If you are aged 18 to 29 and want to discern more clearly the calling God has for you, then a Ministry Experience Scheme (MES) year will give you the opportunity to discover your unique gifts and skills through hands-on Christian ministry and leadership experience.
For over 10 years, MES has provided a broad ministry experience for young adults - you can discover what you like and what you are good at. Each person’s year will look different but will be shaped around practical experience, such as chaplaincy, social justice ministry, preaching and Sunday services, digital media, pastoral visiting, event organisation, evangelism and children’s and youth work. As far as possible, a wide range of areas can be covered.
The year also includes theological study which can be tailored to you - it doesn't matter if you have no prior experience or whether you already have a theology degree.
In 2023 the Future Youth (FY) strand of MES was launched. If you already know you are passionate about children's and/or youth work then this could be for you. Training is run nationally and is geared towards this important area of ministry.
There are many schemes with different placements available across the UK and Europe. Please visit the scheme map page to see where you could go and what you could be doing; and you can use our webform to make an enquiry to any scheme and find out more. Each scheme operates a little differently from the others and runs their own application and interview procedures.
All MES and FY participants are able to attend the National MES Conference.
Both MES and FY are free to participate in, with expenses and accommodation included.
Participants' stories
Hear more from our participants about how the Ministry Experience Scheme helped them discern their vocation. You can also find stories, past and present, across the Church of England’s social media channels by following #MESYear.
I began my MES year soon after completing my music degree, encouraged by my church to take the opportunity. At the time, I still imagined my future would be as a choral conductor. I was fairly new to the Church of England, and I saw MES as a chance to get to know the Church better and to grow in my faith.
What I hadn’t expected was just how transformative the year would be. Alongside deepening my understanding of the Church, I also entered into the discernment process, encouraged by my vicar and the Diocesan Director of Ordinands (DDO). The MES became the perfect backdrop to explore my sense of calling. Throughout the year I felt both challenged and supported, with space to grow theologically, to learn more about the demands of ministry, and to discover a deep love for it. About halfway through the year, I realised I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
During MES I had the privilege of leading services, on Sundays and during the daily office, and of preaching. These experiences proved invaluable as I prepared to begin theological college in September 2024. In my MES I was nurtured in my faith and drew closer to God throughout the whole experience.
A younger, more diverse church
"I hope and pray that you will be part of God's answer to this great challenge of trying to help the Church of England represent, and look like, and serve the great diversity of people in our nation; and to become a younger church."
Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York, outlines how important MES is to the wider vision of the Church of England, including its call to be a church that is younger and more diverse.
Explore further
Future Youth
Future Youth is a strand of MES that focuses on providing youth and children's ministry opportunities for those who would specifically like to explore this important and much needed area of ministry.
Learn moreFind your local MES programme
The Ministry Experience Scheme is locally led, so every diocese will have their own distinct flavour. Where will your journey take you?
Find your dioceseGet involved
Enquire about any scheme that interests you, including children, young people and families ministry opportunities.
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