church council

noun

1. (in certain Lutheran churches) a body of lay delegates chosen from the congregation and charged with supporting the pastor in religious instruction, contributions to the church, etc.

Example Sentences

If the Bible were the word of God it would not have required the deliberations of a church council to determine the fact.

From Project Gutenberg

The Church council at Bziers was the first to pay special attention to the question of Jews' practising the medicinal art.

From Project Gutenberg

The city of Trent is the capital of Trentino, famous in history, and the seat of the long church council in 1545-46.

From Project Gutenberg

In this and other matters there was talk of an appeal from the pope to a church council.

From Project Gutenberg

These two brethren were the joint authors of the history, and in their capacity as church council gave it ecumenical authority.

From Project Gutenberg