Pastoral Training
Pastoral training is a key element of the ministry of Open, and we offer a variety of training programmes, both online and in person, to suit the needs and context of the local church.
We long to see those within the church, equipped to support someone who is struggling following an abortion and to see the church as somewhere that does not shy away from this issue.
We know from statistics that 1 in 3 women in the UK will have had an abortion by the time they are 45.
It therefore follows that within our congregations and broader social communities there will be individuals for whom abortion is not merely a topic of discussion but a deeply personal experience.
For some, this may be a part of their story that they have carried quietly, often in isolation.
The fear of being judged, misunderstood, or rejected has perhaps kept them from sharing, leaving them without the support that they may need. It is important to recognise this reality and cultivate spaces where people feel safe to be honest about their experiences without fear of condemnation — a community marked by grace, truth and a willingness to listen.
We currently offer a variety of online pastoral training sessions which run regularly throughout the year.
Online option 1: Picking up the pieces
- Equipping church leaders and pastoral teams to respond to abortion.
How can church leaders and pastoral teams offer a grace-filled, informed, and compassionate response to abortion in today’s rapidly changing culture?
In this training session, we explore how to walk alongside individuals and families impacted by abortion - with both theological depth and practical care. Whether in preaching, prayer, or pastoral conversations, church leaders are often on the frontlines of this sensitive issue.
In this session we explore:
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How to offer compassionate care to those processing abortion and what it means to walk in both grace and truth with individuals who are struggling after an abortion, while remaining faithful to Scripture.
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How to create a culture in your church that is both open and safe for women and men to seek help.
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Insights from experienced voices in the field who work with women and men who have journeyed through abortion.
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How to address abortion publicly in a way that honours both truth and grace.
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Key resources and signposting for those in need of further support.
Expect real stories, theological grounding, and practical tools to help your church respond with love, not silence.
Location: Online (10.30am -12.30pm)
Duration: 2 hours
Date: Regular intervals throughout the year (see website for details and sign-up here)
Online option 2: Walk with me
- Equipping anyone with a heart to support someone struggling after an abortion.
This session is for anyone with a heart to support others - friends, family, small group leaders, mentors, or those who’ve walked the journey themselves. We’ll create a compassionate space to learn how to respond when someone shares about an abortion experience and how to walk with them toward hope and healing.
In this session we look at:
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What post-abortion grief can look like, and how it may show up.
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The kind of language and posture that helps people feel safe and seen.
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Practical next steps: listening well, knowing when to signpost, and offering ongoing support.
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How the Church can become a place of healing and welcome.
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Key resources and signposting for those in need of further support.
Location: Online (7pm - 9pm)
Duration: 2 hours
Date: Regular intervals throughout the year (see website for details and sign up here)
Open also offers pastoral training on other baby loss including miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death.
Online option 3: Held with care
- Supporting others after miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death.
Statistics reveal that approximately one in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage — a heartbreaking reality that impacts many within our congregations. Yet, despite its prevalence, the church often finds itself uncertain about how to respond to those navigating this deeply personal and painful loss. In many cases, miscarriage is surrounded by a quiet, lonely silence and those affected may feel as though they must grieve in isolation, unsure of whether their pain will be acknowledged or understood.
As the church, we are called to be present amid suffering. This raises an important question: How can we intentionally but sensitively create space for these stories of loss to be shared? How can we cultivate an atmosphere of compassionate understanding, where individuals feel safe to speak their grief without fear of minimisation or awkwardness? Our response should reflect the heart of Christ — marked by empathy, and a willingness to sit with others in their sorrow. It is through these small acts of grace that we can begin to break the silence and offer true comfort and hope to those who are hurting.
In this session we explore:
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How to offer a compassionate response to those grieving baby loss and providing a thoughtful and practical response.
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The impact of baby loss on men.
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The importance of lament and honest grief.
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How to open conversation within our church communities.
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Signposting to trusted resources and support services.