At St Luke’s in Woodside and South Norwood, we’re a lively and welcoming church community. On a typical Sunday we might have around 70–80 adults and about 20 children. Like many churches, though, our wider congregation is larger than that, people attend when they can, and many are balancing busy lives.
One of the challenges we faced as a church was that we didn’t have any paid youth work. At the same time, we could see the opportunities right in front of us. We have great links with local schools and a real desire to nurture faith among children and young people. But like many parishes, we sometimes felt stretched and wondered whether we were making the most of those opportunities.
When the Children and Youth Apprenticeship Programme came along, it immediately caught my attention.
Why We Joined the Programme
Our church is blessed with wonderful volunteers who care deeply about ministry with young people. But volunteers are also juggling work, family, and everything else that life brings. The apprenticeship scheme felt like a way to bring some focused time and energy into this area of ministry.
It’s not only good for the parish, it’s also an investment in the future of the wider church. The programme helps raise up people with the skills and experience to serve as youth workers in the future.
This kind of investment in the next generation reflects the heart of Scripture:
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” 2 Timothy 2:2
God gave ministry to Timothy not for him to keep to himself, but for him to pass on to others. In many ways, that’s what the apprenticeship programme is about passing on faith, skills, and experience so that others can continue the work.
Fr Sam & Evan (L-R)
What Being a Line Manager Looks Like
As a line manager, I meet weekly with our apprentice, Evan. These meetings are an oopportunity to talk through the week ahead, reflect on what’s been happening, and plan together.
Alongside that, we also have a more formal supervision meeting once a month. After those sessions, we agree a summary of what we discussed and send it to the programme team so they can keep track of how things are going in the parish.
In many ways, the role is about working alongside the apprentice rather than simply overseeing them. For example, Evan and I plan our all-age worship together, and we’re both part of the team that delivers school assemblies in our local schools.
The Joy of Collaboration
One of the unexpected joys of the role has been the creativity that comes from working with someone else.
Ministry can sometimes feel quite solitary. When you’re planning something like all age worship on your own, you might find yourself thinking, “What am I going to do this time?”
But having someone to bounce ideas off makes a huge difference. Evan might suggest something new, or we’ll build on each other’s ideas, and suddenly the plan becomes far more creative and engaging than either of us might have come up with alone.
That collaborative energy has been a real gift.
New Things Beginning
Although we’re still early in the programme, we’re already seeing some exciting developments.
With support, Evan has started a group for secondary school aged young people. They meet once a month during the Sunday morning service, and they’re also beginning to meet outside of church for social activities.
It’s still early days, but it’s been encouraging to see those first steps take shape.
A Warm Welcome
Another lovely aspect has been how the congregation has responded to having an apprentice with us. People have been incredibly welcoming and supportive.
Interestingly, we also experienced the other side of the programme’s approach. One of our own congregation members, Sheila, was accepted onto the apprenticeship programme as well. However, apprentices aren’t normally placed in their home churches, so she was sent to serve in another parish. As well as the Apprentice having new experiences and learning from others, this ensures that the programme reaches the wider Diocese and resources are shared.
While it was sad to say goodbye to Sheila in that role, it has been wonderful to welcome Evan into our church family.
Looking Ahead
Being a line manager for a Children and Youth Apprentice is both a responsibility and a privilege. It means investing time in someone’s development, supporting their growth, and creating space for them to explore ministry. However, It also brings new energy, new ideas, and new opportunities for the parish.
And perhaps most importantly, it reminds us that ministry with children and young people is something worth investing in, not just for today, but for the future of the church.
If you are interested in the Apprenticeship programme please contact the Apprenticeship Programme Coordinator Louisa Ley at [email protected]
