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 PrintableVersion The Christian Charities HandbookThe essential guide for trustees and managersLegal beagleTHE CHRISTIAN CHARITIES HANDBOOK Churches and Christian charities operate in an increasingly over-regulated society. This book will help church leaders and workers to understand and comply with what is often complex legislation. The author believes that it is important that Churches and Christian charities rise to the challenge of meeting the ever-increasing standards of governance and management that the charitable sector is required to attain. Unless we do so we will be bypassed and not be as effective as we have been in the past. Having said that, the author is also very much aware of potential conflict between biblical principals and the law of the land. This book is not intended to be read from cover to cover! It is a reference book that I would like to see available to all church leaders and Board members and Trustees of Christian charities. The seven pages that are designated ‘Contents’ demonstrate the comprehensive nature of the book and will help the reader pinpoint, at a glance, the section he needs. There are 28 sections in the main body of the book. Sections 1 to 4 give a useful introduction to all that follows. Section 3, which gives an overview of the Charities Act 2006, and Section 4, that examines the role of the Charity Commission, are particularly helpful. The remaining 24 sections provide information and guidance on issues that those involved in churches and Christian charities need to be aware of and have to address from time to time. I will highlight just a few. Governance, management and accountability are all major issues under current legislation. Employment, discrimination, pensions and resolving disputes are all issues that must be taken seriously today. Churches will find Sections 9 to 12 of special interest and Christian missions will find Section 20 a ‘reality check’. Trust Corporations will also find a mine of information here. Towards the end of the book there are three useful appendices. The first ‘What to do when’ is the highlight of the book for me. It provides clear direction when faced with a number of difficult issues. The second is a list of definitions and third a list of useful addresses. Throughout the book there is recognition that legislation is regularly changing and websites and other sources of information are highlighted. This is a really useful book. David C Chapman,
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