Regional Networks

by Helen Thorne

Helen Thorne is the Director of Training and Resources at Biblical Counselling UK. She is an experienced speaker, counsellor and author.

What a joy it was for many of us to be at the Biblical Counselling UK conference earlier this month – with many more joining us via livestream. We were able to welcome participants from every corner of the UK, and beyond, for a vibrant time of equipping, encouraging and networking.

If you missed it, the audio is available – it’s not too late to listen to the main sessions for the first time or listen afresh. But, for many of us post-conference, the question now is, “who can I network with, locally, so the encouragement and equipping carries on?”

Across the UK, there are existing and burgeoning regional networks. These groups are independent of, yet closely linked with, Biblical Counselling UK and provide the opportunity for like-minded people to get together in smaller, informal groups to do things like discuss papers, hold book groups, look at pertinent topics as well as pray together and spur each other on.

There are 2 types of groups:

  • Alumni groups for those who have completed all (or most of) the BCUK certificate course. Often closely tied with our certificate course centres, these groups help former students to continue to learn and grow in community.
  • Network groups for those interested in biblical counselling and discussing how best to put biblical pastoral care into practice in the local church. These are open to all who are excited by biblical counselling, whether or not you have done any training.

Existing groups are shown on the map opposite.

And there is a deep desire to see new groups launched – particularly in the East Midlands and Buckinghamshire areas but elsewhere too.

If you are interested in joining an existing group – or registering your interest for a group in an area where there isn’t one yet – please do get in touch. I am happy to walk alongside suitable people wanting to start new groups and put individuals in touch with one another where that is wanted. You can contact me regarding regional groups on regions@bcuk.org

Alumni groups: Scotland, Northern Ireland, Liverpool, Sheffield, Devon.

Network groups: Northern Ireland, Newcastle, Sheffield, West Midlands, Cambridge, South Wales, London, London (Co-Mission churches), Sussex.

As iron sharpens iron,  so one person sharpens another (Proverbs 27:17).