Induction of President, standing ovation for treasurer, reflections - BUGB session
The BUGB session took place on Saturday afternoon, and included the induction of new President Tim Presswood, reflections from both outgoing President Hayley Young and General Secretary Lynn Green, voting on two resolutions and a financial report from outgoing treasurer John Levick
John Levick presented a finance report in his last Assembly as treasurer of our Union (and received a standing ovation after doing so), while the nominations of John's successor Mohan Pandian and Andrew Cowley as moderator of the BUGB trustee board were both affirmed unanimously by Assembly delegates.
Lynn opened the session, saying 'This is a great opportunity to come together and really celebrate the life of our Union, and to be inspired for our next steps with God.'
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Financial report
After Lynn's introduction, Seidel Abel Boanerges (pictured), moderator of Baptist Union Council, led delegates through the formal part of the meeting.
The first item on the agenda saw John Levick present an overview of our financial resources as a Baptist family.
John explained that 2022 had been 'yet another challenging year', this time dominated by the rise in fuel costs then rising interest rates and general cost of living challenges. This has impacted all members of Baptists Together, and the Union has a deficit of £270k in its general funds for the year.
The Home Mission Appeal has fallen again, this time by 4 per cent to £3.4m. Subscriptions saw a reduction, which reflects the underlying decrease in our membership, and was also reflected in the larger number of church closures reported to Council in 2022. Legacies were also down significantly, falling from £1.15m in 2021 to £50k in 2022.
There was a related reduction in expenditure, said John, notably a 19 percent drop in the allocation to Associations. This reduction reflected the extra paid to Associations in 2021 as the high legacy receipts were shared with them. He noted the allocation to Associations is based on a set share of Home Mission Fund income, and that over recent years 'this has been a roller coaster.'
In terms of pensions, the most significant item to report is the Defined Benefit (DB) Scheme moving into surplus on a technical provisions basis in 2022. This has enabled a further buy-in to be put in place with Just to take over the remaining liabilities. Work will continue towards the buy-out of the DB Scheme, expected to be complete during the second half of 2024. A start has been made to look at the Defined Contribution Scheme and how best to run it after the DB buy-out has finished.
The Finance Review John highlighted at last year's Assembly is continuing, he said. 'We are looking at ways in which we can be more flexible in the way we raise the income needed to support all we do,' he explained. A report is due to go to Council in the autumn.
John (pictured) highlighted the departure of former Support Services Team Leader Richard Wilson to London City Mission earlier this year. 'Richard achieved a great deal over his six years with us and I want to put on record my thanks for all he did for us as a Baptist Family,' he said.
John also thanked the Finance Team and the wider Support Services Team for the way they've picked up the work while we continue to look for a replacement for Richard, as well as all treasurers and finance teams in our Associations and Colleges and Churches.
Returning to the Home Mission figures, John said because of inflation, falling membership and rising church closures, there will be activities and support we cannot continue. There are 'green shoots' of people coming to Christ, and we need to ensure these are supported.
After commending successor Mohan to them, John thanked delegates for their encouragements over the seven years he has been treasurer.
'The highlight must be resolving the pension deficit but I am disappointed I was unable to do more to increase Home Mission giving.' He closed with a passage from 2 Chronicles 5, stating, 'It is when we all come together in unison that we experience the glory of the Lord.'
John received sustained applause and a standing ovation as he concluded his presentation.
New treasurer and moderator of the BUGB Trustee Board
Assembly members were presented with two resolutions from our Trustees.
The first was to affirm the appointment of Mohan Pandian as treasurer; the second to affirm the appointment of Andrew Cowley as moderator of the BUGB trustee board; both for the year to Assembly 2024. Both were affirmed unanimously.
Mohan (pictured left) is a deacon and treasurer of Sudbury Baptist Church and a qualified Chartered Accountant with Ernst & Young. He has been serving on the Baptist Union Finance & Audit Committee for the past three years. He is currently undertaking a handover period with John and his appointment will begin on 1 September.
Andrew (pictured right) had served as interim moderator while we looked for a more permanent appointment, and was then elected by Baptist Union Council as moderator for a three year period.
Baptist Times, 20/06/2023