Why a Charter?

Many churches across the UK are wrestling with the challenge of connecting with young people in our society. Fewer teenagers are linked with the church community than in previous generations, yet many of the pressures they face are greater.

One response has been to employ a paid youth worker, full or part time, to focus on some of these issues. It is estimated that there are currently around 8,000 employed youth workers in UK churches, alongside the many volunteers also working with young people.

This change has brought with it a new challenge for many churches as they think about how they go about not only recruiting a youth worker, but also training and supporting them in their role.

The Charter is meant to be a helpful way for churches to think through the key issues in employing a youth worker. It contains seven declarations churches make about these issues.

The seven areas come from the very real experiences of youth workers up and down the country: they reflect situations where youth workers, and the churches that employ them, can often find frustration, conflict or simply unmet needs.

Some churches may find they already meet the seven areas of the Charter, others may find that it beneficial in identifying areas needing change. We hope everyone will find it a helpful and reflective experience.

We believe that young people in the UK deserve to find a vibrant church, aware of their needs and able and willing to respond. The Charter is meant to be a significant step towards helping churches make the most of the benefit of having a paid youth worker. It is, we hope and pray, also a meaningful contribution to better serving and loving young people in the name of Christ.

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