Who determines if a local church should have a Church and Pastor's Council?

• A. The congregation as a whole
• B. The district overseer
• C. The state overseer
• D. The local church

Answer: (D)

The local church has the authority to determine its own governance structure, including whether to establish a Church and Pastor’s Council. In this polity, the congregation is the primary unit responsible for internal decisions about ministry, leadership, and accountability. A Church and Pastor’s Council functions as a lay-advised governance body to support the pastor and guide church affairs, formed according to the church’s own needs, size, and culture.

District overseers and state overseers provide oversight, guidance, and accountability across multiple churches, ensuring doctrinal integrity and consistency with denominational standards. They aren’t typically the ones who decide the local church’s internal governance structures; their role is to assist, advise, and maintain uniform practices across the broader network.