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 23, 2026 | 9:00 AM EST | 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), Bishop Kimba Evariste (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Gene Floore (Alabama Emerald Coast), Erik Grayson (South Carolina), Sam Gregory (West Plains), Jeff Jernigan (North Georgia), Paul Lawler (Mississippi–
West Tennessee), Eugene Paik (Korean American), Vida Mei Rivera (Mega Manila), Daniel Topalski (Bulgaria), Bishop Mark Webb (USA)
Members Not Present: Debra Davis (Trinity), Dan Gildner (Allegheny West), Maxim Kvyatkovskiy (Central Russia), Jessica LaGrone (Trinity), Tesia Mallory (Allegheny West), Cara Nicklas (Heartland), Henriette Okele (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Staff Members Present: Matthew Conover (Executive Director of Finance), Mike Schafer (Connectional Operations Officer)
Staff Members Not Present: Dianne Burnett (Executive Director of Communications) 
Executive Summary
The Connectional Council of the Global Methodist Church met on February 23, 2026, by Zoom, continuing its faithful work of governance, strategic planning, legislative preparation, kingdom advancement, financial stewardship, and preparation for in-person holy conferencing 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 Vice Chair Daniel Topalski. Jeff Jernigan opened the meeting in prayer, grounding the Council’s deliberations in dependence upon the wisdom, grace, and guidance of God. The Council’s work reflected a Church preparing carefully for the significant decisions, relationships, and responsibilities ahead in 2026.
The Global Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
The Council approved the January 26, 2026 meeting minutes following a motion by Paul Lawler and a second by Gene Floore. The minutes were unanimously approved, continuing the Council’s commitment to accurate recordkeeping, institutional continuity, and responsible corporate governance. Faithful minutes remain essential to transparency, accountability, and trust across a growing global connection.
A significant item of business was the Legislative Task Force Report, presented by Chair Sam Gregory. This status update reflected the Council’s continuing preparation for the 2026 General Conference and its desire to approach legislative matters with clarity, coordination, and connectional responsibility. Careful legislative preparation is vital for a Church seeking to strengthen its doctrine, discipline, polity, and global mission in a faithful and orderly way.
The Council then considered the Strategic Planning Process, with Mike Schafer presenting the Phase 2 contract and funding request. Jeff Jernigan moved approval, Erik Grayson seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved. This action represents an important step in helping the Global Methodist Church clarify its future direction, align its resources, and strengthen its capacity for evangelism, discipleship, mission, leadership development, and global growth. Strategic planning, when pursued prayerfully, becomes an act of spiritual stewardship—helping the Church discern how best to serve Christ with courage, wisdom, and focus.
The Council also acted on a recommendation from the Kingdom Advancement Commission to add Greg West (Virginia) as a clergy member of the Commission. The recommendation was unanimously approved. This appointment strengthens the Church’s ongoing work in evangelism, church planting, mission mobilization, and kingdom-focused ministry. As the denomination continues to grow, the Kingdom Advancement Commission remains central to helping the Church move outward with gospel urgency and missional imagination.
The Council then received recommendations from the Finance, Administration, Pensions, and Benefits Commission. Matt Conover proposed establishing a board-restricted fund or account in the amount of $200,000 for the express purpose of paying legal and/or professional litigation fees related to property disputes incurred outside the United States. Bishop Kimba Evariste moved approval, Jeff Jernigan seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved. This action reflected both prudent stewardship and global connectional care, recognizing that the Church must be prepared to support ministries facing complex legal and property-related challenges in international contexts.
The Council also unanimously approved a Credit Card Policy presented by Harrison Bell. This policy strengthens financial accountability, internal controls, and administrative consistency. As the Church grows in size, scope, and global responsibility, such policies help ensure that financial practices remain transparent, disciplined, and aligned with the mission and integrity of the connection.
The Council reviewed plans for the upcoming in-person Connectional Council meeting, scheduled for March 11–14, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia, at Embassy Suites Atlanta Airport North. This gathering will provide an important opportunity for deeper conversation, strategic alignment, relationship building, and holy conferencing as the Council continues preparing for General Conference and the next season of global Methodist leadership.
The meeting concluded with prayer offered by Bulus Audu Daniel and adjourned at 10:01 AM EST.
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Detailed Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
• Time: 9:00 AM (Eastern Standard Time)
• Presiding: Daniel Topalski, vice-chair
• Opening Prayer: Jeff Jernigan
APPROVAL OF JANUARY 26, 2025, MEETING MINUTES
• Paul Lawler moved approval.
• Seconded by Gene Floore.
• Unanimously approved.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Legislative Task Force Report
• Status update report presented by chair Sam Gregory.
2. Strategic Planning Process
• Phase 2 (contract) and funding request presented by Mike Schafer.
• Moved by Jeff Jernigan.
• Seconded by Erik Grayson.
• Unanimously approved.
3. Kingdom Advancement Commission
• Recommendation to add Greg West (Clergy/Virginia) to the commission membership. • Unanimously approved.
4. Finance, Administration, Pensions, and Benefits Commission
• Matt Conover proposed establishing a board restricted fund/account in the amount of $200,000 for the express purpose of paying legal and/or professional litigation fees related to property disputes incurred outside the United States.
• Moved by Bishop Kima Evariste.
• Seconded by Jeff Jernigan.
• Unanimously approved.
• Credit Card Policy presented by Harrison Bell
• Unanimously Approved
5. In-Person Connectional Council Meeting
• March 11-14, 2026
• Atlanta, Georgia USA
• Embassy Suites Atlanta Airport North
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CLOSING
• Next Meeting: Wednesday, March 11, 2026, at 8:00 AM (EST) in Atlanta, Georgia • Concluding Prayer: Bulus Audu Daniel
• Adjournment: 10:01 AM EST
Minutes prepared by John Beyers with the gracious assistance of Sam Gregory.
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