Trainee Youth Leader

The Diocese of Guildford has an exciting opportunity for four Trainee Youth Leaders to join our new Youth Catalyst Project. The Trainee Youth Leaders will be recruited and employed by the Diocese but deployed and managed in churches focusing on pioneering missional youth ministry with 11 to 18-year-olds.

The scheme aims to develop pioneering missional youth leaders to have highly effective pastoral and discipleship skills who can the serve effectively in churches and schools. Alongside their youth ministry role within a parish church, Trainees will study to degree level to be able to contextualise their theological learning in a parish setting.

Trainees will access training through Diocesan courses. In year 1, Trainees will study with our First Timers programme, to gain the essential foundations of working with young people. In Years 2, 3, and 4 study will deepen as Trainees join our new youth ministry training pathway through Common Awards, studying Theology, Mission, and Ministry to degree level. The scheme is designed so that Trainees will be learning while serving within the church setting for their first four years, before continuing in their placements full time in Years 5 and 6.

We are looking for trainees who:

·      Have a deep and vibrant Christian faith.

·      Are passionate about working alongside young people and are committed to long term youth ministry.

·      Have a desire to engage in theological learning and development, and are willing to learn and grow and work alongside others.

·      Work within and develop effective safeguarding procedures.

·      Relate well to both young people and adults.

·      Who are willing to thing deeply, model consistency, and gather others into the adventure of following Jesus.

·      Have 3 A levels (or equivalent) to join the programme.

The four placement churches available for September 2024 are:

·      Christ Church Guildford

·      St John’s North Holmwood

·      St John’s Egham

·      St Paul’s & St Barnabas (Cheam & Epsom)

Please refer to the attached information pack available on our website for full details on the Trainee Youth Leader role. 

How to apply

Interested candidates are invited to send a detailed covering letter, along with your CV, outlining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria in the person specification as detailed in the job description. Applications without a cover letter cannot be considered. 

This role carries an occupational requirement to be a practising Christian in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

The Diocese of Guildford take our responsibility for the safeguarding of children and adults seriously. Our recruitment processes reflect this commitment.

We believe that diversity is a strength. We actively welcome and encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and identities, particularly those who identify as female, younger, of a UK Minority Ethnic/Global Majority Heritage, or disabled, as its essential that we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.