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
February 17, 2025 | 9:00 AM EST | Via Zoom
Members Present: Asaba Chin Ali (Southern Nigeria), Harrison Bell (Alabama Emerald Coast), John Beyers (North Georgia), Bulus Audu Daniel (Southern Nigeria), Debra Davis (Trinity), Gene Floore (Alabama Emerald Coast), Sam Gregory (West Plains), Jeff Jernigan (North Georgia), Jessica LaGrone (Trinity), Paul Lawler (Mississippi–West Tennessee), Tesia Mallory (Allegheny West Clergy), Cara Nicklas (Heartland), Henriette Okele (Democratic Republic of the Congo) with French translator, Vida Mei Rivera (Mega Manila), Daniel Topalski (Bulgaria), Bishop Mark Webb (USA)
Members Not Present: Bishop Kimba Evariste (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Dan Gildner (Allegheny West)
Staff Members Present: Dianne Burnett (Executive Director of Communications), Matthew Conover (Interim Chief Financial Officer), Mike Schafer (Connectional Operations Officer)
Executive Summary
The Connectional Council of the Global Methodist Church met on February 17, 2025, with prayerful purpose, global participation, and a shared commitment to the Church’s sacred mission: to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
This meeting reflected a Church that is continuing to organize faithfully, lead responsibly, and prepare courageously for the future God is opening before us. The Council’s work was marked by unity of spirit, careful governance, and a growing awareness that the Global Methodist Church is not simply building institutional structures, but stewarding a worldwide movement of biblical faith, Wesleyan doctrine, evangelical witness, and Spirit-filled mission.
The Council began by approving the February 3, 2025 minutes as amended, ensuring that the official record accurately reflected the discussion and action related to the work of the Discipleship, Doctrine, and Just Ministry Commission and the Assembly of Bishops. This action demonstrated the Council’s commitment to clarity, transparency, and faithful connectional accountability.
The Council also welcomed two new members: Audu Daniel Bulus (Southern Nigeria) and Tesia Mallory (Allegheny West). Their addition further strengthens the Council’s representative voice and reminds the
The Global Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
Church that our connection is both global and growing. With members participating from Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America, the Council’s work increasingly reflects the breadth of the Global Methodist Church and the beauty of our shared life in Christ.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on preparation for the 2026 General Conference. The Council considered the proposed theme, “Be Holy because I AM,” drawn from 1 Peter 1:16. Recognizing the theological strength of the theme while desiring language that would carry a forward-moving, visionary, and movemental tone, the Council unanimously referred the matter to Dianne Burnett in conjunction with the theme committee for further development. This decision reflects the Church’s desire for a General Conference theme that is not only doctrinally sound, but also inspiring, memorable, and mobilizing.
The Council also approved proposed changes to the 2026 General Conference Plan of Organization, including language related to delegate expenses. This action underscores the Church’s desire to make General Conference participation possible across economic and geographic realities. By encouraging annual conferences to provide travel, lodging, and per diem support for delegates who need it, the Council affirmed that global connectionalism requires shared sacrifice, creative stewardship, and practical care for one another.
In addition, the Council unanimously adopted a motion from the Finance, Administration, and Pension Benefits Commission to set aside General Conference funds. This action represents wise preparation and responsible financial stewardship as the Church looks ahead to one of the most important gatherings in its young history.
The Council received encouraging staff updates, including the announcement of Matthew Conover as Executive Director of Finance, Molly Williams as Bookkeeper, and Becci Wood as General Conference Event Project Manager. These staffing developments reflect the continued strengthening of the Church’s operational capacity. The Council also approved a housing allowance for Matthew Conover, further supporting the administrative infrastructure necessary for faithful and effective ministry.
The Council took additional action to strengthen several key ministry areas. New members were approved for the Evangelism, Church Multiplication, Missional Mobilization, and Disaster Response Commission, also known as the Kingdom Advancement Commission. Heather Carter–Young (North Carolina) and Musa Danjuma (Southern Nigeria) were unanimously approved, bringing additional gifts and global perspective to the Church’s work of evangelism, multiplication, mobilization, and compassionate response. Bridget Douglas (Great Lakes) was also unanimously approved as a new member of the Ministry and Higher Education Commission, strengthening the Church’s work in formation, education, and leadership development.
The Council also unanimously approved rejecting the proposed Memorandum of Understanding with Seedbed, Inc. regarding a disaffiliating churches database. This action reflected careful discernment regarding the Church’s administrative needs and the importance of aligning partnerships with the current mission and direction of the denomination.
Plans were confirmed for an in-person Connectional Council meeting to be held May 8–10, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia, near Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport. This gathering will provide an important opportunity for deeper collaboration, strategic planning, and strengthened relationships
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among Council members. The proposed schedule includes a Thursday evening dinner for early arrivals, a full day of meetings on Friday, and a Saturday morning session concluding at noon.
Looking ahead, the Council identified two significant discussion items for its March 3 meeting: nominations for a Book of Worship Task Force and nominations for additional Connectional Council members to help ensure geographic, racial, ethnic, age, and gender diversity. These upcoming conversations point to the Church’s continuing commitment to worship, representation, and faithful global leadership.
The February 17 meeting was marked by steady progress, thoughtful deliberation, and hopeful momentum. The Global Methodist Church continues to take shape as a connection rooted in Scripture, centered in Christ, committed to holiness, and called to mission. With prayerful leadership and connectional trust, the Council continues to help prepare the Church for a future of faithful witness, global partnership, and Spirit-empowered ministry.
Detailed Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
• Time: 9:00 AM EST
• Presiding: Jessica LaGrone, chair
• Opening Prayer: Paul Lawler
APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 3, 2025 MINUTES
• Moved by Gene Floore.
• Seconded by Sam Gregory.
• Paul Lawler moved to amend by addition:
o “Paul Lawler moved that the Connectional Council, empowered to address the issue, moves that the intent of the Discipleship, Doctrine, and Just Ministry Commission be honored and that the Assembly of Bishops form a working group the Assembly of Bishops give their recommendations for a working group to the Discipleship, Doctrine, and Just Ministry Commission for final approval to fulfill our present polity.”
• Seconded by Gene Floore.
• Unanimously approved as amended.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS
• Jessica LaGrone welcomed two new Connectional Council members:
o Audu Daniel Bulus (Southern Nigeria/Laity), representing the Discipline, Doctrine, Just Ministry Commission.
o Tesia Mallory (Allegheny West/Clergy), representing the Discipline, Doctrine, Just Ministry Commission.
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BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Evangelism, Church Multiplication, Missional Mobilization, and Disaster Response Commission (a.k.a. Kingdom Advancement Commission)
• Proposed Theme Designation for May 2025
o Moved by Paul Lawler.
o Seconded by Jeff Jernigan.
o Unanimously approved.
2. 2026 General Conference Matters
A. Proposed 2026 General Conference Theme from the General Conference Theme Committee: “Be Holy because I AM” (1 Peter 1:16)
o Paul Lawler moved to refer to Dianne Burnett, in conjunction with the four member theme committee, a request to reword the theme with forward–moving, visionary, movemental language.
o Seconded by Harrison Bell.
o Unanimously approved.
B. Proposed 2026 General Conference Plan of Organization Changes
o Moved by Harrison Bell with Amendment to VIII Delegate Expenses: “Full travel, lodging, and per diem expenses for delegates who need it will be the responsibility of each annual conference (through connectional funding, special fundraising, or other creative means), Full travel, lodging, and per diem expenses of US delegates are encouraged to be covered by their annual conferences,”
o Seconded by Gene Floore.
o Unanimously approved.
C. Proposed Finance, Administration, and Pension Benefits Commission Motion Setting Aside General Conference Funds
o Moved by Paul Lawler.
o Seconded by Cara Nicklas.
o Unanimously Adopted.
3. GMC Staff Update
• Mike Schafer announced new staff additions:
o Matthew Conover, Executive Director of Finance
o Molly Williams, Bookkeeper
o Becci Wood, General Conference Event Project Manager
• Proposed Housing Allowance for Matthew Conover
o Moved by Cara Nicklas.
o Seconded by Harriston Bell.
o Unanimously Approved.
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4. Seedbed MOU for Disaffiliating Churches Database
• Sam Gregory moved to reject the MOU with Seedbed, Inc.
• Seconded by Bulus Audu Daniel.
• Unanimously approved.
5. Evangelism, Church Multiplication, Missional Mobilization, and Disaster Response Commission (a.k.a. Kingdom Advancement Commission)
• New Member Nominations: Heather Carter–Young (North Carolina/Laity) and Musa Danjuma (Southern Nigeria/Clergy)
o Moved by Jeff Jernigan.
o Seconded by Cara Nicklas.
o Unanimously approved.
6. Ministry and Higher Education Commission
• New Member Nomination: Bridget Douglas (Great Lakes/Laity)
o Moved by Mark Webb.
o Seconded by Sam Gregory.
o Unanimously approved.
7. Connectional Council In-Person Meeting
• May 8–10, 2025
• Location: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
• Venue: Embassy Suites Hotel (North) near the Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). Complimentary shuttle service provided from the airport to the hotel. • Proposed Meeting Schedule:
o Thursday, May 8: Dinner gathering for early arrivers.
o Friday, May 9: Full day meeting.
o Saturday, May 10: Morning meeting. Noon dismissal.
8. Discussion Items for the March 3 Connectional Council Meeting
A. Consider nominations for a Book of Worship Task Force.
B. Consider nominations for additional members to the Connectional Council: “The Connectional Council shall nominate and elect two additional clergy and two additional laity to ensure geographic, racial, and ethnic, age, and gender diversity” (BoDD ¶ 807.2.d).
CLOSING
• Next Meeting: Monday, March 3, 2025, at 9:00 AM EST
• Concluding Prayer: Vida Mei Rivera
• Adjournment: 10:39 AM EST
Minutes Prepared By: John Beyers
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