Wanting to take a year out to explore your calling, serving in an area of church ministry?
The Diocese of Guildford is running the Ministry Experience Scheme (MES) alongside the New Wine Discipleship Year (DY) to aim to help those aged 18-30 gain valuable vocational and leadership experience as they serve for a year in a church placement. The aim of the schemes is to help participants test a sense of vocational calling and gifting alongside some theological training. Both schemes work very similarly, with MES having a strong empahsis on vocational discernment, while New Wine DY helps participants explore multiple areas of ministry in discipleship with others. By integrating both schemes into one programme, we hope that participants will benefit from the opportunities for community and ministrerial development which come from both.
The year is non-salaried and voluntary, however, churches are able to supply a living allowance, as well as find host accommodation if required.
You can find out more information on the Church of England website here: The Ministry Experience Scheme | The Church of England and on New Wine's website here: Discipleship Year - New Wine
Applicant information
Thinking of becoming a participant in September? We would love to help you explore your calling.
MES also has a separate 'stream' known as Future Youth, in which participants solely focus on children's and youth ministry. Some of the church placements below are only recruiting for this stream while others are open to applicants wanting to explore other areas of ministry; these have been highlighted below.
Churches are responsible for directly recruiting their participants. The following churches have been approved for 2025/26 to host a participant.
For more information from each, please contact them directly. If you feel ready to submit an application, please fill in this form and we will be in touch.
Woodhill Church - All types of ministry
Emmanuel Stoughton - All types of ministry
Holy Trinity & St Mary's Guildford - Children's and youth ministry
St Mary's Chessington - Children's and youth ministry
St Paul's Dorking - All types of ministry
Youth Catalyst Project Discipleship Year
The Youth Catalyst Project, part of the Diocese of Guildford, are also offering a Diocesan placement, as opposed to a traditional church placement. The scheme runs during the normal timeframe of 1 year beginning in September, and participants will attend the same training events and conferences, however, they will work with our Youth Worship & Mission Team Lead to explore vocational and ministry options in worship, production, preaching, and youth work for 11-18 yr olds. While participants would be encouraged to explore a leadership position within their church, we would not be overseeing this and it is a suggestion, as their main post is with the Youth Catalyst Team.
You can find out more about the placement year here:
Youth Catalyst Project Discipleship Year pack
If you have any queries, or simply would like to have a chat about MES and DY before getting in touch with any placements to see if it is for you, please feel free to contact our MES Coordinator at sophie.blake@cofeguildford.org.uk.
Church Information
Interested in becoming a church placement in 2026-2027 for a ministry participant? While applications are closed for this September, we will be re-opening our application form in Autumn 2025; watch this space!
Please get in touch with our MES and DY Coordinator to register interest or ask any questions about becoming a church placement: sophie.blake@cofeguildford.org.uk