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
August 24, 2026 | 9:00 AM EDT | Via Zoom
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Members Present: John Beyers (North Georgia), Arturo Cadar (Trinity), Bulus Audu Daniel (Southern Nigeria), Debra Davis (Trinity), Gene Floore (Alabama Emerald Coast), Dan Gildner (Allegheny West), Sam Gregory (West Plains), Jeff Jernigan (North Georgia), Maxim Kvyatkovskiy (Central Russia), Tesia Mallory (Allegheny West), Henriette Okele (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Daniel Topalski (Bulgaria), Bishop Mark Webb (USA)
Members Not Present: Asaba Chin Ali (Southern Nigeria), Harrison Bell (Alabama Emerald Coast), Bishop Kimba Evariste (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Erik Grayson (South Carolina), Cara Nicklas (Heartland), Eugene Paik (Korean American), Vida Mei Rivera (Mega Manila),
Staff Members Present: 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 August 24, 2026, by Zoom, continuing its faithful work of General Conference preparation, worship resource development, strategic planning communication, global participation support, conference readiness, 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 Chair Jessica LaGrone. Matt Conover 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 standing at the threshold of General Conference with prayerful expectation, careful preparation, and a shared desire to gather, worship, deliberate, and serve in a manner worthy of the gospel.
The Global Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
The Council approved the August 10, 2026 meeting minutes following a motion by Paul Lawler and a second by Debra Davis. 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 transparency and trust across the connection.
A significant item of business concerned the draft liturgies of the Global Methodist Church. Tesia Mallory, chair of the liturgy task force, presented the draft liturgies for Council review. The Council unanimously approved them.
This action marks an important moment in the worshiping life of the Global Methodist Church. Liturgies are not merely printed forms; they are vessels of prayer, doctrine, and shared identity. They teach the Church how to worship, how to confess, how to give thanks, how to gather at the Lord’s Table, how to celebrate the grace of God, and how to send the people of God into the world for mission. The approval of these draft liturgies reflects the Council’s commitment to shaping worship resources that are biblical, faithful, Wesleyan, and useful for congregations across the global connection.
The Council then received a presentation from Mike Schafer regarding the Strategic Planning Task Force graphics for presentation at General Conference. The Council unanimously approved the presentation materials.
This action reflects the Church’s desire to communicate its emerging strategic direction with clarity, visual strength, and missional focus. As the Global Methodist Church prepares for General Conference, the strategic planning graphics will help delegates understand the larger movement of the Church’s discernment regarding mission, vision, culture, growth, and global ministry. Clear communication is essential for shared ownership, and shared ownership is essential for faithful movement.
The Council also received General Conference updates, including visa updates for delegates and participants. These updates underscored the practical challenges and holy importance of gathering a global Church. General Conference is more than a meeting; it is a visible expression of connectional life across nations, languages, cultures, and conferences. Continued attention to visa matters reflects the Council’s commitment to full and meaningful participation from the worldwide connection.
The Council also reviewed key General Conference schedule items. A Connectional Council dinner meeting will be held on Saturday, August 29, at 6:00 PM South Africa Standard Time at the Sandton Sun Hotel restaurant. The Connectional Council report at General Conference is scheduled for Tuesday, September 1, at 9:30 AM. These moments will provide important opportunities for fellowship, coordination, transparency, and connectional witness as the Council shares its work with the gathered Church.
The Council also reviewed upcoming post-General Conference meeting dates. Connectional Council meetings by Zoom are scheduled for September 28, October 12, and October 26. These meetings will help support continuity, transition, and follow-through after the work of General Conference. As the Church moves from conferencing into implementation, continued Council coordination will be essential for faithful leadership and orderly transition.
The meeting concluded with prayer offered by Bulus Audu Daniel. The Council adjourned at 9:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time.
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Detailed Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
• Time: 9:00 AM EDT
• Presiding: Jessica LaGrone, chair
• Opening Prayer: Matt Conover
APPROVAL OF AUGUST 10, 2026, MINUTES
• Paul Lawler moved approval.
• Debra Davis seconded.
• Unanimously approved.
BUSINESS ITEMS
• DRAFT LITURGIES OF THE GLOBAL METHODIST CHURCH
• Tesia Mallory, chair of the liturgy taskforce, presented the draft liturgies of the Global Methodist Church.
• Unanimously approved.
• STRATEGIC PLANNING TASK FORCE
• Mike Schaefer presented the Strategies Planning Taskforce graphics for presentation at General Conference.
• Unanimously Approved.
• GENERAL CONFERENCE UPDATES
• Visa Updates.
• Connectional Council Dinner Meeting at General Conference: Saturday, August 29, at 6:00 PM at the Sandton Sun Hotel restaurant at 6:00 PM.
• Connectional Council Report at General Conference: Tuesday, September 1 at 9:30 AM. • UPCOMING MEETINGS FOR THE CONNECTIONAL COUNCIL
• Post General Conference Connectional Council meetings via Zoom: September 28, October 12, October 26.
• LEADERSHIP TRAINING
• Jeff Jernigan presented an opportunity for leadership training on the theme, “Crossing Cultures, Fulfilling God’s Mission” for the Assembly of Bishops, Connectional Council members, Conference Lay Leaders, and Conference Superintendents at The Woodlands Methodist Church from February 23 through February 25, 2026.
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CLOSING
• Next Meeting: In-person on Saturday, August 29, at 6:00 PM SAST • Concluding Prayer: Bulus Audu Daniel
• Adjournment: 9:59 AM EDT
Minutes prepared by John Beyers with the gracious assistance of Sam Gregory.
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