08Apr 2015 by Nigel Ring

Spirit led Administration Workshop – Deadline approaching!

Administration in the Church, Administrative Skills, Biblical Administration, Equipping, News
Don't miss the 30% Discount!! For the early bird discount you need to book by midnight on Friday 10th. Have you booked yet? Are you coming yourself? If you are a church leader are you sending people? Elders would find the day particularly helpful as it will help you to know how to encourage and manage your staff in ways that will release you to be more effective. Why not come as a team? Programme of workshops As well as the all-together sessions, including the opportunity to receive personal prayer, each participant will be able to attend two workshops: > Time management > Managing, supporting or leading change: staying connected to the Father’s heart > Identifying, recruiting and training volunteers > Building an admin team > Communications and creativity > Give your organisation a spiritual healthcheck…
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25Mar 2015 by Nigel Ring

Charities and the Church pt 6. Good practice between associated charities

Administration in the Church, Charity, Equipping, Poor
Last time we saw how there can be an argument for having a separate charity for carrying out some ministries, particularly the social action ministries, but that this is not always necessary. Nevertheless, where it is advisable eg for fund raising purposes, safeguards should be in place to keep the ministry closely integrated with the other activities of the church. With this model the ways in which a ministry is viewed from within the church and from outside differ. From within, the people need to see all the ministries of the church in the same light, an expression of kingdom life in the community. They do not need to understand, or even be aware of, separate charities under which different aspects of the church function. From the outside (the ‘world’)…
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19Mar 2015 by Nigel Ring

Charities and the Church pt 5. Associated charities

Administration in the Church, Charity, Equipping, Poor
In our considerations thus far I have primarily been considering charities under which a church operates. But are these suitable for specialist ministries such as Social Action? Is another charity necessary? Because ministry to those who are poor or in need is almost the definition of ‘charity’ many such ministries feel that a separate charity is desirable/necessary. I always counsel caution about taking this stance. The objectives in a church’s charitable instrument almost inevitably allow for ministry to anyone in the community, perhaps with particular emphasis on those who are poor. So why create a separate charity and impose on yourself the additional load associated with it; meetings, separate accounts etc? One reason for falling into this potential trap comes through terminology. Project or Ministry? Often works with people who…
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11Mar 2015 by Nigel Ring

Charities and the Church pt 4. Objectives and Sphere of Operation

Administration in the Church, Charity, Equipping
As already stated, in creating a new charity there are three very important features to consider. 1. What are the objectives of the charity? 2. What is the geographical sphere in which the charity will operate? 3. Who should be the trustees? We dealt with the appointment of trustees in the last posting. What are the objectives of the charity? In the answer to this question lies the very essence for which the charity is being created. It is important to get this right as it is not easy to make changes at a later stage. Sometimes I have read charitable instruments which have a long list of objectives. The reason seems wholly commendable; the visionary who is launching the charity wants to preserve the purity of his or her…
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24Feb 2015 by Nigel Ring

Charities and the Church pt 3. Appointing trustees

Administration in the Church, Charity, Equipping, Finance
Last time we saw the importance of having a good relationship between the elders of the church and the trustees of the charity under which it operates. When considering registering a charity – a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) is probably now the preferred option – there are three very important features to consider. 1. What are the objectives of the charity? 2. What is the geographical sphere in which the charity will operate? 3. Who should be the trustees? Since we have been thinking about the trustee/elder dynamic I shall first address the third point. Who should be a Trustee? In some ways it might be thought that, in an ideal world, the trustees and elders should be the same people to avoid the 'double-headed monster' syndrome we discussed last…
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17Feb 2015 by Nigel Ring

Charities and the Church pt 2. The two-headed monster

Administration in the Church, Charity, Equipping, Finance
A preliminary observation Since posting part 1 of this series I met with a staff member of a denominational church. That meeting reminded me that denominations often have their own legal frameworks, structures and terminology. The experience I have is based on independent, non-denominational churches and as such may vary in some respects from churches within denominations. So, I must reiterate that it is important that this series is taken as only my personal observations; appropriate legal advice should be sought when creating a new charity. Leadership Although a church does not have to be a charity this is increasingly the norm, especially if the church wishes to enjoy the tax benefits afforded to charities such as the recovery of tax through Gift Aid (in the UK) on donations that…
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