and Canada, where we have longstanding contacts, the numbers involved initially seem likely to be modest. 7. The new projects are likely to involve a modest increase in costs. At membership of £18,500 (approx.) if this can be sustained, and Practical Theology at £12,000, there is £6,500 to cover the costs of our website, general admin, finance costs and any projects we need to undertake. The overall scope and ambition of activity has also increased. 8. Given general economic circumstances and the fact that our reserves are going in the right direction my recommendation would be to hold off any consideration of an increase in subscriptions, but perhaps revisit the idea of voluntary donations. Page 6 of 6 ## BIAPT (BRITISH AND IRISH ASSOCIATION FOR PRACTICAL THEOLOGY) (A Charitable Incorporated Organisation) ## Accounts ## to 31 December 2022 Charity no: 1181208 Registered: 17 December 2018 _**BIAPT Accounts 2022**_ ## **OBJECTS** The objects of BIAPT are for the public benefit, The advancement of education in the subject of Practical Theology and the promotion of Practical Theology within the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and throughout the world by: - (i) Advancing practice, teaching, learning and research in Practical Theology; - (ii) Promoting contact and exchange between the various contexts of Practical Theology, education and training - (iii) Organising events and consultations appropriate to the above - (iv) Encouraging interchange between the worlds of Practical Theology, other disciplines, and local and national faith communities ## **TRUSTEES** Revd Mark Bennet (Treasurer) Revd Dr Sarah Brush Prof. Elaine Graham Revd Owen Griffiths (chair) Revd Dr David Beedon Codie Crawshaw Dr Sanjee Perera Dr Delroy Hall Revd Dr Jayson Rhodes Revd Dr Lucy Dallas Saiyyidah Zaidi Page 2 of 6 _**BIAPT Accounts 2022**_ ## **Income and Expenditure** _Year to 31 December_ |||Year| |---|---|---| ||to 31 December 2022|to 31 Dec 2021| ||£|£| |**INCOME**||| |Subscriptions|18,669.00|19,706.00| |Conference income|11,600.00|8,480.00| |Event income|3,111.40|287.92| |Summer School income||1,220.00| |Donations||11.40| |Interest|40.40|5.22| |**Total**|**33,420.80**|**29,701.54**| |**EXPENDITURE**||| |Practical Theology|19,525.20|9,518.08| |Conference expenses|2,928.33|4,457.81| |Summer School|240.00|350.00| |Other events|3,052.67|28.78| |Prizes and bursaries|400.00|| |Committee and administration expenses|3,886.17|2,275.20| |Practical Theology Hub|232.22|| |Website|2,373.33|2,880.00| |Transaction charges|481.33|442.44| |**Total**|**33,119.25**|**20,352.31**| |**Surplus/ (deficit) for period**|**301.55**|**9,358.23**| |Funds carried forward from previous year|26,359.64|17,001.41| |**Funds carried forward**|**26,661.19**|**26,359.64**| Page 3 of 6 _**BIAPT Accounts 2022**_ ## **BALANCE SHEET** |**BALANCE SHEET**||| |---|---|---| ||**31 Dec 2022**|**31 Dec 2021**| |**ASSETS**||| |Cash and bank|26,661.19|26,359.64| |**REPRESENTING**||| |General funds|29,976.38|24,964.65| |Mission studies fund|-|297.00| |Summer school balance|857.99|1,097.99| |**Total**|**26,661.19**|**26,359.64**| Mark Bennet Treasurer June 2023 Page 4 of 6 _**BIAPT Accounts 2022**_ ## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF** ## **BIAPT (British and Irish Association for Practical Theology)** I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the BIAPT (British and Irish Association for Practical Theology) for the year ended 31 December 2022. ## **Responsibilities and basis of report** As the charity 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 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 examiner's statement** In connection with my examination, I confirm that no matters have come to my attention giving me cause to believe that in any material respect: 1. The requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act have not been met; or 2. The accounts do not accord with the accounting records; or 3. The accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than any requirement that the accounts give a true and fair view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination. I have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Mrs Monika Tabatabaian ATT MAAT Tax Avenue Turnfields Gate, Turnfields Thatcham, Berkshire RG19 4PT 23 June 2023 Page 5 of 6 _**BIAPT Accounts 2022**_ ## **Notes to accounts** 1. BIAPT became a charity on 17 December 2018 and now operates with its new constitution under the umbrella of a CIO. 2. The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis. Membership remains strong, but we are about 15 subscriptions lower than last year. The big item in these accounts is payment of a Practical Theology invoice from 2018, which had been missed by the publishers, which means reserves will remain static this year. There is some work still to do to separate out conference costs and student conference costs. 3. Admin costs include our first post-covid in person committee meetings and also £750 towards the establishment of the new Practical Theology Hub 4. The 2022 online conference made a substantial surplus which is part of our plan to rebuild reserves to a level where in person conferences involve less financial risk to BIAPT. 5. Given the position on admin, we do need to make sure that our other activities are at least self-financing. We also have to bear in mind our commitment to bursaries and prizes. 6. New projects are involved with reaching the global south, and also the new website, which will require an honorarium for an editor. The cost of the global south project eventually depends on the extent of reach. Comparing with Australia and Canada, where we have longstanding contacts, the numbers involved initially seem likely to be modest. 7. The new projects are likely to involve a modest increase in costs. At membership of £18,500 (approx.) if this can be sustained, and Practical Theology at £12,000, there is £6,500 to cover the costs of our website, general admin, finance costs and any projects we need to undertake. The overall scope and ambition of activity has also increased. 8. Given general economic circumstances and the fact that our reserves are going in the right direction my recommendation would be to hold off any consideration of an increase in subscriptions, but perhaps revisit the idea of voluntary donations. Page 6 of 6