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 4, 2025 | 9:00 AM EDT | Via Zoom
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Members Present: Asaba Chin Ali (Southern Nigeria), Harrison Bell (Alabama Emerald Coast), 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), Cara Nicklas (Heartland), Henriette Okele (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Eugene Paik (Korean American), Vida Mei Rivera (Mega Manila), Daniel Topalski
(Bulgaria)
Members Not Present: Bishop Kimba Evariste (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Dan Gildner (Allegheny West), Jessica LaGrone (Trinity), Paul Lawler (Mississippi–West Tennessee), Tesia Mallory (Allegheny West), Bishop Mark Webb (USA)
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 4, 2025, by Zoom, continuing its prayerful and purposeful work of governance, financial stewardship, ministry formation, campus ministry development, and strategic partnership 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 Vice Chair Daniel Topalski and opened with prayer offered by John Beyers. The Council’s work reflected the continuing maturation of a global Methodist movement seeking to order its life with wisdom, accountability, theological conviction, and missional clarity.
The Council unanimously approved the July 21, 2025 meeting minutes, continuing its commitment to careful recordkeeping, institutional memory, and responsible connectional governance. In a Church growing across nations, conferences, and cultures, faithful minutes remain essential for transparency, continuity, and trust.
The Global Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
A significant early action of the meeting came through the Finance, Administration, Pensions, and Benefits Commission. Rick Van Giesen presented the renewal of the GuideStone medical insurance contract, which was unanimously approved. This action reflects the Council’s commitment to supporting those who serve the Church by providing responsible benefits administration and continuity of care. Such decisions are practical, but deeply pastoral, strengthening the Church’s ability to care for its leaders and staff with diligence and responsibility.
The Council also received an informational presentation from Brian Ebel on behalf of the Ministry and Higher Education Commission regarding the seminary approval process. This report underscored the vital importance of theological education in the life of the Global Methodist Church. As the denomination grows, the formation of clergy and ministry leaders must remain grounded in Scripture, shaped by Wesleyan doctrine, and aligned with the mission of making disciples. A faithful Church requires faithful formation, and faithful formation requires clear standards, careful discernment, and strong educational partnerships.
The Council then considered the Asbury Theological Seminary–Global Methodist Church Planting Partnership Funds, presented by Mike Schafer, Matt Conover, and Harrison Bell. The Council unanimously approved moving $250,000 from Net Assets Without Donor Restrictions—Undesignated to Net Assets Without Donor Restrictions—Board Designated. This action represents a meaningful investment in church planting and kingdom expansion. By designating funds for this strategic partnership, the Council affirmed that financial stewardship is not merely about preserving resources, but deploying them faithfully for mission, multiplication, and the spread of the gospel.
A major discussion of the meeting focused on campus ministry. Mike Schafer presented the matter, and the Council approved a motion by Jeff Jernigan, seconded by Erik Grayson, that annual conferences approve campus ministry applications and that the Connectional Council form a task force, including members from the Discipleship, Doctrine, and Just Ministry Commission, to develop guidelines. This action is especially significant for the future of the Church. Campus ministry stands at the intersection of evangelism, discipleship, vocational discernment, and cultural engagement. By creating a process for annual conference approval and connectional guidelines, the Council moved toward a framework that can encourage local initiative while maintaining theological and missional consistency across the connection.
The Council also received an informational presentation from Mike Schafer regarding the Wesley Biblical Seminary Lilly Grant proposal. This report pointed to continuing opportunities for collaboration, formation, and resource development in service to the Church’s educational and ministry priorities. Strategic partnerships with trusted institutions can help strengthen the pipeline of faithful leaders for the future.
Matt Conover presented a financial update for informational purposes. The Council’s ongoing attention to financial reporting reflects a commitment to transparency, accountability, and wise stewardship. Healthy financial oversight strengthens confidence in the Church’s connectional structures and enables the denomination to act with clarity and courage in support of its mission.
The meeting concluded with prayer offered by Vida Mei Rivera and adjourned at 10:35 AM.
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Detailed Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
• Time: 9:00 AM EST
• Presiding: Daniel Topalski, vice-chair
• Opening Prayer: John Beyers
APPROVAL OF JULY 21, 2025 MEETING MINUTES
• Unanimously approved.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Finance, Administration, Pensions, and Benefits Commission
o Renewal of Guidestone Medical Insurance Contract presented by Rick Van Giesen. ▪ Unanimously approved
2. Ministry & Higher Education Commission
o Seminary Approval Process presented by Brian Ebel for information purposes only. 3. Finance, Administration, Pensions, and Benefits Commission
o Asbury Theological Seminary–Global Methodist Church Planting Partnership Funds presented by Mike Schafer, Matt Conover, and Harrison Bell.
▪ Move $250,000 from Net Assets Without Donor Restrictions – Undesignated to Net Assets Net Assets Without Donor Restrictions – Board Designated.
• Unanimously approved
4. Campus Ministry Conversation
o Presented by Mike Schafer
▪ Jeff Jernigan moved that Annual Conferences approve Campus Ministry applications, and the Connectional Council form a task force with members from the Discipleship, Doctrine, and Just Ministry Commission to develop guidelines. ▪ Seconded by Erik Grayson
• Unanimously approved
5. Wesley Biblical Seminary Lilly Grant Proposal
o Presented by Mike Schafer for information purposes only.
6. Financial Update
o Presented by Matt Conover for information purposes only.
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CLOSING
• Next Meeting: Monday, August 18, 2025, at 9:00 AM EST • Concluding Prayer: Vida Mae Rivera
• Adjournment: 10:35 AM EST
Minutes Prepared By: John Beyers
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