Intermediate Certificate in Conversational Ministry
Helping Everyday Problems
with Helen Thorne-Allenson
Helping Everyday Problems will help you understand common life struggles – like loss, anger, overwhelm, shame, and guilt – biblically and lead you to walk wisely and well with those who struggle.
Date and duration of next course:
HEP 10 week Autumn 2026
The registration form opens in a new window, and you need to submit the form within 60 minutes of opening.
What to expect
COURSE WORK
We want to walk alongside others in ways that offer compassion, hope and transformation, and we do that as we seek to connect God’s Word to their everyday struggles. But how can we grow in doing that well? Are we able to understand common pastoral problems biblically? And from there have wise and helpful conversations that are relevant to life and centred on Christ? And how will we engage the community of care that the local church provides? This course will help you understand common life struggles – like loss, anger, overwhelm, shame, and guilt – biblically, and encourage you to walk wisely and well with those who struggle.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
- To enable students to grow in their ability to participate in intentional conversations
- To help students structure conversations with a clear start, middle and end
- To help students grow the character and skills necessary to engage in those conversations in ways that honour Christ
- To enable students to gain a biblical understanding of a range of common pastoral struggles
- To help students think broadly about how to address common pastoral struggles in conversation – in ways that are gentle, biblical and wise
- To encourage students to engage in conversational ministry in ways that build the church
COURSE FEEDBACK
Transformational Impact
- “This whole course has been excellent… the triplets have been a highlight and the assignments really beneficial.”
- “I feel more equipped… with a broader theological understanding and an ability to listen and have intentional conversations more lovingly.”
- “This has been my favourite module so far… I’ll be looking back through the materials for years to come.”
Confidence & Ministry
- “The course has given me confidence to move towards those struggling.”
- “I feel more equipped when I’m in conversations with people over their struggles.”
- “It has given me practical and biblical tools… and confidence to speak Scripture into someone’s life.”
Practical & Biblical Learning
- “The lectures were practical, intentional and immediately helpful to implement.”
- “The mix of biblical understanding and practical application was amazing.”
- “The material… has been invaluable for walking alongside people in real life situations.”
Community & Learning Together
- “Meeting in triplets… has been a real joy and a safe space to practise.”
- “The triplet conversations enabled me to talk more openly… leading to deeper conversations and reliance on God.”
Personal Growth
- “The subject material has helped me to look underneath the circumstances to see what is going on in people’s hearts.”
- “It has helped me see the potential for blessing in everyday conversations.”
SEMINAR VENUES AND DATES
HEP Belfast (Thurs 7-9pm)
HEP Exeter (Mon 7-9pm)
HEP Liverpool (Weds 7-9pm)
HEP London (Tues 7-9pm)
HEP Derby (Thurs 7-9pm)
HEP Online Evenings (Tues 7-9pm)
HEP Online Mornings (Thurs 9.30-11.30am)
Cohorts are subject to change and will only run if sufficient numbers register for each venue.
Key facts
Date of the next course:
Helping Everyday Problems starts 7 Sept 2026 with 7 seminar venues in the UK and online.
Course length:
10 weeks of study with one week mid term break.
Workload:
10-12 hours study each week
Intermediate Certificate
This is the first course in our Intermediate Certificate.
Prerequisites for HEP are Dynamics of Biblical Change and Helping Relationships
The Intermediate Certificate in Conversational Ministry has three courses, Helping Everyday Problems, Relationships in Life and Church, and Scripture for Life and Ministry. The prerequisites for all Intermediate Courses are Dynamics of Biblical Change and Helping Relationships
The registration form opens in a new window, and you need to submit the form within 60 minutes of opening.
Meet your teacher
Helen Thorne-Allenson is the Director of Training and Resources at Biblical Counselling UK. She is an experienced speaker, and author whose recent books include 5 Things to pray for a Suffering Friend, Hope in an Anxious World, Walking with Domestic Abuse Sufferers, Purity is Possible, Real Change and Real Change for Students, Mental Health and Your Church, and A Church that Cares. She has completed CCEF’s certificate courses and holds an MA in Applied Theology and an MTh in Reformed Theology.
