We, of the United Methodist Youth Fellowship in the Philippines,

Answer God’s call to be the Christian Community,

A fellowship of worship, study, and service,

Alert and responsive to God’s action in this age

And to His seeking love in Jesus Christ, To the end that:

In TRUTH, we may know ourselves as His own;

In FAITH, we may be obedient to His will; and

In LOVE, we may fulfill His mission among all people.

UMYFP MOTTO

“Christ Above All”

A. National Youth Council

1. The voting members are:

a. the National UMYFP officers;

b. two (2) representatives, one of whom is the president, from each Annual Conference.

2. The non-voting members are :

a. the duly registered alternates from each Annual Conference;

b. the ex-officio members are composed of the incumbent Bishops or their official representatives, the Chairperson of the National Council on Youth Ministry, the National Youth Coordinator and the immediate past national president; and

c. all others present in the session.

B. Annual Youth Council

1. The voting members are :

a. the President of the Annual Conference;

b. four (4) members of the Annual UMYFP officers; and

c. four (4) representatives, one of whom is the president, from each district.

2. The non-voting members are :

a. the ex-officio members composed of the District Superintendents in the Annual Conference, the Chairperson of the Annual Conference Council on Youth Ministry, the Annual Youth Coordinator and the immediate past annual conference president; and

b. all others present in the session.

C. District Youth Council

1. The voting members are:

a. the District UMYFP officers; and

b. two (2) representatives, one of whom is

the president, from each local chapter.

2. The non-voting members are:

a. the ex-officio members composed of the District Superintendent, the District Youth Coordinator and the immediate past district president; and

b. all others present in the session.

a. act on all matters in behalf of the Youth Conference while it is at recess, except the reviewing, amending and revising of the UMYFP Constitution and By-Laws as stated in Article V Section 4 of this Constitution.

b. adopt policies and measures referred to it by the Youth Conference of the level concerned and ensure that such policies and measures are not contrary to the UMYFP Constitution and By-Laws; and

c. validate the programs presented to it by the Working Departments.

1. for the National Executive Committee:

The President, Executive Vice President, Area Vice-Presidents, Executive Secretary, Finance Officer and Working Department Heads. The ex-officio members shall be the National Youth Coordinator, Chairperson of the Philippines Central Conference Board of Laity and the immediate past president.

2. for the Annual Executive Committee:

The President, Vice President, Executive Secretary, Finance Officer and Working Department Heads. The ex-officio members shall be the Annual Youth Coordinator, Annual Conference Lay Leader and the immediate past president.

3. for the District Executive Committee:

The President, Vice President, Executive Secretary, Finance Officer and the Working Department Heads. The ex-officio members shall be the District Youth Coordinator, District Conference Lay Leader and the immediate past president.

4. for the Local Chapter Executive Committee:

The President, the Vice President, the Executive Secretary, the Finance Officer and the Working Department Heads. The ex-officio members shall be the Administrative Pastor or the Associate Pastor, the Deaconess, the Church Lay Leader, the Youth Coordinator and the immediate past president.

1. supervise and coordinate the implementation of programs, projects and actions approved and validated by the Youth Conference or Youth Council;

2. authorize the disbursement of funds as approved by the Youth Conference or the Youth Council;

3. prepare the agenda for the Youth Conference and the Youth Council meetings;

4. act on matters referred to it by the Youth Conference or the Youth Council;

5. act on all matters that need urgent action, provided that such actions are not contrary to the intents and purposes of the fellowship as embodied in this Constitution and to the actions passed by the Youth Conference or Youth Council of the level concerned. These actions and decisions shall be subject to the confirmation of the Youth Council of the level concerned. For actions that have significant financial impact, the Youth Coordinator should be closely involved;

6. appoint the members of the working departments subject to the confirmation of the Youth Council in the case of the National, Annual Conference, and District levels and of the Youth Conference in the case of the Local Chapter;

7. recommend for the appointment of the Youth Coordinator to the appropriate body upon the recommendation of the Youth Conference; and

8. recommend an external auditor to the Youth Council or, in the case of the Local Chapter, to the Youth Conference, with the qualifications stated in article XIV Section 2 of this Constitution.

The President shall:

1. be the official representative of the level concerned;
2. convene and preside over the session and meetings of the Youth Conference, the Youth Council and the Executive Committee;
3. convene the Committee on Elections;
4. issue directives and memos that will assist in implementing the actions and approved programs of the concerned level; and
5. serve as the ex-officio member of the Ecumenical and Church-Society Affairs Department.

The Area Vice-Presidents shall:

1. come from the Episcopal area concerned;
2. represent their respective Episcopal Areas in the National UMYFP Executive Committee;
3. monitor and coordinate with the annual conferences in implementing the national programs in their respective area;
4. be responsible for the arrangement of dates and venues of visitations and activities in the National level subject to the approval of the National UMYFP Executive Committee;
5. take charge of all membership concerns in their respective area; and
6. coordinate with the Office of the Bishop with regard to the youth programs in their area.

The Executive Secretary shall:

1. prepare the agenda of the meetings together with the President;
2. make notices and correspondences as directed by the President, the Executive Committee, the Youth Council, or the Youth Conference in the level concerned;
3. record and safe keep the minutes of the meetings and other documents; and
4. serve as the ex-officio member of the Information, Communication and Resource Department.

The Finance Officer shall:

1. receive, collect and keep the financial assets of the level concerned;
2. disburse funds as authorized by the Executive Committee;
3. present an audited financial report to the Youth Conference and to the Youth Council during their meetings and present a financial report to the Executive Committee when requested to do so;
4. deposit the funds of the Fellowship in a reputable bank; and
5. serve as the ex-officio member of the Finance Department.

The Working Department Heads shall:

1. represent their respective departments in all meetings;
2. convene their respective departments and preside over their meetings;
3. prepare the agenda of the meetings of their respective departments;
4. coordinate with other working department heads; and
5. initiate and facilitate the implementation of programs of their respective departments.

The Fellowship shall have a Youth Coordinator who is a youth-oriented pastor, deaconess or lay person. He or she shall:

1. work together with the youth in planning and implementing their programs;
2. help in communicating the concerns of the youth to the church; and
3. be an ex-officio member of the Fellowship in their respective level.

In all levels of the Fellowship, there shall be four (4) Working Departments, namely:

1. Ecumenical and Church-Society Affairs Department;
2. Information, Communication and Resource Department;
3. Christian Nurture and Formation Department; and
4. Finance Department.

Each working department shall be composed of:

1. a duly elected Working Department Head; and
2. at least three (3) members in accordance with Article VII Section 3.f of this Constitution. 

The Ecumenical and Church-Society Affairs Department shall:

1. promote awareness of The United Methodist Church Social Principles alongside current and vital issues in the society among the members of the Fellowship;
2. design and facilitate programs with the marginalized sectors in the society;
3. establish and maintain good relationships with local and international churches outside the United Methodist Church and with other Christian communities which support the principles and objectives of the Fellowship;
4. coordinate with other ecumenical bodies regarding ecumenical programs; and
5. promote social holiness by providing opportunities with young people for mission and service.

The Information, Communication and Resource Department shall:

1. conduct research on issues that affect the young people and consequently provide a youth situationer;
2. produce education and information materials based on the curriculum;
3. publish the official newsletter or publication of the Fellowship through the editorial board of the level concerned;
4. gather, publish and market media materials in print, video, or audio made by young people in the interest of promoting worship, evangelism and Christian nurture;
5. oversee the maintenance of the official website of the level concerned; and
6. coordinate with other church bodies or agencies in implementing the programs of the department.

The Christian Nurture and Formation Department shall:

1. promote the Wesleyan tradition and heritage and make it relevant in the lives of the young people through innovative approaches;
2. plan and implement programs that will contribute to wholistic development of the youth;
3. train and equip servant leaders through leadership development programs;
4. initiate programs for evangelism and discipleship; and
5. support and coordinate with the Christian Education program of the church agencies or committees in implementing a discipleship program for the young people.
6. spearhead the development and implementation of education curriculum for youth, which will serve as the basis for Bible Studies, resource materials, programs and activities;

The Finance Department shall:

1. propose the budget and ensure proper disbursement in adherence to it;
2. act as the internal auditor of the level concerned;
3. recommend financial policies and guidelines to the Youth Conference or Youth Council in the level concerned;
4. identify and recommend to the Youth Conference or Youth Council source of funds that will support the programs of the level concerned;
5. initiate income-generating projects;
6. coordinate with the Council on Finance and Administration of the level concerned in implementing the collection and distribution of the Youth Service Fund; and
7. recommend the amount of the annual membership dues and apportionment to the Youth Conference of the level concerned.

A candidate shall be eligible for election if he/she is:

1. a professing member of the United Methodist Church;
2. single and within the age range of the Fellowship as stated in Article III Section 1 upon assumption of office; and
3. active in the affairs of the Fellowship in the immediate lower level for at least one (1) year before running for office.

An elected officer shall not assume any other elective position in any other level during his/her term. However, he/she may be appointed as a member of a working department in any other level.

The Youth Conference in session shall create the Committee on Elections composed of the following:

1. in the National level, the National Youth Coordinator, three (3) members-at-large, and two (2) church workers (pastor and/or deaconess) present in the Youth Conference.
2. in the Annual Conference level, a District Superintendent, the Annual Youth Coordinator or a District Youth Coordinator, and three (3) members-at-large.
3. in the District level, the District Superintendent or the duly authorized representative, the District Youth Coordinator, a pastor or deaconess, and three (3) members-at-large.
4. in the Local Chapter level, the Administrative Pastor or the Associate Pastor , the Deaconess, the District UMYFP President or the duly authorized representative, and two (2) members-at-large.

Members-at-large shall be:

1. official members of the Fellowship who are not running for any elective position
2. have experienced serving as officers in any level of the Fellowship.
3. youth-oriented and known to be actively involved in the affairs of the Fellowship in the level concerned in case of a church worker.

The incumbent President of the level concerned shall convene the Committee on Elections.

The Committee on Elections shall have the following powers and functions:

1. elect the chairperson and the secretary of the committee, wherein both must come from the Members-at-Large, on its first meeting;
2. handle the application of candidates and set the schedule of election within the duration of the Youth Conference or Youth Council;
3. interview and screen the candidates based on the qualifications stated in Section 7 of this Article;
4. present to the Youth Conference a maximum of fifteen (15) eligible candidates;
5. facilitate the election process;
6. decide on all election matters, provided that these decisions are not contrary to the policies and best interest of the Fellowship; and
7. proclaim the elected officers after a prayerful deliberation of their respective positions.

The Committee on Elections shall consider the following in interviewing and screening the nominees for elective positions (additional criteria may be included if necessary):

1. vision and plans for the level concerned;
2. talents and skills that they may contribute;
3. level of commitment to the Fellowship;
4. knowledge of Methodist history, tradition and heritage; and
5. specific needs of the level concerned

The election shall be conducted in the following manner:

1. An eligible candidate shall be endorsed by at least two (2) official members of the Fellowship to the Committee on Elections. The endorsers shall submit on a piece of paper the name of the candidate with his/her consent, personal details and reasons why they believe he/she shall be elected.
2. The committee shall gather the nominations within the set period.
3. The nominees shall be interviewed and screened according to the criteria stated in Section 7 of this Article.
4. The chairperson of the committee shall present to the Youth Conference or Youth Council each qualified candidate together with his/her profile.
5. The endorser shall introduce the candidate before the body and state their reasons for the endorsement.
6. Each candidate shall be allowed to speak openly and briefly about their visions and plans for the Fellowship.
7. After all the candidates have spoken, the committee shall facilitate the election through secret balloting.

A candidate shall be considered elected if he/ she has received at least 50% + 1 of the total votes cast and be among the candidates who received the highest votes to take the available elective positions. In the case of the annual conference, district, and local chapter levels, the number of elective positions is eight (8). In the case of the national level, the number of elective positions is eight (8) plus the total number of Episcopal areas in the Philippines Central Conference. If there is any deadlock, the Youth Conference shall settle the matter by a secret ballot.

The officers-elect shall decide their respective positions through the following process:

1. They shall write their preferred positions on a piece of paper and submit it to the committee.
2. The committee shall guide them in choosing their respective positions through a discussion that shall take place in front of the Youth Conference in session. If there is any deadlock in the desired position, the Youth Conference shall settle the matter by a secret ballot.
3. After the respective positions of the officers-elect have been determined, the committee shall proclaim the new set of officers.

a.   The officers in the National, Annual and District levels shall serve for two (2) conference years.

b.   The officers in the local chapter shall serve for one (1) conference year.

c.   The officers elected to take the vacant positions shall start their term on the day they are elected and shall be co-terminus with the incumbent officers.

a.   Inability to perform his/her duties and functions as an officer for two (2) consecutive months provided there is proper consultation.

b.   Appointment to full time ministerial or deaconess work.

c.   Any violation on the qualifications for or prior to election, as stated in Article X, Section 1, during the whole term of office

d.   Formal voluntary resignation.

a.  The appointment of a temporary replacement shall end upon the election of a new officer in the regular session immediately following the occurrence of vacancy.

b.   The qualifications of the member being appointed for office shall be the same as that of the officers as stated in Article X Sections 1 and 2 of this Constitution.

c.   A member that has been disqualified by the Committee on Elections or did not receive 50% + 1 votes in a recently concluded election shall not be qualified for appointment.

a.  investigate the issues and complaints that negatively affect the interest of the Fellowship and the provisions of this Constitution; and

b.  recommend appropriate actions for the resolution of the complaints within the time frame set by the council or conference of the level concerned or, in the case of the local chapter, the Youth Conference.

a.   a professing member of the United Methodist Church;

b.   has a relevant experience in auditing church financial records;

c.   not related by blood up to the second degree with any of the officers of the level concerned; and

d.   preferably a Certified Public Accountant, if available, or if the Youth Conference or Youth Council deemed it necessary.

1.   elect the chairperson and the secretary of the committee on its first meeting;

2.   facilitate, receive and gather proposed amendments;

3.   coordinate with the National Youth Council regarding the Constitutional Convention;

4.   preside at the time of the convention through its chairperson; and

5.   prepare a final draft of the approved amendments and revisions for circulation in the lower levels.

1.   an official member of the Fellowship;

2.   a voting delegate to the National Youth Conference; and

3.   not an incumbent officer in the National level prior to election to the committee.

1.   The Youth Conference in any level of the Fellowship upon two-thirds (2/3) vote of all its voting members present in its session.

2.   Any duly registered voting member of the Constitutional Convention.

A temporary committee created by the Youth Conference or Youth Council to undertake a specific task such as the investigation of complaints.

The amount of financial support that the lower level of the Fellowship should give for the higher level, the amount of which is set by the higher level of the Fellowship. The same term is used for the financial support given to the general fund of a level in the Church. For example, the District UMYFP may also pay its apportionment or quota to the Annual Conference UMYFP. The District UMYFP also pays apportionment to the District Conference of the Church.

Having a supporting role to the bodies and agencies of the Church that affect the UMYFP.

An elder pastor elected by the Philippine Central Conference to be the chief leader of the Church; usually has an assigned Episcopal Area and serve for a term of four years, since the PCC meets every four years.

The book that contains all the doctrines, organizational work, and entire procedures of the United Methodist Church all over the world; can be considered as the constitution of the Church. The agencies and bodies involved with the youth ministry are stated in this book.

This is the equivalent of the Book of Discipline in the Central, Annual, and District Conferences. Young people can also refer to this document to know the agencies of the church that help in youth ministry.

In the Local Chapter, the UMYFP is accountable to the Church Council. The Fellowship in this level is represented by its President to the Church Council. The young people are also entitled to become members of the committees and boards of the local church.

In the District and Annual Conference levels, the UMYFP is accountable to the Council on Youth Ministry and to the Board of the Laity. The President of the District and Annual Conference UMYFP should also report regularly to the meetings of the Council on Ministries in the level concerned.

The National UMYFP is accountable to and should work with the following agencies.

1.   National Council on Youth Ministry (already stated in the Explanatory Notes)

2.   Board of Christian Education and Communication. This is the church agency that takes charge of the Christian Education program of the UMC and publishes materials for bible studies. The national UMYFP President is a member of this Board.

3.    Board of the Laity. As one of the laity organizations of the church, the UMYFP is accountable to this Board.

4.   Board of Church and Society. The National UMYFP President is a member of this Board. This takes charge of the issues that plague the church and society and looks for means through which United Methodists can make their faith meaningful in our society.

An organizational structure of the United Methodist Church wherein there exists a higher and a lower level and the two are dependent on each other. For example, the General Conference, composed of all Central Conferences, is the highest level in the United Methodist Church worldwide. All the Central Conferences, including the Philippine Central Conference, report to the General Conference and follow its proceedings (implement its decisions). On the other hand, the PCC is made up of annual conferences, which are made up of district conferences, which are made up of local churches. Whatever is decided by the PCC is implemented by the annual conferences, then by the district conferences, then by the local churches.

Co-terminus means “to end with”. The term of office of a UMYFP officer who is appointed and then chosen through a special election to fill up a vacant position in the Executive Committee in the level concerned shall end together with the incumbent officers.

The agency that administers the finances of the district, annual or central conference. Usually, any kind of financial transactions need to pass through this council.

Current and vital issues refer to contemporary political, economic, cultural, spiritual, and social issues being faced by the Philippine society. These issues may have direct or indirect impact on the well-being of youth. Such current and vital issues may also deal with issues that are being faced by the United Methodist Church as it implements its ministry in the Philippines.

Making people become followers of Jesus Christ.

Refers to establishing good relationships with other denominations. Recognized as a strong advocate of ecumenism, the UMYFP is a member of the Kalipunan ng Kristiyanong Kabataan sa Pilipinas (KKKP), the youth arm of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), in which UMC is a member. The KKKP reports during the Youth Conference (referred to as “other bodies” in Art V Sec 3c).

Refers to a leadership position in the Fellowship that can only be gained through an election process. To become an officer of the Fellowship, one needs to be elected.

A group of annual conferences to which a bishop is assigned. Currently, there are three Episcopal areas in the Philippines: Baguio Episcopal Area, Manila Episcopal Area and Davao Episcopal Area.

Sharing Jesus Christ to people to receive Him as their personal Lord and Savior.

The term used to describe those persons who have accountability over a position or deciding body. Usually, they are the pastors, deaconesses and consultants. They may participate in the affairs of the youth but they are not entitled to vote.

A letter of voluntary resignation is submitted to the Executive Committee of the level concerned.

In the United Methodist Church, a person who has been ordained has to dedicate all of his/her life to serve the Lord Jesus Christ as an elder or a deacon/deaconess. Young people who have been ordained may still participate in the affairs of the UMYFP. However, they can no longer assume any elective position with the Fellowship.

A member of the Church who is not a clergy. In UMC context, the lay (plural laity) encompasses the UMYFP, UM Young Adults Fellowship, UM Women Society of Christian Service, UM Men and the deaconesses.

Refers to the amount of time, property, talents, and other personal offerings that a person is willing to devote, offer, or commit.

Refer to all tasks that a member is expected to do. It includes participating in the activities of the Fellowship and paying of annual membership dues with the amount set by the youth conference of the level concerned.

A person who has been baptized and who has been received into membership in a local church through confession of faith or by transfer of membership and who has taken the vows of membership. A person who is a member of any local United Methodist Church is a member of the United Methodist denomination as a whole. It is the obligation and the responsibility of the pastor of the local church to decide who will be admitted into membership. Members of the local church are those people who regularly contribute and commit to the overall ministries of the local church.

This is the coordinating body of the UMYFP and the UM Young Adult Fellowship in the Philippines in the national level. The National UMYFP should work with this body in setting the overall direction of the youth ministry in the Philippines Central Conference. Through this, there will be no duplication of ministries and there will be a sharing of resources for the two youth organization of the UMC in the Philippines.

Non-voting members of the Youth Conference, Youth Council, and Executive Committee include the ex-officio members and all others present during the meetings of these bodies. These non-voting members may participate in the discussions but they may are not entitled to vote.

A baptized person who has attended the confirmation or membership class in a local church. It includes taking the membership vow in the United Methodist church and profession of faith or declaration of transfer if baptized from other churches. In the UMYFP, only professing members are allowed to become officers.

A term that includes both activities and projects.

The majority of the total number of registered delegates in a session or meeting to officially approve an action according to the powers and functions of the group. The UMYFP is not very strict in terms of the implementation of quorum. As long as the meeting has been publicized well, those who attend the meeting make up the quorum.

Properly registered delegates who can substitute for voting members during the Youth Conference or Youth Council session.

The candidate must not be married or have a live-in partner. He/She must also have no child.

A Wesleyan tradition that emphasizes the mission and service of Christians to the society as an expression of Christ’s love to people.

A collection of statements of the UMC addressing the important social issues all over the world. The Social Principles represent the efforts of the General Conference to speak to human issues in the contemporary world from a biblical and theological foundation. The Social Principles is reviewed by the General Conference and is printed in full in the Book of Discipline.

When a UMYFP officer does not communicate through text message, phone calls, or letters, to the Fellowship for a maximum of two (2) consecutive months, especially if there are programs, meetings, activities, and programs, he or she shall be considered resigned from office. During this period, the other members of the Executive Committee in the level concerned shall initiate a consultation with the concerned officer. At the second consecutive month that the concerned officer has not given any reason for the absence, he shall be considered as resigned from office.

Delegates in the Youth Conference or Youth Council who have all the privileges in the session including the right to vote.

Applies to those things related to John Wesley and the movement he began. The word Wesleyan is in many ways synonymous with the term Methodist. This is also what sets us apart from other Christian denominations.

The overall development of a person composed of the physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions.

The fund of the youth gained from the offerings and fund raising of the youth themselves. The money raised is collected by the local church treasurers and the full amount forwarded to the annual conference treasurer who shall then set aside 70% to be distributed among the local churches by the Annual Conference Council on Youth Ministry. The other 30% is sent to the General Board of Discipleship, Division on Ministries with Young People to support its programs. This financial management has been defined by the Book of Discipline as a means of stewardship education and mission support of youth within the UMC.

A report that contains the general state of the youth and discusses the present issues affecting the youth.

1.   The outer cross has light points, which stand for the eight beatitudes, a Christian must show these eight qualities in life.

2.   The four wings of the outer cross represent the four (4) ways Jesus grew, in height (stature), in wisdom, in favor with God, and in with man (Luke 2:52).

3.  The inner or Latin Cross is empty (not like a crucifix, which includes the body of Christ, emphasizing His sufferings), symbolizes Christ’s sacrifice and victory over death, emphasizing His resurrection. We worship a living Christ.

4.   As the Latin Cross stands at the center of the emblem, sacrificial service stands at the center of all that we do.

5.   The circle symbolizes our worldwide fellowship, our fellowship with Christ and with one another.

Let’s talk about Jesus
The prince of peace is He,
The Lord of lords supreme,
Throughout eternity
The Lord, I am the way
The truth, I am the life
Let’s talk about Jesus
more and more.

Isn’t He wonderful,
wonderful, wonderful
Isn’t Jesus, my Lord, wonderful
Eyes have seen, ears have heard
It’s recorded in God’s Word
Isn’t Jesus, my Lord, wonderful

Wonderful, wonderful,
Jesus is to me
Counselor, Mighty God,
Prince of Peace is He
Loving me, saving me,
from my sin and shame
Wonderful is my Redeemer,
praise His name.

His name is Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
Sweetest name I know
Fills my every longing
Keeps me singing as I go

Where!

To California, Honolulu
To the islands of the sea
Hiroshima, Nagasaki
Here I am, O lord, send me
To Australia and Bombay
To the shores of USA
To my country, dear Pilipinas
My Savior leads the way

For God so loved the world
He gave is only Son
To die in Calvary
From sin he set me free
Someday He’s coming back
What glory that will be

Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul
Thank you, Lord, for making me whole
Thank you, Lord, for giving to me
Thy great salvation so rich and free

Only one life will soon be past
Only what’s done for Christ will last
Only one life will soon be past
Only what’s done for Christ will last
Wonderful his love for me