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 21, 2025 | 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), Bulus Audu Daniel (Southern Nigeria), Arturo Cadar (Trinity), Debra Davis (Trinity), Gene Floore (Alabama Emerald Coast), Erik Grayson (South Carolina), Sam Gregory (West Plains), Jeff Jernigan (North Georgia), Paul Lawler (Mississippi–West Tennessee), Cara Nicklas
(Heartland), Henriette Okele (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Vida Mei Rivera (Mega Manila), Daniel Topalski (Bulgaria), Bishop Mark Webb (USA)
Members Not Present: Bishop Kimba Evariste (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Dan Gildner (Allegheny West), Jessica LaGrone (Trinity), Tesia Mallory (Allegheny West), Eugene Paik (Korean American)
Staff Members Present: Dianne Burnett (Executive Director of Communications), Matthew Conover (Executive Director of Finance), Mike Schafer (Connectional Operations Officer)
Executive Summary
The Connectional Council of the Global Methodist Church met on July 21, 2025, by Zoom, continuing its prayerful and purposeful work of governance, global development, missional advancement, conference formation, operational stewardship, and connectional planning in service to the Church’s mission: to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
The meeting was presided over by Vice Chair Daniel Topalski, who also opened the gathering in prayer. The Council’s work reflected a growing global Methodist movement seeking to order its common life with clarity, conviction, accountability, and faithful attention to both present opportunities and long term mission.
The Council unanimously approved the June 23, 2025 meeting minutes, continuing its commitment to careful recordkeeping, institutional memory, and responsible connectional governance. In a Church growing across nations, cultures, and conferences, faithful minutes are essential to transparency, continuity, and trust.
The Global Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on the Kingdom Advancement Commission. The Council unanimously approved removing contractors from the Commission in accordance with The Book of Doctrines and Discipline. This action reflected the Council’s commitment to proper governance, clear roles, and polity-conscious administration. The Council also unanimously approved four grant proposals through the end of 2025, with contractors reporting to Mike Schafer. This action strengthened the Church’s capacity for evangelism, church multiplication, missional mobilization, and kingdom-focused ministry.
Looking beyond immediate needs, the Council unanimously approved the establishment of a task force for long-term staffing through 2032. Mike Schafer was authorized to nominate the task force membership, to be affirmed by the Connectional Council within twenty-eight days. This decision demonstrated wise foresight and strategic stewardship. A growing global Church requires not only present energy, but future planning. By looking ahead to 2032, the Council affirmed the importance of building sustainable staffing structures capable of supporting the Church’s expanding mission.
The Council also received recommendations from the Conferences Commission concerning new Transitional Conference Advisory Teams. The formation of TCATs for Angola, Peru, and Rwanda was unanimously approved. These actions represent meaningful steps in the continued global development of the Global Methodist Church. Each approved TCAT reflects the Church’s desire to support emerging regions with appropriate structure, connectional care, and faithful guidance as they grow toward fuller participation in the life of the denomination.
The Council further approved recommendations concerning emerging areas. Nepal was approved to be connected with the India Emerging Area, recognizing geographic, missional, and relational alignment for future development. Spain was declassified as an Annual Conference and connected with a Western Europe Emerging Area. These decisions reflect the Council’s willingness to make careful structural adjustments in order to support healthy growth, contextual ministry, and faithful connectional alignment.
The Council unanimously approved the Lubbock Office Lease, providing continued operational support for the denomination’s administrative work. Though practical in nature, such decisions are essential to the faithful functioning of the Church’s connectional infrastructure. Mission requires ministry, and ministry requires sound administration.
The Council also reviewed details for the upcoming October 2025 Connectional Council meeting in Spain. Council members were instructed to arrive in Barcelona by Saturday, October 25, 2025, and to communicate spouse attendance to Cat Enns. These plans reflect the Council’s continuing desire to strengthen global relationships, gather for deeper discernment, and embody the international character of the Global Methodist Church.
The meeting concluded with prayer offered by John Beyers and adjourned at 10:33 AM. Detailed Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
• Time: 9:00 AM EST
• Presiding: Daniel Topalski, vice-chair
• Opening Prayer: Daniel Topalski
2
APPROVAL OF JUNE 23, 2025 MEETING MINUTES
• Unanimously approved.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Kingdom Advancement Commission
• Remove contractors from the Kingdom Advance Commission, per BoDD.
o Moved by Debra Davis
o Seconded by Cara Nicklas
▪ Unanimously approved.
• Four grant proposals approved through the end of 2025 with contractors reporting to Mike Schafer.
o Moved by Cara Nicklas
o Seconded by Bulus Audu Daniel
▪ Unanimously approved.
• Establish a taskforce for long-term staffing through 2032 with Mike Schafer nominating taskforce membership, to be affirmed by the Connectional Council no later than 28 days from today.
o Moved by Bishop Mark Webb
o Seconded by Cara Nicklas
▪ Unanimously approved.
2. Conferences Commission
A. Recommendations for new Transitional Conference Advisory Teams (TCATs)
• Angola
▪ Unanimously approved.
• Peru
▪ Unanimously approved.
• Rwanda
▪ Unanimously approved.
B. Recommendations for Emerging Areas
• Nepal to be connected with the India Emerging Area
▪ Moved by Bishop Mark Webb
▪ Seconded by Paul Lawler
o Unanimously approved.
• Spain declassified as an Annual Conference and connected with a Western Europe Emerging Area
▪ Unanimously approved.
3. Lubbock Office Lease
• Moved by Sam Gregory
3
• Seconded by Debra Davis
o Unanimously approved.
4. October Spain Connectional Council Meeting
• Council members to arrive in Barcelona by Saturday, October 25, 2025.
• Email Cat Enns (cenns@globalmethodist.org) if your spouse is accompanying you to Barcelona.
CLOSING
• Next Meeting: Monday, August 4, 2025, at 9:00 AM EST
• Concluding Prayer: John Beyers
• Adjournment: 10:33 AM EST
Minutes Prepared By: John Beyers
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