N.Y. Religious Corporations Law § 432: Church council and church management

§ 432. Church council and church management. Any incorporated church

or body to which this article applies shall have its affairs managed by

a church council. Such council shall consist of the pastor, the

trustees of the corporation as well as any others, such as corporate

secretary and treasurer, who may be designated as church council members

by the by-laws. If the local church or body has a pastor, he shall be

president of the corporation and be a member of such council and serve

as presiding officer of its meetings. In the absence of a pastor, the

by-laws shall provide for the manner of selecting a presiding officer.

The by-laws shall further set forth the time and manner of notice for

such meetings.