Make Sense of..
We offer training and formation in skills that compliment and help make sense of pastoral care. All of our training is Christ centered, and person driven - you will engage with God and grow in confidence. Click each image to find out more.
Listen with compassion, wisdom, and confidence.
Grow in confidence to minister to others in the name of Jesus
Conflict and Care in Pastoral Ministry
Understanding who we are and whose we are
Make Sense of: Listening
Helping You Listen with Compassion, Wisdom and Confidence.
Who This Training Is For
This course is ideal for:
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Church pastoral care teams
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Small group or home group leaders
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Prayer ministry teams
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Safeguarding or wellbeing volunteers
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Church leaders who want to strengthen pastoral care within their community
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Anyone who wants to grow in listening and caring for others
Training Details
The training is delivered in person at your church or organisation and can be adapted to suit your group.
Duration: One day (10am - 3pm)
Cost: £450 per day
Format: Teaching, discussion and practical exercises
Group size: Flexible depending on your church setting
Book the Training
If you would like to host Make Sense of Listening, I would be glad to discuss your needs and find a suitable date.
Please get in touch to enquire about availability or to ask any questions at lisa.makesense@gmail.com
Many people come to church and support services carrying burdens they don’t share anywhere else. They may be grieving, overwhelmed, struggling in relationships, or quietly wrestling with their faith.
Often what they need first is someone who will simply listen well.
But many people feel unsure what to say, afraid of saying the wrong thing, or worried about being drawn into situations they feel unprepared for.
Make Sense of Listening helps groups develop the simple but powerful skill of attentive, compassionate listening — equipping people to care for others wisely and confidently.
This practical training introduces the foundations of good listening in pastoral ministry, small groups, prayer ministry and everyday conversations within church life.
Why Listening Matters in Church Life
Listening is one of the most important ways we can show Christ’s love to others. The Bible reveals to us the wonderful ways that Jesus listened to others, and we will be exploring those interactions to help us listen well.
When people feel genuinely heard:
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they feel valued and respected
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a space is held for God to speak
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they are more able to reflect on their situation
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they feel less alone in their struggles
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trust grows within the church community
Good listening doesn’t mean having all the answers. It means offering presence, attention and care in a way that reflects Christ’s compassion.
What the Training Covers
Participants will learn:
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The foundations of good listening in pastoral settings
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Simple listening skills that help people feel safe and heard
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How to respond with empathy rather than rushing to solutions
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Recognising what someone may be communicating beneath the surface
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Healthy boundaries in pastoral conversations
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When to support someone yourself and when to encourage further help
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Applying listening skills in everyday church life and relationships
The training is practical, accessible and interactive, with discussion, examples and exercises that help participants develop confidence and understanding.
Make Sense of: Prayer
Grow in confidence to minister to others in the name os Jesus.
Who This Training Is For
This course is ideal for:
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Church pastoral care teams
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Small group or home group leaders
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Prayer ministry teams
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Safeguarding or wellbeing volunteers
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Church leaders who want to strengthen prayer ministry within their community
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Anyone who wants to grow in prayer ministry
Training Details
The training is delivered in person at your church or organisation and can be adapted to suit your group.
Duration: 10am - 3pm
Cost: £450
Format: Teaching, discussion and practical exercises
Group size: Flexible depending on your church setting
Book the Training
If you would like to host Make Sense of Prayer, I would be glad to discuss your needs and find a suitable date.
Please get in touch to enquire about availability or to ask any questions at lisa.makesense@gmail.com
Making Sense of Prayer is a practical training event designed to equip pastoral workers, church leaders, and those serving in caring ministries with the confidence and skills to offer prayer ministry to others.
Prayer can be one of the most meaningful ways we support people in times of need, yet many who serve pastorally feel uncertain about how to approach it well in real-life situations.
This session explores how prayer ministry can be offered in ways that are thoughtful, grounded, and pastorally sensitive. Participants will reflect on the role of prayer within pastoral care, consider the needs and experiences of those seeking prayer, and develop simple, practical approaches to praying with others.
Through teaching, conversation, and guided practice, the event will focus on listening well, responding with compassion, and praying in ways that respect the dignity, beliefs, and circumstances of the person receiving prayer. The training is suitable for those involved in church ministry, chaplaincy, pastoral visiting, or any context where supporting others through prayer forms part of their role.
Participants will leave with practical tools, greater confidence, and a deeper understanding of how prayer can be offered as part of healthy, attentive pastoral care.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
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Understand the role of prayer within pastoral care and ministry contexts
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Develop confidence in offering prayer with and for others
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Practise listening attentively and responding sensitively to people seeking prayer
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Recognise the importance of consent, boundaries, and safeguarding in prayer ministry
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Use simple frameworks to help guide prayer in pastoral situations
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Reflect on their own approach to prayer and how it supports others pastorally
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Identify ways to integrate prayer ministry into their local church or ministry context
Make Sense of: Relationships
Conflict and Care in Pastoral Ministry
Who This Training Is For
This course is ideal for:
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Church pastoral care teams
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Small group or home group leaders
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Prayer ministry teams
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Safeguarding or wellbeing volunteers
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Church leaders who want to strengthen their teams
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Anyone who wants to be equipped with the skills to oferr pastoral support during times of conflict
Training Details
The training is delivered in person at your church or organisation and can be adapted to suit your group.
Duration: 10am - 3pm
Cost: £450
Format: Teaching, discussion and practical exercises
Group size: Flexible depending on your church setting
Book the Training
If you would like to host Make Sense of Relationships, I would be glad to discuss your needs and find a suitable date.
Please get in touch to enquire about availability or to ask any questions at lisa.makesense@gmail.com
Make Sense of Relationships: Conflict and Care in Pastoral Ministry is a practical training event designed to equip pastoral workers, church leaders, and those serving in caring ministries with the skills and confidence to navigate challenging pastoral situations responsibly and well.
Pastoral work often involves walking alongside people in times of vulnerability, conflict, and complexity. This training helps participants develop the awareness and practical tools needed to offer care while maintaining healthy boundaries and safeguarding good practice.
The session explores how pastoral workers can recognise and respond to conflict, establish clear and appropriate boundaries, and understand their role within safeguarding frameworks. Participants will reflect on the responsibilities that come with pastoral care and consider how to respond wisely and ethically when difficult situations arise.
Through teaching, discussion, and practical examples, the event will help participants develop approaches that support both those receiving care and those offering it. The training is suitable for pastoral visitors, church leaders, chaplains, and anyone involved in supporting others within church or ministry contexts.
Participants will leave with greater clarity about the limits and responsibilities of pastoral care, increased confidence in addressing difficult situations, and practical guidance for maintaining safe and healthy ministry practices.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
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Understand the role and limits of pastoral care within church and ministry contexts
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Recognise common sources of conflict in pastoral relationships and respond constructively
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Identify and maintain healthy personal and pastoral boundaries
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Understand basic safeguarding principles relevant to pastoral ministry
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Recognise situations that require referral, support, or safeguarding action
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Reflect on power dynamics and responsibility within pastoral relationships
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Develop practical approaches for responding to difficult pastoral situations
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Build confidence in offering care that is both compassionate and safe for all involved
Make Sense of: Identity
Understanding who we are and whose we are
Who This Training Is For
This course is ideal for:
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Church pastoral care teams
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Small group or home group leaders
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Prayer ministry teams
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Wellbeing volunteers
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Church leaders who want to strengthen their teams
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Anyone who wants to grow in confidence and hope
Training Details
The training is delivered in person at your church or organisation and can be adapted to suit your group.
Duration: 10am - 3pm
Cost: £450
Format: Teaching, discussion and practical exercises
Group size: Flexible depending on your church setting
Book the Training
If you would like to host Make Sense of Identity, I would be glad to discuss your needs and find a suitable date.
Please get in touch to enquire about availability or to ask any questions at lisa.makesense@gmail.com
Make Sense of Identity, Confidence and Hope is an encouraging and reflective event that explores what it means to live from our true identity in Christ. Many people find their sense of worth and identity shaped by expectations, achievements, past experiences, or the opinions of others. The Christian story offers something different: a deeper foundation rooted in God’s love, grace, and faithfulness.
This event invites participants to rediscover the security that comes from belonging to God and to reflect on how our identity in Christ shapes the way we see ourselves, others, and the world around us. When we understand ourselves as people who are known, loved, and held by God, it can transform how we approach challenges, relationships, and the future.
Throughout the session we will explore themes of security in God, confidence in Christ, and the peace and hope that come from trusting in God’s promises. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on how these truths can bring freedom from anxiety, comparison, and uncertainty, and instead nurture a deeper sense of stability and trust in God.
The event will include teaching, personal reflection, and opportunities for conversation in a supportive and welcoming environment. Rather than focusing on abstract ideas, the session aims to connect the message of identity in Christ with everyday life—helping participants consider how this identity can shape their attitudes, decisions, and relationships.
This event is open to anyone who wants to grow in their understanding of God’s love and develop a stronger sense of confidence, peace, and hope in their faith. Participants will leave with a renewed awareness of who they are in Christ and practical ways to remain rooted in that identity in the midst of daily life.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the session, participants will be able to:
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Understand key biblical themes relating to identity in Christ
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Reflect on what it means to find security in God’s love and grace
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Explore how identity in Christ can shape confidence, peace, and hope
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Recognise common pressures that can distort our sense of identity and worth
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Develop practical ways to remain rooted in God’s promises in everyday life
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Grow in confidence in their relationship with Christ
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Identify spiritual practices that nurture trust, peace, and hope
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Reflect on how living from our identity in Christ can shape relationships and daily choices