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
January 26, 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), 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), Bishop Mark Webb (USA)
Members Not Present:
Staff Members Present: Dianne Burnett (Executive Director of Communications), Matthew Conover (Executive Director of Finance), Mike Schafer (Connectional Operations Officer)
Invited Guests Present: Clark Atkins, Jason Burnam, Tom Lambrecht
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Executive Summary
The Connectional Council of the Global Methodist Church met on January 26, 2026, by Zoom, continuing its faithful work of governance, General Conference preparation, conference development, financial stewardship, and mission-focused administration in service to the Church’s defining purpose: 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. Cara Nicklas opened the meeting in prayer, grounding the Council’s deliberations in dependence upon the wisdom, grace, and guidance of God. With members, staff, and invited guests present, the Council engaged significant matters affecting the Church’s global structure, its 2026 General Conference, and its connectional operations.
The Global Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
The Council approved the January 12 meeting minutes following a motion by Dan Gildner and a second by Erik Grayson. The minutes were unanimously approved, continuing the Council’s commitment to careful recordkeeping, institutional continuity, and responsible corporate governance. Faithful minutes serve not only as a procedural record, but as a means of strengthening transparency, accountability, and trust throughout the connection.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on the General Conference Commission. Tom Lambrecht, General Conference Secretary, presented the proposed revised General Conference “Plan of Organization and Covenant for Our Life Together.” Jason Burnham also presented a proposed amendment from the Trinity Conference related to the General Conference nominations process. After discussion, Harrison Bell moved to accept the amendment, and Paul Lawler seconded. The motion initially passed by a divided vote. Cara Nicklas then moved for reconsideration, with Harrison Bell seconding, and reconsideration was unanimously approved. Following reconsideration, the amendment again passed, and the revised Plan, including the Trinity Conference amendment, was unanimously approved.
This action was an important step in preparing for the 2026 General Conference. The Plan of Organization will help shape the way the Church gathers, deliberates, discerns, and conducts its shared work. By carefully considering amendments and then approving the revised Plan, the Council demonstrated a commitment to order, fairness, representation, and holy conferencing as the denomination prepares for a historic global gathering.
The Council then received several recommendations from the Conferences Commission. The Afrika Mashariki Annual Conference was unanimously approved, marking another meaningful step in the development of the Church’s annual conference structure. The Council also unanimously approved the recommendation concerning the number of future annual conferences for the Democratic Republic of Congo, reflecting careful attention to the scale, complexity, and future organization of ministry in that region.
The Council approved Australia and New Zealand as mission areas of the Western States Annual Conference, providing a connectional pathway for ministry development in those nations. The Vietnam Transitional Conference Advisory Team was also unanimously approved, offering structure and support for emerging work in Southeast Asia. In addition, the Council unanimously approved updates related to the Latin America Emerging Area and the Ethiopian Nazrawiyan work. Together, these actions reflected the Global Methodist Church’s expanding international reach and its desire to organize mission fields with contextual wisdom, connectional care, and faithful oversight.
The Council also acted on recommendations from the Finance, Administration, Pensions, and Benefits Commission. The 2026 Budget was unanimously approved, providing financial direction and operational support for the Church’s ministry and mission in the year ahead. This action reflects the Council’s commitment to responsible stewardship and disciplined planning as the denomination moves toward General Conference and continued global growth.
The Council also unanimously approved the proposed Connectional Operations Officer Housing Allowance, providing appropriate support for a key staff leadership role. In addition, the Council addressed the matter of compensating ministry contractors. Jeff Jernigan, with a friendly amendment from Sam Gregory, moved to compensate contractors from January 1, 2026, until April 1, 2026, through their organizations. The motion was unanimously approved. This action provided temporary clarity and continuity for essential ministry work while maintaining attention to appropriate administrative structure.
The meeting concluded with prayer offered by Dianne Burnett and adjourned at 11:15 AM EST.
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Detailed Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
• Time: 9:00 AM (Eastern Standard Time)
• Presiding: Jessica LaGrone, chair
• Opening Prayer: Cara Nicklas
APPROVAL OF JANUARY 12, 2025, MEETING MINUTES
• Dan Gildner moved approval.
• Seconded by Erik Grayson.
• Unanimously approved.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. General Conference Commission
• Proposed revised General Conference “Plan of Organization and Covenant for our Life Together” (herein Plan) presented by Tom Lambrecht.
• Proposed amendment to the General Conference nominations process from the Trinity Conference presented by Jason Burnham.
• Harrison Bell moved to accept the amendment to the Plan.
• Seconded by Paul Lawler.
• 9 voted in favor, 8 voted against, 2 abstained from voting.
• Cara Nicklas moved for reconsideration.
• Harrison Bell seconded.
• Unanimously approved.
• After reconsideration, 10 voted in favor, 9 voted against, 2
abstained from voting.
• Revised Plan with the Trinity Conference amendment unanimously
approved.
2. Conferences Commission
• Afrika Mashariki Annual Conference
• Unanimously approved.
• Number of Future Annual Conferences for the Democratic Republic of Congo • Unanimously approved.
• Australia and New Zealand as Mission Areas of the Western States Annual Conference • Unanimously approved.
• Vietnam Transitional Conference Advisory Team
• Unanimously approved.
• Latin America Emerging Area Update
• Unanimously approved.
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• Ethiopian Nazrawiyan Update
• Unanimously approved.
3. Finance, Administration, Pensions, and Benefits Commission
• 2026 Budget
• Unanimously approved.
• Proposed Connectional Operations Officer Housing Allowance
• Unanimously approved.
• Compensating Ministry Contractors
• Jeff Jernigan, with a friendly amendment from Sam Gregory, moved to compensate contractors from January 1, 2026 until April 1, 2026 through their organizations.
• Unanimously approved.
CLOSING
• Next Meeting: Monday, February 9, 2026, at 9:00 AM (EST) via Zoom
• Concluding Prayer: Dianne Burnett
• Adjournment: 11:15 AM EST
Minutes prepared by John Beyers with the gracious assistance of Sam Gregory.
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