Trust deed to improve church governance

Finance | 1 Jun 2006

New legal reforms have been devised to ensure that independent churches in the UK strengthen their accountability, transparency and governance.

The trust deed, drawn up by the Evangelical Alliance, the African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance, the Charity Commission, and Stewardship and Anthony Collins solicitors, spells out the proper checks and balances required to allow paid church leaders to take appropriate leadership responsibilities as charity church trustees. The document is designed to help manage conflicts of interest, provide a clear distinction between trusteeship and spiritual leadership, and instructions for correct charity governance.

The Evangelical Alliance is filtering the message down through the many branches of the church through a multinetwork communication strategy. It is being promoted on the internet, in the Alliance's magazine and through email blasts. Hugh Osgood, trustee of the African and Caribbean Evangelical Alliance, said: "We are using as many communication networks as possible to get the message across." However, the scheme will not be closely monitored, says Osgood. "The document will act as a best practice guide and we will rely on individual churches to adhere to the regulations."

The deed is the first of its kind for independent churches and offers churches with non-voting membership a ready-made legal structure to help govern their charity. A memorandum, articles of association and a constitution are also being drawn up.

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