Foundation Certificate in Conversational Ministry
Helping Relationships
with Ed Welch
The Helping Relationships course is intended to enhance your interpersonal ministry skills both in everyday and more intentional conversations. The skills are organised in two parts: Skills to Know People, and Skills to Apply Scripture.
Next courses:
HRE 6 months: Spring 2027
HRE 10 weeks: Spring 2027
The registration form opens in a new window, and you need to submit the form within 60 minutes of opening.
Registration for HRE10wk Spring 2027, will open on 5th October until 16th November 2026
What to expect
COURSE WORK
This course is intended to enhance your interpersonal ministry skills both in everyday and more intentional conversations. The skills are organised in two parts: Skills to Know People, and Skills to Apply Scripture.
This course has two important features: you will take part in Community Group discussions with fellow students during the fortnightly seminars, and you will meet weekly for an hour with someone (usually from your church) to put into practice what you are learning in Helping Relationships. Information about these activities is supplied in the syllabus.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Understand the principles and practicalities of interpersonal ministry
- Show an awareness of the character attributes that are necessary to engage in interpersonal ministry well
- Connect interpersonal ministry methods with their theological foundations
- Establish foundational skills in interpersonal ministry – particularly conversational skills – that can be built upon in the years to come
- Offer those conversational skills within the local church in ways that encourage others and promote growth.
COURSE SCHEDULE
HRE6m starts on 18th January with seminars in two online cohorts:
Tuesday evenings, 7-9pm
Thursday mornings, 10am-12pm
HRE 10wks starts 4th January 2027 and has seminars in 8 venues in geographical centres and online.
Belfast – Thursdays (7-9pm)
Cambridge – Tuesdays (7-9pm)
Exeter – Mondays (7-9pm)
Liverpool – Wednesdays (7-9pm)
Sheffield – Tuesdays (7-9pm)
Online Thursday Mornings – Thursdays (10am-12noon)
Online Thursday Afternoons – Thursdays (1-3pm)
Online Tuesday Evenings – Tuesdays (7-9pm)
COURSE FEEDBACK
Transformational Impact:
- “I am different on the other side of this course, even my family are saying it!”
- “This course has impacted my life, my interactions and conversations with others. An ongoing process of growth.”
- “I have seen a shift in myself so that conversations have moved away from myself to others.”
Growth in Conversations:
- “It has helped me to slow down in conversations and listen more carefully to what is really going on in someone’s heart.”
- “I feel more aware of people’s emotions, struggles, and underlying beliefs, and more able to gently bring Scripture to bear.”
- “My conversations have been enriched now that I see the Spirit in so many conversations.”
Confidence & Ministry Impact:
- “I feel much better equipped… I can refer back to my notes and continue to become more skilful.”
- “I am less hesitant to engage in spiritual conversations and more willing to step into situations where someone may need encouragement.”
- “Gaining confidence in reaching out to people and learning the skill of having good conversations.”
Relational Depth & Community:
- “Without the conversation partner meetings the course would be really lacking — I need that practical real edge.”
- “The depth of fellowship… and learning how I walk in step with the Spirit in conversation.”
- “The seminars gave an opportunity to share with and learn from fellow students.”
Practical & Biblical Learning:
- “The combination of biblical teaching and practical application has helped me grow in both confidence and clarity.”
- “Learning to ask better questions and not rush too quickly to give answers… has been particularly impactful.”
- “The skills were practical and immediately available to be used.”
Course Experience:
- “All of it has been excellent… the teaching, the books, and the tutor has been brilliant.”
- “The course is so awesome — many people at my church would really find it helpful.”
- “Thank you for an excellent course… I have many learnings to take away.”
Key facts
Venues and dates:
HRE 6 months includes seminars in 2 online cohorts (see below)
HRE 10 weeks includes seminars in 8 venues across the UK or online.
Course length:
HRE 10 weeks: 10 weeks of study from 4th January with one week half term break.
HRE 6 months: This half speed version of Helping Relationships, commences on 18th January where each of the 10 modules of study are fortnights rather than weeks. There is a month break around Easter.
Workload:
10-12 hours study per week
(10-12 hours study each fortnight in HRE 6 months)
Foundation Certificate
The Foundation Certificate comprises three courses, Dynamics of Biblical Change, Helping Relationships, and Church Pastoral Care.
The registration form opens in a new window, and you need to submit the form within 60 minutes of opening.
Registration for HRE10wk Spring 2027, will open on 5th October until 16th November 2026
Meet your teacher
Ed Welch is a faculty member and counselor at CCEF, where he has served since 1981. He holds a doctor of philosophy in counseling (neuropsychology) from the University of Utah and a master of divinity from Biblical Theological Seminary. Ed is a licensed psychologist and has been active in local church ministry for decades. He has written numerous books, including When People Are Big and God Is Small (P&R Publishing, 1997), Shame Interrupted (New Growth Press, 2012), Side by Side (Crossway, 2015), and Created to Draw Near (Crossway, 2020).
