N.Y. Religious Corporations Law § 432

§ 432. Church council and church management. Any incorporated church\nor body to which this article applies shall have its affairs managed by\na church council. Such council shall consist of the pastor, the\ntrustees of the corporation as well as any others, such as corporate\nsecretary and treasurer, who may be designated as church council members\nby the by-laws. If the local church or body has a pastor, he shall be\npresident of the corporation and be a member of such council and serve\nas presiding officer of its meetings. In the absence of a pastor, the\nby-laws shall provide for the manner of selecting a presiding officer.\nThe by-laws shall further set forth the time and manner of notice for\nsuch meetings.\n