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
March 17, 2025 | 9:00 AM EDT | Via Zoom

Members Present: Asaba Chin Ali (Southern Nigeria), Harrison Bell (Alabama Emerald Coast), John Beyers (North Georgia), Arturo Cadar (Trinity), Debra Davis (Trinity), Gene Floore (Alabama Emerald Coast), Dan Gildner (Allegheny West), Sam Gregory (West Plains), Jeff Jernigan (North Georgia), Jessica LaGrone (Trinity), Paul Lawler (Mississippi–West Tennessee), Tesia Mallory (Allegheny West), Cara Nicklas (Heartland), Henriette Okele (Democratic Republic of the Congo) with French translator, Eugene Paik (Korean American), Daniel Topalski (Bulgaria), Bishop Mark Webb (USA)
Members Not Present: Bulus Audu Daniel (Southern Nigeria), Bishop Kimba Evariste (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Erik Grayson (South Carolina), Vida Mei Rivera (Mega Manila)
Staff Members Present: Dianne Burnett (Executive Director of Communications), Matthew Conover (Chief Financial Officer), Mike Schafer (Connectional Operations Officer)
Executive Summary
The Connectional Council of the Global Methodist Church met on March 17, 2025, with prayerful attention and a continuing commitment to the Church’s sacred mission: to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
This meeting reflected a Church that is steadily strengthening its systems, clarifying its structures, preparing for global gathering, and stewarding its growing responsibilities with care. The Council’s work was marked by unity, accountability, prudent administration, and a shared desire to align every operational decision with the mission of Christ and the worldwide witness of the Global Methodist Church.
The Council welcomed two new members, Arturo Cadar (Trinity) clergy and Eugene Paik (Korean American) laity. Their introduction further demonstrated the Church’s commitment to broadening representation, strengthening connectional leadership, and ensuring that the Council’s deliberations are shaped by the diverse gifts, voices, and experiences of the global Church. As the Global Methodist
The Global Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
Church continues to mature, the presence of faithful leaders from many contexts strengthens both its discernment and its witness.
The Council approved the March 3, 2025 meeting minutes as corrected, continuing its commitment to accuracy, transparency, and responsible governance. In a growing global denomination, faithful minutes are more than a record of decisions; they are a means of building trust, preserving institutional memory, and ensuring accountability across the connection.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on financial stewardship. The Council unanimously approved the 2025 Budget Proposal with 2025 Salary Recommendations following discussion led by Harrison Bell and Mike Schafer. This action represents an important step in supporting the Church’s mission with responsible fiscal planning, appropriate staff support, and disciplined financial oversight. By approving the budget and salary recommendations, the Council affirmed the importance of aligning resources with responsibility and mission with management.
The Council also unanimously approved the proposed Global Methodist Church Employee Handbook, with Mike Schafer authorized to make minor edits based on the discussion. This action strengthens the Church’s internal administrative framework by providing clearer expectations, policies, and guidance for employees. As the denomination grows, sound personnel policies will help cultivate consistency, fairness, accountability, and operational health across the connectional structure.
The Council then considered a request for an “Africa Now” Committee. Following discussion led by Mike Schafer, the Council unanimously approved referring the proposal to the Assembly of Bishops. This action recognized the significance of Africa within the life and future of the Global Methodist Church while also honoring the proper ecclesial channels for discernment and leadership. The referral reflects both urgency and order, recognizing that global growth requires prayerful coordination, episcopal wisdom, and faithful connectional collaboration.
The Council also received important updates regarding the 2026 General Conference. Mike Schafer reported that contract negotiations are ongoing and nearing finalization, potentially within seven days. Dianne Burnett reported that a General Conference theme proposal was projected for review by March 19. These updates indicate meaningful progress toward a historic global gathering that will help shape the next chapter of the Church’s life, governance, and mission. The Council’s continued attention to General Conference planning reflects its commitment to excellence, hospitality, and spiritual purpose.
Another important action was the unanimous approval of a communications staff restructuring following discussion led by Dianne Burnett. This decision reflects the Council’s recognition that communication is central to connectional life. As the Church grows across nations, languages, conferences, congregations, and cultures, clear and effective communication will be essential for unity, mission alignment, public witness, and organizational trust.
The meeting concluded with prayer offered by Debra Davis, and the Council adjourned with its next meeting scheduled for March 31, 2025.
2
Detailed Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
• Time: 9:01 AM EST
• Presiding: Jessica LaGrone, chair
• Opening Prayer: Harrison Bell
INTRODUCTIONS
• Introduction of New Connectional Council Members:
o Arturo Cadar (Clergy/Trinity)
o Eugene Paik (Laity/Korean American)
APPROVAL OF MARCH 3, 2025 MEETING MINUTES
• Moved by Sam Gregory
• Seconded by Daniel Topalski
o Correction to Finance, Administration Pensions, and Benefits Commission item #1: Seconded by Sam Gildner Gregory
• Unanimously approved
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Finance, Administration, Pension, and Benefits Commission
• 2025 Budget Proposal with 2025 Salary Recommendations:
o Moved by Jeff Jernigan
o Seconded by Gene Floore
o Discussion led by Harrison Bell and Mike Shafer
• Unanimously approved
2. Proposed Global Methodist Church Employee Handbook
• Moved by Dan Gildner
• Seconded by Tesia Mallory
• Discussion led by Mike Schafer.
o Mike Shafer to make minor edits as per the discussion.
• Unanimously approved
3. Request for “Africa Now” Committee
• Discussion led by Mike Schafer
• Harrison Bell moved to refer proposal to the Assembly of Bishops
• Seconded by Artie Cadar
o Unanimously approved
3
4. General Conference Updates
• Contract negotiations:
o Discussion led by Mike Schafer.
• Contract negotiations are ongoing and nearing finalization, perhaps within seven days.
• General Conference Theme:
o Discussion led by Dianne Barnett.
• Proposal projected for review by Wednesday, March 19.
5. Communications Staff Restructuring
• Discussion led by Dianne Burnett.
• Moved by Paul Lawler
• Seconded by Cara Nicklas
o Unanimously approved
CLOSING
• Next Meeting: Monday, March 31, 2025, at 9:00 AM EST
• Concluding Prayer: Debra Davis
• Adjournment: 10:24 AM EST
Minutes Prepared By: John Beyers
4ze this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.