As we bring you the final weekly newsletter of 2025, we offer a selection of items to reflect upon as the year draws to a close, alongside a couple of updates from The Charity Commission.
This edition explores the often-overlooked benefits of non-cash giving and how it might support your church’s work, highlights a Church of England report on clergy wellbeing, reflects on Generation Z’s engagement with spirituality, considers how churches respond in solidarity with people of other faiths, and shares Charity Commission guidance on operating in an increasingly hostile environment. We also include details of a recent statutory inquiry into a charity that failed to meet its legal duties, a reminder for all church trustees.
Thank you for all your support in 2025.
#Finance & Fundraising, #Opinion, #Encouraged Action
In the wake of the Chancellor’s recent Autumn Financial Statement, many charities and churches may be regarding proposed 2026 fundraising activities with some apprehension.
Traditionally, the value of donations is seen in monetary terms. However, there is a growing movement in donating more complex assets to charity. Whilst these types of donations are less frequent than cash, they can provide tax-efficient giving for the donor in a very practical way.
Types of non-cash gifts vary; those most appropriate for churches are:
There can be significant benefits for the donor.
Something to think about for 2026
Although non-cash donations are valuable for charities, the tax implications can be complex, so ensuring the donor and recipient are aware of all the rules is important, and specialist advice may be needed.
#Church Life & Community, #News, #Encouraged Action
The final survey of The Church of England’s decade-long Living Ministry project was published recently. This final report, entitled Lord for the Years, is a comprehensive picture of what helps and hinders clergy in their ministry.
Since 2017, over 1,000 people have taken part in the study, which updates information from previous surveys looking at how clergy wellbeing has evolved in the past eight years.
The latest publication also includes new data from this year’s survey. A final report will be published in 2026.
Five aspects of clergy life/wellbeing were specifically considered
Main findings
Questions for church governing bodies, irrespective of denomination
Particularly during Advent and Christmas, our clergy and ministers are probably working “flat out” and at “full stretch.”
Are we sensitive enough to ensure they have all the support possible?
Can we spot when the stresses and pressures of ministry are taking their toll and know what action to take?
#Church Life & Community, #News, #Encouraged Action
One aspect which has featured largely in our Newsletters and weekly posts throughout this year has been what is termed the “Quiet Revival”, particularly among those defined demographically as Generation Z.
Born between 1997 and 2012, this generation has grown up with the Internet, smartphones, social media and is very technologically aware.
Recent research and a subsequent report produced by the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students have outlined the changing face of student ministry. The research consisted of interviews and focus groups with students, staff and leaders from eight different locations, including Britain, Hong Kong and two countries in the Islamic world.
The main spiritual influences and resulting priorities may be summarised as:
There are substantial implications from these apparent generational spiritual priorities and the significant challenges they pose, particularly around:
It would be helpful to have some sense from those of our member churches with a significant Gen Z membership in what ways church life and ministry are influenced by them.
#Church Life & Community, #Opinion, #Encouraged Action
The horrific events on Australia’s Bondi Beach on 14th December have shocked, to an even greater extent, a world, in danger of becoming arguably immune to such happenings.
It is only right, just and totally correct that the heartfelt sympathies of global compassionate humanity should at this time support the Australian Jewish Community.
It is especially heartening to see Australian church leaders standing in solidarity with the Jewish community.
To what extent do we in our churches stand with and support other faith groups when they are threatened? Are we able to suspend our faith and theological differences if needed in support of our fellow human beings? Could we “Samaritan-like” cross the road to stand with the suffering, irrespective of who they are?
At some point in the next few days, if we haven’t already done so, we will gather around, contemplating once again, even participating in the Nativity, reflecting on, as we will, the time-honoured message.
Two thousand years ago, that rough stable was visited by people of very different backgrounds and social standing.
To stand in solidarity with those of different faiths and none in times of community conflict is an opportunity to quietly witness to the risen Jesus and the life-changing work he can bring about.
#Church Life & Community, #Opinion, #Encouraged Action
More than a week before the horrific events in Australia, the Charity Commission published a timely guidance note offering practical advice on how charities might respond to what is widely recognised as an increasingly hostile social and political environment.
Notwithstanding the principle of free speech, in a democratic society, it is nevertheless recognised that some charities and churches operate in areas and will propound views which may be controversial and provoke confrontation.
The Commission’s guidance centres on suggesting that charities and, therefore, churches have the following in place:
Members of church governing bodies should give careful consideration to whether such plans are in place, as part of their wider governance responsibilities.
Complacency is not an option. risk assessment and management are essential parts of governance.
#Charity Governance & Regulation, #News, #Encouraged Action
It is a sad fact that with startling regularity, the Charity Commission opens yet another inquiry to consider trustees who appear to have paid scant attention to even the basics of charity law.
On 12th December, the Commission published details of an inquiry into a Blackpool anti-poverty charity.
Registered in 2020, the charity has failed to submit any accounting information as required, and since January 2025, the charity has been operating with an insufficient number of trustees, in breach of its governing document.
The trustees have failed to act, and the charity’s accounting information remains outstanding, resulting in a statutory inquiry.
The inquiry will examine the administration, governance and management of the charity, with reference to:
These are all basic issues, but ones that, particularly where legal compliance, governance, and conflicts of interest are concerned, can be easily overlooked.
A timely reminder to all church governing bodies.
