810.100

Evangelism

The NYI develops and implements a variety of ongoing ministries and special events to reach young people for Christ.

810.101

Discipleship

The NYI develops and implements a variety of ongoing ministries and special events to nurture and challenge young people to grow as disciples of Christ, in personal devotion, worship, fellowship, ministry, and leading others to Christ.

810.102

Leadership Development

The NYI develops and implements a variety of ongoing ministries and special events to mentor and equip young people to be leaders for Christ and His church.

810.103

Provision

  1. This local ministry plan template provides a standard format for the organization, function, and leadership of NYI at the local level. A local NYI group may adapt the plan in response to local youth ministry needs, consistent with the Nazarene Youth International Charter and the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene.
  2. Any area not covered by this ministry plan is under the authority of the local NYI Council.

810.104

Process

  1. The NYI Council establishes and publicizes the process for adapting and revising the local ministry plan and must approve proposed revisions prior to their being brought to the annual NYI meeting.
  2. Proposed revisions to the local ministry plan must be distributed to NYI members prior to the NYI annual meeting.
  3. Revisions must be approved by a two-thirds vote of all NYI members present and voting at the annual NYI meeting and are subject to church board approval.
  4. All changes in the local ministry plan become effective no later than 30 days following the NYI annual meeting. The revised plan must be posted in written form prior to taking effect.

810.105

Composition and Accountability

  1. Local NYI membership consists of those who affiliate themselves with an NYI group by participating in its ministries and joining the local group.
  2. The local NYI maintains an accurate roster of all active members.
  3. The local NYI is accountable to its membership, the local church board, and the pastor.
  4. The local NYI reports monthly to the church board and to the annual church meeting.

810.106

Ministry Focus

  1. The traditional ministry focus of the local NYI is to youth ages 12 and older, college/university students, and young adults. A local NYI Council may modify the ministry focus as seen fit with the approval of the pastor and local church board.
  2. For the purposes of representation and programming, the local NYI council establishes age divisions in response to local youth ministry needs.

810.107

Officers

  1. The officers of the local NYI are a president and up to three persons elected by the annual NYI meeting with assigned ministry responsibilities according to local church needs. These officers serve on the Executive Committee.
  2. Local NYI officers must be members of the local church whose NYI they serve, active in local youth ministry, and leaders in personal example and service.
  3. In churches not having an organized NYI (no local NYI Council), the pastor, with church board approval, may appoint the NYI president so that the church may begin to reach young people for Christ and respond to their spiritual growth needs.

810.108

Elections

  1. Officers are elected annually by the members of the local NYI at the annual meeting and serve until their successors are elected and assume their ministry roles.
  2. A nominating committee nominates the officers for NYI. A Nominating Committee is appointed by the pastor and consists of NYI members, as well as the pastor and the NYI president. All nominees are to be approved by the pastor and church board. Persons nominated as local NYI president must have reached their 15th birthday at the time of their election.
  3. Officers are elected by majority vote of the NYI members present at the annual NYI meeting. When there is only one nominee for a position, a “yes” and “no” ballot is used, with approval by two-thirds vote. Only those who are also members of the local Church of the Nazarene may vote for the president.
  4. An incumbent officer may be reelected by a “yes” or “no” vote when such vote is recommended by the NYI Council to the nominating committee, approved by the pastor and church board, and approved by two-thirds vote at the annual NYI meeting.
  5. A vacancy occurs when an officer moves his/her membership from the church, resigns, or is removed from office by two-thirds vote of the council due to neglect of duties or inappropriate conduct. Should a vacancy occur among officers, the NYI Council fills the vacancy by two-thirds majority vote if there is one nominee or by majority vote if two or more nominees. If the vacancy occurs in the office of NYI president, the pastor, youth pastor, or his/her designee chairs the meeting for election.

810.109

Responsibilities

  1. The responsibilities of the NYI president include:
    1. Chairing the NYI Council to cast a vision for youth ministry in the church.
    2. Facilitating the development of youth ministry and working with the NYI Council to define the ministry focus in response to the needs of their young people.
    3. Serving on the church board and submitting a monthly report to the board. A local church board may establish prior to the annual election a minimum age for the NYI president to serve on the church board; should the president be younger, alternate representation for NYI on the church board may be appointed by the NYI Council, subject to the approval of the board.
    4. Submitting an annual report of ministry and finances to the annual church meeting.
    5. Recommending the budget for the local NYI, as approved by the NYI Council, to the church board.
    6. Serving as an ex officio member of the Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International Board to coordinate youth Sunday School/Bible studies/small groups in the church.
    7. Working with the Nazarene Missions International (NMI) president in the development of a missions emphasis for youth.
    8. Serving as a delegate to the District NYI Convention and the District Assembly. Should the president be unable to attend, a representative elected by the NYI Council and approved by pastor and the church board may provide alternate representation.
  2. The responsibilities of other NYI officers include:
    1. Developing and designating leaders for various local NYI ministries.
    2. Being role models and spiritual guides for youth both within and outside the church.
    3. Defining and assigning titles and youth ministry responsibilities in response to local church needs.
    4. Distributing the following responsibilities to insure accountability and effectiveness:
      1. Keeping a correct record of all meetings of the NYI Council and attending to all matters of correspondence for the local NYI.
      2. Disbursing, receiving, and keeping records of NYI funds according to church board policy.
      3. Compiling an annual financial report of all moneys raised and disbursed to submit to the annual church meeting.
      4. Working with the NYI president to create an annual budget to present to the council and to the church board for approval.
      5. Cooperating with the president in every way possible to facilitate the local NYI ministry.
      6. Carrying out other ministries as assigned by the NYI Council.