Just as the Intern Scheme is not a one-size-fits-all programme, so the paths and plans that different churches and individuals take beyond the Scheme vary, too.
Overview
Local Church Ministry
Be it women’s worker, pastor or small group leader, many individuals already held paid or unpaid roles within their church when they joined the Intern Scheme. During their time as Interns, they were given additional support and resourcing to develop their ministry within their church. Upon finishing the Scheme, the majority continued on in those paid or unpaid roles, often with a reshuffle of responsibilities to allow more time for pastoral work. A number of those in unpaid roles saw the creation of new paid pastoral roles within their church as a result of the Scheme.
Regional Growth
As interest in biblical counselling continues to grow across the UK, more and more regional hubs have sprung up, in part due to the Intern Alumni. Between starting local interest groups and organising day conferences in their area, Alumni have played a crucial role in introducing more individuals and churches to biblical counselling.
Training & Equipping Others
A few Intern Alumni have gone on to play a role in training and equipping others in biblical counselling. For some, that has meant stepping into the role of grader for the Certificate Programme. Others have become Mentors for the Intern Scheme or Certificate Programme tutors, passing on all they have learned to the next generation of people who are passionate about connecting the riches of Scripture to the reality of life.
Resource Development
Some Intern Alumni have been able to contribute to the creation of more biblical counselling resources for the UK context. From blog posts to conference seminars to spoken word poetry to redeveloping Certificate Programme modules, graduates of the Scheme have been able to further equip the Lord’s people through written and spoken word.
Ongoing Study
Churches are filled with a broad range of stories and struggles, and many Interns find themselves walking alongside brothers and sisters with a variety of needs. However, some Interns experience the Lord bringing particular struggles or demographics across their path, clarifying a desire for further training and experience. Others feel the need to upskill their grasp on theology and Bible handling. Whether it’s taking on specific study on struggles such as trauma or counselling adolescents, or enrolling for a theology diploma, many Intern Alumni go on to engage with further studies beyond the Scheme.
Parachurch Ministry
Alongside ongoing roles within their church, a small number of Intern Alumni have gone on to set up private fee-for-service counselling ministries to serve the wider body of Christ. Often drawing upon other additional training or experience, they are able to meet with a wider constituency of individuals seeking help.
Book Groups
Intern Alumni are welcome to join any of our book groups, which are typically run by a member of the Biblical Counselling UK team and cover a variety of subjects.
Informal Peer Groups
The friendships nurtured with fellow Interns over the course of the Scheme continue long after the two-year finish. While Biblical Counselling UK cannot offer ongoing oversight of Alumni peer groups, Alumni often regularly connect informally with their peers for continued support and prayerful encouragement of one another’s ministries.
Counselling Ministry Support Groups
BCUK’s Counselling Ministry Support Groups offer 10 sessions across an academic year (September – June). Open to Intern Alumni and other experienced carers, they aim to facilitate growth of pastoral and counselling wisdom and skills within a biblical counselling framework. Each group has 4-5 participants led by an experienced Facilitator. The current cost is £20 per session.
For more information and to register your interest in joining a group, email
“It’s been great to stay in touch with other Alumni, to continue to sharpen each other and to look together at issues facing those in pastoral care. The book groups have spurred me on to read books that I probably wouldn’t otherwise have got around to reading and have most definitely fed into my care for others.”
An Alumnus
