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).

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.

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.

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.

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.