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 3, 2025 | 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), Bulus Audu Daniel (Southern Nigeria), 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, Vida Mei Rivera (Mega Manila), Daniel Topalski (Bulgaria)
Members Not Present: Bishop Kimba Evariste (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Bishop Mark Webb (USA)
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 3, 2025, with prayerful focus, connectional purpose, and a continuing commitment to the Church’s defining mission: “to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.”
The meeting reflected a Church steadily strengthening its governance, expanding its global representation, preparing for General Conference, and developing the worship, financial, episcopal, and connectional structures necessary for a faithful worldwide Methodist movement. Throughout the meeting, the Council demonstrated the values essential to healthy Christian leadership: clarity, accountability, stewardship, representation, and mission.
The Council began its work by approving the February 17, 2025 minutes as corrected. This action reflected the Council’s commitment to accuracy in the official record and to careful corporate governance. In a growing global denomination, faithful documentation is not merely procedural; it is part of the trust by which the Church orders its shared life and ministry.
The Global Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
A major action of the meeting was the approval of a proposal to form a Book of Worship Task Force. This is a significant step in the formation of the Global Methodist Church’s liturgical and worship life. The task force will be composed of Connectional Council members Daniel Topalski, serving as convener, along with John Beyers, Bulus Audu Daniel, Tesia Mallory, and Henriette Okele. Their work will help shape resources that strengthen the worshiping life of the Church, unite congregations across cultures and continents, and express the doctrinal, sacramental, and spiritual commitments of the Wesleyan tradition.
The Council also strengthened the work of key commissions through the approval of new members. Ed Murphy (MidTexas) was unanimously approved for service on the Ecumenical Relations Commission, supporting the Church’s engagement with the wider body of Christ. Jean Jaques Mbuyu Masengo (Democratic Republic of the Congo) and Aaron Yankee (Liberia) were unanimously approved for service on the Global Episcopacy Committee, further strengthening the Church’s global voice in matters related to episcopal leadership and oversight. These appointments reflect the growing international character of the Global Methodist Church and its desire to lead with wisdom shaped by the whole connection.
The Council gave careful attention to matters of finance, administration, and institutional stewardship. Matthew Conover recommended a benefits receivable write-off of $301,000 related to Wespath billing, taken against a recovery account as of December 31, 2024, in order to begin 2025 with a clean balance sheet. This recommendation was unanimously approved, reflecting prudent financial management and a desire to move forward with clarity and transparency. The Council also unanimously approved adding Molly Williams, the GMC bookkeeper, to the Church’s bank accounts, strengthening operational efficiency and financial administration.
In addition, the Council unanimously approved a recommendation that the Commission on Finance, Administration, and Pension Benefits develop financial policies for presentation to the Connectional Council. This action marks an important step in building durable systems of accountability, consistency, and fiscal responsibility. As the Church grows, clear financial policies will help support confidence, transparency, and faithful stewardship across the connection.
The Council received an update on preparations for the 2026 General Conference. Mike Schafer reported that General Conference teams have been developed and are operating, delegate numbers are scheduled to be announced by April 1, and the General Conference Commission team continues to negotiate contracts. Dianne Burnett is also working on theme options to be presented to the Council. These updates reflect meaningful progress toward a historic global gathering that will help shape the next chapter of the Global Methodist Church’s life and mission.
The Council also addressed the addition of four members to the Connectional Council: Nyamah Dunbar (Liberia) and Eugene Paik (Korean American) laity; and Erik Grayson (South Carolina) and Arturo Cadar (Trinity), both clergy. These additions continue the important work of broadening the Council’s representation and strengthening the Church’s commitment to geographic, racial, ethnic, and vocational diversity. A global Church requires global wisdom, and these names point toward a richer and more representative connectional leadership.
The meeting concluded with plans for the next Council gathering on March 17, 2025, and with prayer offered by Cara Nicklas. The Council adjourned at 10:22 AM EST.
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Detailed Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
• Time: 9:00 AM EST
• Presiding: Jessica LaGrone, chair
• Opening Prayer: Asaba Chin Ali
APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY 17, 2025, MINUTES
• Correction noted by Matthew Conover:
o Business Item #1: Moved by Paul Lawler. Seconded by Jeff Jernigan.
o Minutes presented as corrected
▪ Moved by Daniel Topalski
▪ Seconded by Paul Lawler
• Unanimously approved.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Book of Worship Task Force
o Discussion of Jessica LaGrone proposal.
▪ Moved by Jessica LaGrone
▪ Seconded by Debra Davis
• Unanimously approved.
o Connectional Council members to form Book of Worship Task Force: Daniel Topalski (convener), John Beyers, Bulus Audu Daniel, Tesia Mallory, Henriette Okele.
2. Ecumenical Relations Commission
o Nomination of New Member:
▪ Ed Murphy (Laity/MidTexas)
o Unanimously approved.
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3. Global Episcopacy Committee
o Nomination of New Members:
▪ Jean Jaques Mbuyu Masengo (Clergy/Democratic Republic of the Congo) ▪ Aaron Yankee (Clergy/Liberia)
o Unanimously approved.
4. Finance, Administration, and Pension Benefits Commission
o Matthew Conover recommended Benefits Receivable Write-off of $301,000 Wespath billing taken against a recovery account as of December 31, 2024 to start 2025 with a clean balance sheet.
▪ Moved by Harrison Bell
▪ Seconded by Sam Gregory
• Unanimously approved.
o Matthew Conover recommended adding Molly Williams, GMC bookkeeper, to GMC Bank Accounts.
▪ Moved by Jeff Jernigan
▪ Seconded by Vida Mei Rivera
• Unanimously approved.
o Harrison Bell recommended that the Finance, Administration, and Pension Benefits Commission develop financial policies to present to Connectional Council. ▪ Moved by Harrison Bell
▪ Seconded by Paul Lawler
• Unanimously approved.
5. General Conference Update
o Mike Schafer offered the following updates:
▪ General Conference Teams developed and running.
▪ General Conference delegate numbers to be announced by April 1.
▪ General Conference Commission Team are continuing to negotiate contracts. o Dianne Burnett is working on General Conference theme options to present to the Connectional Council.
6. Adding Four Additional Members to the Connectional Council
o Laity:
▪ Nyamah Dunbar (Laity/Liberia)
▪ Eugene Paik (Laity/Korean American)
o Clergy:
▪ Erik Grayson (Clergy/South Carolina)
▪ Arturo Cadar (Clergy/Trinity)
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CLOSING
• Next Meeting: Monday, March 17, 2025, at 9:00 AM EST • Concluding Prayer: Cara Nicklas
• Adjournment: 10:22 AM EST
Minutes Prepared By: John Beyers
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