A Church That Cares: A Biblical Guide to Loving One Another Well

Book Description

You believe in the love of Christ, but does love for one another shape your church’s current culture—or the culture your church hopes to build?

Coming alongside you as a fellow church member and a biblical counselor, Helen Thorne-Allenson offers practical, realistic insight into contributing to a church culture of care.

You’ll consider…

• Stories of care and of care needs that you recognize or relate to
• Why care matters, what it looks like and why it’s difficult
• How to encourage others to get involved and share the load
• 11 building blocks for you and your church

Reflection questions at the end of each chapter will help you practice the principles shared.

However far along your church is in cultivating a caring community, you’ll find clarifying questions, fresh ideas and biblical wisdom in A Church That Cares.

Author

Helen Thorne-Allenson is Director of Training and Resources at Biblical Counselling UK. She formerly worked with the London City Mission and has written Hope in an Anxious World, Purity Is Possible, Walking with Domestic Abuse Sufferers and 5 Things to Pray for Your City. She is married to Nick, lives in Hampshire, UK and very much enjoys Korean food.

Endorsements

“Developing Christ-like care in our churches serves so many ambitions. It blesses those inside the church who receive that care, and it commends Christ to those outside the church who see the quality of the care being given. Helen Thorne-Allenson’s book is a faithful, biblical and comprehensive guide to the principles and practicalities of being a caring church. Broad in scope yet detailed in application, this book will help all our churches grow the kind of caring culture that is both glorifying and obedient to Christ.”
Steve Midgley, Executive Director, Biblical Counselling UK; Author, Understanding Trauma

“Wanting a church that cares and having a church that cares are two different things. Helen both identifies the barriers to the practice of authentic care and offers realistic strategies to growing both the desire and the capability within yourself and others. Reading and discussing this book together would be an ideal way for your church to grow in care through inviting and encouraging every member to play their part.”
Andrew King, Association Secretary, Grace Baptist Churches South East, UK

“In this accessible and practical book, Helen gives us a hope-filled and Bible-saturated yet realistic vision for churches that care well. I am confident it will be a stimulating and encouraging resource for anyone who wants to help their church grow in this vital area, whether a church leader or a member of the congregation. It is a great place to start!
Kerstin Bowsher, Church Pastoral Worker, Grace Church, Porthcawl, Wales

“Helen skilfully and gently shows us, in a practical and accessible way, how we can build and nurture a culture of biblical care in our churches. I felt genuinely cared for as I read. It is a must-read for anyone passionate about helping people grow and pointing them to Jesus.”
Fernanda Curtis, Women’s Worker, Christ Church Cambourne, near Cambridge, UK

“Love is patient, love is kind... and church is messy. This book gets that. Gospel-centred and pastorally sensitive, it speaks to churches of all shapes and sizes, and paints a picture of what it looks like when we learn how to love one another. It will challenge and encourage you in equal measure with lots of practical ideas for growing a culture of care. Well worth reading!”
Matt Beeby, Rector, Saint James Gerrards Cross

Additional Information

Cover: Softcover
Number of Pages: 176
Publisher: The Good Book Company
Publication Date: May 2026