2021-12-31-accounts - Life Church

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Registered charity number: 1186922

Life Church

Frederick Street, Wigston

Leicester LE18 1PJ

Report and Receipts and Payments Accounts

for the year ended

31 December 2021

Life Church

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 December 2021

The Trustees present their report and independently examined accounts for the year ended 31 December 2021.

Administration Details

Life Church is constituted by a Deed of Trust and is a registered charity, No. 1186922. Its registered address is 1 Frederick Street, Wigston, Leicester LE18 1PJ.

Organisational structure

The Trustees, who are responsible for controlling the work, management and administration of the charity on behalf of its beneficiaries, holding office during the period, are:

M Buckley L D Cole M Cowley (resigned 15 May 2022) A Harrison M Hill C Quashie

Governance and Management

New Trustees are appointed by the existing trustees. The Trustees are responsible for making the major decisions regarding the formulation and implementation of its aims and objectives, and for monitoring and controlling all of its financial resources. The Trustees formally meet at least four times a year, and report key issues and decisions to the church membership on a regular basis. Quarterly reports from the treasurer are received for discussion and necessary action. An Annual General Meeting is held each year to present to the church membership the management, departmental and treasurer’s reports.

In the pursuit of its charitable activities, the charity has been in fellowship with the Assemblies of God in the UK, and is a member of the Evangelical Alliance.

Risk Review

The trustees review risk periodically, and are satisfied that major risks to which the charity is exposed, are adequately mitigated through insurance, policies and procedures.

Objectives and activities

The principal aim of the charity is the advancement of the Christian faith and the worship of God. By upholding righteous values and beliefs it is the trustees’ conviction that a positive impact into the community can be achieved for the good of all. Activities include:

A regular programme of meetings is provided in the main centre for worship, prayer and outreach.
Children and youth work on Sundays and midweek.
Mid-week groups and activities including Life Groups, held in homes across the city and online.
Online teaching series, inspiration and resources.
Community outreach including partnering with local agencies to provide support to those in need.

Life Church

Report of the Trustees

for the year ended 31 December 2021 (continued)

Achievements and Performance

The main achievements for the period were:

Sunday services continued in person, or online when pandemic restrictions applied.
Sunday teaching series included Little by Little, Believe it or Not, What’s the Point? (Ecclesiastes) and Get Real (Corinthians)
Our first Encounter worship night was held at the church and made available online.
We launched our iBelieve online teaching resource, equipping people in the Christian faith, and released a series of online teachings entitled The Unstoppable Church Begins.
We produced a range of engaging children’s videos, shown in Sunday services and made available online.
We held Stronger Team Sundays where ministry came from members of the church.
We supported mission and missionaries in Greece, Spain and Congo; and through Hope for Justice, HaS Mission and YourMission.
Relationships with local community partners were extended, including the very successful provision of Christmas hampers for isolated and vulnerable members of the local community.
The paid roles of cleaner and building maintenance manager continued to be successful in providing excellent Life Church facilities for the church and local community.
Work was carried out to enhance the church building, including painting and refurbishments.
We provided support and encouragement to other churches and ministers via Assemblies of God hubs, preaching engagements and mentoring.
Leaders took part in Assemblies of God leadership events.
Men from the church attended the Xcel conference in Bradford.
Life Groups were held in homes across the city, or online when pandemic restrictions applied, enabling relationship building, discipleship, outreach and leadership development.
Leadership Life training and development continued, including through focused groups for emerging leaders and one-to-one coaching and mentoring.
The work amongst children and young people continued, focussing on spiritual development and outreach.

The activities are mainly achieved through the faithful work of many church members who act as unpaid volunteers, without whose contributions the aims and objectives could not all be met.

Public benefit

The Trustees confirm that they have paid due regard to Charity Commission guidance on public benefit in deciding what activities to undertake.

Sources of funds

The vast majority of the finances required to fund the activities are raised through donations from church members, supplemented by the refund of income tax from HM Revenue & Customs through the Gift Aid scheme.

Donations

During the year we gave £10,640 (9 months to 31 December 2020: £11,858) to other Christian charities and Missions who help us fulfil our charitable aims and objectives.

Related Party Transactions

During the period, salary payments totalling £47,884 were paid to trustees, under contracts of employment for work as pastors. Employer’s pension contributions are also paid. Expenses paid to trustees amounted to £1,204.

Life Church

Report of the Trustees for the year ended 31 December 2021 (continued)

Funds and Reserves Policy

The net of receipts over payments for the year was £2,246 (9 months to 31 December 2020: £61,234, including balances transferred from Life Church (charity number 1051890)). Total unrestricted funds at 31 December 2021 were £56,890 (9 months to 31 December 2020: £59,900) and restricted funds were £6,590 (9 months to 31 December 2020: £1,334).

The Trustees’ aim is to hold surplus funds of approximately 3 months of unrestricted expenditure which equates to £24,700. At this level, the Trustees feel that current activities of the charity would be able to continue in the event of a significant drop in offerings. At 31 December 2021 the unrestricted general fund balance was £56,890, representing 7 months expenditure.

Signed on behalf of the Charity Trustees

Matthew Hill Trustee

Dated: 23 June 2022

Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Life Church

I report on the accounts of the charity for the year ended 31 December 2021, which are set out on pages 5 and 6.

Responsibilities and basis of report

As the charity trustees of the Trust, 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 the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the Act.

Independent examiner’s statement

I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination which gives me cause to believe that in, any material respect:

accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the Act or
the accounts do not accord with the accounting records

I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

J Price FCA

Relevant professional qualification or body: Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

15 The Paddock Newbold Verdon Leics LE9 9NW

Dated: 23 June 2022

Life Church

Receipts and Payments account for the year ended 31 December 2021

Unrestricted funds £ 89,932 17,618 - - - - 315 57 - 107,922 58,122 12,199 1,630 - 2,699 3,725 1,297 181 985 3,763 5,544 7,527 1,134 -	Restricted funds £ - - - 900 5,290 225 - - - 6,415 - 834 225 - - - - - - - 100 - - -	Total funds 12 Dec. 2019 to 31 Dec. 2020 61,712 8,320 1,747 1,170 180 430 145 74 64,862
		138,640
		42,443 11,858 490 300 2,029 2,575 916 - 844 839 11,692 822 805 1,793
98,806 12,126 110,932 (3,010) - 59,900 56,890	1,159 - 1,159 5,256 - 1,334 6,590	77,406 -
		77,406
		61,234 - - 61,234

Life Church

Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period for the year ended 31 December 2021

Bank and Cash funds General fund Missions Special events Building fund CCTV Total cash funds Other monetary assets Tax claims due Assets retained for the charity’s own use Church building, 1 Frederick Street, Wigston, LE18 1PJ Movable fixtures, fittings and equipment Liabilities PAYE, NI and pension contributions Other	Unrestricted funds £ 56,890 - - - - 56,890 Unrestricted funds £ 4,750 Fund to which asset belongs Unrestricted Unrestricted Fund to which liability relates Unrestricted Unrestricted	Restricted funds £ - 1,038 130 5,270 152
		6,590
		Restricted funds £ -
		Amount due £ 997 1,143

Signed on behalf of the trustees

Matthew Hill Trustee

Dated: 23 June 2022