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
November 24, 2025 | 9:00 AM EST | Via Zoom
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Members Present Via Zoom: Asaba Chin Ali (Southern Nigeria), Harrison Bell (Alabama Emerald Coast), John Beyers (North Georgia), Arturo Cadar (Trinity), 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), Maxim Kvyatkovskiy (Central Russia), Jessica LaGrone (Trinity), Henriette Okele (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Eugene Paik (Korean American), Daniel Topalski (Bulgaria), Bishop Mark Webb (USA)
Members Not Present: Bishop Kimba Evariste (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Erik Grayson (South Carolina), Paul Lawler (Mississippi–West Tennessee), Tesia Mallory (Allegheny West), Cara Nicklas (Heartland), Vida Mei Rivera (Mega Manila)
Staff Members Present Via Zoom: Dianne Burnett (Executive Director of Communications), Matthew Conover (Executive Director of Finance), Mike Schafer (Connectional Operations Officer)
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Executive Summary
The Connectional Council of the Global Methodist Church met on November 24, 2025, by Zoom, continuing its prayerful and purposeful work of governance, theological education, General Conference preparation, strategic planning, and global connectional development in service to the Church’s mission: to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM Eastern Standard Time and was presided over by Chair Jessica LaGrone. Bishop Mark Webb opened the meeting in prayer, grounding the Council’s work in dependence upon the wisdom, grace, and guidance of God. The Council’s deliberations reflected a Church continuing to mature in structure, strengthen its systems of leadership formation, and prepare faithfully for the next season of global Methodist mission.
The Global Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
The Council approved the November 10, 2025 meeting minutes following a motion by Dan Gildner and a second by Daniel Topalski. The minutes were unanimously approved, continuing the Council’s commitment to accurate recordkeeping, institutional continuity, and responsible corporate governance. Faithful minutes preserve the Church’s memory, clarify its decisions, and strengthen trust throughout the connection.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on the work of the Ministry and Higher Education Commission. Debra Davis and Brian Ebel presented theological education institutions that had been vetted for approval. The Council received recommendations regarding several seminaries and institutions that will help shape the future of clergy formation and ministry preparation across the Global Methodist Church.
The Council reviewed and affirmed full six-year approvals for Asbury Theological Seminary, Beeson Divinity School at Samford University, Oklahoma Wesleyan University for international students only, Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University, Wesley Biblical Seminary, and West Africa Theological Seminary. The Council also reviewed provisional three-year approvals for Ashland Theological Seminary and Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University. United Theological Seminary was noted as holding temporary status, with its approval process set for July 31, 2026, and with specific communication suggested regarding its temporary status due to the seminary’s presidential search.
This work represents a major investment in the theological future of the Church. A faithful Methodist movement requires clergy and lay leaders who are biblically grounded, doctrinally sound, Spirit-filled, Wesleyan in conviction, and prepared to serve in diverse ministry contexts. The approval of these institutions helps provide clear pathways for formation while maintaining accountability, quality, and theological alignment.
The Council also noted that ten additional institutions are currently in a four-step approval process. This ongoing work demonstrates the Church’s commitment to expanding access to theological education while maintaining careful standards. The Council also reviewed a proposed Global Methodist Church Geographical School of Ministry pathway for international theological education. This proposal points toward the growing need for formation models that are accessible, contextual, and globally responsive. As the Church expands across continents, theological education must be both deeply rooted and widely reachable.
The Council then received follow-up from the Conferences Commission regarding a request from Clark Atkins, chair of the Commission, recommending that one clergy person and one lay person from emerging areas of the Global Methodist Church be appointed to attend General Conference. The Council also received the response from Mike Grant, chair of the General Conference Commission.
After discussion, Jeff Jernigan moved to approve the Conferences Commission request, granting emerging area representatives voice but no vote in legislative committee sessions, while not seating them in plenary sessions. Daniel Topalski seconded the motion, and it was unanimously approved. This action reflected careful balance. The Council recognized the importance of including emerging areas in the life and discernment of the Church while also honoring the established structure and voting processes of General Conference. It was an act of hospitality, representation, and connectional care.
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The Council also reviewed a proposal related to the Strategic Planning Process with Spiritual Leadership, Inc. Harrison Bell moved to approve the proposal, Sam Gregory seconded, and the motion was unanimously approved. This decision represents an important step toward developing a disciplined, prayerful, and mission-focused strategic planning process for the Global Methodist Church.
Strategic planning is not merely organizational technique. At its best, it is spiritual stewardship. It helps the Church clarify priorities, align resources, strengthen leadership, and move with greater focus toward the mission Christ has entrusted to His people. By approving this process, the Council affirmed the need for intentional, Spirit-led planning as the denomination continues to grow globally.
The meeting concluded with prayer offered by Daniel Topalski and adjourned at 10:10 AM EST. Detailed Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
• Time: 9:00 AM (Eastern Standard Time)
• Presiding: Jessica LaGrone, chair
• Opening Prayer: Bishop Mark Webb
APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 10, 2025, MEETING MINUTES
• Dan Gildner moved approval.
• Seconded by Daniel Topalski.
• Unanimously approved.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Ministry and Higher Education Commission
• Debra Davis and Brian Ebel presented theological education institutions vetted for approval. • Asbury Theological Seminary – Full Six-Year Approval
• Beason Divinity School at Samford University – Full Six-Year Approval
• Oklahoma Wesleyan University (for international students only) – Full Six Year Approval
• Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University – Full Six-Year Approval • Wesley Biblical Seminary – Full Six-Year Approval
• West Africa Theological Seminary – Full Six-Year Approval
• Ashland Theological Seminary – Provisional Three-Year Approval
• Wesley Seminary at IWU – Provisional Three-Year Approval
• United Theological Seminary – Temporary Status/Approval Process on July 31, 2026
• Specific communication suggested around United Theological
Seminary’s temporary status due to the Seminary being in a
presidential search.
• Ten more institutions are currently in a four-step approval process.
• Review proposed GMC Geographical School of Ministry pathway for international theological education.
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2. Conferences Commission
• Follow up on November 6, 2025 request from Clark Atkins, Conferences Commission chair, recommending that one clergy person and one lay person from Emerging Areas of the GMC be appointed to attend General Conference, and response from Mike Grant, General Conference Commission chair.
• Jeff Jernigan moved to approve the Conferences Commission request with Emerging Area representatives granted voice but no vote in legislative committee sessions, and representatives not seated in the plenary sessions.
• Seconded by Daniel Topalski.
• Unanimously approved.
3. Strategic Planning
• SLI consulting process proposal reviewed.
• Harrison Bell moved to approve the proposal.
• Sam Gregory seconded.
• Unanimously approved.
CLOSING
• Next Meeting: Monday, December 8, 2025, at 9:00 AM (EST) via Zoom
• Concluding Prayer: Daniel Topalski
• Adjournment: 10:10 AM EST
Minutes prepared by John Beyers with the gracious assistance of Sam Gregory.
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