The BCUK Podcast

The Approval Trap

Seminar from the BCUK National Conference 2026 Identity: Conversations Exploring Our Union with Christ What’s wrong with people pleasing? In the Bible we read “each of us should please our neighbours” (Romans 15:2), “look to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4) and “try to please everyone in every way” (1 Corinthians 10:33). So how do we square this with Scripture’s call “not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4)? This seminar considers our need to please the people around us, how this connects to our worship of God, and how, in Christ, we can serve others freely and joyfully. Nicola Eggertsen is the Training and Resources Officer with BCUK. She completed the BCUK Certificate Programme in 2018 and is now a tutor and grader. Nicola runs a “Soul Care” practice and is studying for certification with the Association of Biblical Counselors. She is a Lay Pastoral Assistant at her church and involved in ministry alongside her husband (who is the vicar).

Broken Image

Seminar from the BCUK National Conference 2026 Identity: Conversations Exploring Our Union with Christ This seminar will explore the personal and communal dynamics of shame and low self-esteem. Together, we will consider how Scripture teaches us to define shame rightly and to address its distorting effects on a person’s sense of self and relationships. Our focus will be on understanding the shared honour we have with Christ through our new identity in him, and on learning how to apply that truth both personally and in our work with others. Laura Perbet is an independent biblical counsellor having previously coordinated biblical counselling ministry at two local churches. She qualified as a clinical psychologist before training in biblical counselling. In between these two roles she worked for a mission agency providing member care for British missionaries working overseas.

Being Human

Seminar from the BCUK National Conference 2026 Identity: Conversations Exploring Our Union with Christ "I’m only human!" We all know what it is to come face to face with our limits. But how does a theology of our limitations help us to understand and respond to our strengths and weaknesses, abilities and disabilities, and shape how we help others? This seminar will explore our core identity as human beings and its renewal in Christ made flesh. Andrew Collins has spent many years working as a consultant psychiatrist in Belfast alongside part-time work providing biblical counselling. He is an elder at his church in Portadown, Northern Ireland. Andrew’s serves as the Director of Counselling Ministry with BCUK, seeking to serve experienced carers with training and resources to grow their wisdom and skill.

Building Churches That Find Their Identity in Christ

Session 9 from the BCUK National Conference 2026 Identity: Conversations Exploring Our Union with Christ Ste Casey is the pastor of Speke Baptist Church, and leads the BCUK Certificate Programme in Liverpool together with his wife, Jane. Together they are parents to six daughters. Ste is the author of I Prayed and Nothing Changed.

Becoming Carers Who Find Their Identity in Christ

Session 8 from the BCUK National Conference 2026 Identity: Conversations Exploring Our Union with Christ Andrew Nicholls serves as Director of Pastoral Care at Oak Hill College. Formerly a pastor with particular responsibility for small groups and pastoral care, Andrew was involved in helping to found Biblical Counselling UK. He is the author (with Helen Thorne-Allenson) of the Real Change course.

Theology of Union with Christ (part 2)

Session 3 from the BCUK National Conference 2026 Identity: Conversations Exploring Our Union with Christ Graham Beynon is one of FIEC's Associate National Directors. He is a visiting lecturer at Oak Hill College, London, and has authored a number of books, including Mirror Mirror: Discover your true identity in Christ. Graham has pastored churches in Cambridge and Leicester, particularly being involved in leading church plants.

Theology of Union with Christ (part 1)

Session 2 from the BCUK National Conference 2026 Identity: Conversations Exploring Our Union with Christ Graham Beynon is one of FIEC's Associate National Directors. He is a visiting lecturer at Oak Hill College, London, and has authored a number of books, including Mirror Mirror: Discover your true identity in Christ. Graham has pastored churches in Cambridge and Leicester, particularly being involved in leading church plants.

Identity Formation

Session 1 from the BCUK National Conference 2026 Identity: Conversations Exploring Our Union with Christ Steve Midgley is the Executive Director of Biblical Counselling UK. Until 2022 he was the Senior Minister of Christ Church Cambridge where he continues to have a part-time role. Steve is a board member with CCEF and with the Biblical Counseling Coalition. He trained in psychiatry before being ordained. Steve has co-authored The Heart of Anger and Mental Health and Your Church and most recently he has written Understanding Trauma: A Biblical Introduction for Church Care.

A community that speaks

A community that speaks: A talk by Helen Thorne-Allenson at the BCUK Growing a Culture of Care event in Bournemouth, November 2025. Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Community and Love 09:12 Understanding and Supporting Struggles 17:57 Practical Ways to Help 25:48 The Role of Scripture in Healing 36:04 Building a Supportive Church Community

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A community that loves

A community that loves: A talk by Steve Midgley at the BCUK Growing a Culture of Care event in Bournemouth, November 2025. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Ephesians 4 03:05 Living a Life Worthy of the Calling 05:57 The Struggles of Church Life 09:07 The Nature of Trouble in Our Lives 11:48 The Call to Care and Cure 15:01 God's Transformative Work in Us 17:52 The Foundation of Love in the Church 21:01 Growing in Knowledge of God's Love 23:58 Reflecting God's Love in Community 26:58 The Pursuit of Maturity in the Church 29:49 Serving One Another in Love 32:59 The Importance of Unity and Diversity 36:02 The Call to Serve Like Christ 39:05 Living Out the Put Off, Put On Principle 42:03 Speaking the Truth in Love 44:58 Conclusion and Prayer

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I prayed and nothing changed

In this conversation, Ste Casey discusses the challenging topic of unanswered prayer, sharing personal experiences and insights from his book 'I Prayed and Nothing Changed.' He explores the emotional turmoil that comes with praying for change and feeling unheard, emphasising the importance of wrestling with God in prayer and recognising his presence in our pain. The discussion highlights the risks of abandoning faith during difficult times and encourages listeners to seek a deeper relationship with God, even amidst unanswered prayers. Buy the book here: https://uk.10ofthose.com/product/9781645072218/i-prayed-and-nothing-changed-paperback Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Unanswered Prayer 08:08 The Experience of Unanswered Prayer 12:20 The Risks of Doubt and Abandonment 17:00 God's Work in Our Pain 21:51 Wrestling with God in Prayer 28:35 Encouragement for the Broken

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Preaching to the heart

In this episode of BCUK's To The Heart podcast, hosts Helen Thorne-Allenson, Steve Midgley, and Andrew McKenna discuss the importance of preaching to the heart. They explore the concept of the heart in biblical terms, the challenges of addressing diverse hearts in a congregation, and the role of community in preaching. The conversation emphasizes the need for preachers to engage the heart throughout the sermon, from the introduction to the conclusion, and highlights the significance of illustrations and sermon structure. The hosts also address the balance between faithful exposition and heart engagement, the impact of preparation on preaching, and the importance of follow-up after sermons. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Preaching to the Heart 02:53 Understanding the Heart in Preaching 05:56 The Challenge of Preaching to Diverse Hearts 08:54 The Role of Community in Preaching 11:40 Engaging the Heart Throughout the Sermon 14:37 The Importance of Illustrations 17:35 Structuring a Sermon to Engage Hearts 20:19 Concluding a Sermon Effectively 23:32 Faithful Exposition vs. Heart Engagement 26:11 The Impact of Preparation on Preaching 29:09 Follow-Up After Preaching

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Singing to the heart

In this episode of the 'to the heart' podcast, Helen Thorne-Allenson, Andrew McKenna, and Nicola Eggertsen explore the profound impact of singing on the heart and spiritual life. They discuss how singing serves as a means of heart change, the importance of various musical genres in worship, and the role of the Holy Spirit in enhancing our singing experience. The conversation emphasizes the communal aspect of singing, the need for thoughtful leadership in worship, and the balance between emotional engagement and biblical truth. The hosts also address the challenges faced by music directors and the importance of prayer in fostering a vibrant worship culture. Takeaways: Singing is a fundamental aspect of human experience and worship. It helps in heart change by embedding biblical truths. Singing can be a response to wayward hearts, guiding them back to God. Different genres of music serve various emotional and spiritual needs. The Holy Spirit actively works through our singing to teach and remind us of God's truths. Leading singing should be an act of worship, not a performance. Avoiding emotional manipulation is crucial in worship settings. Introducing songs thoughtfully can enhance congregational engagement. Congregational singing is a communal activity that strengthens the body of Christ. Praying for music leaders is essential for a healthy worship culture. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Singing and the Heart 02:32 The Role of Singing in Heart Change 08:46 Singing in Response to Wayward Hearts 13:34 Genres of Music in Worship 19:43 The Holy Spirit's Role in Singing 24:02 Leading Singing to Engage Hearts 30:02 Avoiding Manipulation in Worship 33:47 Introducing Songs Thoughtfully 37:30 Encouraging Congregational Engagement 41:22 Prayers for Music Directors and Congregations

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Speaking to the heart

In this episode of the 'to the heart' podcast, Helen Thorne-Allenson, Steve Midgley, and Andrew Collins explore the importance of heart-centered conversations within the church. They discuss the nature of the heart in biblical counselling, the appropriateness of depth in conversations, and how to respond to individuals sharing their struggles. The conversation emphasises the need for understanding, humility, and the role of Scripture in facilitating change. Practical applications are provided, particularly in addressing issues like envy, and the team discuss encouraging a culture of openness and honesty in church communities. Takeaways: The heart is central to our relationship with God. Churches should foster environments for heart-centered conversations. Navigating social norms is crucial in deep conversations. Acknowledging someone's struggle takes courage and humility. Understanding is a collaborative process, not a one-sided analysis. The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in revealing truths. Change is a complex process involving both understanding and action. Scripture should be woven into conversations naturally. Building a culture of openness can transform church dynamics. Everyone can grow in their ability to engage deeply with others. Real Change The Real Change course is discussed towards the end of the episode. Chapters: 00:00 -Introduction to Heart-Centered Conversations 00:56 -Understanding the Heart in Biblical Counseling 02:57 -Navigating Depth in Church Conversations 06:59 -Responding to Heartfelt Struggles 11:33 -Exploring Deeper Issues of the Heart 14:17 -The Role of Understanding in Heart Conversations 17:15 -The Process of Change and Scripture's Role 22:31 -Practical Applications: Envy and Heart Issues 32:59 -Building a Culture of Openness in the Church Hosted by Helen Thorne-Allenson and produced by Andrew McKenna. Find all episodes on your favourite podcast provider or at bcuk.org/podcast For regular news from BCUK join our mailing lists at bcuk.org/join To support the work of BCUK visit bcuk.org/get-church-talking

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Listening to the heart

In this episode of the 'to the heart' podcast, Helen Thorne-Allenson, Andrew Collins, and Amanda Cook explore the theme of listening to the heart within the context of biblical counselling and church community. They discuss the importance of being attentive to our hearts, the barriers to vulnerability, and how to create a safe culture in the church for open conversations. The conversation emphasises practical ways to encourage deeper discussions, the significance of prayer, and the transformative power of sharing our hearts with one another. Takeaways: The heart is central to our relationship with God. One anothering in the church involves being attentive to each other's hearts. Vulnerability is essential for meaningful conversations. Creating a safe culture in the church encourages openness. Listening to our hearts requires humility and self-awareness. Barriers to vulnerability include fear of judgment and discomfort. Practical love flows from a heart that relates well to God. Transitioning from small talk to deeper conversations is important. Prayer should focus on the heart, not just circumstances. Transformation in the church comes from honest conversations about our hearts. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Listening to the Heart 02:21 One Anothering in the Church 05:04 Natural Conversations About the Heart 07:54 Barriers to Vulnerability 11:15 Creating a Safe Culture in the Church 15:22 Listening with Pure Motives 19:47 Transitioning from Small Talk to Heart Talk 25:25 Connecting Bible Study to Personal Hearts 30:37 Encouraging Deeper Prayer Requests Hosted by Helen Thorne-Allenson and produced by Andrew McKenna. Find all episodes on your favourite podcast provider or at bcuk.org/podcast For regular news from BCUK join our mailing lists at bcuk.org/join To support the work of BCUK visit bcuk.org/get-church-talking

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Attending to the heart

In this episode of BCUK's 'to the heart' podcast, Helen Thorne-Allenson, Steve Midgley, and Andrew Collins delve into the concept of the heart within biblical counselling. They explore its significance, the shift from focusing on external behaviours to understanding internal motivations, and the importance of integrity in one's spiritual life. The conversation emphasises the role of emotions in revealing the heart's desires and fears, and offers practical steps for self-exploration and reflection. Ultimately, the discussion highlights the transformative power of attending to the heart in fostering spiritual growth and deeper relationships with God and others. Chapters 00:00 Understanding the Heart in Biblical Counselling 07:28 The Shift from External to Internal Focus 14:08 The Importance of Integrity and Consistency 19:57 Exploring Emotions and Their Significance 25:51 Practical Steps to Explore Our Hearts 32:24 The Benefits of Attending to the Heart Hosted by Helen Thorne-Allenson and produced by Andrew McKenna. Find all episodes on your favourite podcast provider or at bcuk.org/podcast For regular news from BCUK join our mailing lists at bcuk.org/join To support the work of BCUK visit bcuk.org/get-church-talking

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Trailer: to the heart

Coming soon - the first BCUK podcast series entitled "to the heart". 5 episodes exploring the nature of the heart and how we can engage the heart as we serve one another in the local church. Hosted by Helen Thorne-Allenson and featuring 5 members of the BCUK team. Find all episodes on your favourite podcast provider or at bcuk.org/podcast For regular news and info from BCUK join our mailing lists at bcuk.org/join To support the work of BCUK visit bcuk.org/get-church-talking

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