The basics

There are nearly 8,000 paid youth workers in churches in the UK but how they’re employed and managed varies widely: sometimes it works well, sometimes it doesn’t.

The more spiritually alive and refreshed a youth worker is, the better example they will be to young people.

Well managed and supported youth workers do better youth work and often stay longer in their role in a church.

The Charter is a way for churches to think about how they’re supporting a youth worker spiritually and practically. It helps make sure you’re covering all the essentials.

The Charter has been welcomed and endorsed across amost every denomination in the UK.

Churches can be accredited if they plan to do at least two actions for each of the promises in the Charter in the coming year.

The actions do not need to be time-consuming or costly. For example, a church might agree to set aside a small amount of money in the coming year’s budget for devotional books for the youth worker.

Churches can choose how they go about deciding what their actions will be and you can approach it in any way that suits your church.

Accreditation lasts initially for a year, but you can easily renew in three year blocks.

Of course these principles could apply to other paid members of staff in a church and to volunteers. Feel free to expand and explore the ideas in your church as much as you like!

We love our youthworker

"The Baptist Union’s Mission Department welcomes this initiative. I believe that this Charter is timely, prophetic, and if taken seriously would change the culture and practice of employment of youth workers."

Ian Bunce, Head of Mission Department, Baptist Union of Great Britain

"I am convinced if every church employing a youth worker was diligently outworking this Charter, it would have a dramatic effect, not only our youth workers but also on the young people they serve."

Steve Clifford, General Director of the EA

"Over the last twenty years the church has done a fantastic job of recognising the need for youth workers. Now it’s time the church took a serious look at the needs of youth workers."

Martin Saunders, Editor, Youthwork Magazine

"This Charter is a clear, strategic and timely reminder that as youth workers express and demonstrate worth and value to those they serve, as the church we should be doing exactly the same for them."

Susie Mapldoram, Diocesan Youth Officer, Manchester Diocese

"This Charter helps the church articulate its desire to value and develop its youth workers. I believe it will add richness to those who are among our churches greatest assets!"

Mark Pugh, National Director, Serious4God

"I commend this National Charter to every church who wants a fulfilled youth worker and the resulting growth in their youth work!"

Rev Stephen Gaukroger, Clarion Trust International

“My prayer is that the Charter will, indeed, be a great encouragement to all churches that employ a youth worker to show in even more tangible ways that they really do value, love, and cherish them.”

Peter Ball, National Youth Adviser, Church of Engalnd

“Every church should commit to The National Charter for Church Youth Workers. It reminds us all that we have a responsibility to care for those who are at the forefront of so much incredible work with young people here in the UK.”

Steve Chalke, MBE Founder, Oasis Global, Faithworks & Stop The Traffik