The structures of mainline Protestant congregations are designed to make sure we keep doing what we have done before. That isn't helpful when the way we've always done it doesn't work anymore. This book is about the basic principles of governance that support effective mission and ministry in a rapidly changing mission context. It describes how some United Methodist congregations are learning to simplify their church structures in order to allow them to innovate in ministry and become more responsive to their mission fields. The principles and practices described here can be useful to leaders in many other Protestant churches that are seeking to become more effective in mission.