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
October 13, 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), Arturo Cadar (Trinity), Bulus Audu Daniel (Southern Nigeria), Debra Davis (Trinity), Gene Floore (Alabama Emerald Coast), Dan Gildner (Allegheny West), Erik Grayson (South Carolina), Sam Gregory (West Plains), Jessica LaGrone (Trinity), Maxim Kvyatkovskiy (Central Russia), Paul Lawler (Mississippi–West Tennessee), Tesia Mallory (Allegheny West), Henriette Okele (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Eugene Paik (Korean American), Vida Mei Rivera (Mega Manila), Daniel Topalski (Bulgaria)
Members Not Present: Bishop Kimba Evariste (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Jeff Jernigan (North Georgia), Cara Nicklas (Heartland), Bishop Mark Webb (USA)
Staff Members Present: Dianne Burnett (Executive Director of Communications), Matthew Conover (Executive Director of Finance)
Staff Members Not Present: Mike Schafer (Connectional Operations Officer)
Executive Summary
The Connectional Council of the Global Methodist Church met on October 13, 2025, by Zoom, continuing its faithful work of global governance, conference development, financial stewardship, kingdom advancement, and preparation for holy conferencing 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 EDT and was presided over by Chair Jessica LaGrone. Erik Grayson 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 organize wisely, grow globally, and steward its connectional responsibilities with discipline and hope.
The Global Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
The Council unanimously approved the September 29, 2025 meeting minutes, continuing its commitment to accurate recordkeeping, institutional memory, and responsible corporate governance. In a young and growing global denomination, faithful minutes provide clarity, continuity, and confidence for the work of the whole connection.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on recommendations from the Conferences Commission. The Council unanimously approved the recognition of a Transitional Conference Advisory Team for the emerging area of the Nile Valley, comprising Egypt, Sudan, and South Sudan. This action represents another important step in the continued global development of the Global Methodist Church and reflects the Council’s commitment to providing structure, support, and connectional care for emerging regions of ministry.
The Council also unanimously approved the convening of the Malawi Annual Conference, with geographic boundaries comprising the Republic of Malawi. This action marks a meaningful milestone in the Church’s growth in Africa and demonstrates the denomination’s commitment to regional leadership, contextual ministry, and faithful participation in the global connection.
The Council then considered several recommendations from the Finance, Administration, Pensions, and Benefits Commission. It approved, as amended, a request authorizing $1,000 per U.S. delegate, U.S. alternate delegate, and Conference Superintendent from the Unrestricted, Undesignated Fund to the Board-Designated Fund for General Conference, to be applied as a credit against hotel expenses for the 2026 General Conference. This action reflects the Council’s desire to support faithful participation in the upcoming General Conference and to reduce financial barriers for those called to represent the Church in Johannesburg.
The Council also approved, as amended, the establishment of a new Board-Designated Fund to receive and hold interest income, investment earnings, and individual donations not related to Connectional Funding accumulated on or after January 1, 2025. The amended language clarified that the Finance, Administration, Pensions, and Benefits Commission will oversee and manage the fund, including determining appropriate use and application, subject to approval of the Connectional Council. This action strengthens financial clarity, accountability, and strategic stewardship.
The Council further approved a revision of the Investment Policy to move targets to ranges. This decision provides greater flexibility while maintaining appropriate oversight and disciplined financial management. Such policies are essential for a growing Church seeking to steward resources prudently for long-term mission.
The Kingdom Advancement Commission requested that May 2026 be designated as Kingdom Advancement Month across the Global Methodist Church. The Council unanimously approved the request. This action gives the Church an opportunity to focus its shared attention on evangelism, church multiplication, missional mobilization, and the spread of the gospel. It also reminds the whole connection that the structures of the Church exist for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.
The Council received a financial update reporting that income was exceeding expectations by approximately $1.6 million through August, expenditures were below budget by approximately $3.3 million in total, and total net assets stood at approximately $9.7 million. This report reflected a strong financial position and encouraged continued confidence in the Church’s stewardship, generosity, and operational discipline.
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The Council also received an update regarding the upcoming Barcelona in-person Connectional Council meeting, scheduled for October 25–29, 2025. Additional discussion items were identified, including funding for Connectional Council members attending the 2026 General Conference in Johannesburg and the publication of Connectional Council minutes. These agenda items point to the Council’s desire to strengthen transparency, support participation, and prepare for future global leadership with wisdom and care.
The meeting concluded with prayer offered by Artie Cadar and adjourned at 10:05 AM EDT. Detailed Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
• Time: 9:00 AM EDT
• Presiding: Jessica LaGrone, chair
• Opening Prayer: Erik Grayson
APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 29, 2025 MEETING MINUTES
• Unanimously approved.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Conferences Commission
• Request from Bishop Scott Jones and Rev. Simon Mufunda that a Transitional Conference Advisory Team (TCAT) be recognized for the emerging area of the Nile Valley (Egypt, Sudan, and South Sudan).
• Unanimously approved.
• Request approving the convening of the Malawi Annual Conference whose geographic boundaries shall comprise the Republic of Malawi.
• Unanimously approved.
2. Finance, Administration, Pensions, and Benefits Commission
• Request authorizing $1,000 per U.S. delegate, U.S. alternate delegate, and each Conference Superintendent from the Unrestricted, Undesignated Fund to the Board-Designated Fund for the General Conference to be applied as a credit against the hotel expenses incurred for their respective delegates attending the 2026 General Conference of approximately USD$360,000.
• Harrison Bell moved to amend the proposal to include Conference Superintendents not elected by their Annual Conferences.
• Seconded by Gene Floore
• Unanimously approved.
• Unanimously approved as amended.
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• Request authorizing the establishment of a new Board-Designated Fund to receive and hold all interest income, investment earnings, and individual donations not related to Connectional Funding accumulated on or after January 1, 2025.
• Paul Lawler moved to amend the second paragraph as follows: “The Finance, Administration, Pensions, and Benefits Commission will oversee and manage this fund, including determining the appropriate use and application of the funds, subject to approval of the Connectional Council.”
• Seconded by Bulus Audu Daniel
• 15 in favor, 3 opposed.
• Unanimously approved as amended.
• Recommendation for Revision of Investment Policy to Move Targets to Ranges • Unanimously approved.
3. Kingdom Advancement Commission
• Request that May 2026 be designated as Kingdom Advancement Month across the GMC.
• Unanimously approved.
4. Financial Update
• Income exceeding expectations by approximately $1.6M through August.
• Expenditures blow budget in every category by approximately $3.3M in total. • Total Net Assets: $9.7M.
5. Barcelona In-Person Connectional Council Meeting Update
• Additional In-Person Meeting Discussion Items:
• Funding for GMC Connectional Council Members attending the 2026 General Conference in Johannesburg.
• Publication of GMC Connectional Council Minutes.
CLOSING
• Next Meeting: October 25-29, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain
• Concluding Prayer: Artie Cadar
• Adjournment: 10:05 AM EDT
Minutes prepared by John Beyers
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