The Certificate Programme offers three levels of training, Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced,  providing a progression from equipping Christians for everyday one–anothering conversations through to developing the skills and understanding needed for more formal pastoral/counselling ministry. 

Underlying the Certificate Programme is a conviction that the gospel connects with every human experience and struggle, and a desire to help church communities connect the riches of Scripture to the realities of life.

Starting with an emphasis on our own need for biblical change and personal growth in wisdom, the programme then seeks to build students’ confidence in conversational ministry with a goal of developing the deep, relational one-anothering that the New Testament describes.

The training provides a model for ministry that is applicable to formal and informal contexts – from opening Scripture with a friend in the hard moments of life to shaping preaching that engages the heart.

Current students include small group leaders, women’s workers, pastors, vocational counsellors and ordinary church members eager to be better equipped to help friends.

The programme combines material from CCEF’s School of Biblical Counseling with new courses developed by BCUK for the UK context.