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 3, 2025 | 9:00 AM EST | Via Zoom
Members Present: Asaba Chin Ali (Southern Nigeria), Harrison Bell (Alabama Emerald Coast), John Beyers (North Georgia), Debra Davis (Trinity), Gene Floore (Alabama Emerald Coast), Dan Gildner (Allegheny West), Sam Gregory (West Plains), Jeff Jernigan (North Georgia), Jessica LaGrone (Trinity), Paul Lawler (Mississippi-West Tennessee), Cara Nicklas (Heartland), Vida Mei Rivera (Mega Manila), Daniel Topalski (Bulgaria), Bishop Mark Webb
Members Not Present: Bishop Kimba Evariste, Henriette Okele (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
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 3, 2025, with a clear sense of purpose, prayerful discernment, and a shared commitment to the mission entrusted to our movement: to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
This meeting reflected the continuing maturation of the Global Methodist Church as a worldwide connection. The Council’s work was marked by strategic decision-making, global vision, institutional strengthening, and a deep desire to steward faithfully the opportunities God has placed before this young and growing Church.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on the development of a global database system capable of serving the Church across languages, cultures, conferences, and continents. After careful review, discussion, and recommendation, the Council unanimously approved moving forward with UI Bakery to develop a browser-based database application with translation capacity and broad global end-user input. This decision represents more than a technological adjustment. It is a major step toward building the infrastructure necessary for a truly global Methodist connection—one that can communicate clearly, serve efficiently, and support ministry faithfully across the world.
The Council also received the results of the 2024 General Conference delegate poll, which demonstrated overwhelming support for extending the 2026 General Conference from five to seven days and unanimous support among respondents for holding the Conference on the continent of Africa. In
The Global Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
response, the Council unanimously approved holding the 2026 General Conference from Sunday, August 30 through Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa. This historic decision signals the Church’s growing global identity and its desire to gather as one body in a setting that reflects the breadth and beauty of global Methodism.
Several actions further strengthened the Church’s organizational life. The Council approved delegate certification deadlines, appointed new members to key commissions, and authorized continued work toward a unifying General Conference theme. These actions will help provide clarity, order, and momentum as the Church prepares for its next General Conference.
The Council also addressed matters of polity with seriousness and integrity, including discussion related to 2024 General Conference Petition 115. While differing views were expressed, the Council ultimately affirmed the action of the 2024 General Conference plenary, recognizing the importance of honoring established processes and maintaining confidence in the Church’s governing structures.
In another important action, the Council unanimously approved a proposal from Seedbed, Inc. to publish the 2024 English edition of The Book of Doctrines and Discipline. This decision will help make the Church’s foundational doctrinal and disciplinary resources more accessible to clergy, laity, congregations, and conferences. The Council also discussed the importance of making PDF versions available in additional languages, further demonstrating the Church’s commitment to global accessibility and theological unity. The Council continued to advance the development of the Church’s global conference structure by approving the formation of a Liberia Transitional Conference Advisory Team and by approving the separation of Ethiopia from the existing Kenya-Ethiopia Annual Conference. These decisions reflect the Global Methodist Church’s commitment to responsible growth, contextual leadership, and faithful connectional development in Africa.
Finally, the Council confirmed plans for an in-person meeting in the United States on May 9–10, 2025, and appointed a sub-team to determine the location and agenda. This gathering will provide an important opportunity for deeper conversation, strategic planning, and strengthened relationships among Council members.
Throughout the meeting, the Council acted with gratitude for what God has already done and with confidence in what God is continuing to do. The work before the Global Methodist Church is substantial, but so is the grace of God. With prayer, humility, courage, and connectional trust, the Church continues to take meaningful steps toward becoming a Spirit-filled, mission-driven, globally connected Methodist witness for the sake of Jesus Christ and the spread of scriptural holiness across the globe.
2
Detailed Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
• Time: 9:00 AM EST
• Presiding: Daniel Topalski, vice-chair
• Opening Prayer: Cara Nicklas
INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBERS AND GUESTS
• New Members:
• Jeff Jernigan (North Georgia/Laity) – Commission on Evangelism, Church Multiplication, Missional Mobilization, and Disaster Response (a.k.a. Commission on Kingdom Advancement)
• Sam Gregory (West Plains/Laity) – Commission on Finance, Administration, and Pension Benefits
• Harrison Bell (Alabama Emerald Coast/Clergy) – Commission on Finance, Administration, and Pension Benefits
• Guests:
• Rhonda Bourgeois – Nominee, Commission of Finance, Administration, and Pension Benefits Database Task Force
• Tyler Best – Chair, Commission of Finance, Administration, and Pension Benefits • Mike Grant – Chair, General Conference Commission
• Anthony McPhail – Vice Chair, General Conference Commission
APPROVAL OF JANUARY 20, 2025 MINUTES
• Unanimously approved.
NEW BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Database Task Force Report
• Mike Schafer introduced the topic and gave the history behind our relationship with software developer Etchasoft, Inc. currently developing MyGMC.
• Mike Schafer introduced Rhonda Bourgeois, database task force chair nominee. • Rhonda Bourgeois welcomed Tyler Best and led a discussion outlining:
• the revised purpose of our Global Methodist Church global database,
• ending our relationship with software developer Etchasoft, Inc.,
• and suggesting three options:
• attempt to tweak the delayed MyGMC database program,
• engage software developer ACS/Realm,
• engage software developer UI Bakery.
• Rhonda recommended engaging UI Bakery in developing a browser-based database application with translation facility based on extensive global end user input, and with a target operational date of Summer 2025.
• Tyler Best, who serves as a clergy reviewer, added supporting summary comments.
3
• Harrison Bell raised questions about the proposed Software Developer job description and moved that the job description be reviewed by the Commission of Finance, Administration, and Pension Benefits. Paul Lawler seconded.
• Motion unanimously approved.
• The proposal to engage software developer UI Bakery was unanimously approved. 2. Results of the 2024 General Conference Delegate Poll
• Mike Schafer reported the following Doodle poll results:
• 285 responses.
• 94% in favor of extending the 2026 General Conference from 5 to 7 days. • 100% in favor of relocating the 2026 General Conference to a city anywhere on the continent of Africa.
3. General Conference Commission Report
• Daniel Topalski welcomed Mike Grant and Anthony McPhail, chair and vice chair respectively of the General Conference Commission.
• Mike Grant led a detailed discussion of the possibilities of holding the 2026 General Conference in Nairobi, Kenya or Johannesburg, South Africa.
• Mike Grant presented four motions on behalf of the General Conference Commission: • 1. Motion to approve the dates of Sunday, August 30 through Saturday, September 5, 2026, for General Conference and the location at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa.
• Motion unanimously approved.
• 2. Motion to approve 4/1/2026 as the deadline for annual conferences to certify and submit their elected delegates for General Conference 2026.
• Motion unanimously approved.
• 3. Motion to set 4/1/2025 as the date for Conference Superintendents’ to receive the anticipated delegate allocation numbers.
• Motion unanimously approved.
• 4. Motion to ask the Assembly of Bishops to take the lead and work with the Connectional Council to develop a theme for GC.
• Motion unanimously approved with the friendly amendment to add Dianne Burnett, Executive Director of Communications, to the committee.
4. New Members to the Commission on Finance, Administration, and Pension Benefits
• Harrison Bell, chair of the Commission on Finance, Administration, and Pension Benefits, presented three nominees to be appointed to the Commission with specific duties around statistical analysis:
• Rhonda Bourgeois (Trinity/Laity)
• Matt Seel (Mid-South/Clergy)
• Luvo Thwethwa (South Africa/Laity)
• Motion unanimously approved.
5. New Members to the Commission on Evangelism, Church Multiplication, Missional Mobilization, and Disaster Response (a.k.a. Commission on Kingdom Advancement)
4
• Paul Lawler, chair of the Commission on Evangelism, Church Multiplication, Missional Mobilization, and Disaster Response (a.k.a. Commission on Kingdom Advancement), presented two nominees to be appointed to the Commission:
• Luciano Pereira da Silva (Panama/Clergy)
• Simon Mafunda (Zimbabwe/Laity)
• Motion unanimously approved.
6. 2024 General Conference Petition 115 Discussion
• Daniel Topalski, Mike Schafer, and Mark Webb led a discussion regarding the confusion surrounding the adoption of Petition 115 by the 2024 General Conference plenary not reflecting the Committee’s resolution to change the convening body from the Discipleship, Doctrine, and Just Ministry Commission to the Assembly of Bishops, due to the updated language not being properly entered into the General Conference petition tracking system.
• 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 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. John Beyers seconded.
• The motion failed: 4 in favor, 9 against.
• Therefore, the Connectional Council affirms the vote of the 2024 General Conference plenary directing the Commission on Discipleship, Doctrine, and Just Ministry to form a working group.
• Mike Schafer will communicate this outcome to Ryan Barnett who raised the issue and petitioned the Connectional Council to resolve the matter.
7. Seedbed, Inc. Proposal
• Mike Shafer introduced a Publication Proposal from Seedbed, Inc. to publish the 2024 English edition of The Book of Doctrines and Discipline.
• A discussion ensued surrounding posting PDF versions of The Book of Doctrines and Discipline in additional languages on the globalmethodist.org website.
• John Beyers moved to adopt the proposal and to authorize Mike Schafer to execute the contract. Mark Webb seconded.
• Motion unanimously approved.
8. Conferences Commission Proposal
• The Conferences Commission proposed two motions for approval:
• 1. Motion to form a Liberia Transitional Conference Advisory Team (TCAT) of 20 nominated persons.
• Motion unanimously approved.
• 2. Motion to separate Ethiopia from the existing Kenya-Ethiopia Annual Conference and to form an Ethiopia Transitional Conference Advisory Team.
• Motion unanimously approved to separate Ethiopia from the Kenya-Ethiopia Annual Conference.
• Motion to approve the formation of a TCAT referred back to the Commission with a request for TCAT member nominees.
5
9. Connectional Council In-Person Meeting
• Daniel Topalski led a discussion around the upcoming in-person Connectional Council meeting.
• The Council had considered hosting the meeting outside the USA, but due to limited Doodle poll responses, the Council decided to hold the meeting in the USA on May 9-10, 2025. • A sub-team was formed to determine the meeting location and agenda: John Beyers, Jeff Jernigan, Jessica LaGrone, and Daniel Topalski.
10. 2026 General Conference Theme Development
• Based on the earlier action to approve General Conference Commission Motion #4 presented (above), Mark Webb asked for two persons to be named to the committee to develop a theme for the 2026 General Conference.
• Jeff Jernigan and Cara Nicklas volunteered to serve alongside Bishop Jeff Greenway and Bishop Carolyn Moore.
• Mike Schafer requested that Dianne Burnett, Executive Director of Communications, be added to the committee as well.
CLOSING
• Next Meeting: Monday, February 17, 2025, at 9:00 AM EST
• Concluding Prayer: Asaba Chin Ali
• Adjournment: 10:46 AM EST
Minutes Prepared By: John Beyers
6ze this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.