General Assembly Young Adult Commissioner Resources

Young Adult Commissioners Programme – GA23

Paying attention to the voice of young people is essential for a church that wants a future.  

Our church places a high value on eldership which seems easily confused for “oldership” if you look at the demographics of most of our leadership meetings. While the wisdom and experience of older generations is absolutely vital we can’t overlook the insights and challenges that younger generations can bring as we discern the present and future of our church.  We want to hear the voice of young people in all three courts of our church.

The PYM Young Adult Commissioners Programme helps select, train and support Young Adult Commissioners to attend General Assembly.

We are looking for young adults aged 18-30, who are self-assured and have a mature Christian faith. These successful candidates will be expected to engage in the church’s national, regional and local courts from March 2021- September 2023 attending:

  • at least 2 of their church’s Session or Church council meetings before and after GA 

  • at least 1 Presbytery Gathering (where possible) before and after GA 

  • the entire GA 2023 conference (27 -30 September 2023)

Please recommend any suitable potential young adults commissioners to your Presbytery. Each presbytery has six positions available for young adult commissioners for GA23 at St Kentigern College Auckland 27 -30 September 2023

Training for Young Adult Commissioners

Training Videos

Please watch all five of the short training videos below before attending the live online training on the 13th of September

Live online Training

At 7:30pm – 8:30pm, Monday the 18th of Sept 2023, Matt Chamberlin will be going through the White Book discussing the proposals live on Zoom. A recording of the training will be on this page from 20th Sept.

Online discussion on Facebook

You will be invited to join a private Facebook group where you can post ideas and questions regarding the Assembly meeting and the proposals

In person GA Young Adult Commissioner Orientation and support

As a team, we will meet at 4:45pm for Orientation followed by dinner at St Kentigern College on the 27th of September before the opening Powhiri at 6:30pm,


Writing a Proposal

For people considering writing a proposal for GA, here is our Guide. Proposals are due by 19 June.

Watch these short videos before you attend a session or presbytery meeting