By Hayley Beckett on 25th September 2025
EBA Council Summary 22 September 2025
EBA Trustees – with one apology met for the EBA Council meeting on 22 September 2025.
Lou Webber (EBA Moderator) welcomed everyone. In opening the meeting Lou read Luke 8 16-18, sharing that reflecting on this passage has made her aware of the emphasis on hearing and listening. How you listen will become clear – Listen well. God’s words are available to you – if only you hear them- Listen well. What does this mean as we come into this meeting?
David Mayne (RMTL) had been asked to share about the impact of the closure of Spurgeon’s College in July. Trustees were informed that the team had worked over the summer to be in contact with each current student, prospective student and Newly Accredited Minister (NAM) and can happily report that nearly everyone is sorted for the new term. The Histon based Equipped to Minister course is closed but EBA can offer The Learning Collective through Regent’s Park College and a hub based in Cambridgeshire met for the first time earlier in September.
Trustees were presented with the final draft of the new grant’s economy both the application criteria and application forms. Trustees offered thanks to the group that have worked to bring this all together. The plan is to launch the new system in Autumn 2025. Churches and ministers will be written to and given details of what the system looks like and how they could apply if needed.
Trustees were also given a verbal update to the proposed plan for districts which has been introduced at various meetings during the last 12 months. The next stage will be a letter to churches setting out the changes this letter will give details of the roadshows and ministers conference where there will be opportunity for churches to/minister to talk about the changes. It is planned that this letter will be sent out in the Autumn.
David Mayne (RMTL) presented the team report; we are pleased that Claire will be starting her phased return to work and are very thankful for all the support shown by the association to Clare during these last few months. Highlights from recent months include Gale speaking to the new Magnify You cohort and Vicky being involved at an ecumenical event in Norwich Cathedral marking the 1700 anniversary of the Council of Nicea.
Richard (EBA Treasurer) presented the financial summary up to August 2025, stating that there are no surprises in the accounts and it is all as expected and we are working with a deficit. There is no expectation that our income levels are going to change, and this will be considered as we prepare the budget for 2026.
Hayley Beckett (EBA Company Secretary) brought the Administration Report which included confirmation that Harold Park had been accepted into membership, they will be invited to the next AGM to be formally welcomed and prayed for.
Gillian Jones (EBA Safeguarding lead) has written a report for trustees. Gillain was encouraged by the engagement with the DPS training and if she could leave one message for churches it would be to listen and follow the guidance of your DPS if they find themselves with a safeguarding situation.
Trustees offered thanks to Gillian for all she adds to the life of the association.
Trustees revisited the Project Violet recommendations for change for associations and to evidence where the association is progressing their commitments. EBA Trustees were encouraged by progress made so far and asked that for the next three years Project Violet is a standing item on the council agenda so they can ensure the work and commitment is not lost.
Earlier in September the trustees met to consider the future staffing arrangements after Gale has finished as a regional minister. After opportunity to pray and consider what this may look like trustees agreed a way forward. Over the next few weeks this will be shared with the churches, however now our focus is on allowing Gale the time and space to finish well. Trustees were informed that the opportunity for churches to give towards a gift has been communicated and the team will be going out for lunch to say goodbye to Gale. Whilst focusing on staffing it is worth noting that the short-term contract of the Eco Church enablers comes to an end on 30 September, we are grateful for the work that Gina Cox and Sharon Chan have done.
Trustees plan to have some sharing and listening days at the beginning of 2026 to enable information sharing and input into future strategy. These will spread across the association with different times of day offered along with online opportunities. Dates and times will be confirmed over the next few months and then be advertised to all churches and ministers.
Other items discussed at the meeting included the confirmation of the roadshow dates in early 2026, these will be communicated to churches shortly, the re-election of Paul Smith as a co-opted trustee for another two year term and a discussion as to who are representatives will be at BU Council in 2026 as yet there is not final decision on this and trustees will revisit it at their next meeting in November.
The meeting closed in prayer.
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