We thank God for the generous giving of members of St. James and others to the work of our Church. Our primary aim as a Church is “to win people for Christ and build them up in Christ” which we do out of obedience to Christ and love for others.
Sustaining this work, including maintaining the Church buildings and a full-time ministry, costs money.
In 2011 our general fund income was around £65,000. Of this some £26,000 was given through standing orders and £11,000 from planned giving using envelopes. We also reclaim a significant amount of tax on money given by tax payers.
In 2011 our general fund expenditure was around £67,000. Around £47,000 of this is passed to the Diocese of Blackburn but the lion’s share of this represents the costs (stipend, housing, pension contribution etc) of having a full-time Vicar. The remainder covers the costs of running and maintaining the church, services, other activities and minister’s expenses.
In addition we have two other particular funds to which members give directly:
The Fabric Fund, including the Project Two:20 appeal is for the maintenance and development of the building.
The Youth Fund is used to fund work with young people.
Many churches also benefit from people who make provision for them in their will. We have a bequests leaflet which explains more about this. There is also a codicil example on the website.
One of the great texts in the Bible is John chapter 3 verse 16 - God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. It is as we understand just how much God has given us in Christ that we want to respond by giving to others and to the Lord’s work. This shouldn’t be done out of guilt but from genuine gratitude to God, for God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9.7).
We realise that all this can be a sticky issue to raise and some people are embarrassed to talk about giving. Jesus commended the practice of tithing (Lk 11.42) (that is giving away a tenth of your income) and we are grateful that many give to St. James, and to other charities, using this principle. Those who follow this principle often discover that it is a great blessing to the giver too.
Previous copies of the PCC annual accounts should be available from the Charity Commission website (see the links page).