Centre for Christianity in Society Trustees Report For Period to 31 October 2023 The following report covers the period 1 November 2022 to 31 October 2023 ## Charity Details The Centre for Christianity in Society (CCS) is a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee and a registered charity that exists to connect Christ with contemporary culture in Ireland, online and elsewhere by explaining Christianity truthfully, engaging issues thoughtfully and equipping Christians thoroughly for the glory of God and the good of all people. Centre for Christianity in Society Charity Registration Number is NIC 108788 and the Company Registration Number is NI682889 (Northern Ireland). The Public address of the Centre is 62 Rosewood Glen, Lisburn, County Antrim, BT28 2FH ## Governance CCS was incorporated as a Private Company limited by guarantee without share capital on 6[th] October 2021 and registered as a Charitable Trust on 17[th] May 2022. CCS operates under the governing principles of its Memorandum and Articles with four Trustees: Mr Michael Shaw, Dr Paul Coulter, Mrs Rachel Shields and Mr Keith Gardiner. The Trustees assume responsibility for the overall administration of CCS, including compliance with legal requirements and sound financial practice. They have appointed volunteers to the roles of Executive Director and Operations Manager for the day to day operations of the Trust. During the period covered by this report, the Trustees held regular meetings as stipulated by the Trust’s Memorandum and Articles, minutes of which were kept and circulated by the Chair. The website Centre for Christianity in Society provides information on the leadership and operation of CCS. ## Purposes The purpose of CCS is the advancement of Christianity as set out in the Memorandum and Articles and CCS participates only in initiatives that are reasonably conducive to the realisation of: - a. Raising awareness, teaching, training, and advocacy. - b. Speaking on topical issues and big questions to all ages, sceptics or believers, in person and through various media. - c. Training Christians to think biblically, apply truth in loving relationships, and evangelise persuasively. - d. Creating informative, engaging and practical Christian perspectives on issues using various forms of media, including writing, audio and video. - e. Advising Christian leaders about contemporary culture and issues facing Christians. ## Sphere of Operation CCS is based in Northern Ireland and contributes to the advancement of its purposes in Ireland and the United Kingdom. ## Beneficiaries The intended beneficiaries of CCS consist of Christians of all ages and educational backgrounds across all denominations and traditions across the island of Ireland and the general public across the island of Ireland and, through online resources, globally. ## Financial Position CCS’s income for the financial year to 31 October 2023 was £23,291.54. The income was a combination of regular donors amounting to £4,000 and more substantial one-off donations totalling £19,291.54. This was the second year of operation and continues to represent a considerable sum for a new charity. The expenditure for the same period was £5,635.80. This sum comprises £451.74 for office costs such as company and web page registration costs. The majority of the cost was for website development in the amount of £4,415.36. The Trustees also sponsored one associate to attend a conference costing £768.70. CCS ran an overall surplus for the period of £17,655.74. The Trustees are given financial updates at quarterly meetings. A financial report is submitted for approval by the Trustees at the Charity’s Annual General Meeting. The Trustees have sought to ensure CCS has complied with its legal obligations regarding financial practice through the independent examination of its accounts. A summary of CCS’s Receipts and Payments is submitted annually to the Charities Commission for Northern Ireland. ## Public Benefit In setting our objectives and planning our activities for the year, the Trustees considered the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland’s guidance on public benefit to ensure that CCS’s activities have aided the advancement of the Charity’s purposes and the provision of benefits to its intended beneficiaries. The anticipated public benefits resulting from the activities of the Charity are: 1. Contributing to the mental wellbeing of Christians by advancing loving relationships in churches, families and local communities. 2. Contributing to moral improvement in society by advancing adherence to the Christian principle of honouring all people among the general public and especially Christian believers. 3. Furthering education among Christians through seminars, articles and courses explaining different belief systems and their philosophical and historical roots. 4. Furthering education among the general public concerning Christian beliefs and practices. 5. Promoting good citizenship by advancing the Christian value of honouring the authorities among the general public. 6. Promoting volunteering in churches and other charitable organisations. ## Activities and Public Benefit Activities of CCS over this period were: - Speakers were provided on a variety of topics for eight churches across Northern Ireland on 22 occasions, speaking to an estimated 2000 people. - Paul Coulter taught Ethics modules for the Irish Baptist College / University of Chester. - Paul Coulter spoke at the Christian Medical Fellowship Ireland Conference in October 2021 and the International Christian Medical and Dental Association Western Europe Conference in October 2022. - Paul Coulter jointly coordinated and taught in the Apologetics (Foundational) Network for the European Leadership Forum in Poland in May 2022. - Three new articles were produced for the CCS website, receiving 173 reads. The following comments are typical of feedback received from these services: “As a church family, we really benefited from the insight from the Centre for Christianity in Society on reaching out with the good news in today's world. A variety of speakers was helpful, and they were very willing to work with us on achieving the purpose of our three nights” (Keith McIlwaine, Associate Pastor, Hamilton Road Baptist Church, Bangor) “Paul did two sessions with us this autumn (he has done many more in the past). The most recent were on ‘The Sanctity of Life’ and ‘The Certainty of Death’. Both were presented very clearly and very helpfully - especially so against a background of the prevalent issues around abortion and assisted dying. Very useful to all and especially to our young people.” (Robert Hamilton, Pastoral Worker, Scrabo Hall Church, Newtownards). ## Mitigation of Harm CCS’s Safeguarding Officer keeps the Trustees informed of any legal developments affecting the Charities operation in terms of welfare of children and adults at risk. This is to ensure that the activities that may include children or adults at risk are not posing a risk. The Trustees are not aware of any other potential harm from the CCS activities. ## Data Protection In accordance with legal requirements and good practice, all personal details, including financial information, are kept secure, and only used for their specified purposes. This report was agreed at a meeting of the Trustees on the 1[st] December 2023. Signed Dr Paul Coulter Executive Director