Strategy foryoung people 
GUIDANCE FOR YOUTH WORKERS, 
CONGREGATIONS AND PRESBYTERIES 
THE CHURCH OF SCOTLANDMISSION AND DISCIPLESHIP COUNCIL 

first words..
.


BEFORE YOU DO 
ANYTHING, STOP AND 
READ THIS! 
In Luke 24 we read about the encounter Jesus has with two of his followers. They meet him 
on the Road to Emmaus, following the events in Jerusalem that saw Jesus tried and sentenced 
to death. They are dejected, all hope lost. These words are incredibly familiar and with all such 
things their meaning to us in our day can be reduced or lost altogether. 
This story is a good one to underpin all of the ideas in this strategy. All that follows is simply an 
extrapolation from the story of Jesus and his meeting with these two men. Why is the story 
important to us? 
First of all it shows that Jesus encounters the men on the journey they were already taking? 
They didn’t have to go somewhere special to meet Jesus, he joined them on their road. This is 
a clear challenge to us in the Church of Scotland to try to meet young people where they are 
and not always be content to play on our home turf. If 90% of Scotland’s young people don’t 
darken the door of our churches, where are they and will we go out and meet them? 
Secondly it shows us that Jesus is interested in the conversation they are having. He asks 
what they are talking about. He doesn’t come in, stop them on the road and then preach 
them a sermon for an hour! He joins in what they are already talking about, what they are 
concerned about. Conversation is at the heart of every encounter with Jesus. We need to 
have a conversational ministry with young people but we need to start with the conversations 
they are already having. They are concerned about home, school, jobs, the environment, 
global poverty and HIV – and this list is clearly not exhaustive! To join in the conversation we 
need to know what young people are talking about and we can only do that if we are building 
relationships with them. Relationships are at the heart of what this new strategy is about. 
Thirdly this story shows us the importance of using familiar symbols. Jesus breaks bread with 
his friends and in doing that they can see as though for the first time. In using symbols that are 
familiar to young people today we can help them see too. 
Finally this story shows us the need for us to spend time with young people. If Jesus had been 
in a terrible rush, if he had too many other things to do then he might have moved on from the 
young men when he had the obvious opportunity to do so. Instead he waits for and accepts 
their invitation to join them for a meal and this is the point at which everything changes. We 
need to give time to young people and wait for their invitation to be on their journeys, to join in 
on their conversations and to work with them to make sense and meaning of their symbols. 
Our Church has a long and positive tradition in working with young people that goes back 
hundreds of years. In the early stages of a new millennium it is right for us to take stock of that 
history and then to move forward, with more confidence than we have sometimes shown, to 
journey with the young people of the 21st century. 
Steve Mallon 
Associate Secretary Education and Nurture 

A strategy

for young

people 

In many areas of Scotland today, young people 
have abandoned the Church. Various reasons 
are given for this: because the Church is boring, 
unwelcoming, or because young people cannot 
see how faith is relevant to them. 

The Church of Scotland has recognised that 
a problem exists, and this has resulted in the 
formulation of the Strategy for Young People. 
This terrific concept will, it is hoped, allow young 
people to explore faith in a comfortable, nonthreatening environment. In so doing, the lives of 
congregations across the country will be greatly 
enriched. So everyone benefits. 

Jude Taylor 
Moderator of the National Youth Assembly 2006 


© 2006 Mission and Discipleship Council of the 
Church of Scotland, 121 George Street, Edinburgh 
Designed and typeset by Heather Macpherson 
Printed by Cowan Print, Edinburgh 
Principal photography: Simon Jones all other 
photography: Steve Mallon 


CONTENTS


A statement of purpose 
A statement of values 
A statement of principles for good practice 
A statement of practical skills required for effective youth work 
Options for young people in the local church 
Options for the local church 
Options for the local presbytery 
Materials for Youth Strategy Service 
Youth work in an island setting 
And in the ‘burbs 
How to use the DVD resource 

purpose..
.


Every 
young 
person 
in 
Scotland 
matters! 

A strategy for


young people


A STATEMENT OF PURPOSE


The Church of Scotland, through 
this Strategy, makes clear its concern for all Scotland’s young 
people, whether they are 
involved in the Church or not. 
Today’s young people need to be 
given opportunities to thrive in all 
areas of life including their spiritual 
development and the Church will 
stand alongside other agencies in 
trying to offer such opportunities. 

The Church of Scotland affirms 
the right of every young person to 
live a life free from poverty – in all 
its forms, to have good health and 
education opportunities and to be 

fully involved in the communities 
in which they live. 

The Church of Scotland commits itself to respect every young 
person who comes into contact 
with its congregations and agencies 
regardless of their personal circumstances or social background. 
This respect is unconditional and 
will not be affected by the choices 
made by young people in terms of 
whether or not to get involved in 
the life of the Church and/or the 
Christian faith or in choices made 
by young people in terms of lifestyle. 



We want to introduce young 
people to Jesus Christ and the 
Christian faith and the positive 
impact this encounter can have 
upon their lives. We believe that 
following Christ is a positive thing 
for young people and for the 
home and community he or she 
lives in. We believe that the Christian faith can transform the lives 
of those involved in it and engage 
them in acts of community service 
locally and globally. 

We want to introduce young 
people to the local church where 
they should be able to worship 
in relevant ways and be offered a 
variety of relevant learning opportunities. We believe that this 
involvement can add real value to 
the lives of young people and help 
them find their place in the world 
and make a positive contribution 
to it. 

-

make a positive contribution to 
the life of the Church. The Church 
is not simply an organisation that 
has to make provision for young 
people but it can also expect 
young people to offer their time, 
talents and money in appropriate 
ways. This recognises that young 
people are stakeholders in the 
Church and so have the right to 
contribute to it along with everyone else. Existing Church leaders 
must take this contribution seriously and young people should 
be encouraged and supported as 
they work these things out. 

We h ave a concern for all of 
Scotland’s young people and aim 
to be involved positively in conversations about them at all levels 
of Scottish life and where possible 
to provide services for them that 
will add value to their lives and to 
their communities. We want to 
help young people to make the 

values..
.



The Church of Scotland has a commitment to: 
nTreat all young people with respect. 
nRespect and promote young people’s rights to make their 
own decisions and choices. 
nPromote and ensure the welfare and safety of young 
people in their communities. 
nContribute towards the promotion of social justice and 
inclusion for young people. 
nAllow young people to have a voice in all aspects of church 
life and to help to be heard in the wider community. 
nAllow young people to identify their own learning needs and 
be involved in the preparation and delivery of appropriate 
learning programmes and experiences. 
A statement of values 
“The thing I most 
enjoy about being 
involved in the C of S 
is the sense of purpose 
in working ultimately 
in God’s service 
and in the service 
of humanity. So 
much else in society 
seems to be ultimate 
individualistic.” 

Eystein, 
Edinburgh 


Give them 
opportunities 
to hear the 
Good News 
and make 
up their own 
minds about 
its place in 
their livesprinciples...

A statement of 
principles for good 
practice 

Youth work practitioners have a 
commitment to: 

• Develop and maintain the required 
skills and competence to work 
effectively with young people. 
• Listen to young people with respect 
and allow them to participate fully in 
any youth work programme. 
• Plan and organise programmes that 
make sense in the lives young people 
live and relate to the community 
surrounding the local church. 
• Make all activities open to anyone 
who wishes to engage in them and 
work with young people in a way that 
fosters social inclusion. 
• Work alongside others engaged in 
youth work in the local church and see 
to provide a co-ordinated approach 
wherever possible. 
• Seek opportunities to work with other 
congregations and agencies in the local 
community. 
• Be as flexible as possible with young 
people and allow their needs and 
aspirations to shape the learning 
programme in each local church. 
• Provide learning programmes that 
relate to personal, social, economic 
and political experiences as well as 
moral, biblical, theological and spiritual 
themes. 
• Help young people recognise the 
need to change both now and in the 
future. 
• Recognise that those who teach 
and share the Christian faith should 
themselves be learners and understand 
that they have things to learn from 
young people. 
Youth workers are 
notoriously bad at 
counting. When they 
say a few, they mean 
two. When they say lots, 
they mean about ten. 
My core group of young 
people I know well is 
small. Deliberately so. 
My contact with the core 
group came from three 
different sources: the first 
source was a summer 
project that existed the 
summer I began, who 
were trying to create something 
people; the second source was from following up some work done by 
a local children’s worker; and the third source are those young people 
that make themselves known to you through writing their names on 
the wall to get noticed, or stealing from local shops and annoying 
local businesses. All three groups are equally important, for different 
reasons. The first group are relatively outward thinking and take less 
persuasion to get them to attend things. The second group are young 
people who have already been identified by others, as being vulnerable 
and are all involved in the social care system already – they work best 
when their groups are built around their own social networks of their 
friends. The third group are well known and avoided by most people 
in their school and community – someone seeking out to know them 
for positive reasons is unusual and subsequently precious to them. 
Through these links I have had the privilege to walk alongside young 
people in school in classes, when they have been bereaved, after they 
have been involved in a murder and found themselves in a young 
offenders institution, and on those sunny days painting a mural on 
the wall for all to enjoy. These young people may not attend church, 
but they definitely have a need for what the church sets out to do – to 
spread the message that Christ left us, to live life in all its fullness. 
By Sarah Brown, Youth and Community Worker in the parishes of 
Govan Old, New Govan and Linthouse St Kenneth’s in Glasgow. 

A statement of practical skills required 
for effective youth work 

practical skills..


Youth work practitioners should: 

• Understand themselves and 
young people. 
• Engage with young people and 
the lives they live. 
• Help young people to learn 
about God, the Bible, the 
Church of Scotland and the 
communities in which they 
live and issues relating to how 
the world works today. 
• Be able to communicate well 
with young people, recognising that this will involve listening as well as talking. 
• Plan effectively by setting realistic targets based on the identified needs of the young people 
they work with. 
• Manage and organise the 
work with young people so 
as to maximise the potential 
for young people to enjoy and 
benefit from the programme. 
• Grow and gain confidence in 
the Christian faith so that it can 
be communicated effectively 
with young people in the local 
church and community. 

“What do I love about being in the CofS? I think the sense of belonging is what I love most. As to what 
I enjoy doing, well I get to meet people from all over the country, and most recently all over the world, and 
share faith and experiences with them. To share their joy and their pain, and to do something about it 
through the various bodies of the Kirk and affiliated organisations like Christian Aid etc.” 
Allan, 

Kilmarnock 


mpower is Christian Aid’s resource 
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young people..


Give them opportunities to hear the Good News and make 
up their own minds about its place in their lives 
Offer them relevant worship at times that make sense – some-
times in their own age groups and at other times with the rest 
of the church community. It is crucial that young people who 
want to are able to take part in services of Holy Communion 
and that the sacrament is explained to them in ways they will 
understand. 
Plan relevant learning experiences by well-trained and com-
mitted volunteer and other workers that help them work 
through the process of understanding the Christian faith, the 
place of the Bible and how faith can be worked out in 21st 
Century Scotland. 
Give them opportunities to ask questions about faith and life 
and the workings of the local church and have those questions 
listened to and answered positively. 
Provide them with a variety of social activities that are fun and 
engaging and help them build relationships with each other 
and with adults in the local church. 
Give them the opportunity to have their say on issues that 
affect them in the local church and be involved in any new 
initiatives that result from this. They should also be given an 
explanation as to why any initiative they have asked for is not 
to be carried forward. 
Ask them to commit to being involved in all areas of local 
church life this includes taking part in worship e.g. leading 
services, children’s addresses, practical duties e.g. welcome at 
the front door and the regular rhythm of congregational life. 
Support them through the difficult transitions involved in ado-
lescence and early young adulthood with appropriate learning 
activities and practical support in the form of caring relation-
ships with adults who will ‘be there’ for them. 
Support young people when they want to get actively involved 
in bigger world issues to make a positive impact on the world 
in which they live, e.g. the Make Poverty History campaign. 
Options for Young People 
in the Local Church 

-


growing numbers of motivated and committed Christian young people from Banchory are working out 
their faith across the country, and the world. The project now caters to around 70 different churched and 
un-churched youth each week and is staffed by a large volunteer team alongside gap-year youth interns. 
Key factors in the success of the Edge and Rock in Banchory include long term committed volunteers 
who are able to maximize their time with young people due to the support of a full-time worker, and the 
positive outreach and witness of one joint project for all the teenagers of the area rather than separate 
groups based around one particular church or denomination. The project, and in turn the Churches 
have built a positive 
reputation among 
young people due to 
their vision putting 
their own interests 
second and investing 
time and money in 
young people. 
Tony Stephen, 
Youth Co-ordinator, 
Banchory 



local church..


Congregations either working alone or with other local churches 
and agencies can offer young people a variety of ways of feeling 
more involved in the local church: 
Find effective ways to reach out to young people in the parish and 
provide worship opportunities for those who don’t normally go to 
church. 
Provide robust and well-resourced programmes of Christian Educa-
tion that allows young people to explore the Christian faith and help 
them develop their own personal spiritual journey that will have a 
positive impact on all areas of their lives. 
Establish, where possible, a youth forum for young people up to the 
age of 25 who wish to be consulted on all aspects of congregational 
life and how it affects them and their peer group. This will show the 
local church’s commitment to listen to young people and hear what 
they are saying. 
Appoint a ‘Youth Representative’ – a young person willing to repre-
sent the young people of her/his congregation on the Kirk Session. 
Congregations may consider appointing someone over the age of 
18 to the office of Elder. 
Appoint an ‘Elder for Young People’ whose responsibility will be the 
oversight of pastoral care of the young people in the local congrega-
tion. 
Ensure that all volunteer and other workers who are involved in its 
youth programme are adequately trained and that they have at least 
undertaken the Kirk’s Choices for Youth Ministry programme. 
Embrace and encourage all possibilities for local chaplaincies in 
local schools, hospitals and other places where young people are 
involved. 
Involve young people in all areas of church life wherever possible 
and practicable. 
Create good avenues of communication between youth groups 
and the wider congregation. 
Offer prayer and other forms of support to the young people of the 
church and parish. 
Encourage volunteer and other workers to network with the wider 
youth work community in the local presbytery and at national events 
when appropriate. 
Work with other local churches and agencies in their immediate 
areas to provide youth work services in their local communities. 
Should take seriously its role in supervising the work of the Boys’ 
and Girls’ Brigade companies and work hard to ensure that the staff 
and young people involved in them feel part of the local church 
community. 
Options for the Local Church 

“What do I like about being part of the Church of Scotland? 
I love the fact that i can be part of a movement with so many people from completely different walks of life 
and have a sense of unity. I love being part of something national with a rich history and know that I can 
play a part in that history.” 
Louise, Edinburgh 

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local presbytery..


nAppoint someone locally to be the person who offers support, 
advice and through whom local churches can communicate with 
each other. 
nAppoint a local children’s and/or youth ministry trainer in association 
with the Mission and Discipleship Council. 
nProvide gathering points for young people in the form of events and 
for youth workers in terms of training, networking and support. 
nDesignate a small number of congregations within its bounds as 
‘centres of good practice’ – where they exist - where genuine inno-
vation and good practice can be seen and examined by all. These 
churches would commit to helping resource the other churches in 
the presbytery so that all might become stronger. Twinning arrange-
ments between churches that have good youth work programmes 
and those that do not should also be considered. 
nEncourage young people from within its bounds to take part in 
national programmes e.g. Impact, National Youth Assembly and 
should ensure that its place for a Youth Representative to the Gen-
eral Assembly is filled each year. 
nAssess the progress of congregations in this strategy when conduct-
ing quinquennial visitations. 
nAppoint at least one young person from a congregation within its 
bounds to serve as ‘Youth Representative’ who will offer a voice for 
young people and their issues at Presbytery meetings. 
Options for the Local Presbytery 

Youth Strategy Service


Opening responses:


Voice1 We meet in the presence of God 
ALL: And we do not meet alone 
Voice 2 With the angels in highest heaven 
We gather to worship the Lord 
Voice 3 With the saints of every age 
We gather to worship the Lord 
Voice 1 With the church throughout the world 
We gather to worship the Lord 
Voice 2 By children and babes at the breast 
God’s Holy name be praised. 
Voice 3 
age 
By the vision of youth and the wisdom of 
God’s Holy name be praised. 
Voice 1 With drums sitars and trumpets 
God’s Holy name be praised. 
Voice 2 Here with our hearts and voices 
God’s Holy name be praised. 
Voice 3 We meet in the presence of God 
And we do not meet alone! 

Readings on Youth 

Play some current chart music or dance music quietly in 
the background while the following statements are read 
out by people of different ages. 

The glory of the young is their strength 

Proverbs 20:29 

When I was a boy, we were taught to be discreet 
and respectful of elders, but the present youth are 
exceedingly impatient of restraint. They have execrable 
manners, flout authority, have no respect for their 
elders. What kind of creatures will they be when they 

Heslod, Greek 8th Century Poet. 

The young people of today think of nothing bt 
themselves. They have no reverence for parents or old 
age. They are impatient in all restraint. They talk as if 
they alone know everything. 

Peter the Monk, 13th Century 

When I was a boy of fourteen my father was so 
ignorant I could hardly bear to have the old man 
around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was 
astonished at how much the old man had learned in 

Mark Twain 1835 – 1910 

ahweh replied, “Do not say, I am a child. Go 
now to those whom I send you and say whatever I 
command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I go with 
you to protect you.” 

Jeremiah 1:7,8 


The Church has need of you, of your dynamism, your 
authenticity, your ardent will to grow, the freshness of 
your faith. 

The Pope, World Youth Day 

If you have gathered nothing in your youth how can 
you find anything in your old age? 

Ecclesiasticus 25:3 

Instead of giving in to your impulses like a young man, 
fasten your attention on holiness, faith, love and peace, 
in union with all those who call on the Lord with our 
minds. 

2 Timothy 2:22 


“The thing I most 
enjoy about being 
involved with the 
church of Scotland:
Leering more about 
God all the time and 
worshiping, and 
meeting great people
and changing the 
churches image 
because there’s not 
to many people my 
age in my area who 
go to church. Plus 
the best trip of my 
life to the 
holy land, was 
through the 
Church 
of Scotland.”


Barry,
Glasgow


Work among children and young people is still not high 
enough on our list of priorities. Let us remember the 
stark fact that any church is just one generation away 
from extinction. 

Archbishop of Canterbury 

Do not let people disregard you because you are 
young. 

1 Timothy 4:12 

We have to stop viewing young people as the church of 
tomorrow b ut regognise them for who they are – part 
of the church of today. We have to get them involved 
insetting agenda, planning and delivering worship. We 
have to give them a voice to be heard and to be taken 
seriously. 

Longniddry Parish Church 



Drama 
Two Young? 
By John L Bell and Graham Maule (c) WGRG, Iona 
Community, G2 3DH. 
PETER: Eh….Jesus….? 
JESUS: Yes, Peter? 
PETER: Eh….. Andrew and I were just having an 
argument. 
JESUS: You’re becoming like James and John. 
PETER: No…..they argue about theology. 
We were just arguing about your age. 
JESUS: Were you, indeed? 
ANDREW: It’s not so much your age….. 
It’s just that we think you might be too 
young. 
JESUS: How very flattering, Andrew. 
Well to put the record straight, I’m 30. 
ANDREW: (To Peter) 
There….I told you so. 
You owe me a pint of camel’s milk! 
PETER: Wait a minute! 
Jesus, I thought you were the same age as 
John the Baptist. 
JESUS: So I am…..for part of the year. 
John was born on 24th June. 
I was born of 25th December. 
At the moment he’s 31 and I’m 30…. 
until the end of the year. 
PETER: In that case, we were both right. 
(TO ANDREW) 
You owe me a pint of camel’s milk! 
JESUS: Listen, the pair of you, 
Forget the camel’s milk and tell me why 
you think I’m too young. 
Too young for what? 
You know, its 18 years since my 
barmitzvah. 
ANDREW: Well….too young for telling older people 
what to do or what to believe 
PETER: Yes. Andrew’s right. 
You’re a bit young to be interfering in adult 
affairs. 
JESUS: Are you implying that I should never have 
healed your mother-in-law? 
Am I too young for that? 
PETER: No…. 
It’s not so much what you do, Jesus. 
It’s the things you say. 
ANDREW: …..like when you take a bit of common 
sense and make a fool of it. 
That infuriates older people. 
JESUS: I don’t know what you’re talking about, 
Andrew. 
You’ll need to give me an example. 
ANDREW: Well..eh.. 
How about that time when you said, 
‘ If somebody asks you for your coat, give 
them your shirt as well.’ 
We’d all end up nudists if we took that 
seriously. 
That kind of thing offends older people 
who take a pride in their appearance. 
PETER: He’s right, Jesus. 
And you remember when you said, 
‘Whoever has seen me has seen God.? 
That upsets older people who think 
of God sitting with a golden robe on a 
throne, not kneeling with a dirty jersey on 
the pavement. 
JESUS: I see…. 
So you think I’m too young? 
PETER: Well, we’re only telling you what people say. 

JESUS: Never mind ‘people’ Peter. 
What about you? 
What do you say? 
PETER: O.K. I think you’re too young. 
JESUS: So, when will I be old enough? 
(PAUSE) 
35….40….45….50? 
PETER: Well, Abraham was 70 when he started! 
ANDREW: Yes, but he had to find the Promised Land. 
We’re in it. 
JESUS: Thanks, Andrew. 
Peter, have you never heard the words, 
‘Your sons and your daughters shall 
prophesy. 
Old folk will see vision and young folks will 
dream dreams’? 
PETER: Do they come from a Psalm? 
JESUS: No, they were written by the prophet Joel. 
He wanted to point out that it’s those who, 
in your words, 
Would be ‘too young’ or ‘too old’ who are 
given glimpses of the Kingdom. 
And they have to share what they see. 
PETER: And what about the middle aged? 
JESUS: What about the middle aged? 
They, especially the men, 
Hold the reins of power in the community, 
in the state 
and in religious life. 
They have to listen to people older than 
them, 
and learn from people younger than 
them. 
PETER: Jesus, you’re an idealist! 
JESUS: That’s the finest compliment you’ve paid 
me for a long time, Peter. 
Now, are we going to move on…… 
or are you too young to follow me? 
PETER: Oh, not us! 
ANDREW: We’re right behind you, Jesus! 
JESUS: By the way, what age are you two? 
ANDREW: Eighteen. 
PETER: Twenty Two 
ANDREW: Liar! 
PETER: O.K. 
I’m nineteen and a half. 
JESUS: Teenagers! 
...and you complain about me being too 
young! 
Come on and I’ll treat you to your first 
shave! 
“I enjoy the Youth Assembly and missionary trips as 
you realise there are plenty of other young people 
right by your side even if they are not physically 
there week by week!” 

Rhona, 
Dundee 


Conversations 
…. with young people talking about their experience 
of the Kirk – what do young people enjoy about being 
involved in the life of the church? 
-how does what you have heard challenge your 
assumptions about what young people think about the 
church? 
-How could you find out what the young people in 
your church are thinking? 
- What difference might it make to know? 
ORConversation 
….. between different generations of the church 
looking at the similarities and differences of church for 
different generations and encouraging people to change 
one thing. 
- What one thing could you change in your church 
that will make a difference for young people in the 
church and in the parish? 
Song 
Prayers of intercession. 
Leader: Lord have mercy 
Response: Hear our prayer 
Holy God you promised through your Son, Jesus 
Christ, to hear us when we pray in faith – so we 
pray…. 
for a church where young people can participate 
at every level, where they are given the power to 
take decisions and to be recognised as leaders and 
innovators. 
to recognise and value the spirituality of the young, a 
spirituality that longs for belonging, acceptance, a still 
quiet place where their deepest hopes and desires are 
nurtured and valued. Help us to guide them on into 
adult life in our common faith journey together. 
for all those who work with and for young people. Give 
them strength and inspiration to carry out their work 
with the full support and recognition of all your church. 
for young people around the world – for children 
made to be soldiers; for young women forced into 
prostitution and slavery; for those who live with HIV/ 
Aids; for those who are homeless or on drugs; and for 
those who do not have a significant adult to accompany 
them through adolescence. 
that we may be a church which takes young people 
seriously and learns from their passions for justice in the 
world and for their concerns in society. 
Act of Commitment 
As a symbol of the Church of Scotland’s commitment 
to young people, and as symbol of implementing the 
Youth Strategy, ‘we believe in young people’ ribbons 
are introduced and passed around. 
All stand to say the Act of commitment. 
We will commit ourselves to implement the Youth 
Strategy of the Church of Scotland. 
To work alongside young people as equal partners 
journeying together in our common life as the Church 
of Scotland. 
We will create a church where young people are valued 
and listened to, and are actively involved in the life, 
work and mission of the church. 
We will seek to enable their voices to be present within 
our decision making structures. 
We will endeavour to create worship that is meaningful 
and relevant to them, 
To provide a welcome where their faith can grow and 
deepen in love, respect and with confidence. 
We will to provide training for our youth leaders and 
offer pastoral support for our young people. 
We believe in a church where young and old learn from 
each other and grow with each other. 
We believe that every young person in Scotland, and 
within the Church of Scotland matters! 
Appointment of Elders / Youth Elders / Youth 
Representatives for Kirk Session (Under 18) 
Song 
Blessing 
As we carry the fire of the Youth Strategy on our 
churches and within our local communities 
Lord, send your blessing on us 
As we share the vision that takes all people, young and 
old, seriously 
Lord, send your blessing on us 
As we begin to take action and plan the way ahead 
Lord, send your blessing on us 
As we, your church, continue to proclaim the faith 
afresh to each generation 
Lord, send your blessing on us. In your name we pray. 
Amen 

I was a 

group leaders and church members do need to take 
an interest in the young people connected with our 
churches. From this background in a large city I came 
to an island and embarked on youth work in a very 
different situation. 

In cities and large towns there isn’t usually any shortage of teenagers or people willing to lead the youth 
group. Some congregations may even have sufficient 
income to pay a part or full time youth worker. Towns 
and cities don’t usually have transport problems – just 
jump on a bus, get a train, cycle or walk. The church 
is usually just down the road or round the corner. In 
rural and island areas transport is a problem. Parents 
have to drive a distance to take their young person to 
wherever they want to go or arrange lifts with other 
parents. Smaller congregations and scattered communities often have difficulties finding people to run 
youth groups and there isn’t any money to pay for 
youth workers. 

This is our story in a three-linked charge, with about 
15 miles from one end of the charge to the other. 
We started with a nucleus of around eight young 
people from church families in the three congregations. Our aim was to be a ‘church youth group’, 
not a secular youth club. We wanted to reach the 
young people with the gospel and encourage them to 
go on in their faith. Over the years the group grew 
and were involved very much in church activities and 
taking part in the services. We went on trips away, 
were involved in monthly activities with other church 
groups, like one of our highlights arranging two evenings of Graham Kendrick’s ‘Make Way for Christmas’. 
One evening was in the local cinema and the other in 
one of the secondary school lecture theatres. Both 
evenings were a great success with each venue being 
full to capacity and at least fourteen congregations on 
the island involved. 

Things have moved on from there and the original 
young people have all grown up, some have mar-

although 

young people to know that we care about them and 
that we want them to have a living relationship with 
Jesus Christ. Christians are not the only people out 
there who want to win the hearts and minds of our 
young people. For those who are already Christians 
and want something more, we have a Sunday evening 
Youth Fellowship. From this group we hope to see 
our future leaders, but in an island situation very often 
young people go away to university and don’t come 
back! We still have our problems with transport – 
driving miles giving young people lifts here and there, 
arranging transport rotas for swimming and other 
events. Behaviour can be challenging too! (We have 
introduced football-style yellow and red cards – it was 
the young people’s own idea and it seems to work!) 
Young people know the boundaries and what happens 
when these are broken. 

But we do have our encouragements. Taking young 
people away for a week or weekend, even an overnight in the church hall, gives a tremendous opportunity for getting to know and build up good individual 
relationships within the group. Bible study is an important part of the weekly meeting and it’s great to have 
the young people asking questions and wanting to pray 
and read the Bible. The whole programme is planned 
term by term and is structured in such a way that there 
is also free time, time for games and craft etc. 

Age is not a problem for being involved in youth work. 
If there is a good relationship with young people they 
don’t care how old you are! We have a team of nine 
adults, seven on Friday nights and three on Sunday 
evenings, ranging from 17 to 76, all doing their job 

– team leaders, tuck shop workers, subs collector, 
helpers and a ‘keep-the-peace’ lady when the groups 
overlap! 
Pauline Hunt 
Volunteer youth worker Orkney 


And in the ‘burbs…..



For the last 14 years at Maxwell Mearns Castle we 
have had, as part of our ministry team, a Youth Worker 
working full time. We are a suburban congregation with 
our age mix both in parish and church evenly spread 
across the generations. Adjoining our Church premises 
we have a 1500 pupil secondary school, Mearns Castle 
High School, and we have built up a positive partnership 
with the school, to the extent that senior management 
in the school regard the church premises as an extension 
of the school campus. 

Consequently, given the proportion of young people 
in our Parish, the leadership of the church took the 
decision 14 years ago to invest in a full-time Youth 
Specialist who would work across these areas. There 
have been 3 phases in the employment pattern of the 
Youth Worker: 

Phase1: Directly employed with funding from church 

reserves, supplemented by committed 

and specific giving by members of the 

congregation. 

Phase 2: Youth Worker comes to us from USA 

missionary organisation. Funding for first 4 

years provided by USA supporters with cost 

of housing met by ourselves 

Phase 3: Fully supported funding by congregation with 

Youth Worker now employed and paid for 

by the congregation. 

Having just undergone a very thorough review of the 
Worker there are some vital lessons we’ve 
learned having been in for the ‘long haul’. Some of these 
include: 

A. The benefit of a dedicated Youth Specialist 
The principle of a shared ministry is central to our 
understanding of the New Testament Church. As you will 
see from my photograph, I’m told I now have grey hair! 
Over my 13 or so years here it has been an enormous 
benefit to see someone whose primary responsibility is 
to focus on all aspects of youth ministry (11–18), to build 
relationships and to stay in touch with youth culture and 
thinking. 

B. The downside of a dedicated Youth Specialist 
Over time the congregation faces a danger of leaving 
the youth ministry to the Youth Worker. In our recent 
period of review we realised that the Youth Worker 
had become the youth work. Rather than being the 
person who enabled, equipped, encouraged the youth 
work in many areas he had become the person doing 

the youth work. The review group saw this and have 
put in place a new job description that works towards 
delegating responsibility to folks in the congregation for 
the individual areas of youth work. 

C. The changing faces of youth ministry 
One of the things we have quickly recognised is that 
the “congregation” of any Youth Worker is one which 
is constantly changing and moving on. They arrive into 
our youth work programme aged 11 / 12 and within 
5 years they are off to University, working world and a 
new network of friends and relationships. Over these 5 
years our Youth Worker journeys with them and then 
they all go! 

Building anything long term is very difficult but the 
continuity that a permanent post provides allows the 
work to continue as the new kids emerge and the focus 
moves to them. 

D. Don’t leave the management just to the Minister 
Build the team of folks who share responsibility for 
the youth ministry. Recently we have divided the 
management of our Youth Worker between myself for 
day-to-day tasks as well as matters of life and doctrine 
and a Youth Council comprising parents, young people, 
youth leaders, Session, Board representatives etc. The 
Council meets with the Youth Worker and together they 
take responsibility for the youth ministry of the whole 
Congregation. This is in its early days and is already 
beginning to make a difference. 

Rev David Cameron is the Minister of 
Maxwell Mearns Parish Church near Glasgow 



How to use the DVD resource 

The DVD enclosed with this booklet has 
two sections of material on it. The first is 
a recording of the launch of the Strategy for 
Young People at the General Assembly in 
May 2006. It gives you a sense of what the 
Strategy is about and the kinds of themes 
that are being explored. It can also be used 
as a guide to a discussion you could have in 
a small group or Kirk Session Meeting. 

The second section shows a group of 
young people talking about their experience 
of belonging to their local churches and to 
the Church of Scotland. This is a resource 
that could be used at a Kirk Session, 
congregational or Presbytery meeting. 

The Mission and Discipleship Council have 
Regional Development Officers based 
around Scotland who can help you as you 
seek to progress your journey in your work 
with young people. The contact details for 
the offices have been included in the pack 
that came with this material. 

If you need any advice on how to run a 
discussionorhowtofacilitateacongregational 
or presbytery event on issues facing young 
people, please get in touch with Steve 
Mallon: smallon@cofscotland.org.uk. 

Christian 
Youth Work 
Training at 
Practical • Biblical • Relevant 
BA/BA (Hons) Youth Work 
with Applied TheologyJNC accredited 
Guided biblical and 
theological study and 
reflection to provide 
the essential 
foundation for effective 
youth ministry 
Ongoing practical 
involvement putting 
learning into practice 
immediately in a variety 
of Christian and non-
Christian youth work 
settings. 
ChristianYouth WorkTraining atPractical • Biblical • RelevantBA/BA (Hons) Youth Workwith Applied TheologyJNC accreditedGuided biblical andtheological study andreflection to providethe essentialfoundationforeffectiveyouth ministryOngoing practicalinvolvement puttinglearning into practiceimmediatelyinavarietyof Christian and non-
Christian youth worksettings.
This programme is developed in partnership with 
“Youth work isn’t easy, is it? 
ICC helps - you get a great 
balance of theory and practice.” 
– Former student, now a 
Youth & Community Worker, Ayrshire 
“Youth work isn’t easy, is it?
ICC helps - you get a greatbalanceoftheoryandpractice. 
– Former student, now aYouth & Community Worker, AyrshireWe welcome further enquiries about youth work 
studies at the college. If you would like further 
information, or an application form please contact: 
Julie Green 
BAYWAT Programme Administrator 
International Christian College 
110 St James Road 
Glasgow G4 0PS 
Telephone: 0141 552 4040 
Fax: 0141 552 0808 
E-mail: julie.green@icc.ac.uk 
Website: www.icc.ac.uk 
We welcome further enquiries about youth workstudies at the college. If you would like furtherinformation, oranapplicationformpleasecontact: 
Julie GreenBAYWAT Programme AdministratorInternational Christian College110 St James RoadGlasgow G4 0PSTelephone: 0141 552 4040Fax: 0141 552 0808E-mail: julie.green@icc.ac.ukWebsite: www.icc.ac.uk
I love being 
part of CofS 
because I feel 
like I belong 
here, I have 
this over-
whelming 
sense of this is 
where I am 
meant to be. 
Andi, 
Carnoustie