Following consultation, the Ministries Team has revised the Baptists Together Settlement Process that facilitates both ministers and churches in their search for fresh ministry. The new process has been introduced from September 2024. Churches that are in or are approaching a pastoral vacancy, as well as ministers looking to settle, can find guidance on our website.  
 

We have become aware that there are a number of ministers who are not completing and submitting a tax return to HMRC each year. If you are a church minister who pays income tax and you are appointed as an office holder, you must complete a tax return that includes the Minister of Religion schedule, SA102M. (This will include any minister, accredited or otherwise, appointed under the BUGB recommended terms of appointment, which we strongly advise churches to use.) The Minister of Religion schedule, and not the employment schedule, should be used to record your income. The deadline for submitting a paper tax return for 2023-24 was 31 October 2024. Online tax returns must be submitted by 31 January 2025. However, you should note that the Minister of Religion schedule is not available through the HMRC online portal, though there are software packages available that enable you to make an online submission. Late filing will incur a £100 penalty.
 

We encourage all accredited and recognised ministers to complete a CMD audit towards the end of each calendar year. If you have done so, please remember to tell the Ministries Team the date you completed your audit, by emailing cmd@baptist.org.uk. More details about CMD may be found in the CMD handbook. Ministers in less affluent settings may apply for a CMD grant.

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