Meeting Minutes List

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CONNECTIONAL COUNCIL
Dr. Jessica LaGrone Dr. Daniel Topalski Dr. John Beyers The Rev. Mike Schafer Chair Vice Chair Secretary Connectional Operations Officer
CONNECTIONAL COUNCIL
MINUTES
January 12, 2026 | 9:00 AM EST | Via Zoom
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Members Present Via Zoom: 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), Bishop Kimba Evariste (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Gene Floore (Alabama Emerald Coast), Dan Gildner (Allegheny West), Erik Grayson (South Carolina), Sam Gregory (West Plains), Jeff Jernigan (North Georgia), Jessica LaGrone (Trinity), Paul Lawler (Mississippi–West Tennessee), Maxim Kvyatkovskiy (Central Russia), Tesia Mallory (Allegheny West), Cara Nicklas (Heartland), Henriette Okele (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Eugene Paik (Korean American), Vida Mei Rivera (Mega Manila), Daniel Topalski (Bulgaria)
Members Not Present: Bishop Mark Webb (USA)
Staff Members Present Via Zoom: 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 January 12, 2026, by Zoom, beginning a new year of connectional leadership with prayerful recommitment, financial stewardship, staff accountability, meeting coordination, and renewed attention to the shared covenantal life of the Council 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 Chair Jessica LaGrone. Paul Lawler opened the meeting in prayer, grounding the Council’s work in dependence upon the wisdom, grace, and guidance of God. The gathering reflected a Church entering 2026 with seriousness of purpose, gratitude for God’s provision, and a deepening commitment to lead with clarity, accountability, and spiritual integrity.
The Global Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
The Council approved the December 8, 2025 meeting minutes following a motion by Daniel Topalski and a second by Artie Cadar. The minutes were unanimously approved, continuing the Council’s commitment to accurate recordkeeping, institutional continuity, and responsible corporate governance. In a growing global connection, faithful documentation remains essential for trust, transparency, and shared accountability.
A significant and spiritually important action of the meeting was the Council’s review and recommitment to the Global Methodist Church Connectional Council Covenant. All members present reaffirmed the covenant. This action was more than procedural. It represented a renewed commitment to holy conferencing, mutual trust, spiritual humility, disciplined leadership, and shared responsibility for the life and mission of the Church. As the Global Methodist Church continues to grow across nations, conferences, languages, and cultures, the Council’s covenantal life will remain essential to the health of its witness and the credibility of its leadership.
The Council then received recommendations from the Finance, Administration, Pensions, and Benefits Commission. The preliminary year-end financial reports were presented and unanimously approved. This action reflected continued confidence in the Church’s financial stewardship and a commitment to maintaining clear oversight as the denomination moves into a new year of ministry, mission, and preparation for General Conference.
The Council also unanimously approved a Board Designated Net Assets Resolution. This decision strengthened the Church’s ability to manage designated resources responsibly and transparently. Such financial actions help provide structure, clarity, and confidence as the Church stewards the resources entrusted to it for global mission, ministry development, and connectional support.
The Council received an update on the staff complaint process, reflecting its continued commitment to responsible personnel oversight, healthy organizational culture, and appropriate procedures for addressing workplace and leadership concerns. This work is part of the Council’s broader responsibility to ensure that the Church’s administrative life reflects integrity, fairness, accountability, and Christian character.
The Council also reviewed future meeting plans. Beginning in 2026, the Council will meet regularly on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 9:00 AM Eastern Time. This schedule provides a predictable rhythm for governance, oversight, and connectional coordination. The Council also confirmed plans for its March 11–14, 2026 in-person meeting at Embassy Suites by Hilton Hotel Atlanta Airport North in Atlanta, Georgia. Council members are to arrive on March 10. The gathering will begin March 11 with a joint meeting involving the Assembly of Bishops and chairpersons of the Connectional Commissions, continuing through noon on March 12, followed by the Connectional Council meeting from noon on March 12 through noon on March 14.
The Council also noted plans for an in-person meeting June 22–26, 2026, with a location subcommittee appointed. These future gatherings will provide important opportunities for deeper discernment, strategic alignment, relationship building, and preparation for the significant work before the Global Methodist Church in 2026.
Another important item was the online evaluation of the Connectional Operations Office, to be completed by January 16, 2026. This evaluation reflects the Council’s commitment to responsible supervision, constructive feedback, and healthy organizational development. As the Church’s connectional operations continue to expand, regular evaluation helps strengthen accountability, clarify expectations, and support effective service to the whole Church.
The meeting concluded with prayer offered by John Beyers and adjourned at 10:05 AM EST.
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Detailed Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
• Time: 9:00 AM (Eastern Standard Time)
• Presiding: Jessica LaGrone, chair
• Opening Prayer: Paul Lawler
APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 8, 2025, MEETING MINUTES
1. Daniel Topalski moved approval.
2. Seconded by Artie Cadar.
• Unanimously approved.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Review and Recommit to the GMC Connectional Council Covenant
• All present reaffirmed the covenant.
2. Finance, Administration, Pensions, and Benefits Commission
• Preliminary Year-End Financial Reports
• Unanimously approved.
• Board Designated Net Assets Resolution
• Unanimously approved.
3. Update on the Staff Complaint Process
4. Future CC Meetings
• Bimonthly meeting every 2nd & 4th Monday 9:00 a.m. ET
• In-person meeting: March 11-14, 2026 – Embassy Suites by Hilton Hotel Atlanta Airport North, Atlanta, Georgia USA
• Connectional Council Members arrive on March 10, 2026.
• March 11 (8:00 AM) through March 12 (Noon) – Meeting with the Assembly of Bishops and Chairpersons of Connectional Commissions
• March 12 (Noon) through March 14 (Noon) – Connectional Council Meeting. • Connectional Council Members depart on March 14 after noon dismissal.
• In-person meeting: June 22-26, 2026
• Location subcommittee appointed.
5. Connectional Council Online Evaluation of the Connectional Operations Office • Complete by January 16, 2026
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CLOSING
• Next Meeting: Monday, January 26, 2026, at 9:00 AM (EST) via Zoom • Concluding Prayer: John Beyers
• Adjournment: 10:05 AM EST
Minutes prepared by John Beyers with the gracious assistance of Sam Gregory.
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