transform.church Annual Report 2024
Overview
transform.church is a pioneering digital church affiliated with the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB). It was established to explore how to express Christian community and discipleship in a fully online environment. There was a formative focus throughout 2024, as we refined our identity, discerned our calling, and sought to lay firm foundations in governance, safeguarding, community life, and ministry.
Vision and Objectives
transform.church exists to be a vibrant digital community rooted in discipleship, hospitality, and innovation. Our gatherings and activities are designed to cultivate authentic Christian connection online and empower people to be missional disciples wherever they are.
In 2024, the leadership team spent a significant period of time in discernment and strategic reflection. As the year concluded we reached an agreed vision and missional strategy which is shaped around an online platform, a training hub and missional communities.
Activities and Achievements
1. Gatherings and Discipleship
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We experimented during the year with different ways of gathering, as a group of trustees, and with a few others who have been keen to journey with us.
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Alongside our strategic gatherings, we settled on a pattern of low-preparation relational gatherings focused on reflection, accountability, and mutual encouragement.
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A ‘Coffee Bar’ space was launched on a Sunday, and during the year these were incorporated into our midweek pattern of meetings to enable informal connection and deepen community.
2. Governance and Structure
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Monthly trustee meetings were held to ensure good governance.
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Efforts to ensure data protection compliance were ongoing throughout the year and we transitioned to using Google Workspace which offers a more digital secure ecosystem.
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A proposal to appoint a part-time Facilitating Minister was discussed in a meeting facilitated by the EBA regional minister. It was decided that more clarity around the vision was required before any ministers were appointed.
3. Safeguarding
- The safeguarding policy, incorporating digital safety considerations, was reviewed and updated under the oversight of the trustees. Conversations with the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB) were ongoing for best practice alignment.
4. Research and Innovation
- Eleanor Kelsey, one of the trustees, engaged in some research entitled "Pioneering the First Digital BUGB Church: An Ethnographic Study of the Launch of Transform.Church" . Ethical concerns around observation of gatherings were carefully handled, and it is anticipated that this research will be a helpful contribution to our own journey, and to others exploiting digital mission.
5. Membership and Leadership Development
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Membership remained small as we continued to clarify our vision
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One trustee, Jonathan Vaughan-Davis, stepped down due to capacity.
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One of the leaders, Alice Cheeseman, is exploring Baptist Ministerial Recognition.
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Trustees undertook an APEST assessment to help understand the gifts with the team.
6. Financial Activity
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Income during the year was just over £3,000, with modest expenditure of just under £400. The closing balance was £4,286.86.
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The church committed to passing 10% of offerings (5% each) to BMS World Mission and Home Mission.
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Approval was given for the Treasurer to attend a relevant training course (EBA Treasurer Training - November 2024).
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No staff were employed during this financial year.
Public Benefit
transform.church contributes to public benefit by:
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Providing accessible online spaces for Christian discipleship, fellowship, and spiritual exploration.
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Creating welcoming communities for people who may be housebound, neurodivergent, or unable to access traditional church environments.
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Equipping Christians to live missionally in their everyday contexts.
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Innovating new forms of mission and leadership in the digital age, contributing to broader learning across the BUGB and ecumenical networks.
Plans for 2025
Looking forward, transform.church aims to:
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Finalise and then enact its revised vision and strategy.
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Launch and review its first online “missional communities”.
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Recruit additional trustees and leaders to support growth.
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Move towards formalising ministry roles and clarity around time, responsibility, and remuneration.
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Continue to strengthen relationships and community..
Structure, Governance and Management
transform.church is constituted as a charitable incorporated organisation governed by an approved governing document. The trustees meet monthly to review progress, manage risks, and oversee strategy. Community discernment and accountability of leaders take place in quarterly church members’ meetings.
Trustees (2024)
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Nathan McGuire (Chair)
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Simon Goddard
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Alice Cheeseman
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Eleanor Kelsey
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Hannah Fleming-Hill
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(Resigned: Jonathan Vaughan-Davis – July 2024)
INCOME & EXPENDITURE 2024 Incorne Donallons £3.063.08 Ewenoiture Travel Expenses (net) Glvlng Other -£30.44 -£256.10 -£368.96 .£655.50 Income over Expendfture £2,407.58 Reconclled b. Bank Balance 3111212023 Bank Balance 3111212024 £1.623.18 £4,030.76 Increase In Funds £2.407.$8 To Whom It May Concern I have reviewed the informallon presented to me Includlng bank statements and l am saiisfied that the Income and expenditure statement represent5 an falT view of the tiansactions undeitaken. Davld Walker ACMA GCMA Dale: 7 July 2025