Post
by robocop » Sun Mar 10, 2019 11:47 pm
Here is an excerpt from the 2018 Financial Statement submitted to the ACNC as part of their compulsory reporting..
This is Page 6 of 18 pages in the Report:
INTRODUCTION
Brisbane Christian Fellowship Inc. ABN 67 601 964 451
To the members of Brisbane Christian Fellowship:
We continue to believe for the Lord to provide our every need, both individual and corporate. We rejoice at the multiplication and increase we see as a result of the Lord’s blessing through the willing offering of finance, time and resources of so many – each as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2Co 9:7. Offering is at the heart of all we do. In our stewarding of the provision He has made for us, we must always maintain a giving attitude. As we give from the provision the Lord has given us, then His provision is made for another.
It is very important to note that our church fellowship is a not-for-profit association and relies solely on gifts and donations to cover all expenses. Tithes, offerings and other monies received are, and always have been, received in good faith as free-will gifts and donations – whether given anonymously or not. In addition to this, a very small proportion of funds are received through bookshop sales where we receive specific payments to cover the cost of items sold.
There is no obligation on the part of the association to use or apply gifts or donations received, in a specific manner. However, provision is made for donors to give towards various nominated categories of expense. The association currently has six bank accounts for the effective stewardship of funds. The funds are allocated into several categories for specific purposes. (refer to Notes 2 & 3). All offerings, gifts and donations received are clearly and appropriately recorded in the accounts of the association. They are clearly recorded as income according to their nature as received (e.g. Tithes, Heave Offering, Needs, Missionary, Expense Offerings, etc.) and clearly recorded as Cash at Bank so as to show separate balances for each category of accrued funds, according to their nature. The congregation has the option to deposit Tithes and Offerings electronically into the Tithes Deposit account and the Offerings Deposit account. Cash received as Tithes, offerings and invoice payments, is deposited into the Cash deposits account. Funds from the Offerings, Tithes and Cash deposit accounts are transferred to the General Cheque account on a weekly basis.
A summary of the categories is as follows:
General
These funds are used for administration and operating expenses such as electricity, security, general insurances, office catering, stationery and photocopying, office phones and internet, office equipment, cleaning supplies, flowers and venue rental.
Missionary
These funds are used for missionary initiatives and the support of overseas affiliated fellowships, and are received from missionary offerings. Funds are received separately and allocated for supporting the work in Papua New Guinea. Another separate category of funds entitled ‘Lampstand Fellowship Missions and Needs’ has also been established for the purpose of supporting a variety of missions, needs and projects of other affiliated local churches across Australia and overseas. These funds will be periodically donated to Restoration Fellowships International - (Qld) Inc. to steward and distribute on behalf of all of the participating affiliated churches.
Needs
These funds provide the opportunity for us to give corporately to people amongst us who, in most cases, through no fault of their own are in crisis because of financial need. This is also known as giving alms, which simply means, things given to ones in need, out of compassion. Our policy has always been that we accept offerings into the Needs Fund for unspecified needs. Each need coming to the elders’ attention is firstly considered in a pastoral dialogue and fellowship, and then with the executive of the BCF committee, before any decision can be made regarding support for genuine, specific needs. We are not able to take directives from individuals as to how church funds are to be distributed. The Needs Fund does not take the place of individual faith initiatives. We urge Christians to be free in their own faith to care for one another in a fellowship of giving and receiving, after having sought the Lord for wisdom as to how to proceed. A separate ‘Disaster Relief’ fund has been established within the needs fund specifically for giving towards needs arising from natural disasters such as bushfires and floods.
Firstfruits
These funds are given freely as a portion to the Lord from the first fruits of the ‘harvest’ or increase of the individual and are to be used (‘eaten’) by us all together for the benefit of the whole congregation, such as for furnishings for our Auditorium and Conference Centre or for ‘opening’ and ‘thanksgiving’ celebrations.
Page 6 of 18
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So much HIPOCRACY in just this one page - especially under 'NEEDS' .......
