Which description best describes the form of governance in the Church of God?

• A. It is a federal system with delegates from each local church.
• B. It is a confederal arrangement with local autonomy.
• C. It is a centralized system with a single governing authority.
• D. It is a decentralized system with distributed governance.

Answer: (C)

In a centralized governance model, one main body holds the authority to make decisions about doctrine, policy, and church-wide direction, and it guides all local congregations. For the Church of God, this means a central leadership—such as a General Conference or similar governing body—sets standards, approves officers, and oversees discipline and major initiatives. Local churches implement these central decisions and remain aligned with the shared doctrine and procedures, ensuring unity across the denomination. This setup contrasts with federations or confederations that grant substantial local autonomy, or a fully distributed system with no single guiding authority. The centralized, single governing authority description best captures how governance is structured.