BIAPT (Britsh and Irish Associaton for Practcal Theology)
Charity no 1181208 Registered 17/12/2018
TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT FOR THE PERIOD 1/1/2024 TO 31/12/202 4
TRUSTEES David Beedon Mark Bennet (Treasurer) Sarah Brush (Chair) Elaine Graham Delory Hall Monica Jones Graham Mieklejohn Jayson Rhodes Simon Sutcliffe John Swinton Andrew Todd Patricia Palazzo Tsai
The trustees are pleased to be able to present their annual report together with the independently examined accounts for the year ending 31st December 2024.
Preamble
BIAPT continues to be an association which is rooted in local communities and united across the nations of the British Isles and beyond with increasing membership from overseas. We continue as an association which draws from both local faith communities and the world of academia, uniting around a common interest in the relationships between practice and theology. We returned to an in-person conference in 2024, recognising the value of meeting together in person for building communities of practice and inquiry.
1. Objectives and Activities
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 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:
-
advancing practice, teaching, learning and research in practical theology;
-
promoting contact and exchange between the various contexts of practical theology, education and training;
-
organising events and consultations appropriate to the above;
-
fostering international links and activities;
-
encouraging interchange between the worlds of practical theology, other disciplines, and local and national faith communities.
1.2. Summary of Activities
Our vision is to foster and promote a wide engagement with the field of practical theology within and without the academy and across cultural and religious divides. In pursuit of this our activities over the past year have included:
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Organising and running an in-person residential conference in July, and an online doctoral student day conference in April.
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Organising other events relevant to special interests within the field of practical theology.
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Supplying our members with the Practical Theology Journal.
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Maintaining a website disseminating information about the charity and its activities and news relevant to the subject of practical theology.
The trustees are grateful to all who have helped to make these activities possible and to realise BIAPT’s goals.
2. Main Achievements
After an historic surge in membership in 2021, peaking at 506 by the end of that year, in subsequent years membership has returned to more modest levels, with 369 members at the end of 2024. The international nature of BIAPT’s membership continues to highlight the significance of BIAPT in the advancement of the field of practical theology globally.
2.1. Conferences
2.1.1. Annual Conference
Our 2024 annual conference focused on economic questions under the heading The Root of all Evil? Money and Practical Theology . Dr Carlton Turner’s keynote reflected on the story of reparations in a post-colonial context; Eve Pool explored our personal relationships to money using a range of objects, considering our power of influence against the background of the toxic assumptions of capitalism. Luke Larner rounded off the conference with a more radical challenge to the existing economic structures of capitalism. All three papers helped us see the importance of relationships between individuals and relationships between humanity and creation by demonstrating the devastating outworkings of imbalanced relationships whereby some are considered lesser. There were also many high quality parallel papers which explored a wide range of ideas including how creativity and consumerism relate to each other, how we might look for a sea-change in economics, as well as practical things like ‘how do I write about my ideas?’ for either the journal or as a book with SCM.
2.1.2. Doctoral Students’ Day Conference
The BIAPT Doctoral Conference in 2024 was held online on 26th April and was skillfully organised by Cody Crawshaw, our Doctoral Student Representative on Committee (until July 2024). 39 students attended of whom 11 gave short papers alongside the two keynotes which were delivered by Professor Esther McIntosh followed by Zoe Strong and Paula Duncan.
2.1.3. BIAPT Mission Studies Special Interest Group
The BIAPT Mission Studies Special Interest Group is linked to, and supported by, the Mission Research Network which is hosted by Churches Together in England. On the 15[th] May 2024 the mission studies group met at Ripon College, Cuddesdon for a study day entitled “Mission without Borders?: Discipleship as (Un)learning - How to Do Theology From More Than One Place.” This was led by Dr Sam Ewell, a theological practitioner and Benedictine oblate rooted in the Catholic tradition, and Revd Hasna Khatun, a Pioneer Minister with an interest in Islam from a Muslim background. The afternoon was set aside for short papers relating to the theme from emerging early career researchers and practitioners. 23 people joined the day which was full of rich discussion and emerging friendships.
2.1.4. BIAPT Bible Special Interest Group
The Bible special interest group met in person at conference in July 2024, with a contribution from Dr Helen Paynter of Bristol Baptist College on ‘Shekels and Shackles: The economics of templebuilding’ which stimulated a great conversation on the day. Dr Sheryl Arthur has also been a welcome addition this year to the convenor team of Helen Cameron and Andrew Rogers. The rest of the year has been taken up with planning our third symposium on 'the impact of biblical language in culture' that takes place in December 2025 at Launde Abbey. We currently have 46 contacts on our distribution list, and a number have joined this year.
2.1.5 BIAPT Wales Local group
The Wales SIG didn’t meet in 2024.
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 attract more working class and black members. We are committed to accepting 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. Publications
2.3.1. Practical Theology
We have been pleased to continue to work very closely with the Contact Pastoral Trust and Taylor and Francis to publish and distribute the Practical 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. Practical Theology continues to demonstrate strength, growth, and stability as one of the leading journals in the field of practical theology. The editorial team, comprised of Dustin Benac, Calida Chu, Jayson Rhodes, Eeva John, and Manon James, oversaw the publication of six issues during the 2024 publishing year, comprising nearly 600 pages of published material. The
international engagement and downloads for the journal remain high, with more than 60,000 downloads reported in 2024. In 2022 we published 43 articles from 54 authors, and eight poems.
2.3.2. Websites
BIAPT has continued to maintain an active website throughout the year, keeping members and others informed of developments and news in the field of practical theology. This year we also continued the Practical Theology Hub which has gone from strength to strength, publishing papers on practical theology intended to appeal to a wider audience than simply those in academia. This website enables BIAPT to better fulfil its charitable object of promoting practical theology and to broaden BIAPT’s reach beyond its current demographic.
During 2024, Patricia Palazzo Tsai took over as PTHub editor and has continued the excellent work begun by James Morris. In 2024, the website published 29 pieces and had 8,324 views with 4,962 individual visitors, with individual visitors often reading several pieces on the website, an average of between 1.8 and 2 each. The Trustees are grateful to both for their hard work in setting up and continuing this valuable resource for practical theology.
3. Governance
All trustee and sub-committee meetings have continued to be held online, saving time and financial cost for trustees travelling to in-person meetings.
3.1 Chair
Sarah Brush served as chair throughout 2024 and did significant work working with the strategic plan agreed by trustees.
3.2 Conference Secretary
Graham Mieklejohn took on the Conference Secretary role and has been exercising that timeconsuming role very effectively.
4. Policies
The trustees continued to review BIAPT’s safeguarding policy and also worked on updating BIAPT’s data protection policy. We continue 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 effectively as the charity continues to grow and its operations continue to multiply.
5. Financial Review
5.1 Overview
The charity’s income for the year ending 31st December 2024 was £38,238.20 (2023: £28,498.10). Of this £14512.12 was received through membership subscriptions (2023: £17,715.00), £18551.00
was received through conference and event bookings (2023: £6960.90), £501 was received in donations (2023: £106.04) and £644.08 was earned as interest (2023: £291.16). Our expenditure for the year totalled £35,205.51 (2023: £22,106.87). The largest items of expenditure were £9,983.49 spent on the Practical Theology journal (2023: £12,438.44), £14,006.12 spent on conference expenses (2023: £3,716.20) and £2,545.45 spent on administration and expenses (2023: £1851.00). Other expenditures included £2038.50 spent on website costs (2023: £448.09) and £488.06 worth of transaction charges (2023: £431.53).
5.2 Reserves Policy
Having continued with a reserves policy that sets the desired level of BIAPT's financial reserves at approximately 50% the cost of an in-person conference, our reserves have grown this year, standing at £36,085.00. Given the reserve figure equates to £15,000, there is financial resource to support development work by the trustees.
BIAPT (BRITISH AND IRISH ASSOCIATION FOR PRACTICAL THEOLOGY) (A Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
Accounts
to 31 December 2024
Charity no: 1181208
Registered: 17 December 2018
BIAPT Accounts Year ended 31 December 2024
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 – TO REVISE FOR THIS YEAR
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 Year ended 31 December 2024
Income and Expenditure
Year to 31 December
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| INCOME | ||
| Subscriptions | 14,512.12 | 17,715.00 |
| Conference income | 17,726.00 | 6,725.00 |
| Event income | 825.00 | 235.90 |
| Summer School income | 4,030.00 | 3,425.00 |
| Donations | 501.00 | 106.04 |
| Interest | 644.08 | 291.16 |
| Total | 38,238.20 | 28,498.10 |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Practical Theology | 9,983.49 | 12,438.44 |
| Conference expenses | 14,006.12 | 3,716.20 |
| Summer School | 4,991.82 | 1,986.11 |
| Other events | 1,152.07 | 179.25 |
| Committee and administration expenses | 2,545.45 | 1,851.00 |
| Website | 2,038.50 | ,448.09 |
| Transaction charges | 488.06 | 431.53 |
| Total | 35,205.51 | 22,106.87 |
| Surplus/ (deficit) for period | 3,032.69 | 6,391.23 |
| Funds carried forward from previous year | 33,052.42 | 26,661.19 |
| Funds carried forward | 36,085.11 | 33,052.42 |
Page 3 of 6
BIAPT Accounts Year ended 31 December 2024
BALANCE SHEET
| BALANCE SHEET | ||
|---|---|---|
| 31 Dec 2024 | 31 Dec 2023 | |
| ASSETS | ||
| Cash and bank | 36,085.11 | 33,052.42 |
| REPRESENTING | ||
| General funds | 34,536.38 | 30,291.87 |
| Bible SIG | 213.67 | 463.67 |
| Summer school balance | 1,335.06 | 2,296.88 |
| Total | 36,085.11 | 33,052.42 |
Mark Bennet Treasurer December 2025
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BIAPT Accounts 202 4
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 202 4 .
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:
-
The requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
-
The accounts do not accord with the accounting records; or
-
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 MAAT Tax Avenue Turnfields Gate, Turnfields Thatcham, Berkshire RG19 4PT
10 December 2025
Page 5 of 6
BIAPT Accounts Year ended 31 December 2024
Notes and Treasurer’s report
-
BIAPT became a charity on 17 December 2018 and now operates with its new constitution under the umbrella of a CIO.
-
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis.
-
Membership has eased off for the fourth year running. This also has an impact on the amount we are paying for Practical Theology, which is reducing in line with membership. Membership fees continue broadly to cover expenses, which are reduced by the need for fewer in person meetings.
-
The first in person conference since COVID made a surplus. General funds stand at £35,000, with approximately £10,000 of this required to pay for the 2024 editions of Practical Theology received by members. This leaves a reserve of £25,000, which is sufficient to allow for continuing to book in person conferences. However it is at the lower end of what is required to give cover for such a large event, especially if the conference starts to expand to preCOVID levels of in person participation.
-
5 Website expenditure includes funding of the Practical Theology hub.
Page 6 of 6
BIAPT (BRITISH AND IRISH ASSOCIATION FOR PRACTICAL THEOLOGY) (A Charitable Incorporated Organisation)
Accounts
to 31 December 2024
Charity no: 1181208
Registered: 17 December 2018
BIAPT Accounts Year ended 31 December 2024
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 – TO REVISE FOR THIS YEAR
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 Year ended 31 December 2024
Income and Expenditure
Year to 31 December
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| INCOME | ||
| Subscriptions | 14,512.12 | 17,715.00 |
| Conference income | 17,726.00 | 6,725.00 |
| Event income | 825.00 | 235.90 |
| Summer School income | 4,030.00 | 3,425.00 |
| Donations | 501.00 | 106.04 |
| Interest | 644.08 | 291.16 |
| Total | 38,238.20 | 28,498.10 |
| EXPENDITURE | ||
| Practical Theology | 9,983.49 | 12,438.44 |
| Conference expenses | 14,006.12 | 3,716.20 |
| Summer School | 4,991.82 | 1,986.11 |
| Other events | 1,152.07 | 179.25 |
| Committee and administration expenses | 2,545.45 | 1,851.00 |
| Website | 2,038.50 | ,448.09 |
| Transaction charges | 488.06 | 431.53 |
| Total | 35,205.51 | 22,106.87 |
| Surplus/ (deficit) for period | 3,032.69 | 6,391.23 |
| Funds carried forward from previous year | 33,052.42 | 26,661.19 |
| Funds carried forward | 36,085.11 | 33,052.42 |
Page 3 of 6
BIAPT Accounts Year ended 31 December 2024
BALANCE SHEET
| BALANCE SHEET | ||
|---|---|---|
| 31 Dec 2024 | 31 Dec 2023 | |
| ASSETS | ||
| Cash and bank | 36,085.11 | 33,052.42 |
| REPRESENTING | ||
| General funds | 34,536.38 | 30,291.87 |
| Bible SIG | 213.67 | 463.67 |
| Summer school balance | 1,335.06 | 2,296.88 |
| Total | 36,085.11 | 33,052.42 |
Mark Bennet Treasurer December 2025
Page 4 of 6
BIAPT Accounts 202 4
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 202 4 .
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:
-
The requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 Act have not been met; or
-
The accounts do not accord with the accounting records; or
-
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 MAAT Tax Avenue Turnfields Gate, Turnfields Thatcham, Berkshire RG19 4PT
10 December 2025
Page 5 of 6
BIAPT Accounts Year ended 31 December 2024
Notes and Treasurer’s report
-
BIAPT became a charity on 17 December 2018 and now operates with its new constitution under the umbrella of a CIO.
-
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis.
-
Membership has eased off for the fourth year running. This also has an impact on the amount we are paying for Practical Theology, which is reducing in line with membership. Membership fees continue broadly to cover expenses, which are reduced by the need for fewer in person meetings.
-
The first in person conference since COVID made a surplus. General funds stand at £35,000, with approximately £10,000 of this required to pay for the 2024 editions of Practical Theology received by members. This leaves a reserve of £25,000, which is sufficient to allow for continuing to book in person conferences. However it is at the lower end of what is required to give cover for such a large event, especially if the conference starts to expand to preCOVID levels of in person participation.
-
5 Website expenditure includes funding of the Practical Theology hub.
Page 6 of 6