The Executive of the General Council is the decision-making body for the United Church between meetings of the General Council. It consists of the Moderator, immediate past Moderator, General Secretary, and 15 members from across the United Church. These 15 members customarily serve two consecutive terms of three years each. Each in-person meeting of the General Council elects approximately 50% of the members, ensuring that the Executive is a blend of experience and new insights.
The Executive deals with unfinished business referred to it by the General Council along with routine and emergency matters. It has some specific duties, such as legal administrator of the pension plan, which it must also fulfill. The Executive reviews work that originates with a General Council Committee or through the General Council Office before it is presented to the General Council as a whole.
The General Council Executive is focused upon its role as governors of the United Church, with responsibility to support and uphold the purpose of the church and to attend to its current and future well-being.
Any urgent matter needing immediate attention between meetings of the Executive may be handled by the sub-executive.