Mon 11 – Wed 13 March, 2024
Optional post-conference workshop: 13-14 March
The Hayes, Swanwick, Derbyshire

Christians have a unique relationship with loss.

On the one hand we share the many expressions of loss that arise in a fallen world. Sin and suffering produce grievous losses, the pain of which can be overwhelming. Christian believers know such losses.

Yet, we are also a people of hope.

A hope that promises ‘every spiritual blessing in Christ’ (Ephesians 1:3). The hope of a God who promises that a day is coming when ‘there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away’ (Revelation 21:4).

And we find, finally, that discipleship in Christ is also described in terms of loss. ‘Whoever wants to save their life will lose it,’ Jesus tells us, ‘but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it’ (Mark 8:35).

 

Christians, therefore, have plenty of reasons to think carefully about loss. At our 2024 residential conference, we will consider both the agonies of more extreme loss and the struggles that arise from more everyday losses. We will do so in the light of the gospel and aware of our need to listen carefully to personal experience.

Alongside biblical reflections based in the book of Ruth, we will also have input from those who have experienced loss themselves.

Every church, indeed every Christian, will need to respond in love to those who suffer loss. We hope this conference will help those responses to be more caring, more thoughtful and more richly rooted in Christ.

CONFERENCE

Our main conference talks will be based around the book of Ruth – letting Ruth and Naomi’s experience of loss, and ultimate plenty, inform our exploration of wise and loving responses to the many experiences of loss we encounter today.

A series of seminars will explore a range of different losses and will include sessions on speaking about death, disappointment, regret and complex loss.

WORKSHOP
Despair and suicide in the church

An optional 24-hour post-conference workshop will consider the experience of despair more broadly and suicide specifically. Alongside theological reflections we will think practically about how we can support individuals, and whole communities, when they face these most difficult of circumstances.

Workshop sessions will be led both by church leaders and those whose work has been in counselling and mental health settings. As usual, there will be plenty of opportunity for discussion.

Contributors

Ste Casey
Pastor of Speke Baptist Church, Liverpool

Andrew Collins
Director of the Certificate Course, BCUK

Steve Midgley
Executive Director, BCUK

Andrew Nicholls
Director of Pastoral Care, Oak Hill College

Helen Thorne
Director of Training and Resources, BCUK

Venue

The Hayes Conference Centre is 5 miles from the M1 (Junction 28), and three miles from Alfreton railway station.

Accommodation

Accommodation is available in single, double or twin rooms. All rooms are ensuite.

The residential prices are per person and include all, starting with lunch on Monday and finishing with lunch on the final day.

The non-residential price includes all meals except breakfast. Breakfast for non-residential delegates can be booked for an additional £13 per day.

Timings

CONFERENCE STARTS
Monday 11 March with lunch at 12.45pm. Session 1 starts at 2pm

CONFERENCE CLOSES
Wednesday 13 March with lunch

WORKSHOP CLOSES
Thursday 14 March with lunch

Prices (per person)

Single Room

CONFERENCE
£315

CONFERENCE + WORKSHOP
£455

Double/Twin Room

CONFERENCE
£285

CONFERENCE + WORKSHOP
£405

Non-Residential

CONFERENCE
£230

CONFERENCE + WORKSHOP
£345

Brochure

Click the image to go to the inside pages.

You can also click here to download the brochure

Booking

Payment
You can pay using a debit or credit card. 

Cancellation Policy
Cancellations received on or after Monday 5th February 2024 will be charged the full fee.

Further Information
For queries, please email events@biblicalcounselling.org.uk

Livestream

We anticipate making the main conference sessions available on livestream, and on catch-up for a short time after the conference.

Livestream pricing and booking details will be made available early in 2024. To be notified when Livestream bookings open, sign up below.