Plainly and simply the Bethel Tulpehocken Council of Churches is made up of a coalition of representatives from volunteering area churches.  In the late 1970’s, laity and clergy from various area churches decided to coordinate and combine their charitable efforts so as to enhance their effectiveness; hence they formed this council and adopted the slogan “To the glory of God and for our neighbor’s good.”  Therefore, this council when it becomes aware of impending need when feasible is tasked to work together harmoniously in undertaking endeavors hopefully to help alleviate that need.  One desired effect of this coalition is that it tends to demonstrate a spiritual communality that supersedes and goes beyond ideological or philosophical differences among the participating congregations or other entities.  A good example of this is the council facilitating and supporting the county food bank by maintaining the local food pantry in the Bethel Tulpehocken area.  This requires a concerted effort by many churches and others in the community working in unison to successfully accomplish this mission.  Also, it is the understanding of the council that any funds raised or donated are to be used exclusively for charitable pursuits.  In the final analyses the council does not exist as a solely independent charitable organization but functions at the behest of the sponsoring churches and as such is subject to being a sub-organization of said churches to their oversight and by-laws.