Meeting Minutes List

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CONNECTIONAL COUNCIL
Dr. Jessica LaGrone Dr. Daniel Topalski Dr. John Beyers The Rev. Mike Schafer Chair Vice Chair Secretary Connectional Operations Officer
CONNECTIONAL COUNCIL
MINUTES
December 8, 2025 | 9:00 AM EST | Via Zoom
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Members Present Via Zoom: 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), Bishop Kimba Evariste (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Gene Floore (Alabama Emerald Coast), Dan Gildner (Allegheny West), Erik Grayson (South Carolina), Sam Gregory (West Plains), Jessica LaGrone (Trinity), Paul Lawler (Mississippi–West Tennessee), Tesia Mallory (Allegheny West), Cara Nicklas (Heartland), Eugene Paik (Korean American), Daniel Topalski (Bulgaria), Bishop Mark Webb (USA)
Members Not Present: Jeff Jernigan (North Georgia), Maxim Kvyatkovskiy (Central Russia), Henriette Okele (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Vida Mei Rivera (Mega Manila)
Staff Members Present Via Zoom: Dianne Burnett (Executive Director of Communications), Matthew Conover (Executive Director of Finance), Mike Schafer (Connectional Operations Officer)
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Executive Summary
The Connectional Council of the Global Methodist Church met on December 8, 2025, by Zoom, continuing its faithful work of governance, conference development, financial stewardship, personnel care, benefits administration, and mission-focused preparation for the year ahead in service to the Church’s mission: to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM Eastern Standard Time and was presided over by Chair Jessica LaGrone. Bishop Kimba Evariste opened the meeting in prayer, grounding the Council’s work in dependence upon the wisdom, grace, and guidance of God. The Council’s deliberations reflected a Church seeking to close the year with clarity, responsibility, gratitude, and readiness for the next season of global Methodist mission.
The Global Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
The Council approved the November 24, 2025 meeting minutes following a motion by Daniel Topalski and a second by Bulus Audu Daniel. The minutes were unanimously approved, continuing the Council’s commitment to accurate recordkeeping, institutional continuity, and responsible corporate governance.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on recommendations from the Conferences Commission. The Council approved the recommendation concerning India, with one opposing vote. This action reflected continued attention to the organization and development of the Church’s global conference structure. The Council also considered matters related to Afrika Mashariki, with Harrison Bell moving to refer the matter to the Conferences Commission regarding the future unification of overlapping annual conferences. The motion was seconded by Sam Gregory and unanimously passed. This referral demonstrated the Council’s commitment to careful alignment, regional clarity, and wise connectional structuring as the Church continues to grow internationally.
The Council then addressed several personnel and compensation matters for 2026. The 2026 Staff and Bishops Salaries were unanimously approved following a motion by Sam Gregory and a second by Daniel Topalski. The Council also unanimously approved Christmas bonuses for all staff and bishops, following a motion by Harrison Bell and a second by Eugene Paik. These actions reflected the Council’s gratitude for faithful service and its desire to support those who carry significant responsibility in the life of the Church.
The Council approved the 2026 Retired and Disabled Clergy Housing Allowance Resolution, as amended. The approved amendment changed the opening reference from “the Transitional Leadership Council” to “the Connectional Council” and included GuideStone along with Wespath. This action demonstrated careful attention to both legal precision and pastoral care for retired and disabled clergy. The Council also unanimously approved the 2026 Staff Clergy Housing Allowances, further supporting clergy serving in staff roles with appropriate administrative and tax-related provisions.
The Council also received and acted upon a recommendation from the Finance, Administration, Pensions, and Benefits Commission regarding an Operating Reserve Policy, which was unanimously approved. This policy strengthens the denomination’s financial discipline and long-term stability. Operating reserves are an important expression of prudent stewardship, helping ensure that the Church can respond wisely to future opportunities, obligations, and challenges.
The Council considered the Christen Turney maternity leave request and unanimously approved the request at full compensation, with the requirement that she return to work for at least six months following maternity leave. This action reflected both organizational responsibility and humane care for staff. A healthy Church honors mission, policy, and people together.
The Council also discussed the Kingdom Advancement Commission contractor policy, including four contractor areas: website development, disaster response, church planting, and global missions. This conversation reflected the Council’s ongoing effort to clarify contractor relationships, strengthen accountability, and support vital areas of ministry while maintaining appropriate governance and internal controls.
Finally, the Council unanimously approved the 2026 Continuing Budget Resolution, following a motion by Harrison Bell and a second by Artie Cadar. This action provides continuity and stability for the Church’s financial life as it enters a new year of ministry, mission, and preparation for the 2026 General Conference.
The meeting concluded with prayer offered by Jessica LaGrone and adjourned at 10:52 AM EST.
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Detailed Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
• Time: 9:00 AM (Eastern Standard Time)
• Presiding: Jessica LaGrone, chair
• Opening Prayer: Bishop Kimba Evariste
APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 24, 2025, MEETING MINUTES
1. Daniel Topalski moved approval.
2. Seconded by Bulus Audu Daniel.
• Unanimously approved.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Conferences Commission
• India
• Harrison Bell moved approval.
• Seconded by Paul Lawler.
• Passed with one opposing vote.
• Afrika Mashariki
• Harrison Bell moved to refer to the Conferences Commission regarding future unification of overlapping Annual Conference.
• Seconded by Sam Gregory.
• Unanimously passed.
2. 2026 Staff and Bishops Salaries
• Sam Gregory moved approval.
• Seconded by Daniel Topalski.
• Unanimously approved.
3. 2026 Staff and Bishops Christmas Bonuses
• Harrison Bell moved offering a Christmas bonus to all staff and bishops.
• Seconded by Eugene Paik.
• Unanimously approved.
3. 2026 Retired/Disabled Clergy Housing Allowance Resolution
• Sam Gregrory moved approval with the change in verbiage in the first sentence from “the Transitional Leadership Council” to “the Connectional Council,” and include GuideStone along with Wespath.
• Seconded by Paul Lawler.
• Unanimously approved as amended.
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4. 2026 Staff Clergy Housing Allowances
• Cara Nicklas moved approval.
• Seconded by Harrison Bell.
• Unanimously approved.
5. Finance, Administration, Pensions, and Benefits Commission
• Operating Reserve Policy
• Unanimously approved.
7. Christen Turney Maternity Leave Request
• Paul Lawler moved approval at full compensation with the requirement of returning to work for at least six months after maternity leave.
• Seconded by Erik Grayson.
• Unanimously approved.
8. Kingdom Advancement Commission
• Contractor Policy Discussion
• Four Contractors: Website Development, Disaster Response, Church Planting, and Global Missions.
9. 2026 Continuing Budget Resolution
• Harrison Bell moved approval.
• Seconded by Artie Cadar.
• Unanimously approved.
CLOSING
• Next Meeting: Monday, January 12, 2026, at 9:00 AM (EST) via Zoom
• Concluding Prayer: Jessica LaGrone
• Adjournment: 10:52 AM EST
Minutes prepared by John Beyers with the gracious assistance of Sam Gregory.
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