Conferences State or area conferences are made up of 30 to 100 congregations with the purpose of facilitating, strengthening and coordinating the work of the local church. The conference acts as the employer of all the pastors, and holds in trust the Tithe Fund for the local congregations from which the pastors and conference staff are paid. VA A significant portion of the Tithe Fund is also allocated each year to church schools.
Local churches send representatives to constituency meetings which elect conference leaders.
Lay members, pastors and teachers serve on the conference executive committee, the governing body.