High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a ward is the larger of two types of local congregations (the smaller being a branch). A ward is presided over by a bishop, the equivalent of a pastor in other religions. As with all church leadership, the bishop is considered lay clergy and as such is not paid. Two counselors serve with the bishop to help with administrative duties of the ward and also preside in the absence of the bishop. A branch is presided over by a branch president who may or may not have one or two counselors, depending on the size of the branch.