Book excerpt: The church council exists to create and supervise the strategic plan for your local congregation fulfills its mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ. This twofold function includes both leadership and management. This Guideline is designed to help equip you and your ministry team to navigate these two functions. This is one of the twenty-six Guidelines that cover church leadership areas including Pastor-Parish Relations and Small Membership Church, the administrative areas of Finance and Trustees, and ministry areas focused on nurture, outreach, and witness including Worship, Evangelism, S.