Meeting Minutes List

Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasiCONNECTIONAL COUNCIL
Dr. Jessica LaGrone Dr. Daniel Topalski Dr. John Beyers The Rev. Mike Schafer Chair Vice Chair Secretary Connectional Operations Officer
CONNECTIONAL COUNCIL
MINUTES
August 18, 2025 | 9:00 AM EDT | Via Zoom
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Members Present: Asaba Chin Ali (Southern Nigeria), John Beyers (North Georgia), Arturo Cadar (Trinity), Bulus Audu Daniel (Southern Nigeria), Debra Davis (Trinity), Gene Floore (Alabama Emerald Coast), Erik Grayson (South Carolina), Sam Gregory (West Plains), Jeff Jernigan (North Georgia), Jessica LaGrone (Trinity), Paul Lawler (Mississippi–West Tennessee), Cara Nicklas (Heartland), Henriette Okele (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Eugene Paik (Korean American), Vida Mei Rivera (Mega Manila), Daniel Topalski (Bulgaria), Bishop Mark Webb (USA)
Members Not Present: Harrison Bell (Alabama Emerald Coast), Bishop Kimba Evariste (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Dan Gildner (Allegheny West), Tesia Mallory (Allegheny West)
Staff Members Present: Dianne Burnett (Executive Director of Communications), Matthew Conover (Executive Director of Finance), Mike Schafer (Connectional Operations Officer)
Executive Summary
The Connectional Council of the Global Methodist Church met on August 18, 2025, by Zoom, continuing its prayerful and purposeful work of governance, global conference development, staffing discernment, financial administration, and representative leadership in service to the Church’s mission: to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
The meeting was presided over by Chair Jessica LaGrone and opened with prayer offered by Paul Lawler. The Council’s work reflected a growing global Methodist movement seeking to order its common life with clarity, connectional integrity, and strategic attention to the opportunities before the Church.
The Council unanimously approved the August 4, 2025 meeting minutes, continuing its commitment to accurate recordkeeping, institutional memory, and responsible corporate governance. In a denomination expanding across nations, regions, and cultures, faithful minutes provide continuity, accountability, and trust for the Church’s shared work.
The Global Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on recommendations from the Conferences Commission. The Council unanimously approved Transitional Conference Advisory Teams for the India Area and the Oasis Area of North Africa. These approvals mark important steps in the continued global development of the Global Methodist Church, providing emerging regions with structure, guidance, and connectional support as they grow in mission and organization.
The Council also approved several recommendations related to boundaries and emerging areas. The Thailand emerging area was expanded to incorporate Myanmar and Vietnam; the Western States Annual Conference was approved to incorporate Fiji; and Brazil was designated as an emerging area. These decisions reflect the Church’s commitment to organize its mission field with both flexibility and faithfulness. As the Global Methodist Church grows, such boundary and emerging-area decisions help align ministry oversight with geographic realities, missional opportunity, and the developing shape of the global connection.
The Council unanimously approved Richard Croll (Heartland) as a new lay member of the Finance, Administration, Pension, and Benefits Commission. His addition strengthens the Commission’s work in financial oversight, administrative care, pension and benefits matters, and responsible stewardship. The Church’s financial and administrative systems exist to support ministry, and faithful leadership in this area helps sustain confidence and capacity across the connection.
The Council also received an update regarding the formation of the Global Staffing Task Force. The proposed direction was unanimously approved, with a request for additional laity nominees. This action reflects the Council’s recognition that a growing global Church requires thoughtful, sustainable, and representative staffing structures. Such planning is not merely administrative; it is part of preparing the Church to serve faithfully in a rapidly expanding mission field.
The Council then addressed the need for an additional lay member of the Connectional Council. Jeff Jernigan moved to open nominations from Connectional Council members, and Vida Mei Rivera seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. This action demonstrates the Council’s commitment to balanced representation and shared leadership between clergy and laity. A faithful connectional body requires the gifts, wisdom, and discernment of the whole people of God.
The meeting concluded with prayer offered by Asaba Chin Ali and adjourned at 9:45 AM. Detailed Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
• Time: 9:00 AM EST
• Presiding: Jessica LaGrone, chair
• Opening Prayer: Paul Lawler
APPROVAL OF AUGUST 4, 2025 MEETING MINUTES
• Unanimously approved.
2
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Conferences Commission
o Transitional Conference Advisory Team Approvals
• India Area
• Oasis Area (North Africa)
o Unanimously approved.
o Boundaries and Emerging Areas
1. Thailand emerging area to incorporate Myanmar and Vietnam.
2. Western States Annual Conference to incorporate Fiji.
3. Brazil designated as an emerging area.
o Moved by Artie Cadar
o Seconded by Debra Davis
• Unanimously approved.
2. Finance, Administration, Pension, and Benefits Commission New Member
• Richard Croll (Laity/Heartland)
o Unanimously approved.
3. Formation of Global Staffing Task Force Update
• Unanimously approved with request for additional laity nominees.
4. Additional Lay Member of Connectional Council
• Jeff Jernigan moved to open nominations from the Connectional Council members. • Seconded by Vida Mei Rivera.
o Unanimously approved.
CLOSING
• Next Meeting: Monday, September 1, 2025, at 9:00 AM EST
• Concluding Prayer: Asaba Chin Ali
• Adjournment: 9:45 AM EST
Minutes Prepared By: John Beyers
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