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
July 27, 2026 | 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), Dan Gildner (Allegheny West), Erik Grayson (South Carolina), Sam Gregory (West Plains), Jeff Jernigan (North Georgia), Maxim Kvyatkovskiy (Central Russia), Cara Nicklas (Heartland), Eugene Paik (Korean American), Vida Mei Rivera (Mega Manila), Daniel Topalski (Bulgaria), Bishop Mark Webb (USA)
Members Not Present: Bishop Kimba Evariste (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Jessica LaGrone (Trinity), Paul Lawler (Mississippi–West Tennessee), Tesia Mallory (Allegheny West), Henriette Okele (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Staff Members Present: Dianne Burnett (Executive Director of Communications), Matthew Conover (Executive Director of Finance), Mike Schafer (Connectional Operations Officer)
Guest Present: Clark Atkins
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Executive Summary
The Connectional Council of the Global Methodist Church met on July 27, 2026, by Zoom, continuing its faithful work of global conference development, General Conference preparation, episcopal nomination readiness, leadership discernment, and connectional coordination 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 Daylight Time and was presided over by Vice Chair Daniel Topalski. Harrison Bell opened the meeting in prayer, grounding the Council’s deliberations in dependence upon the wisdom, grace, and guidance of God. The meeting reflected a Church moving toward the 2026 General Conference with urgency, care, and prayerful attention to both global participation and faithful governance.
The Global Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
The Council approved the July 13, 2026 meeting minutes following a motion by Sam Gregory 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 preserve the Church’s shared memory, clarify its decisions, and strengthen trust throughout the connection.
A significant action of the meeting came through the Conferences Commission. Commission Chair Clark Atkins forwarded a recommendation for a revised Myanmar Transitional Conference Advisory Team (TCAT). The recommendation was designed to better represent five Wesleyan national organizations joining together from different provinces and ethnic groups. The Council unanimously approved the recommendation.
This action marks an important step in the continuing global development of the Global Methodist Church. The revision to the formation of a Myanmar Transitional Conference Advisory Team recognizes both the promise and complexity of ministry in that context. By providing a structure that honors different provinces, ethnic groups, and Wesleyan organizations, the Council affirmed the importance of representation, unity, and connectional care. Such work helps emerging regions grow with order, mutual trust, and faithful support as they move toward fuller participation in the life of the GMC.
The Council also received a General Conference update, including a report on visa approval challenges for delegates from Nigeria and Ethiopia. This update underscored the practical realities of gathering a truly global Church. General Conference is not only a legislative meeting; it is a visible expression of connectional life across nations, languages, cultures, and continents. Addressing visa challenges with diligence and care reflects the Council’s commitment to faithful representation and meaningful participation by delegates from across the world.
The Council also received an update on the episcopal nomination election process. This work is vital as the Church prepares for the next season of episcopal leadership. A growing global Methodist movement requires bishops who are spiritually mature, doctrinally faithful, missionally focused, and capable of offering wise oversight in diverse contexts. The Council’s attention to this process reflects the seriousness of episcopal discernment and the importance of preparing well for General Conference action.
The Council then received an update on the 2032 General Conference Secretary candidate interview process and the recommendation of The Rev. Lamar Oliver, the current General Conference Petitions Secretary, as the nominee for election at the 2026 General Conference. Cara Nicklas moved approval, Sam Gregory seconded, and the Council unanimously approved the recommendation.
This action reflects careful leadership preparation for the long-term life of the Church. The General Conference Secretary plays an important role in supporting the order, accuracy, continuity, and integrity of the Church’s conferencing work. By recommending a nominee for election, the Council continued to prepare not only for the 2026 General Conference, but also for the orderly planning and faithful administration of future General Conferences.
The meeting concluded with prayer offered by Cara Nicklas and adjourned at 9:44 AM Eastern Daylight Time.
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Detailed Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
• Time: 9:00 AM EDT
• Presiding: Daniel Topalski, vice-chair
• Opening Prayer: Harrison Bell
APPROVAL OF JULY 13, 2026 MINUTES
• Sam Gregory moved approval.
• Gene Floore seconded.
• Unanimously approved.
BUSINESS ITEMS
• CONFERENCES COMMISSION
• Recommendation for a revised Myanmar Transitional Conference Advisory Team (TCAT) forwarded by commission chair Clark Atkins to better represent the five Wesleyan national organizations joining together from different provinces and ethnic groups.
• Unanimously approved.
• GENERAL CONFERENCE UPDATE
• Update on Visa approval challenges for Nigeria and Ethiopia delegates.
• Update on the Episcopal Nomination election process.
Update on the 2032 General Conference Secretary candidate interview process and recommendation of The Rev. Lamar Oliver, the current General Conference Petitions Secretary, as the nominee for election at the 2026 General Conference.
• Cara Nicklas moved approval.
• Sam Gregory seconded.
• Unanimously approved.
CLOSING
• Next Meeting: Monday, August 10, 2026, at 9:00 AM EDT
• Concluding Prayer: Cara Nicklas
• Adjournment: 9:44 AM EDT
Minutes prepared by John Beyers with the gracious assistance of Sam Gregory.
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