N.Y. Religious Corporations Law § 434

§ 434. Right of affiliation; relationships between churches, district\ncorporations and the general council of the Assemblies of God. Churches\nshall be deemed to be sovereign, autonomous, self governing and self\ndetermining bodies. The affiliation of each church with the general\ncouncil of the Assemblies of God and the New York district of the\nAssemblies of God shall be in matters of doctrine and conduct. In the\nevent determination of disaffiliation with the general council of the\nAssemblies of God is under consideration by an affiliated assembly, the\npastor and/or the church council shall invite the district officiary to\nparticipate in a special called church meeting for the express matter of\ngiving the district officiary the opportunity to present the case for\ncontinued general council affiliation. Final disposition of the matter\nmay then proceed in accordance with the by-laws of the local church not\ninconsistent with this article.\n