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 6, 2025 | 8:00 AM CST | Via Zoom
Members Present: Asaba Chin Ali (Southern Nigeria), John Beyers (North Georgia), Gene Floore (Alabama Emerald Coast), Jessica LaGrone (Trinity), Cara Nicklas (Heartland), Daniel Topalski (Bulgaria)
Members Not Present: Bishop Kimba Evariste, Henriette Okele (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Vida Mei Rivera (Mega Manila), Bishop Mark Webb
Staff Present: Dianne Burnett (Executive Director of Communications), Matthew Conover(Interim Chief Financial Officer), Mike Schafer (Connectional Operations Officer)
Executive Summary
The inaugural meeting of the Global Methodist Church Connectional Council marked a historic and hopeful moment in the life of the Church. Convened on January 6, 2025, this first gathering reflected more than administrative organization; it embodied the Church’s shared commitment to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
With prayerful purpose and connectional clarity, the Council began the essential work of organizing its leadership, strengthening its structure, and preparing the Church for faithful ministry in a new season. The election of Dr. Jessica LaGrone (Trinity) as Chair, Dr. Daniel Topalski (Bulgaria) as Vice Chair, and Dr. John Beyers (North Georgia) as Secretary established a leadership team committed to collaboration, accountability, and mission.
The Council also took significant steps in forming and affirming the work of key commissions entrusted with vital areas of the Church’s life, including discipleship, doctrine, justice, General Conference, evangelism, church multiplication, missional mobilization, disaster response, finance, administration, pensions, benefits, ministry and higher education, and ecumenical relationships. These actions demonstrated a clear commitment to both spiritual vitality and organizational faithfulness.
Throughout the meeting, the Council’s work was marked by a desire to build relationships, foster trust, and strengthen the connectional nature of the Church. Recommendations for in-person gatherings, strategic planning, team bonding, and the development of a group covenant reflected the Council’s
The Global Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
recognition that effective governance is rooted not merely in structure, but in shared prayer, mutual confidence, and holy conferencing.
This first meeting set an encouraging tone for the Council’s ongoing work. It revealed a Church seeking to be both deeply rooted and forward-looking—grounded in Scripture, shaped by Wesleyan doctrine, committed to global connection, and energized for mission. As the Global Methodist Church continues to grow, this Council begins its work with gratitude for God’s providence, confidence in Christ’s leadership, and a renewed commitment to serve the Church faithfully for the sake of the gospel.
Detailed Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
• Time: 8:01 AM CST
• Presiding: Mike Schafer, Connectional Operations Officer
WELCOME AND PURPOSE
• Mike Schafer welcomed attendees to the historic first meeting of the Global Methodist Church Connectional Council and provided an overview of the meeting’s purpose.
MEMBER INTRODUCTIONS
• Led by Mike Schafer
LEADERSHIP ELECTIONS ¶ 804 Book of Doctrines & Discipline (2024)
• Note: Chairs, once elected, will immediately initiate each Commission’s work. Connectional Council ¶ 807 Book of Doctrines & Discipline (2024)
• Chair Nomination: Cara Nicklas nominated Jessica LaGrone
o Elected Chair: Jessica LaGrone (Clergy, Trinity)
• Secretary Nomination: Cara Nicklas nominated John Beyers
o Elected Secretary: John Beyers (Clergy, North Georgia)
• Vice Chair Nomination: Cara Nicklas nominated Daniel Topalski
o Elected Vice Chair: Daniel Topalski (Clergy, Bulgaria)
Commission on Conferences ¶ 814 Book of Doctrines & Discipline (2024)
• Pending input. Decision deferred.
Commission on Discipleship, Doctrine, and Just Ministry ¶ 809 Book of Doctrines & Discipline (2024)
• Chair Nomination #1: David Watson
• Chair Nomination #2: Walter Warriner
o Elected Chair: David Watson (Clergy, Allegheny West)
• Additional Members:
o Lay Members:
▪ Angel Santiago Vendrell (MidTexas)
▪ Anna Vargas (Trinity)
▪ Bridget Douglas (Great Lakes)
▪ Outcome: Additional members affirmed as presented.
o Clergy Members:
▪ Tesia Mallory (Allegheny West)
▪ Kenneth Collins (MidSouth)
▪ Outcome: Additional members affirmed as presented.
Commission on General Conference ¶ 812 Book of Doctrines & Discipline (2024)
• Chair Nomination: Mike Grant
o Elected Chair: Mike Grant (Clergy, Allegheny West)
• Additional Members:
o Clergy Members:
▪ Tim Beardsley (Northeast)
▪ Mbingeli “Elie” Diko (South Africa)
▪ Joy Griffin (North Georgia)
▪ Tsvetan Iliev (Bulgaria)
▪ Davis Musigo (Kenya-Ethiopia)
▪ Charle Michael Puno (Mega-Manila)
▪ Jay Therrell (Florida)
▪ Outcome: Additional clergy members affirmed as presented.
o Lay Members:
▪ Shalom Azabe (Rwanda)
▪ Mary Manu Blagojevich (Western States)
▪ Kilyobas Audu Chippau (Northern Nigeria)
▪ Elizabeth Fink (Trinity)
▪ James Kwadza (Zimbabwe)
▪ Bill Patrick (Allegheny-West)
▪ Molly Williams (West Plains)
▪ Outcome: Additional lay members affirmed as presented.
Commission on Evangelism, Church Multiplication, Missional Mobilization, and Disaster Response ¶ 808 Book of Doctrines & Discipline (2024)
• Chair Nomination: Wes Griffin
o Elected Chair: Wes Griffin (Clergy, North Georgia)
• Additional Members:
o Sherry Tabaka-Morrissey (MidSouth)
o Max Wilkins (Florida)
▪ Outcome: Additional members affirmed as presented.
• Further Discussion:
o Emphasis on maintaining balance between clergy and laity.
o Recommendation to consolidate disaster response funds into a single fund.
Commission on Finance, Administration, Pensions, and Benefits ¶ 811 Book of Doctrines & Discipline (2024)
• Chair: Harrison Bell (Clergy, Alabama Emerald Coast)
o Elected Chair: Affirmed as Chair.
• Note: This commission began work, including budget planning, immediately following the adjournment of the Convening General Conference.
Commission on Ministry and Higher Education ¶ 810 Book of Doctrines & Discipline (2024)
• Chair Nomination 1: Andrew Miller
• Chair Nomination 2: Debra Davis
o Elected Chair: Debra Davis (Lay, Trinity)
Commission on Ecumenical Relationships ¶ 813 Book of Doctrines & Discipline (2024)
• Chair: Bishop Carolyn Moore
o Elected Chair: Affirmed as Chair.
CONCLUDING BUSINESS
Future Meetings Discussion
• Recommendations:
o John Beyers suggested an in-person meeting to foster relationship-building. o Cara Nicklas asked for the timeline to finalize additional members for inclusion in future meetings.
o Jessica LaGrone recommended paired meetings during off weeks for team bonding. o Jessica LaGrone recommended development of a group covenant.
o Gene Floore suggested an in-person strategic planning session in the coming months.
• Future Meetings:
o Proposed Cadence: Bi-weekly meetings
o Proposed time: Mondays at 8:00 AM CST
o Jessica LaGrone will confirm availability of those unable to attend today’s meeting. • Next Meeting: Monday, January 20, 2025, at 8:00 AM CST
CLOSING
• Prayer: Led by Jessica LaGrone
• Adjournment: 9:35 AM CST
Minutes Prepared By: Dianne Burnett & John Beyers
Global
Methodist Church
Connectional Council
2025-2027
Members
Clergy
Lay
Email
Annual Conference
John Beyers
Clergy
drjohnbeyers@bellsouth.net
North Georgia
Jessica LaGrone
Clergy
jessica.lagrone@asburyseminary.edu
Trinity
Henriette Okele
Clergy
lokotookele@yahoo.fr
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Daniel Topalski
Clergy
daniel.topalski@methodist.bg
Bulgaria
Asaba Chin Ali
Lay
asabac.ali29@yahoo.com
Southern Nigeria
Gene Floore
Lay
Genefloore@cox.net
Alabama Emerald Coast
Cara Nicklas
Lay
CNicklas@mcalisterlaw.com
Heartland
Vida Mei Rivera
Lay
bundoks@gmail.com
Mega Manila
Assembly of Bishops Representatives
Bishop Kimba Evariste
kkimbae@globalmethodist.org
Bishop Mark Webb
mwebb@globalmethodist.org
Staff Representatives
Note: Voice but without Vote
Dianne Burnett
dburnett@globalmethodist.org
Exec. Director of Communications
Matt Conover
mconover@globalmethodist.org
Interim Chief Financial Officer
Mike Schafer
mschafer@globalmethodist.org
Connectional Operations Officerze this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.