Stepping into God’s Mission
Are you wondering what God might be calling you to next? Do you have a heart for children, young people, or families? Would you value a year to grow, serve, and discern?
Pathways is a year-long, voluntary ministry opportunity from the Methodist Church in Ireland designed to help young adults explore vocation, develop leadership skills, and gain hands-on experience in a supportive church context.
This year is not simply about activity, it is about discovering your gifts, deepening your faith, and gaining clarity about where God may be leading you.
What is Pathways?
Pathways is a structured, volunteer-based ministry programme rooted in local church and pioneer contexts. Participants are placed within an established ministry team with strong supervision and support. While the primary focus is youth, children’s and family ministry, there is also opportunity for exposure to a broader range of church life and mission.
Depending on your gifts and context, this may include:
Youth and children’s leadership
Family ministry
Community engagement and evangelism
Worship involvement
Schools work
Pastoral support
Creative or digital ministry initiatives
New Faith Communities
Each placement is shaped around the individual, allowing you to explore areas of ministry that genuinely interest you while serving meaningfully in a local setting.
Why Pathways?
Across the Church, we recognise a growing need to invest in young leaders and create clearer pathways into ministry.
The Pathways Programme creates space to:
Explore your calling in a safe and supportive environment
Discover and develop your gifts
Grow in confidence, character and leadership
Gain practical ministry experience
Build transferable and employability skills
Discern your future direction
For some, this may be a formative year of growth and service. For others, it may become a pathway into vocational employment in ministry, including youth work, children’s ministry, family ministry, pioneer ministry or ordained ministry.
This is a year intentionally designed for discernment, creating space to listen, learn and take faithful next steps.
What will the year include?
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You will take meaningful responsibility within your placement context, serving as part of a ministry team and contributing to real and ongoing work.
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All participants will engage in:
Regular Bible study
Mentoring and supervision
Reflective practice
Essential ministry skills development
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Learning pathways will be tailored to each participant. This may include:
Accredited youth work training (e.g. OCN qualifications)
Theology modules
Core leadership skills
Ministry-specific training
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Community is a key element of Pathways.
Participants will gather for shared learning, Bible study and national events, including:
Autumn Soul – National Youth Discipleship Weekend (October)
Soul Mates – National Children’s Discipleship Weekend (March)
Overflow – Young Leaders Training Weekend (February)
Mission and exposure week/s in different ministry contexts (April/ May)
These shared experiences allow participants to learn together and gain insight into the wider work of the Church.
What does commitment look like?
A maximum of 25 hours per week:
September 2026 – June 2027
Built-in holiday and rest periods
Participation in key events and exposure weeks
Opportunity to combine with part-time work where appropriate
The maximum hours are designed to allow meaningful involvement while remaining sustainable. Less than 20 hours will be considered if it is right for the individual and the placement.
What would a typical week look like?
Every placement is shaped around the individual and the local context, but a typical week may include:
Planning and supporting youth or children’s programmes
Assisting with schools, outreach or community engagement
Involvement in Sunday worship or church activities
Involvement in a New Faith Community, aimed at enabling people to come to faith and grow in faith
Ministry team meetings and preparation
Personal study and reflection time
Regular mentoring or supervision
Alongside this weekly rhythm, there will be shared gatherings and training moments throughout the year.
Key Information
Who can apply?
Pathways is open to:
18–25-year-olds
Those linked to a congregation within the Methodist Church in Ireland
Young adults who are seeking to explore their calling and grow in ministry experience
You do not need formal ministry training. A willingness to learn, serve and grow is what matters most.
Support & Structure
Each participant will:
Have a clear agreement outlining expectations
Receive regular supervision and mentoring
Be supported by both their placement context and the IMYC Team
Be part of a wider Pathways cohort
This is a supported and structured year, you will not be doing it alone.
Financial Information
Pathways operates as a voluntary ministry year.
Reasonable ministry-related expenses are covered in line with church policy.
Accommodation is not provided.
Further details will be provided during the enquiry and application process.
Key Dates
Programme Duration: September 2026 – June 2027
Expression of Interest Opens: 1 March 2026
Application Deadline: 24th April
Interviews: Week of 27 April 2026
Early enquiries are warmly welcomed.
Ready to explore Pathways or just not sure?
If you are sensing even a small nudge towards ministry or simply a desire to grow and serve, this could be a significant year for you.
Whether it becomes a steppingstone into vocational ministry or a formative year of discernment, The Pathways Programme offers space to listen, learn and lead.
If you are keen to express your interest, then fill in the expression of interest form and let's touch base over a coffee.
