Centre for Christianity in Society Trustees Report For Period 1 November 2023 to 31 October 2024
The following report covers the period 1 November 2023 to 31 October 2024
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 six Trustees: Mr Keith Gardiner (Chair), Mr Michael Shaw, Dr Paul Coulter, Mrs Rachel Shields, Mr Arthur Canning and Mr Gareth Kimpton. 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:
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a. Raising awareness, teaching, training, and advocacy.
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b. Speaking on topical issues and big questions to all ages, sceptics or believers, in person and through various media.
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c. Training Christians to think biblically, apply truth in loving relationships, and evangelise persuasively.
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d. Creating informative, engaging and practical Christian perspectives on issues using various forms of media, including writing, audio and video.
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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 – to be finalised following accounts audit
CCS’s income for the financial year to 31 October 2024 was £11,079.23. The income was a combination of regular donors amounting to £4,350 and more substantial one-off donations totaling £6,729. This was the third full year of operation and continues to represent a considerable sum for a new charity.
The expenditure for the same period was £10,728.85. This sum comprises £498 for office costs such as company and web page registration costs. The majority of the cost was for electronic media development in the amount of £5,518.00. The Trustees employed an administrator costing £4,506.87 during the period.
CCS ran an overall surplus for the period of £500.38.
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:
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Contributing to the mental wellbeing of Christians by advancing loving relationships in churches, families and local communities.
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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.
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Furthering education among Christians through seminars, articles and courses explaining different belief systems and their philosophical and historical roots.
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Furthering education among the general public concerning Christian beliefs and practices.
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Promoting good citizenship by advancing the Christian value of honouring the authorities among the general public.
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Promoting volunteering in churches and other charitable organisations.
Activities and Public Benefit
Activities of CCS over this period were:
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A new learning community called Everyday Gospel was launched with four sessions. Systems were put in place to record content and disseminate online.
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Speakers were provided on a variety of topics for eleven churches across Northern Ireland and the Republic on 20 occasions, speaking to an estimated 2400 people.
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Paul Coulter spoke at conferences in Ballina, Co. Mayo (June 2024, organised by churches together across denominations) and Carrigaline, Co. Cork (October 2024, organised by the Cork Kerry project and Munster Bible School).
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Paul Coulter taught an evening class module and an undergraduate module in Ethics for the Irish Baptist College and contributed to a women’s study fellowship module and a master's module in ethics.
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Michael Shaw contributed to modules for the Irish Baptist College and Union Theological College.
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Paul Coulter jointly coordinated and taught in the Apologetics (Foundational) Network for the European Leadership Forum in Poland in May 2024 and taught an online masterclass for Forum of Christian Leaders in January 2024.
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Paul Coulter was the main speaker for the Evangelium 21 conference in Switzerland in January 2024, in a day conference in Timisoara, Romania, in October 2024, and at the Christian Medical Fellowship NI carol service in December 2023.
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God New Evidence videos had almost 27,000 views and were watched for 1000 hours, with 138 new subscribers to the channel.
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20 new articles were produced for the CCS website and the blog received almost 2,200 views from almost 1,500 visitors.
The following comments are typical of feedback received from these services:
“Great work together in advance to agree the outline and format of the talks. Good and clear communication beforehand - including sharing of materials and invitation for feedback. Taking on board specific requests around focus areas. Fantastic feedback … about the speaker and how the day went. Provided the slides for all the participants.” (Church elder)
“Dr Coulter was clear, sensitive, biblical and pastorally sensitive in his delivery. The content was talked about before and delivered as promised. The talk was well researched making it relevant and clear where current trends are heading and how we can engage with society on the subject of Euthanasia.” (Pastor J Grant, Munster Bible College).
Mitigation of Harm
CCS’s Safeguarding Officer keeps the Trustees informed of any legal developments affecting the Charity’s 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 7[th] March 2025.
Signed
Dr Paul Coulter
Executive Director