Everything that is said and done remains confidential unless the organization votes to make it public. The person may serve with or without vote as determined by the governing body. It consists of equal delegations of ministers and elders from each presbytery. Executive presbyters, synod executives and associates at either level are illustrative of these persons. They perform services to the church through the agencies and governing bodies of the church beyond the congregational level.
Membership includes all ministers and at least one elder from each church.
Under special conditions a motion to reconsider may be entertained by the governing body. It is called for a specific purpose and only the item and items of business listed in the call for the meeting may be considered. It is one of the options for dealing with the motion calling for a division of the assembly. Its membership is composed of an equal number of ministers and elders in each presbytery delegation. The term is often used among Presbyterians to refer to an organizational structure which combines the ecclesiastical responsibilities and the responsibilities of the civil corporation in one body.