Young Adults

Our vision for young people and young adults is to nurture the next generation of leaders, and to inspire disciples who will go on to share their faith and reach out to others with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

As we learn to communicate in ways that are inspiring, accessible and reflective of young people's lives, our Church is walking alongside this new generation in faith — believing they can go further and deeper than we have in their experience of God.

Church of Scotland congregations are encouraged to adopt a whole-family approach that brings together people of all ages to worship, witness and reach out to others.

Get Involved

Young adults can get involved in the running of the Church at both the local and national level. Locally young adults can be involved as congregation members, communicants, volunteers, worship leaders, and a few young adults have served as elders on the Kirk Session that runs the church.

On the national level young people (from 17-25) can take part in decision-making through the General Assembly youth representatives programme.

The Church of Scotland also hosts a camp for young people, (12 and up) and youth workers at the annual Magnitude Festival.

General Assembly Youth Reps

Every presbytery invites one young adult to serve as a presbytery youth rep at the General Assembly, which is held each May at the Assembly Hall on the Mound in Edinburgh. While Church rules only allow Elders and Ministers to vote, youth reps have the chance to engage in debates, learn more about the Church's work, meet other young adults in the Church and have their voices heard.

Anyone aged 18-25 who is regularly involved in the life and worship of the Church of Scotland can ask their presbytery to be considered for the role. You do not have to be a church member but must be involved in a congregation within the presbytery you will represent. Ask your presbytery how to apply or contact us at faithaction@churchofscotland.org.uk

Accommodation is provided and travel is reimbursed. A daily amount towards the cost of your food is also provided.

Afterwards, youth reps report back to their presbytery, sharing what they have learned over the course of the week about the Church, its work and what the Church has planned for the year ahead.

Magnitude

Each year the Church of Scotland hosts a camping "village" at the Magnitude Festival. In 2025, over 100 young people and their leaders joined us, making ours one of the largest villages on site.

Over the five days, we witnessed young people coming to faith, returning to faith, celebrating communion, and setting out to change the world with unity and love.

Churches from across the country; Inverness, Aberdeen, Eyemouth, Dunfermline, Drymen, Motherwell, Lochside, Linlithgow, Peebles, and Moffat, pitched up together.

In addition, other Church of Scotland youth groups attended the festival, adding to a truly wonderful, faith-filled experience.

Magnitude is run and supported by Scripture Union Scotland and friends. If you would like to be involved, please email mission@churchofscotland.org.uk