The Governing Body usually meets twice each year to receive reports, discuss issues concerning the church and make decisions on matters brought before it.

The Governing Body has ultimate authority "to approve liturgies, review organizational structures, and secure firm fiscal resources for the mission and ministry of the church".

The Church in Wales was one of the first members of the Anglican Communion to adopt synodical government.

[1] The Governing Body of the Church in Wales is tricameral and consists of three orders of participants: The chairman and vice-chairman of the Representative Body of the Church in Wales are ex-officio members and other persons can be co-opted to cover their areas of expertise.

[3] The total membership of the Governing Body is 143 persons.