#Charity Governance & Regulation, #News, #Encouraged Action
The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, also known as Martyn’s Law, requires those responsible for certain premises and events to take steps to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack and reduce harm in the event of a terrorist attack occurring.
Whilst the Act will not come into force until next Spring, with further guidance to be issued by the regulator later this year, a recent webinar hosted by the Charity Commission emphasised the need for all churches – even those whose attendance levels fall below 200 and are therefore not within the scope of the law – to improve their preparedness.
These are some precautions which can be taken to mitigate any possible threat.
Attacks on places of worship have increased in recent years. Terrorism is at our door, and we ignore the risk at our peril.
The questions to ask are simply:
How would you respond to a terrorist threat during one of your special services or events this December?
What measures do you currently have in place to mitigate any threat which may take place?
#Faith & Theology in Action, #News, #Encouraged Action
On 27 October, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), a Roman Catholic charity, published a report entitled Persecuted and Forgotten?
This report details Christians oppressed for their faith, concluding that Christian persecution has increased significantly in more than half of the countries surveyed within the last two years.
The global and regional analysis of 18 countries of key concern, from Nicaragua in Latin America to Burma (Myanmar) in South-East Asia, highlights the following situations.
On 1 and 8 November, Christians around the world have been asked to pray for those who don’t have the freedom to worship openly.
Even in our increasingly secular Western society, whilst the state may try to legislate on such issues as gender diversity and equal rights in such a way that some of us may feel our beliefs are being challenged, we have the freedom to worship.
Are we even conscious of those persecuted members of our global Christian family? If so, what is our response?
Do we lobby our Member of Parliament?
Do we actively support financially those organisations attempting to bring some hope to the persecuted churches we’ve identified?
Do we pray regularly for them, in our public and private prayers?
It’s not an easy thing to do, and if we find the right words difficult, the Methodist Church has suggested the following prayer:
Almighty God,
God of the silence
We pray for siblings across the world who may only whisper your name in praise.
May they know your presence in the quiet, silent air, yet full of faith.
God of the darkness
We pray for siblings across the world only able to meet at night, in secret or even alone. May they know your creative Spirit hovering over the depths of their hope.
God of the outsiders
We pray for siblings across the world, locked out of places of worship by government authorities. May they see your hand at work in the sanctuary of your creation and the signature of your love.
God of Justice, as we pray for siblings in the persecuted Church, for the freedom to worship you, help us to avoid simplistic and wrong characterisations of other faiths, cultures and people. May we see with your love, seek justice with your passion and stand in solidarity with all who seek to worship and express their faith free from fear.
Amen.
If we do nothing else, let’s at least hold the persecuted Church in our prayers.
#Finance & Fundraising, #News, #Informatoin Only
The Labour government has ruled out granting exemption for “religious accommodation” from its proposed mansion tax, which is due to come into force in April 2028.
The proposal is to levy a surcharge on residential properties in England worth more than £2 million, and it is estimated that the annual charge would range from £2,500 to £7,500.
There are fears that high-value clergy houses in London and other parts of the country are likely to be included in the legislation, with significant financial implications for “cash-strapped churches” of any denomination.
Should the Church be exempt?
#Charity Governance & Regulation, #News, #Information Only
The temporary extension of excepted status for certain church charities is due to end on 31 March 2031. This means that qualifying churches will need to register with the Charity Commission by that date.The Charity Commission is working with denominational bodies to support a phased approach to voluntary registration ahead of the deadline.
It is understood that Anglican PCCs with an income below £100,000 but above £5,000 are now being encouraged to register. Information and guidance have been provided through the Church of England’s Parish Resources website.
The issue is important for all our members whose churches fall within the income categories and currently have excepted status and need to commence the registration process. Do contact your denomination or organisation for further assistance.
#Faith & Theology in Action, #News, #Encouraged Action
It is fifty years since a group of Christians drawn together by their love of sport and desire to share their faith with other sportsmen and women formed the organisation we know as Christians in Sport.
Fifty years on
Whilst this ministry may not be familiar to many of us, we have recently featured the rise of Christian footballers willing to witness to their faith in very public ways.
The work of Christians in Sport is a ministry which would value the prayer support of ACAT’s members.
#Charity Governance & Regulation, #News, #Information Only
On 29 October 2026, changes to the immigration rules affecting the Minister of Religion and Religious Worker visa categories came into effect.
The main changes include:
What does this mean for church trustees?
If you sponsor or are looking at sponsoring a migrant, you need to make sure you understand the changes. Churches should consider the financial requirements and check if they can be met by the church.
If this is applicable to you, then please read more on the Bates Wells website.
#Charity Governance & Regulation, #News, #Encouraged Action
Bates Wells has launched a series of webinars entitled Innovate for Impact, designed to help charities understand these developments and the associated legal and regulatory considerations.
The programme includes five online sessions:
All sessions are delivered online via Zoom and run from 12 noon to 1 pm.
For church treasurers and trustees, the sessions on governance, data protection and fundraising may be particularly useful.
Trustees remain responsible for considering how these new technologies, most notably AI, are used, and the correct policies and safeguards are in place.
Could one of these webinars help your church?
#Charity Governance & Regulation, #News, #Encouraged Action
New employment protections under the Employment Rights Act 2025 came into effect on 30 October 2026, strengthening employers’ responsibilities to prevent harassment in the workplace.
The changes amend the Equality Act 2010 and introduce two important requirements.
Firstly, employers must take all reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their employees.
Secondly, employers must not permit third parties to harass their employees.
If you as a church have employees, this is not something to be ignored.
What should church trustees do?
Churches should review their existing policies and procedures to make sure they reflect and take account of the new changes.
Remember, the policies alone do not protect your employees and volunteers from harassment; you as a church need to make sure reasonable preventative measures are actually being taken.
Have you reviewed your church’s employment and harassment policies recently?
