About Us

At Make Sense, we are committed to strengthening pastoral ministry through clarity, formation, and practical support.

We recognise that today’s pastoral workers carry significant responsibility. They navigate complex community needs, safeguarding expectations, leadership challenges, and spiritual care—often while trying to discern what training is required, recommended, or simply helpful for their context. The landscape can feel demanding and unclear.

We exist to help ministries and individuals make sense of their ministry training requirements with confidence and purpose.

Whether ordained, commissioned, employed, or serving in a voluntary capacity, pastoral workers deserve thoughtful preparation and ongoing development. We listen alongside church leaders to help discern the needs of their people, strengthen ministry teams, and support healthy, effective ministry within the church community.

Services

We offer bespoke listening and training services to suit your needs. Please take a look at our offerings and feel free to get in touch with any questions. We also offer bespoke training for corporate and non-profit organisations, which can be found below.

Ministry Care Listening Service

We listen alongside church leaders to help discern the needs of their people, strengthen ministry teams, and support healthy, effective ministry within the church community.

Confidential Listening Service

Our Confidential Listening Service provides private one-to-one appointments with trained listeners who offer a supportive and compassionate environment where individuals can share their thoughts, concerns, and experiences.

Training & Formation

We offer training and formation in skills that compliment and help make sense of pastoral care

Connect

Get In Touch

We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us for any questions about our services, and we will respond promptly.

👂 What does it really mean to listen well?

Join us for Make Sense Of: Listening — a practical session exploring how attentive, compassionate listening can help us care for others with greater confidence and wisdom.

📅 30 October 2026 | 10am–1pm | Online via Zoom
🎟️ £15

If you support people through church, community or caring roles, this is a great opportunity to build a skill that can make a real difference.

Book your place and make sense of listening. 💛

Before the busy season begins… be rooted and renewed.

Autumn is coming, Christmas is dare we say it just around the corner 🎄 — and the pace is about to pick up.

Before it does, why not pause, breathe, reconnect with God and be renewed?

Rooted & Renewed is a space to step away from the busyness and refill before you pour out again.

Saturday 24 October | 9:30am–12:30pm
📍 Saint Columba’s House, Woking | £15

Come and be rooted. Come and be renewed.

Register at www.makesensetraining.com

#RootedAndRenewed #MakeSenseTraining #ChristianMinistry #MinistryLife #SpiritualRenewal #RestAndRenewal #ChristianLeaders #PauseAndReflect #PrepareForTheBusySeason

Rooted & Renewed

When your well has run dry, you need space to pause, breathe and be renewed.

Join us for a half-day of renewal and encouragement for those who are feeling stretched, spiritually depleted or simply weary from serving others.

📅 Saturday 24 October | 9:30am–12:30pm
📍 Saint Columba’s House, Woking
🎟️ £15

Come and be refreshed. 💚

Find out more & book your place at www.makesensetraining.com

If you’re tired, weary, or simply running on empty…

Rooted & Renewed is for you.

This half-day renewal and training gathering is designed for Christian ministry volunteers, pastoral staff and clergy — but you don’t have to hold a ministry title to come. If you’re feeling run dry, you are more than welcome.

Throughout the morning, you’ll have space for:
🌱 Biblical encouragement for tired leaders
🌱 Guided reflection and unhurried space to breathe
🌱 Practical tools for sustainable ministry rhythms
🌱 Honest conversation around burnout and resilience
🌱 Prayer and time to be personally ministered to

This is an intentional pause.

A space to step away from the demands of serving and simply breathe.
A space to become rooted again in Christ.
A space to be renewed before returning to the work.

👀 The venue and times will be revealed VERY soon… (Surrey based)

What happens when you give yourself permission to stop, step away and simply be?

Guests who have experienced our Make Sense retreats have found them to be a valuable opportunity to:

🌿 Pause and breathe — stepping away from the pressures and pace of everyday ministry.

🙏 Listen to God — having unhurried space for prayer, reflection and attentiveness to God's presence.

💭 Process what they're carrying — making room to reflect on experiences, emotions and the demands of caring for others.

❤️ Feel cared for themselves — rather than always being the person who is listening, supporting and giving.

✨ Return refreshed — with greater clarity, renewed perspective and space to continue serving from a healthier place.

For those who spend so much of their lives caring for others, being cared for can be transformative.

Our guided retreats offer a safe, intentional space to rest, reflect and reconnect with God — whether for a few hours or a whole day.

Sometimes the most important thing you can do for your ministry is to stop and receive.

Find out more about the Listening Service:
https://www.makesensetraining.com/copy-of-ministry-care-listening-service

#MinistryCare #PastoralCare #ChristianMinistry #ChristianLeaders #SpiritualRenewal #Retreat #RestAndRenewal #MakeSense

You spend so much of your time giving to others. ❤️

But when was the last time you had space to simply receive?

Our guided retreats at Make Sense are created especially for Christian pastoral workers and others who carry the needs, hopes and stories of many people.

🌿 Step away from the demands of ministry
🙏 Be still and attentive to God's presence
💭 Reflect on where you are and what you need
❤️ Receive rather than give
✨ Be renewed in the love, grace and strength of Christ

Whether you have a few hours or a whole day, our retreats offer intentional space to rest, pray, reflect and reconnect with God.

You don't have to keep pouring out from an empty place.

Come away. Be still. Receive. Be renewed in Christ.

Private retreats for groups are also available at a venue of your choice.

Find out more: https://www.makesensetraining.com/copy-of-ministry-care-listening-service

#ChristianMinistry #PastoralCare #MinistryCare #ChristianLeaders #Retreat #RestAndRenewal #SpiritualFormation #MakeSense

Could your venue help create space for renewal?

We’re looking for welcoming churches and community spaces to host Make Sense Christian retreats—places where people can pause, reconnect with God, and be rooted and renewed.

If you have a space that could become a place of rest, reflection and spiritual renewal, we’d love to hear from you. 🙏 DM us or email lisa.makesense@gmail.com

#Whole #heal #SeekGod #church #ListeningService #MentalWellbeing #BeingHeard #WellbeingSupport #SafeSpace #VolunteerTraining #PastoralCare #MinistrySupport #ChurchVolunteers #PastoralMinistry #MentalHealthSupport #ChurchTraining #selfdevelopment #pastoralsupport #UKChurch #ChristianCommunity #CalledToServe #ChurchLife #SpiritualGrowth #GiftedToServe #ChurchTogether #ChristianDiscipleship #MinistryLife #SpiritualFormation #FaithAndReflection

How do you know I cannot #heal you?�How do you know I cannot reach into your darkest place?�How do you know I cannot #love you more deeply than anything you have experienced before?

#God #GodsLove #Saviour #Whole #SeekGod

"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge.." Ephesians 3:17-20

The love we've received shapes us as individuals, and influences how we receive love. Does anything influence how you receive the love of God?

Full resource booklet for FREE at www.makesensetraining.com

#love #GodsLove #Ephesians #imagine #imgainewithgod

Where has God with walked with you?
Full resource booklet available for download and FREE and www.makesensetraining.com

#imagine #ephesians #fullnessofgod #goodnessofgod #GodWithUs

#imagine #ephesians #fullnessofgod #goodnessofgod #FaithOverFear

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine...” — Ephesians 3:20

Excited to bring you this new resource, which will encourage you to imagine the fullness of the measure of God.
Great for individuals and groups, with reflective questions and prayer.

Audio version is on our website too - www.makesensetraining.com

#imagine #imaginethat #imaginewithGod #hope #change #wholeness

Milford Baptist Church, Surrey - "Take Time to come and join us for a freshly brewed coffee and some delicious cake today from 10-12 and every Monday. It's nice and cool in the building today 😎"

We had the privilege of training this amazing team in #listening skills, so that they can offer a listening ear as part of 'Take Time'. Open and free too all every Monday!

Excited to be at Milford Baptist Church on Sunday 5th July! We’ll be reflecting on Ephesians 3:20–22 and our God who can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.

Able to come? 10.30am, 5th July,

#imagine #Ephesians #church #God #GodsLove #GodWithUs

Looking forward to equipping a group in #listening skills in a few minutes time. They're starting a drop in cafe from July, where you will receive a listening ear and good company.

Being truly listened to can make a remarkable difference.

When someone listens without trying to fix, advise, judge, or rush us, we often feel less alone. Simply being heard can help us feel understood, connected, and valued.

This National Loneliness Awareness Week, we're encouraging people to remember the power of listening. A compassionate conversation won't solve every problem, but it can ease the weight of carrying things on your own.

If you're feeling lonely, overwhelmed, or simply need someone to listen, we're here for you. Our listening service offers a safe, supportive space where you can talk and be heard.

And if you'd like to develop the skills to listen competently and compassionately to others, our Make Sense of Listening training can help you build confidence and understanding in this vital human skill.

Because sometimes, what helps most is knowing that someone is really listening. 💜

#LonelinessAwarenessWeek #ListeningMatters #YouAreNotAlone #CompassionateListening #MentalWellbeing

We are pleased to introduce our new Confidential Listening Service.

Life can feel overwhelming at times, and not everyone wants counselling, therapy, or advice. Sometimes, what we need most is a safe space to talk and feel heard.

Our Confidential Listening Service offers private one-to-one appointments with a trained listener who will provide a supportive, non-judgemental space for you to share whatever is on your mind.

This service is:
✓ Confidential
✓ Supportive
✓ Non-judgemental
✓ Focused on listening

This service is not counselling or therapy, and listeners do not provide clinical support or treatment.

Whether you're carrying a worry, facing a challenge, or simply need someone to listen, we're here to offer a compassionate ear.

When was the last time you felt truly listened to?

To learn more or book an appointment, visit:
www.makesensetraining.com

#ConfidentialListening #ListeningService #MentalWellbeing #CommunitySupport #SafeSpace #BeingHeard #MakeSenseTraining #WellbeingSupport

We’re proud to be taking part in Volunteers’ Week 2026 – marking 42 years of saying thank you to all volunteers across the UK for everything they do for society.

Who do you want to say THANK YOU to today for shaping your community by volunteering?

#VolunteersWeek

As we celebrate Volunteers Week 2026, we want to honour the incredible people who faithfully serve week after week. The Church is built on a culture of volunteering — people generously giving their time, gifts, and hearts to serve others and make a lasting impact.

If you're looking for a meaningful way to thank your volunteers, we offer ministry and training opportunities designed to equip and encourage them in their roles. It’s a powerful way to invest in those who faithfully invest in others.

#VolunteersWeek #ThankYouVolunteers #churchvolunteers #ServeOthers #VolunteerCulture #MinistryTraining #FaithInAction #ChurchCommunity #LeadershipDevelopment #VolunteerAppreciation

Summer is a great time to pause, reflect, and strengthen the skills that support ministry and pastoral care.

Our short summer training sessions are designed for church teams, staff, and volunteers — helping build confidence, compassion, practical listening skills, and healthy boundaries when supporting others.

Good listening can be deeply healing, but it’s something we continue to grow in through thoughtful training and reflection.

If you’ve been considering training for your team, we’d love to chat — and we never want cost to be a barrier to the conversation.

www.makesensetraining.com

#PastoralCare #ChurchTraining #MinistrySupport #ChristianLeadership #VolunteerTraining #ListeningSkills #PastoralMinistry #ChurchVolunteers #FaithInAction #MentalHealthSupport

Do you feel confident supporting others through complex situations?

Many of us find ourselves listening to people in our communities, workplaces, friendships, and faith settings — often taking on the role of a counsellor, mentor, or safe person. But it can leave us wondering:

✨ What do I say?
✨ What if I get it wrong?
✨ How do I support someone without feeling overwhelmed myself?

One of the most common questions we hear in our Make Sense of Listening workshop is simply:

“What if...?”

• What if they talk about self-injury?
• What if they cry?
• What if they become angry with me?
• What if they become dependent on me?
• What if they say nothing at all?

Our workshops create space to explore the real-life “what ifs” with honesty, compassion, and practical guidance. This isn’t a formulaic training session — it’s a bespoke, empowering experience designed to help you listen well and support others with greater confidence.

We offer bespke training for faith and non-faith communities alike.

📅 We currently have availability at the end of July and throughout Autumn.

We’d love to serve your community! DM us or email lisa.makesensetraining.com

#ListeningSkills #MentalHealthSupport #CommunityCare #FaithCommunity #Wellbeing #PastoralCare #TraumaInformed #SupportOthers #MentalHealthAwareness #ActiveListening #CommunitySupport #CounsellingSkills #ChurchLeadership #VolunteerTraining #MakeSenseOfListening

I'm very excited to be delivering #listening training in June to a group of volunteers who are starting a wellbeing cafe for their community.

Isn't it wonderful that spaces are available for people to receive a listening ear, the company of others, and a safe space to just be.

Interested in a refresher or introduction course to listening well to others? DM me, I'd be happy to help!

#listenwell #listeningtoothers #listeningtraining #FaithInAction #communitycafe #communitysupport

With the Ministry Care Listening Service, our aim is not to replace leadership, but to come alongside church leaders — helping them listen well, discern wisely, and respond faithfully to the people they serve.

Reach us at 👉🏻 www.makesensetraining.com

#listening #listeningtraining #listenwell #selfdevelopment #churchleadership #UKChurch #pastoralsupport #FaithInAction

1 Corinthians 13 invites us to re-centre everything on love — not performance, pressure, or recognition.

Read and reflect at www.makesensetraining.com

#1Corinthians13
#LoveIsGreater
#LoveFirst
#ChristianLove
#AgapeLove
#ShepherdingHeart
#MinistryOfLove
#FaithInAction
#ChristianLeadership
#PastoralCare
#HeartOfChrist
#ServeInLove
#GraceOverPerformance
#LoveNotPressure
#KingdomValues

We are not just individual believers, but members of one body, each with a vital part to play.

Full reflection can be found here at www.makesensetraining.com

#BodyOfChrist
#1Corinthians1227
#SpiritualGifts
#ChristianCommunity
#ChurchLife
#UnityInChrist
#FaithInAction
#KingdomService
#ChristianDiscipleship
#GiftedToServe
#GrowingInFaith
#ChurchTogether
#LoveAndUnity
#CalledToServe
#SpiritualGrowth

Read and reflect on what it means to have an attitude of sharing the responsibility in shepherding others. Sometimes we see the beauty and other times we feel challenged. What might God be inviting you to release or embrace?

Full reflection here - https://www.makesensetraining.com/post/adopting-the-attitude-of-shared-responsibility

#SharedMinistry
#FaithInCommunity
#MinistryTogether
#ChristianLeadership
#BodyOfChrist
#ServantLeadership
#KingdomWork
#SpiritualFormation
#FaithAndReflection
#Discernment
#LettingGoAndTrustingGod
#GodsInvitation
#GraceInCommunity
#WalkingWithGod
#MinistryLife

We often talk about “shared responsibility” as the Body of Christ — but what actually gets in the way of us truly sharing it?

Take a moment to reflect on this question from our recent devotional, 'Adopting The Attitude of Shared Responsibility'.

Read and reflect here - https://www.makesensetraining.com/post/adopting-the-attitude-of-shared-responsibility

#SharedResponsibility
#Collaboration
#Teamwork
#LeadershipDevelopment
#OrganisationalCulture
#WorkplaceCulture
#Accountability
#CollectiveResponsibility
#ReflectivePractice
#ProfessionalGrowth
#MakeSenseTraining
#LearningAndDevelopment
#BetterTogether

Church leadership can carry many unseen pressures. Sometimes the greatest need within a church community is simply to be heard.

The Ministry Care Listening Service is designed to come alongside church leaders through intentional listening, guided conversations, and prayerful reflection.

We help leadership teams better understand the needs of their congregation, ministry teams, volunteers, and wider church community — creating space for greater care, support, discipleship, and connection.

Together, we can strengthen healthy, sustainable ministry that listens well, discerns wisely, and responds faithfully.

We also offer listening appointmnets for individuals in need of a listening ear.

Check our website for all the information.

#ChurchLeadership #MinistrySupport #PastoralCare #ChurchCommunity #Discipleship #ChristianLeadership

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