I have been looking through the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God (UCKG) accounts on the Charity Commission website. Most interesting they are too. Anyone who wants to check my working or find out more, go to the website and enter 1043985 (the UCKG HelpCentre’s registration number) in the search function.
The first thing I noticed was the difference between income and spending. It is true that any prudent organisation needs to put money aside for hard times – a charity that relies on donations even more so as income can fluctuate. The UCKG has certainly embraced this principle whole-heartedly. Over the period 2004 – 2009 the UCKG in Britain had a total income of £47,837,220 but spent only £28,019,095 retaining £19,818,125 or 41.43% of income. That’s quite some prudence.
Over the same period, the total assets less liabilities of the group grew from £16,728,449 to £33,300,447. Tangible Assets such as property grew from £15,406,338 to £27,740,477. Some of this rise will be due to rises in property values and not due to actual increase in assets. However, as we all know, the credit crunch hit in 2007. In the financial year ending 28 February 2007 the total assets less current liabilities were £24,857,698 and tangible assets were £23,335,297. The relevent figures for the financial year ending 28 February 2009 were, as stated above, £33,300,447 and £27,740,477. A £4.6million rise in tangible assets (£8.4million rise in total assets less current liabilities) during a financial downturn is pretty impressive. Their income over this period was £22,398,499 of which £10,287,875 was not spent on charitable work.
Oh yes. Charitable spending. Over this period £22,415,171 or 80% of all charitable spending was on the provision of church services. This may not be too surprising since they are a religious charity but these services are also an income stream. As I mentioned when I discussed their magazine “Faith In Action” previously, the UCKG does seem keen on donations from the flock and indeed of the income mentioned above £37,211,155 was raised from church service donations. This can be seen as a 66% return on investment. Most impressive.
All I can say to UCKG worshippers is that if you are short of cash when your pastor is banging on about making a sacrifice, keep your money. You need it much more than the UCKG does.
Tags: Evangelical Christianity, UCKG
February 8, 2010 at 1:02 am |
Obviously they feel like their ability to spread the word of God and reach as many people as possible is an important part of their charity work. I’m sure that most of their flock agree with that sentiment. I guess that’s just something you need to be aware of when donating to a charity.
February 8, 2010 at 10:33 am |
Did they benefit from Gift Aid?
February 8, 2010 at 11:09 am |
I don’t recall it being mentioned.
March 7, 2010 at 11:13 am |
They benefit from Gift Aid to the tune of a seven-figure sum each year. Of course there are many other UK tax benefits too, but this one is a cash transfer direct from HMG.
There are others in a similar position here in the UK, but UCKG – which goes under a wide variety of monikers in different countries, and is highly litigious – is perhaps the biggest money-spinning ‘church’ of all, worldwide.
Do get in touch jaycueaitch
July 3, 2011 at 4:37 pm |
well i like to no how much pastors get paid not that i mind just like to no does any one no the answer
October 18, 2011 at 12:16 pm |
The pastors dont recieve a pay, they recieve an allowance for food and clothes only and majority of them live int eh church away from their families and have no other job apart from being on the altar 24/7. Many left their homes, their countries to go around the world even to the deepest parts of the amazon rain forest to preach the gospel. Ok now we know how much the UCKG makes/recieves but does anyone know how much their electricty and water bill is for their 42 church around england for a simple 300 seater church they can pay close to 10 000 a month on rent electricity and other bills that not including their 10 million pounds worth of refurbishment cost to restore some of their branches to british standards of buildings. Let us be wise and take all facts into consideration.
October 19, 2011 at 7:00 am |
The point you are avoiding is that their income greatly exceeds their outgoings, as can be seen in the growth of their tangible assets.
October 18, 2011 at 12:18 pm |
No offecne a genuine question; Mr Jaycueaitch how much time are you spending writing blogs about the UCKG? How are the other areas of your life? Are things going well? Are you neglected other areas of your life, no offence but I am getitng worried for you, the UCKG members etc may not even know who you are but it seems you’ve devoted a great part of your life for this and nothing is changing the UCKG continues not only in england but worldwide. I am not for or agaisnt UCKG but also have first hand information, just be careful and have balance put this issue in the hands of God?
October 19, 2011 at 7:04 am |
Why are you attempting to change the subject with pretences of concern for my welfare? No answers to the questions? Your pretence of neutrality fools no-one, by the way. The fact that you write in the same style as other UCKG posters gives you away.
November 1, 2011 at 11:02 am |
loool, i was unaware that i write in the same ‘style’ as uckg members. I think it is good that they are saving money for a rainy day, we should all do the same.
December 24, 2011 at 11:28 pm |
I was a pastor of uckg for 15 years and can confirm that your findings are true.unfortunately many ignorent people just consider your post just as an attack against their church.i know that the day they get to find out this well guarded secret about the dealings of this church, they will be heart broken.Within uckg,there is a lot of wrong going on,not only money wise but in many other ways such as the racism and harsh treatment of pastors.
[part removed - JQH]
December 26, 2011 at 12:52 pm |
Bokang
Due to UK libel laws I felt I had to pl;ay safe and remove your final sentence. If you have evidence to support the allegations made, I would be very interested in seeing it.
November 30, 2012 at 4:20 pm |
Bokang,
I am a journalist making a film about the UCKG, and would be very interested in talking with you about your experiences in the church.
Could you please get in touch with me at george.coote@bbc.co.uk or grcoote@gmail.com? (Gmail preferred)
Thank you,
George