## **Annual Report for One Sixteen Bible Church Birmingham.** ## **References and administrative details-** ## **Charity name** One Sixteen Bible Church ## **Charity registration number** 1186822 ## **Registered addresses** 61 Bridge Street, Kington, HR5 3DJ ## **Current trustees** Philip James Close (Appointed 10th Jan 2019) Peter Michael Sherwood ( Appointed10th Jan 2019) Alasdair Iain Nicholson (Appointed 18[th] March 2020) ## **Trustees appointed during 2023** None ## **Trustees retired during 2023** None ## **Charity Bank account** Barclays bank, Stourbridge, West Midlands, 81 High Street, Stourbridge, DY8 1EB. ## **Annual report for 2023** **The Trustees of One Sixteen Bible Church Birmingham present their annual report and financial statement for period of (1[st] January 2022 - 31[st] December 2023)** ## **1) Structure governance and management** The One Sixteen Bible Church Charity is governed by an Approved Governing Document. As per the One Sixteen constitutional document, the members of this CIO shall be its Charity trustees for the time being. The only persons eligible to be members of the CIO are its charity trustees. Membership of the CIO cannot be transferred to anyone else (Section16:1). All trustees of the CIO are fully responsible for any decisions made and taken throughout the course of this and any other financial year. The trustees of One Sixteen Bible Church Birmingham are continuing to aim for conducting regular (approximately every six months) meetings, within which any objectives and activities of the Church are discussed and agreed upon collectively by the trustees. As per the charities constitution, each registered trustee continues to recognise their duty bound requirement and responsibility in the day to day/week by week running of the Church’s ongoing work. The trustees also continue to conduct and maintain oversight (yearly financial review of charities accounts) of all financial and legal matters concerning the Charity. Although not all trustees are actively involved in the membership of the Church charity, each trustee is encouraged to take an appropriate part within both the practical and Spiritual tasks involved within the furtherance of the objectives, purposes and activities of the charity as a whole. As a charity we continue to operate on the assumption that any matters for consideration can be raised by any trustee or Church member at any time. Any matters which are raised can then be addressed as and when necessary and/or when appropriate by the trustees of the CIO. Any implemented change is to be conducted in accordance with Church policy and governing documents. Although the constitution permits decisions to be made primarily by the trustees, Church members are also actively encouraged to give feedback on aspects of Church matters (governance and management) and these are then discussed as appropriate within the trustee meetings. ## **2) Objectives and activities** The “One Sixteen Bible Church Birmingham” continues to operate and exist as an independent, evangelical Reformed Baptist Church. As per the inception of the Church until now the continued “Principle purpose” of the Church is to advance the Christian faith for the benefit of the public within the Birmingham/West-Midlands/Worcestershire area and in accordance with Scriptural commands of Christ towards His Church and within the upholding of the tenants of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith. In order to continue to achieve this charitable objective set out above, the Church is currently and continues to remain involved in providing a variety of activities, both towards its members in attendance and within the community in general as the Church seeks to reach out. The aim of these activities is founded upon the Bible’s teachings and centuries of historic Christian practice. In order to show and tell of the Love of God in the Gospel of Jesus Christ to both the community and Church members, making disciples of all nations (Mathew 28:19). One Sixteen Bible Church continues to undertake these objectives, through the holding of weekly Church worship services, prayer meetings, Bible studies, theological training/discipleship, pastoral counselling and open-air evangelism. As per previous years these activities of Worship and spiritual practice have been arranged and are being conducted primarily in order for One:16 Bible Church members to grow in their Christian faith and to enlighten others (members of the public) concerning the Christian faith. Throughout the period of 2023, our Church charity’s various weekly activities have consisted of the following: -Church services continue to be conducted from 10.30am until 1pm every Sunday morning/afternoon. - Church Prayer meeting takes place once a week (mid week meeting) from around 7.30pm to 9pm. -Pastoral counselling and visitations with church members and other related contacts, and evangelistic meetings with members of the public showing an interest in the Christian faith on an ongoing basis. -Open air evangelism conducted a couple of times a week at non specified times. -Church services consist of singing hymns, times of prayer, communion, reading and preaching from the Bible, time of fellowship. These objectives and activities are continuing to be conducted in accordance with the primary objective within the Charities governing document and are considered to be of public benefit to many individuals who desire to practice their Christian faith or for those who are inquiring into the tenants and beliefs of Biblical Christianity. ## **3) Achievements and performance** Although the success of the Christian faith is one which is not easily measured by visible performance indicators (such as financial / visible numerical growth etc). As in years gone by, it instead measures it’s effective success based upon faithfulness of Christians towards the Lord’s commands from within the scriptures (The Biblical teachings). As a Church Charity, One Sixteen Bible Church Birmingham has been pleased to have achieved and performed the objectives of the charity and has been encouraged in the Charity’s progress throughout the year. Throughout the year of 2023, the One Sixteen Bible Church Birmingham members have continued to meet together for various Church related activities throughout the week, on a weekly basis. Although we have sadly seen some individuals / families move on from Church membership this year, we have also been greatly encouraged by others joining the Church for weekly worship together. As per previous years, we have also been very encouraged by visiting individuals / families that have come to fellowship on a more intermittent basis. Although the attendance overall has been slightly less at the Church than previous years. There continues to be a common and increasing unity amongst those who attend and it isn’t uncommon to see between around ten to fifteen folks in attendance on a weekly basis. The congregation remains encouraged with the regular ministry and regularly express those encouragements towards one another and the leaders of the Church. The Pastor’s duties continue to remain consistent as per previous years. Peter Sherwood (The Church Pastor) continues weekly to set up, arrange, lead and often preach at the weekly services on the Sunday morning service. The Church’s midweek prayer meeting has also continued to be maintained and attended on a regular basis (being led by the Pastor), although often with fewer attendees than on a Sunday morning service. Peter Sherwood’s regular weekly Pastoral duties throughout the week consist of sermon and service preparations, one on one and/or family pastoral visitations. These Pastoral duties regularly consist of Biblical counselling and discipleship where needed and/or appropriate. There continues to remain regular opportunities for the congregation/members to feedback to the Pastor concerning the things which they are learning about the Christian faith at the Church and to engage in fruitful discussion relating to their own Christian/spiritual walk and how they can best be supported practically and pastorally in their own faith. One of the Pastor’s other main responsibilities aside from Bible teaching and discipling those within the Church, is to spend time in prayer for the congregants which is a regular pattern throughout the week of ministry. There are also many other practical tasks to be arranged by the Leadership of the One Sixteen Bible Church Birmingham, such as ongoing administrative tasks, developing and keeping atop of policies, liaising with third parties (safeguarding oversight, the bank, Charity commission, hall hire etc), keeping records of invoices, receipts for purchased goods, video production, WhatsApp group admin and communication, service preparation (Hymn selection/preparing communion/ readings/ notice updates/Church etc) and the general upkeep of equipment/literature amongst other duties. These regular weekly pastoral duties and weekly activities of the Church have been and are aimed to be undertaken in line with and as per the working objectives of the Charity. We have continued to keep the format of the Church very similar to other years. Continuing to meet for weekly worship together on a Sunday morning. With the service starting at 10.30am, the members of the Church gather together (singing hymns, praying, taking communion and preaching and hearing from Gods Word in the preaching of the Bible). Our set-up consists of a seating arrangement, pulpit and projector screen and hymn books to assist with the reading of the words for worship. The midweek prayer meetings are an integral part of the ministry of One Sixteen Bible Church and although sometimes less attended (due to family / childcare evening commitments). Members of the Church also continue to conduct regular evangelistic outreach in the local area to the Church. Whilst doing so, One Sixteen Bible Church members have the opportunity to speak with the general public concerning their beliefs and to engage those who would like to talk about spiritual matters of the Christian faith. Tracts and literature are often handed out and these opportunities to talk with members of the public can often present themselves to be very fruitful. Peter (The Church Pastor) has also continued to develop and deepen relationships with other evangelical Church leaders within local the area. Remaining in good standing with other branches of the evangelical protestant Church community, the Pastor is often able to attend regular fraternals and discussion/prayer groups for mutual encouragement and sideways accountability within the work of ministry. The Pastor also often has regular opportunities to attend and preach at other Churches. This is sometimes reciprocated by leaders coming to share and minister at One Sixteen Bible Church as in previous years. This has always been mutually encouraged by the members within the Church and also the attendance of occasional visiting speakers seems to be profitable to the members and has often proved to be a rich encouragement towards those in the Church. The regular weekly teaching ministry has consisted of looking through the book of Mark’s Gospel, Jonah, various epistles of the Apostle Paul and other texts from both the old and new testament. There is always opportunity for feedback and fellowship together after each service where members of the Church can discuss/feedback the mornings teaching, which therefore offers a more dialogued (two way) dynamic to what they have learned each week. We continue to hold regular meetings and services where possible (as per the charities objectives and activities) and we as Charity trustees remain generally encouraged for the year ahead. ## **4) Financial review.** As per previous years, One Sixteen Bible Church Birmingham continues to rely on the kind financial donations of the members within the Church throughout the year of 2023. Our Church bank balance/account as per form CC16a continues to remain in good standing with accurate records and receipts kept from year to year. The Church has made no wider public appeal for funds during the financial year of 2023. Following the recommencement of renumeration for the Pastoral services of Peter Sherwood in October 2022 (As per previous Annual report). It has since been independently agreed throughout the financial year of 2023 (June 30[th] ) by Trustees Alasdair Nicholson and Philip Close, that Peter Sherwood’s renumeration would be increased from £10.00 per hour to £13.00 per hour and would not exceed an invoicing amount of 40 hours per month (increased from 32 hrs per month) for pastoral services rendered. This decision was taken independently of Peter Sherwood and made on the basis of being considered in the best interest of the Charity and in light of the current financial position of the account thereof. The majority of all other expenditure made throughout 2023 has been as per previous years for the weekly hall hire, various items (Microphone leads), Usable materials, renumeration for visiting speakers, Church subscriptions and fellowship activities as per CC16a form. All in all as per previous years, the year of 2023 has been a blessed year for the One Sixteen Bible Church Birmingham Charity. We remain encouraged in the progress of the Charity’s objectives and are pleased with all that has taken place throughout 2023. The trustees and members of the Charity remain expectant and optimistic for all that lies ahead going forward. Ind•p•nd•nt Examln•rfs R•port to th• Tru8t••s ofth• 10th Fln¢hl•y IS¢ottl•h} Scout Group I report on the acc£Junts of thè Group Iix the year ended 31 December2023 whlch comprlse the Rec4lpts ond Payments AccAJunt and th8 Stslement of Assets and L￿bIlItIeS al the trnd ol the year. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the charivs tnJst8e$ th0$8 mattars l am raqulred to state to thom In an IndepgThJènt Examinerfs raport and for tw) other purpose. To the fullest extent pemiitted by law, I do not accept or assurne re8ponsibilty to anyone other than thg charity and tha charity's trustees for my &X8mFnalk•n work. R•sp•ctlv• r•spon8lbllltl•s of trust•e• and examln•r The Group's trustees ara r08p¢yI￿b1O for th& preparotlon of th$ a¢counts. They C￿sider that an audit Is not required for this year under Section 144121 of the Charitles Act 20111th0"2011 Acr) and Ih818n ind8pond8nt &xamlnatlon Is neod8d. It 5$ my rg$pon$lbS1ty to.. Examin& the accounts under Section 145 of the 2011 Act- To fdlow the applicabl? Dire¢tlons given by the char￿8$ Commlsslon under SecJon 14951 Ibl ofthe Acl.. and To state whether particular rnatters have come to my attenuon. B￿1* ¢1 examln•rf¥ r•port My examination was carried out in acxordance wlh the general Directi)ns given by tho Charity commi￿￿)n. An ex8mlnation includes a review ofthe accounting recAyds kept by the Group and a c4)mparison oflhe a¢￿Unts pr$8&nl$d wlth th0￿ rgcords. It also indudes Insld6ratlon of any unusual ¢terns or disclosures in the acwunts, and seeking ex￿anatiOnS from the Iru$lee8 concernlng any such matters. Th• proc8dures undertaken do not prowde all the evid8nc8 that would be required in an audit, and consequenuy no opift￿n 1$ givan as to whgthar th& aeeounts present a true and fair view and the report is limi￿ to th08e matter3 Set out in the Stslement bo1¢)w. Ind•p•t)d•nt Examln•rfs Stat•m•nt In o)nnection w(¢h my èxamlnatkjn, no m*grf8l matters have ¢ome lo my attentb)n whlch gives m8 cause to believe that, In any material respect.. accounting records wer6 r￿1 kept in ac¢ord8rth wilh sodort 130 of tha Charhlos Act or the accounts do not a¢¢wd whh th& accounung Mcords. I h8v& no eonegms and have come across no other motters In connection vmh the examinat'on to which atten￿On Should be dr8vm In order to enable a prO￿r understandlng ol the accounts to be reached. SSgnod ,q7/a* N8m¢ Thoma$ P H•n•aghan Qualtficatlon CA. Address 106 Walmlngton Fold Woodsld• Park Flnchloy N127LJ CHARITY COMMISSION FOR E14GWD ANO WALES ONE SIXTEEN BI8Lt cHuoH Recei and ents accounts Ish JAN &Oa3 31$+ DEC 1186? CC16a For th• p•rbod Section A Receipts and payments UfiT•#trlctsd RMlriet•d luthd8 lund• Total fund¥ L••t y••r A1 Rtt•i AR) HI[8Cen￿ SthMc•6 145 145 130 Subts J1 Sub ¢0 J1D 7.031 Y.QJ1 3.391 191 AO C••h fvnd• l••t y•ar •nd C•¥h luftd• thls y•v•nd 127 CCXX R1 2711rrn24 Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unr•sthct•d R•sirfci•d Endo*mr*nt C•i•o4Y1•5 B1 Cmh fi￿d9 Jnth lundb ¥*wrw£ Details Details B3 Invaatrnwrt •8••1• Dethus ￿t￿I2 B4 Ass•ts Tetsln•d hr lh• charltys own u Dttalls 85 Llablllti S¥n•d by 25.10.2024 CCXX R2 ISS 27110￿2•