A church and pastor's council meeting can be called only with the permission of who?

The ability to call a church and pastor's council meeting primarily rests with the pastor, reflecting the leadership structure within many church organizations, including the Church of God (COG). The pastor typically serves as the spiritual leader and administrative head, responsible for overall governance and decision-making within the church. By requiring the pastor's permission to convene such meetings, the governance model emphasizes the authority and accountability of the pastor in leading the congregation and guiding discussions that may affect church direction or pastoral care.

While other figures like the congregation, district overseer, or state overseer may have important roles within the church governance system, their roles are typically more focused on oversight, support, or representation rather than the direct authority to call meetings. The pastor's role is central to the operations of the church and is designed to ensure that discussions and decisions made in council meetings align with the church's mission, vision, and spiritual objectives.