Presbytery Council will be comprised of the officers of the Presbytery (Moderator, Vice-Moderator, Council Chair, and Stated Clerk), six committee representatives (see below), and nine at large representatives. Presbyterian Women will be invited to send a representative, with voice but without vote, to Council meetings.

The Council will provide for short-range and strategic planning, the development of the annual budget of the Presbytery, and the development of mission and program. As a Session works with a congregation's Head of Staff, the Council will work with the Teaching Presbyter and oversee all of the activities of the Presbytery. The Council will have the authority and responsibility to act, on behalf of the Presbytery, between Presbytery meetings. All plans and budgets will be submitted to the Presbytery for approval.

The Committees of the Presbytery will be limited to the committees mandated by the Book of Order: the Committee on Ministry, the Committee on Preparation for Ministry, the Nominating Committee, the Committee on Representation, the Permanent Judicial Commission; and a Board of Trustees.

Through this process, the Committee heard from many people about the difficulty of finding volunteers in sufficient numbers to staff Presbytery committees and the challenge of providing resources for their work. At the same time, the Committee noted that some committees have been struggling to find their mission while others have pursued their own goals with little guidance from the Presbytery. It concluded that the following Committees will cease to exist at the end of the current program year, December 31, 2004: Camp and Conference, Christian Education, Mission Interpretation and Funding, Parish Life Development, Peacemaking, Personnel, Self Development of People, Social Justice, Worldwide Ministries, and Worship.

Transitional issues and reassignment of tasks will need to be addressed by Presbytery Council. The Committee recommends that the Board of Trustees assume responsibilities for the property and physical assets associated with Brainerd Center. Presbytery Council will need to make provision, before January 2005, for the camping program. The Committee recommends that the new Council be elected in September 2004. Between the election and January 2005, when the new Council will be seated, the Council-elect will work with the existing Council to resolve transition issues.

As the work of transformation proceeds in Lehigh Presbytery and its churches,
task groups and care teams will emerge.

Task groups will be created for specific projects of limited duration, arising from work and issues identified by the standing committees, Presbytery Council, the congregations, the congregational clusters, and/or staff. Members of task groups will ordinarily be self-selecting, but will be expected to bring their vision and plan to Presbytery Council for consideration.

In either case, the Council will ask the sponsors of the proposed effort how the project relates to the Presbytery's goal of strengthening and supporting congregations, and to report to the Council from time to time on their progress. At least annually, Council will evaluate the work of each Task Group and Care Team for consistency with the vision and mission of the Presbytery.

The Committee recognizes that the work of the Presbytery may require persons with specialized skills to serve as resources to the congregations, Presbytery Council, committees, task forces, and care teams. The Presbytery recognizes and affirms the extraordinary contributions of many volunteers who have contributed their time, talents, and leadership to the Presbytery. The Committee urges the Presbytery to recognize those efforts and encourage these volunteers, and others, to continue their work. From time to time, the Presbytery may have the ability to offer remuneration to persons within and outside the Presbytery for the completion of special projects or tasks.