GENERATION OF YOUTH FOR CHRIST Statement of Understanding

Transcription

1 GENERATION OF YOUTH FOR CHRIST Statement of Understanding Submitted to: The General Conference Leadership Committee Appointed to Interact with GYC via the North American Division Youth Department: James Black, North American Division Youth Director Baraka Muganda, General Conference Youth Director Mark A. Finley, General Conference General Vice President Armando Miranda, General Conference General Vice President (Youth) By: GYC Board of Directors

2 P. O. Box 3786 Ann Arbor, MI phone: fax: GENERATION OF YOUTH FOR CHRIST November 1, 2007 Pastor James Black, Sr. Director, North American Division Youth Department Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD USA Pastor Black: GYC Statement of Understanding Greetings! At your request, I am formally submitting to you the GYC Statement of Understanding. The document (which builds upon the GYC Statement of Intent) summarizes the consensus we arrived at during our discussions with you and other church officials at ASI meetings and at the General Conference Headquarters. It is our understanding that this GYC Statement of Understanding is the final step in our dialogue with church leadership, and that: (1) through your department this document will be channeled to the various levels of church leadership and (2) with the approval of Church leadership, the GC Youth Advisory will issue an updated statement clarifying its relationship with GYC. Please allow me to express my appreciation for the opportunity to work with you on these items and for the support that you ve shown to us as we addressed these delicate matters. I m thankful for the patience you ve had in educating me and the rest of our young leadership in working with the Church organization. I believe that this consensus statement will further advance the mission and growth of GYC. In exiting my current position, I am fully confident that our new president will strengthen our current relationship and take it to higher levels! You and your team are in our prayers. Again, thanks you for the opportunity to work with you it was a privilege and an honor. Yours in Christ, Israel Ramos GYC President an army of young people on a mission to proclaim the three angels messages to the whole world

3 GENERATION OF YOUTH FOR CHRIST STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING Defining the Relationship Between GYC and NAD Youth Department RELATIONSHIP: GYC, Generation of Youth for Christ (formerly known as General Youth Conference), is a youth and young adult ministry in the North American Division of Seventh-day Adventists. As an organizational member of Adventist-laymen Services and Industries (ASI) and a supporting ministry within the church, GYC is fully committed to the Seventh-day Adventist Church as God s remnant church, by supporting and upholding its principles, organization, and leadership (from The Spirit of GYC TERMS OF RELATIONSHIP: NAD Youth Director serves as part of GYC Advisory NAD Youth Director is personal advisor to GYC President GYC President serves as part of the NAD Youth Advisory GYC will maintain open and regular communication with NAD Youth Department GYC has an Advisory to maintain open and regular communication with the World Church and for dialogue and counsel GYC Advisory Members: o Mark Finley GC Vice President o Armando Miranda GC Vice President o Baraka Muganda GC Youth Director o James Black NAD Youth Director o Denzil McNeilus ASI o Chester Clark ASI/GYC o Jay Gallimore GYC o Michael Orlich GYC o Samuel Koranteng-Pipim GYC o Justin McNeilus GYC o Israel Ramos GYC OPERATIONS & ACCOUNTABILITY: 1. GYC and NAD hold two (2) yearly meetings: a. One of the two meetings, being held at the ASI National Convention, will include the GYC Advisory. b. The second of the two meetings, being held at the General Conference Headquarters, between the GYC president and associates and the GC and NAD Youth Directors and associates. c. The purpose of the above-mentioned meetings is to communicate GYC s operations and plans and to maintain a good relationship with the NAD Youth Department. 2. GYC makes itself available to attend and be represented at any NAD Youth Department meetings per the invitation of its directors/chairpersons a. To be aware of other youth programs within the church b. To enhance relationships with other Youth Directors and leaders

4 c. To provide immediate attention to questions raised regarding its operations, programs, future plans, etc. 3. NAD Youth Director serves as advisor to the GYC Administration by: a. The above mentioned venues and establishments b. Counseling the GYC President and Administration from time to time (outside of the above mentioned venues and establishments) c. Maintaining an open line of communication 4. Where applicable, GYC honors the Church s policy regarding Service Requests as stated in the Church Policy Book. STRUCTURE: GYC is a 501(c)(3) in the state of Michigan, governed by its Board of Directors composed of church leaders and administrators; health, business, education, and law professionals, and young people The Executive Committee, composed of young people with various economic, social, and ethnic/racial backgrounds, is the GYC leadership that runs the day-today operations, yearly conferences, and all activities and events GYC is an organizational member of Adventist-laymen Services and Industries (ASI) as a supporting ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church ORGANIZATION: Apart from the annual GYC convention, GYC also officially recognizes certain local youth conventions in various geographic regions. Each local youth convention would partner with GYC to provide the GYC experience to those in a specific geographic area. The GYC Board of Directors would provide oversight over the GYC President s Council, a committee of youth convention leaders chaired by the GYC president. As a courtesy, each youth convention will contact local conference Youth Directors and extend special invitations for their attendance or that of an official representative. Each youth convention would commit to upholding The Spirit of GYC, stated below: 1. A respect for Scripture as the foundation and test of all teachings and practices 2. An appreciation for the Spirit of Prophecy as an authoritative source of instruction, comfort, and warning 3. A quest for Biblical holiness through a daily prayer and devotional experience with Jesus and a commitment to following His Word 4. A vibrant worship experience one that is characterized by principle, reverence, and decorum 5. A passion for lost souls animated by personal experience in the saving love of Jesus and a desire for His imminent return 6. A cultivation of godly relationships preserving purity and encouraging accountability 7. An exemplary and abundant lifestyle in recreation, entertainment, dress, and healthful living

5 8. An enthusiasm for service through care for the needy, service to the community, promotion of human rights, and stewardship of the environment 9. A commitment to the Seventh-day Adventist Church as God s remnant church by supporting and upholding its principles, organization, and leadership 10. An attitude of humility and cordiality as we seek to clarify, articulate, and defend the Biblical teachings of the Seventh-day Adventist church