150

Nazarene youth ministry is organized in the local church under the auspices of Nazarene Youth International (NYI). Local groups are organized under the NYI Charter and the authority of the local church board.

150.1

The local Nazarene Youth International (NYI) shall organize itself according to the NYI Local Ministry Plan, which may be adapted in response to local youth ministry needs, consistent with the NYI Charter and the Manual of the Church of the Nazarene.

150.2

The local Nazarene Youth International (NYI) shall be coordinated by an NYI Council, responsible for planning and organizing ministry for youth ages 12 and older, college/ university students, and young adults, and collectively casting the vision for local youth ministry. All work of the NYI Council pertaining to Sunday School/Bible studies/small groups is subject to the approval of the SDMI superintendent and SDMI Board.

150.3

The Nazarene Youth International (NYI) Council shall be composed of the president and other officers with assigned ministry responsibilities according to local church needs, youth representatives and ministry directors as deemed necessary, and the local pastor and/or youth pastor. NYI Council officers shall be members of the local Church of the Nazarene where they serve. The council shall be responsible to the church board.

150.4

Nazarene Youth International (NYI) officers and council members are elected by the NYI membership. Only those NYI members who are also members of the local Church of the Nazarene shall be entitled to vote for the NYI president.

151

NYI President. The president of the local Nazarene Youth International (NYI) group shall be elected according to the NYI Local Ministry Plan, at the annual NYI meeting by the NYI members present who are also members of the Church of the Nazarene. Nominees shall be approved by the local pastor and church board. The NYI president shall be a member ex-officio of the church board (127), the Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International (SDMI) Board (145), and the district assembly (201). Should the term “president” not effectively communicate in a particular culture, a more appropriate title may be used by vote of the local NYI Council.

The duties of the NYI president are:

151.1

To chair the Nazarene Youth International (NYI) Council in facilitating the development of youth ministry in the local church.

151.2

To work with the Nazarene Missions International (NMI) president in the development of a missions emphasis for youth.

151.3

To perform those duties for youth Sunday School/ Bible studies/small groups as assigned to all age-group directors in 147.1–147.9.

151.4

To report monthly to the local church board and the annual meeting of the local church. (113.9, 127)