Life Church
Report and Accounts Year ended 31 December 2023
1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB www.stewardship.org.uk
LIFE CHURCH
LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE | ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE | Frederick Street |
|---|---|---|
| Wigston | ||
| LE18 1PJ | ||
| GOVERNING DOCUMENT | Constitution dated 12 December 2019 | |
| CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER | 1186922 | |
| TRUSTEES RESPONSIBLE | FOR | John Allard (appointed 17 April 2023; resigned 29 January 2024) |
| MANAGING THE CHARITY | Mary Buckley | |
| Leon Cole | ||
| Andrew Harrison | ||
| Matthew Hill | ||
| Curtis Quashie | ||
| BANKERS | Barclays Bank PLC | |
| Kingdom Bank Limited | ||
| INDEPENDENT EXAMINER | Archie McDowall BA CA | |
| Stewardship | ||
| 1 Lamb's Passage | ||
| LONDON | ||
| EC1Y 8AB | ||
| INDEX | ||
| Page 1 | Legal & Administrative Details | |
| Pages 2-4 | Trustees' Report | |
| Page 5 | Independent Examiner's Report | |
| Page 6 | Receipts | and Payments Account |
| Page 7 | Statement of Assets & Liabilities | |
| Pages 8-9 | Notes to the Accounts |
Page 1
LIFE CHURCH
REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
The Trustees have pleasure in submitting the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2023.
Objectives and activities
The charity, which is a church, is governed by a constitution and is constituted as a charitable incorporated organisation.
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.
- 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.
Achievements and performance
The main achievements for the period were:
• Sunday services continued with many new individuals and families attending, and excellent teaching series including ‘In the Crowd’.
• We held several baptism services throughout the year, where participants shared their journey to faith in Jesus, and we also welcomed new people into church partnership.
•We supported mission and missionaries in Greece and Spain, and into central and eastern Europe and Africa via HaS Missions.
• We continued to fight modern day slavery via our partnership with Hope for Justice.
•Relationships with local community partners were extended, including the very successful provision of Easter and Christmas hampers for isolated and vulnerable members of the local community.
•The work amongst children and young people continued, focussing on spiritual development, including Life Kids on Sunday mornings and the Summer youth trip to the RockNations conference in Bradford.
• We held Stronger Team Sundays where ministry came from members of the church.
Page 2
Achievements and performance (continued)
•Life Groups were held throughout the year in homes, online or via text, enabling relationship building, discipleship, outreach and leadership development.
•Encounter worship nights were held to provide a focus for going deeper with God in worship and in prayer
•Bible academy sessions were held to develop a deeper understanding of the Bible and how to apply it to our lives today.
•A programme of men’s and women’s events and activities were run, providing opportunity for relationship building and growing in faith, including the men’s trip to the Xcel conference in Bradford.
•Leadership training and development continued, including through focused groups for emerging leaders and one-to-one coaching and mentoring.
• Leaders took part in Assemblies of God leadership events.
•We provided support and encouragement to other churches and ministers via Assemblies of God hubs, preaching engagements and mentoring.
•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 the purchase of a new carpet and new chairs for the main hall.
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.
In planning the activities the Trustees have applied the guidance on public benefit issued by the Charity Commission.
Financial review
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.
During the year we gave £21,160 (2022: £15,123) to other Christian charities and missions who help us fulfil our charitable aims and objectives.
During the year income increased by £11,845, to £128,320, and expenditure increased by £3,786, to £117,798. As a result the cash held by the charity increased by £10,522, to £73,130, of which £72,776 is unrestricted and can be used for any charitable purpose.
The full year results of the charity were impacted by its bank account being unexpectedly closed in error by Barclays Bank on 30 November 2023 and reinstated on 28 December 2023. Based on typical monthly income and expenditure levels (excluding Gift Aid reimbursements and capital expenditure) we would estimate that income would have been approximately £5,000 higher at year-end had the bank account not been closed during this period (some donations were received at the very end of December upon re-opening of the bank account) and expenditure up to £10,000 higher
Page 3
Reserves policy
The Trustees’ aim is to hold surplus funds of approximately 3 months of unrestricted expenditure which equates to £27,950. 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 2023 the unrestricted general fund balance was £72,776, representing 7.8 months expenditure.
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 statement
The charity is exposed to various risks - be they operational, financial or reputational. The trustees review the charity's activities regularly to identify significant risks and, where possible, they take appropriate measures to mitigate those risks.
Responsibilities of trustees
Charity law requires us as Trustees to prepare financial statements for each accounting year which record the receipts and payments of the charity for the year.
We are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charity and enable us to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011.
We also have a responsibility to safeguard the assets of the charity and to take reasonable steps to prevent fraud or any other irregularities.
Approval
This report was approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Matthew Hill
Matthew Hill (Sep 25, 2024 14:33 GMT+1) _____ MATTHEW HILL (TRUSTEE) Date:___ Sep 25, 2024
Page 4
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT
TO THE TRUSTEES OF
LIFE CHURCH
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Life Church ('the charity') for the year ended 31 December 2023 on pages 6-9 following.
Responsibilities and basis of report
As the trustees of the charity you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (‘the 2011 Act’).
I report in respect of my examination of the charity’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 2011 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 giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
-
accounting records were not kept in accordance with section 130 of the 2011 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.
Archie McDowall
Archie McDowall (Sep 25, 2024 15:27 GMT+1)
Archie McDowall BA CA Stewardship 1 Lamb's Passage LONDON EC1Y 8AB
Date: Sep 25, 2024
Page 5
LIFE CHURCH
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Notes Income receipts Donations Gift aid receipts Income from events Investment income Other Total receipts Payments 2 3 Total payments Transfers between funds 5 Net movement in funds Cash funds as at last year end Cash funds at this year end A Net of receipts / (payments) before Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Purchase of fixed assets |
General Designated Funds Funds £ £ 109,606 - 10,843 - 645 - 638 - 76 - 121,808 - 88,883 - 15,466 - 104,349 - - - - - 104,349 - 17,459 - - - 17,459 - 55,317 - 72,776 - Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted Funds £ 6,512 - - - - 6,512 7,447 6,002 13,449 - - 13,449 6,937 - - 6,937 - 7,292 355 |
2023 £ 116,118 10,843 645 638 76 128,320 96,329 21,468 117,798 - - 117,798 10,522 - 10,522 62,608 73,130 |
2022 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97,694 18,071 515 158 37 |
||||
| 116,475 | ||||
| 98,889 15,123 |
||||
| 114,012 | ||||
| 3,335 | ||||
| 3,335 | ||||
| 117,347 | ||||
| 872 - - |
||||
| 872 - 63,480 |
||||
| 62,608 |
The notes on pages 8 - 9 form part of these accounts.
Page 6
LIFE CHURCH
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
| Notes A Cash funds Cash at bank with immediate access Notice deposits B Other monetary assets Gift aid due to charity Other debtors C Liabilities Falling due within one year Trade creditors Payroll and Tax Fee for Independent Examination Total |
General Designated funds funds £ £ 29,444 - 43,332 - 72,776 - 17,479 - 1,029 - 18,508 - 4,254 - 6,094 - 1,170 - 11,518 - Unrestricted Funds |
Restricted funds £ 355 - 355 - - - - - - - |
2023 £ 29,799 43,332 73,130 17,479 1,029 18,508 4,254 6,094 1,170 11,518 |
2022 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24,915 37,693 |
||||
| 62,608 | ||||
| 3,488 - |
||||
| 3,488 | ||||
| 1,868 981 - |
||||
| 2,849 |
D Assets retained for charity's own use
| Land and buildings (give brief details) Fixtures, fittings and equipment |
Fund to which asset belongs General General |
Current value £ |
|---|---|---|
| 1,460,175 124,926 |
||
| 1,585,101 |
Current insurance values have not been quoted because reliable valuations are not available
F Guarantees and secured debts
The charity has not given any guarantees and has not provided its assets as security for any liabilities.
The accounts were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
Matthew Hill
Matthew Hill (Sep 25, 2024 14:33 GMT+1) _____ MATTHEW HILL (TRUSTEE)
Sep 25, 2024 Date:_____
The notes on pages 8 - 9 form part of these accounts.
Page 7
LIFE CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
1 Accounting policies
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis and comprise a statement that shows the charity's receipts and payments, a statement that summarises the charity's assets and liabilities and related notes. The accountancy profession have determined that only accounts prepared in accordance with applicable accounting standards present a 'true and fair' view and, as these receipts and payments accounts have not (and cannot) be prepared in accordance with accounting standards, these accounts do not present (and are not intended to present) a 'true and fair' view of the charity's financial activities and state of affairs.
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds comprise unrestricted funds that have been set aside by the trustees for particular purposes. Restricted funds are donations which are to be used in accordance with specific restrictions imposed by donors; they include donations received from appeals for specific activities or projects.
| 2 Payments in relation to charitable activities undertaken directly Employment costs (see note 4) Ministry expenses Youth and children's work Outreach activities Events Equipment Maintenance of buildings & equipment Utilities Insurance Office and support costs Other costs 3 Grants paid in relation to charitable activities undertaken by others Grants for: Mission in the UK and overseas Relief of poverty |
Unrestrict | Designated funds £ - - - - - - - - - - - - - ed Funds |
Restricted Funds £ - 160 - - - - 7,287 - - - - 7,447 5,902 100 6,002 |
Total 2023 £ 51,470 6,597 3,379 1,073 1,048 575 19,199 5,676 1,179 6,133 - 96,329 21,260 208 21,468 |
Total 2022 £ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General funds £ 51,470 6,437 3,379 1,073 1,048 575 11,912 5,676 1,179 6,133 - 88,883 15,358 108 15,466 |
||||||
| 57,296 1,830 3,480 1,396 180 948 18,606 4,610 1,202 9,341 - |
||||||
| 98,889 | ||||||
| 15,123 - |
||||||
| 15,123 |
4 Transactions with related parties
Mary Buckley and Matthew Hill served as church leaders and received employment benefits totalling £44,490 and £6,903 respectively (2022: £44,813 and £6,313) for serving in that capacity, not for serving as trustees; these payments are permitted by the charity's governing document.
Beth Hill, who is closely related to Matthew Hill, who is a trustee, received financial support of £875 (2022: £nil) towards theological education.
Page 8
LIFE CHURCH
NOTES TO THE ACCOUNTS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2023
5 Movement of funds
| vement of funds | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General funds Restricted funds Building Fund Missions Fund Appeals Fund Total funds |
Opening balance £ 55,317 7,207 85 - 7,292 62,608 |
Receipts £ 121,808 220 2,126 4,167 6,512 128,320 |
Payments £ (104,349) (7,287) (1,996) (4,167) (13,449) (117,798) |
Transfers £ - - - - - - |
Closing balance £ 72,776 140 215 - |
| 355 | |||||
| 73,130 |
Building Fund: for building-related projects and expenditure Missions Fund: local and gloval outreach and relief of poverty. Appeals Fund: any special appeal for a particular cause.
Page 9