We have seen churches and other Christian ministries set up for all sorts of purposes and in many different legal forms. Each type of legal form or structure, whether a charity; a community interest company (CIC); or other form of organisation, has its own characteristics and whilst each has its merits, they are clearly different and not inter-changeable. Certain structures are not always suitable for the churches and ministries that we come across.
The arrival of COVID-19 has elevated the concept of risk towards the very top of the priority list for most church and charity trustees. Risk is however more than COVID and to some extent exists in every activity that we undertake.
Deciding what level of reserves to hold can be a hot potato issue for churches and Christian charities. Hold too much and good money is tied up not being used for the Kingdom; hold too little and your whole organisation could be under threat during times of crises and pressure.
Gift Aid is big business and good news. In total Gift Aid is worth over £1 billion to charities each year providing a valuable income stream to charities large and small, including those supported by you!
The Charity Commission has labelled their new 5-minute guides for trustees as a ‘core syllabus’ covering the basics that the regulator expects all trustees to be aware of. In a time when more professionalism is being expected of trustees, it is important that charity trustees can quickly grasp what is required of them and be signposted towards more detailed guidance if required. These guides are designed to do just that.
At a recent conference, Aarti Thakor (Director of Legal Services at the Charity Commission) highlighted some of the more consistent themes that the Commission has seen from its recent caseload. Many are themes that we are aware of too and can perhaps best be listed under the broad heading of ‘back to basics’.
Gift Aid is big business and good news. In total, Gift Aid is worth over £1 billion each year providing a valuable income stream to charities large and small.
Being a church or Christian charity trustee is a very important and hopefully rewarding role within the organisation that you serve. Good, effective churches and charities need good, effective trustees as an essential part of a broad and diverse leadership team. Romans 12 draws that familiar picture of the church as the ‘body of Christ’, urging each person to take their place for the benefit of all. Trustees are a valuable and indispensable part of that body.
The Government has once again warned that fraudsters are exploiting the spread of COVID-19 in order to carry out fraud and cybercrime.
blogs by the Stewardship team and selected guest writers.
Stewardship is the operating name of Stewardship Services (UKET) Limited. Established in 1906.
Registered charity no. 234714, and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no. 90305.
Registered office: 1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB
Website design and build by Adept
