Except in national, territorial, provincial, or mission states, all state councilmen must be ______.

• A. Ordained bishops
• B. Licensed ministers
• C. Deacons
• D. Evangelists

Answer: (B)

State councilmen are leaders who oversee church affairs at the state level, and in the Church of God the authority to govern is tied to ministerial credentials. Outside the special cases of national, territorial, provincial, or mission states, those who serve on the state council are expected to be licensed ministers. A licensed minister has official approval to preach and perform ministerial duties under church supervision, providing the pastoral accountability and connection to the broader church leadership that governance roles require. Other options—ordained bishops, deacons, or evangelists—represent different offices or functions within the church and aren’t the standard credential used for state council membership in this context.