Meeting Minutes List

Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasiCommission on Finance, Administration, Pension, & Benefits AGENDA NOTES – THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2026
ATTENDING:
1 Harrison Bell
2 Sam Gregory
3 Vivian Kinnear
4 Bishop Auta (NT)Out
5 Luvo Thwethwa (SAT)Out
6 Sung-Soo Kim Out
7 Jennifer Lineberry Out
9 MEMBERS; 3 STAFF ATTENDING KEY TAKEAWAYS
8 Sherry Austin
9 Chris Akers
10 Jim Nobel
11 Herman DickOut 12 Matt Seel
13 Rhonda Bourgeois 14 Richard Croll
15 Olandor Boyce (LT) Out STAFF:
1 Molly Williams
2 Mike Schafer
3 Matt Conover
• The 2026 budget for the Global Methodist Church has been approved by the Connectional Council • There is an ongoing issue regarding contractors vs. employees for Kingdom Advancement, with legal opinion indicating that current contractors are being treated as employees
o The commission will engage a law firm to develop best practices for contracting o A task force was formed to create a policy for contractors based on legal guidance • Herman is retiring, and Joy Perry was nominated to replace him on the commission • Guidestone pension plan is moving from investor class to institutional class, resulting in a 5 basis point reduction in expenses
WELCOME AND PRAYER –HARRISON
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM IN-PERSON MEETING – VIVIAN
• Commission approved with edits.
CONNECTIONAL COUNCIL UPDATES – SAM
Sam provided an update on recent Connectional Council meetings.
• The Connectional Council met on January 12th and 26th. They approved moving $2 million from undesignated funds to the Ministerial Training Fund and $600,000 to a fund for future General Conferences.
• The Connectional Council approved the 2026 budget proposed by the commission. • Kingdom Advancement's proposal to hire staff was discussed but not approved. Instead, the Council approved contracting with third-party agencies for 90 days retroactive to January 1st.
NEW BUSINESS
CONTRACTOR USE POLICY SUGGESTION - Discussion
Extensive discussion about the legal and financial implications of how Kingdom Advancement has been engaging workers.
• Details
o Harrison: A law firm (Ogletree Deakins) provided an opinion that current contractors should be
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treated as employees according to IRS guidelines.
o Matthew: Estimated that taxes, penalties, and pension payments could amount to approximately $25,000 if these individuals are reclassified as employees.
o Mike: "These contracts do not meet IRS guidelines. We have stated that from the early fall on." o Jim: Noted that Department of Labor fines would be "astronomically higher" than just paying the back taxes.
o Vivian: Suggested Kingdom Advancement could become its own 501c3 organization. o Sam: Pointed out that this would require changes to the discipline since Kingdom Advancement is a standing commission.
o Rhonda: Raised concerns about defining ministry personnel and the distinction between volunteer and paid positions.
• Conclusion
o The commission will engage the law firm to develop best practices for contracting. (Motion: Sam, Second: Vivian, unanimously approved)
o A task force (Matt, Sam, Vivian, and Harrison) will work with the legal opinion to develop a policy.
OLD BUSINESS
LEGISLATIVE TEAM GROUPINGS AND AREAS OF FOCUS-Discussion
Brief discussion about legislative team groupings.
• Details
o Harrison: Chris is leading a team on health insurance with Richard and Sherry.
o Chris: Will send an email to schedule a team meeting for next Thursday.
• Conclusion
o Vivian will capture the team members, and Harrison will work with Sam and Vivian to develop more teams.
NEW MEMBER PROPOSAL- Joy Perry to replace Herman Dick (retirement)
Discussion about replacing Herman, who is retiring from the commission.
• Details
o Harrison: Herman is retiring as treasurer of Allegheny West and has recommended Joy Perry as his replacement on the commission.
o Rhonda: Has worked with Joy Perry and found her to be a good resource.
o Matthew: Noted she's knowledgeable, and it's good to have a treasurer from an annual conference on the commission.
o Mike: Bishop Greenway has praised her work.
o Rhonda: Confirmed Joy Perry is lay (not clergy).
• Conclusion
o The commission voted to nominate Joy Perry to replace Herman, pending her willingness to serve. (Motion: Sam, Second Vivian, unanimously approved) (Follow-up, she responded yes to Harrison’s invitation to serve.)
GUIDESTONE PENSION UPDATE
Matthew shared positive news about the pension plan.
• Details
o Matthew: "We got confirmation that the pension plan will be moving from investor class to institutional class."
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o Matthew: This will result in a 5 basis point reduction in expenses for all invested funds. o Matthew: There is approximately $248 million in the pension plan today. • Conclusion
o This change will benefit clergy who are invested in the pension fund.
CLOSING PRAYER – Mike
Next meeting: FEBRUARY 19, 2026
Action items
• Matt, Sam, Vivian, Harrison
o Develop a policy for contractors based on legal guidance
o Present proposal in two weeks
• Harrison
o Contact Joy Perry to confirm her willingness to serve on the commission o Work with Sam and Vivian to develop additional sub-teams
• Mike
o Pass Joy Perry's nomination to Kat to get it on the Connectional Council agenda • Rhonda
o Send Joy Perry's contact information to Harrison and Vivian
• Chris
o Send email to schedule health insurance team meeting for next Thursday • Matt
o Engage Ogletree Deacons law firm to develop best practices for contracting
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