Independent churches and the Charity Commission tackle transparency and accountability in new legal reforms.
11 May 2006
New legal proposals designed to strengthen the accountability and governance of independent churches will be announced next week. The model trust deed has been drawn up on behalf of independent churches by the Evangelical Alliance, African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance, Stewardship and Anthony Collins (solicitors), in partnership with the Charity Commission. It sets out the proper checks and balances required to allow paid church leaders to take appropriate leadership responsibilities as church charity trustees.
The key aims of the model trust deed are to manage any potential conflict of interests, make crystal clear the difference between trusteeship and spiritual leadership and ensure those leading the spiritual direction of a church can also hold appropriate responsibilities for charity governance.
The trust deed is the first of its kind for independent churches and offers those organisations with a non-voting membership a ready-made legal structure to help govern their charity. Further models for a memorandum and articles of association and also for a constitution are in the pipeline.
Download the full text, access guidance notes and read more about the model trust deed.
Hugh Osgood, trustee of the African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance said, “Having the option of such a trust deed available marks a major step forward for independent churches. We have worked hard to ensure that all primary decision-makers can be part of a church’s trustee board, without jeopardising their salaried status. We have also made sure that spiritual governance need not be compromised when additional trustees have to be appointed to maintain a non-salaried majority.”
Kenneth Dibble, Director of Legal and Charity Services at the Charity Commission said, “The aim of the model governing document is to ensure that spiritual leaders can continue to play a key role in the strategic management of church charities, controlling conflict of interest but without preventing them from providing essential services to churches as pastors.”
The official launch of the document will be held at Whitefield House, 186 Kennington Park Road, the Evangelical Alliance’s and ACEA’s headquarters in London, on Thursday 18 May. Two seminars, to explain the proposals to church leaders and solicitors and accountants, will be held on the same day.
Those wishing to attend the launch or the seminars should call Anna Lloyd on 020 7207 2131 or email a.lloyd@eauk.org
Media Contact:
Bill Shaw
Evangelical Alliance
0207 207 2115 / b.shaw@eauk.org
Notes to editors:
1. The Trust Deed was produced by the Evangelical Alliance (EA) and the African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance (ACEA) in collaboration with Stewardship and Anthony Collins (solicitors) and the Charity Commission. It will be available to download via both the EA and ACEA websites (www.eauk.org/modeltrustdeed and www.acea-uk.org ) from 18 May 2006.
2. A Trust Deed is a governing document which sets out the details of how a charity should be run. The Trust Deed for Independent Churches is a model which new charities or those wishing to change their governing document, can choose to adopt but is not mandatory. Charities require the appropriate powers in their governing document make amendments or can contact the Charity Commission for assistance.
3. The Evangelical Alliance UK, formed in 1846, is an umbrella group representing over one million evangelical Christians in the UK and is made up of member churches, organisations and individuals. As part of a movement ‘uniting to change society’ the Alliance promotes unity and truth, acts as an evangelical voice to the state, society and the wider Church, and provides resources to help members and other evangelicals live out their faith in their communities.
4. The African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance (ACEA) was established in 1984 and exists to reflect Black Christian Faith in Britain and to promote unity, understanding and reconciliation amongst all Christians in the UK. Working through Commissions and Activity Units, ACEA resources, networks and represents its members.
5. The Charity Commission is the independent regulator for charitable activity in England and Wales.
