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 26-29, 2025 | Hotel Alimara | Barcelona, Spain
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Members Present In-Person: Harrison Bell (Alabama Emerald Coast), John Beyers (North Georgia), Arturo Cadar (Trinity), Debra Davis (Trinity), Gene Floore (Alabama Emerald Coast), Dan Gildner (Allegheny West), Erik Grayson (South Carolina), Sam Gregory (West Plains), Jeff Jernigan (North Georgia), Jessica LaGrone (Trinity), Paul Lawler (Mississippi–West Tennessee), Tesia Mallory (Allegheny West), Cara Nicklas (Heartland), Eugene Paik (Korean American), Vida Mei Rivera (Mega Manila), Daniel Topalski (Bulgaria), Bishop Mark Webb (USA)
Members Present Via Zoom: Asaba Chin Ali (Southern Nigeria), Bulus Audu Daniel (Southern Nigeria), Bishop Kimba Evariste (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Henriette Okele (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
Member Not Present: Maxim Kvyatkovskiy (Central Russia)
Staff Members Present In-Person: Dianne Burnett (Executive Director of Communications), Matthew Conover (Executive Director of Finance), Mike Schafer (Connectional Operations Officer)
Executive Summary
The Connectional Council of the Global Methodist Church gathered October 26–29, 2025, in Barcelona, Spain, with members participating both in person and by Zoom. This extended in-person meeting reflected a significant moment in the maturing life of the Global Methodist Church: a season of worship, relationship-building, strategic discernment, global reflection, corporate governance, and prayerful preparation for the next chapter of the Church’s mission.
The meeting was grounded in the Church’s defining purpose: to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe. Throughout the gathering, the Council’s work demonstrated that the Global Methodist Church is not merely building an institution; it is stewarding a global Methodist movement rooted in Scripture, formed by Wesleyan doctrine, strengthened by holy conferencing, and sent into the world for the sake of Jesus Christ.
The Global Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
The Council opened on Sunday, October 26, with prayer and worship. Artie Cadar and Tesia Mallory led the opening worship, and Bishop Mark Webb offered a message entitled “Guarding the True Treasure of the Church,” based on St. Paul’s farewell to the church in Acts 20. This opening message set a spiritually serious and missionally focused tone for the gathering. The Council was reminded that the Church’s true treasure is not its structure, property, polity, or programs, but the gospel of Jesus Christ faithfully entrusted to the people of God.
A major portion of the opening session was devoted to Council member sharing and commission and conference summaries. Commission chairs and Council representatives reported on the work, challenges, and opportunities facing the Finance, Administration, Pensions, and Benefits Commission; Kingdom Advancement Commission; Ministry and Higher Education Commission; Discipline, Doctrine, and Just Ministry Commission; Conferences Commission; Ecumenical Relationships Commission; Global Episcopacy Commission; and General Conference Commission. These reports surfaced several key areas of continuing attention, including clergy insurance requirements in country-specific contexts, church planting, recruitment of church planters, certified lay minister training and standards, clergy orders and sacramental authority, the ATLAS GMC database, and preparations for General Conference.
The Council also identified the need to make The Book of Doctrines and Discipline less U.S.-centric and more fully reflective of the Church’s global identity. Daniel Topalski and Harrison Bell were appointed by acclamation to begin coordinating commission chairs toward this important work. This action represents a significant step toward ensuring that the Church’s doctrinal, disciplinary, and operational life reflects its worldwide reach, regional realities, and global calling.
On Monday, October 27, the Council resumed with worship and a devotional led by Daniel Topalski, based on 1 Corinthians 9:16. The Council then addressed the transparency of its work. Jessica LaGrone moved that Connectional Council minutes, along with an inspiring executive summary, be published on the Global Methodist Church website. The motion was unanimously approved. Sam Gregory then moved that the same process be applied to previous minutes without executive summaries, which was also unanimously approved. Cara Nicklas moved that all Connectional Commissions adopt the same process of publishing minutes with an inspiring executive summary going forward; that motion was approved by a vote of 19 in favor and 3 opposed. These actions marked an important advance in connectional transparency, public accountability, and trust-building across the Church.
The Council also discussed its role and relationship to the commissions, particularly in relation to Paragraph 807.4 of the Book of Doctrines and Discipline. Through small group discussion, Council members considered how to clarify responsibilities, strengthen coordination, and ensure that the work of the Council and commissions remains aligned with the mission and priorities of the Church.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on the global structure of the Global Methodist Church. The Council reviewed key statistics, including 6,117 local churches, 45 annual conferences, and 16 Transitional Conference Advisory Teams. The Council discussed moving from transitional partnerships, which were primarily oriented toward financial support for annual conferences formerly dependent on United Methodist funding, toward missional partnerships based primarily on mission partnerships between United States and international annual conferences. This shift reflects a deeper vision of global connectionalism built not merely on financial support, but on shared mission, mutual relationship, and common witness.
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The Council also discussed the future of the episcopacy, including the possible election of six to eight bishops with responsibility for six to eight annual conferences each, while awaiting budget recommendations from the Global Episcopacy Committee. The Global Staffing Task Force was also reviewed, including current staffing levels of twelve full-time and six part-time employees. Discussion included possible regional director positions, an Executive Assistant to the Bishops, a Director of Information Systems Architecture, and a proposed Executive Director of Global Relations and Commissions. The Council approved salaries for the Executive Assistant to the Bishops and Director of Information Systems Architecture positions and directed the Staffing Task Force to develop and approve job descriptions in consultation with Mike Schafer.
The Monday session concluded with dinner at Con Cortada Castle Restaurant with Barcelona Global Methodist Church leaders. This gathering strengthened personal relationships and embodied the connectional spirit of a Church that is increasingly global, relational, and missionally alive.
On Tuesday, October 28, the Council continued its work with worship led by Tesia Mallory and a devotional from Vida Mei Rivera. The Council reviewed September 2025 financials, which were unanimously approved. The Council also discussed the Ministerial Training Fund, including concerns related to non-U.S. students. This conversation highlighted the need for global sensitivity in clergy formation, educational access, and financial support for those preparing for ministry across many contexts.
The Council received an update on the ongoing development of the Proposed Book of Worship, an important resource for shaping the Church’s worshiping life across cultures, languages, and congregations. The Book of Worship will help express the theological, sacramental, and liturgical commitments of the Global Methodist Church while serving congregations in faithful and practical ways.
The Council also addressed matters related to the 2026 General Conference. Gene Floore moved to provide resources for Connectional Council members not elected to annual conference delegations to attend General Conference. Eugene Paik moved to amend the motion to provide resources for all Connectional Council members to attend. The amendment and the motion as amended were unanimously approved. This action reflected the Council’s conviction that its members should be present for this historic global gathering, contributing continuity, leadership, and connectional perspective.
Dan Gildner also moved that new Council and Commission work begin on November 1, 2026, unless General Conference legislation prevents such. The motion was unanimously approved. This action provides a clear transition point for post-General Conference leadership and organizational work.
Tuesday’s session included small group reports related to General Conference, followed by a tour of the Basílica de la Sagrada Família with ecumenical greetings from Basilica staff and dinner at Restaurant Con Travi Nou. This experience offered a meaningful reminder of the beauty, breadth, and historic depth of the Christian witness.
The final session included worship with Holy Communion led by Artie Cadar and Dan Gildner. The Council then reviewed future meeting plans. Beginning January 1, 2026, full Council meetings will take place by Zoom on the second and fourth Mondays, with working group meetings on the first and third Mondays. The Council also confirmed an in-person meeting March 11–14, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia, including joint meetings with the Assembly of Bishops and General Commission chairpersons, and
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another in-person meeting June 22–26, 2026, with the location to be determined following a visa study by staff.
The Council then turned to the development of a Global Methodist Church Strategic Plan. This work was framed by the Council’s responsibility to engage in proactive global strategizing for growth in evangelism, discipleship, and mission, and to implement priorities established by General Conference. A working group was named to develop the strategic plan process, including Mike Schafer, Eugene Paik, Harrison Bell, Bulus Audu Daniel, and Paul Lawler, with a report requested for the November 10 meeting. This work represents a major step toward aligning the Church’s global energy, structure, and resources around clear missional priorities.
The Council also discussed legislative priorities leading toward the 2026 General Conference. Matters included clergy health insurance, the need for a more globally focused Book of Doctrines and Discipline, clarifying orders of ministry and sacramental authority, budgeting practices, global benefits, shortening the General Conference interval, commission representation on the Connectional Council, connectional funding mechanics, the meaning of “full legislative authority,” regional sensitivities, ministerial training, annual conference financial auditing, and leadership standards. A legislative issues task force composed of Sam Gregory, John Beyers, Cara Nicklas, and Jeff Jernigan was named to develop a plan for communicating legislative priorities and to report at the November 10 meeting.
The Council also received small group priorities for further discussion. These included the possible development of an operational guide extracted from The Book of Doctrines and Discipline, clarification of roles and responsibilities, support for annual conference offices, greater diversity in the United States, health and benefits, movemental identity, team norms, transition planning for the next Connectional Council, burnout prevention, clearer commission and Council approval processes, use of year-end reserves, development efforts, technology, evangelism, mission, training, and fellowship.
The Barcelona meeting concluded with the singing of “The Doxology” and adjourned at 11:43 AM Central European Time, followed by lunch and working group meetings before departure.
Detailed Minutes
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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
• Time: 1:00 PM (Central European Time)
• Presiding: Jessica LaGrone, chair
• Opening Prayer: Jessica LaGrone
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OPENING WORSHIP
• Led by Artie Cadar and Tesia Mallory
• Message offered by Bishop Mark Webb: “Guarding the True Treasure of the Church” based on St. Paul’s farewell to the Church in Acts 20
AGENDA ITEMS
1. Council Member Small Group Sharing In-Person and On Zoom
2. Commissions and Conferences Summaries
• Executive Summary Reports from Commission Chairs with Input from Commission Members Represented on Council
• Finance, Administration, Pensions, and Benefits Commission
▪ Scouting America Issues
▪ Clergy insurance requirement and availability based on country-specific contexts
• Kingdom Advancement Commission
▪ Priority on Church Planting by Local GMC Congregations
▪ Recruiting Church Planters
• Ministry and Higher Education
▪ Certified Lay Minister Training and Standards
• Discipline, Doctrine, and Just Ministries
▪ Definitions of Clergy Orders and Authority and Limits of Certified Lay
Minister and Lay Leaders
• Conferences Commission
▪ ATLAS GMC Database
• Ecumenical Relationship Commission
• Global Episcopacy Commission
• General Conference Commission
• Summary of Challenges Submitted by Commission Chairs
• Begin a task force to coordinate Commission Chairs toward making the “Book of Doctrines and Discipline” less U.S-centric.
▪ Daniel Topalski and Harrison Bell appointed by acclamation.
Dismissal for Dinner at the Hotel
MONDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
• Time: 9:05 AM (Central European Time)
• Presiding: Artie Cadar
• Opening Worship & Devotional: Led by Daniel Topalski with a message based on 1 Corinthains 9:16.
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AGENDA ITEMS continued
3. Transparency of Connectional Council’s Work
• Jessica LaGrone moved that we publish the Connectional Council Minutes with an inspiring executive summary on the GMC website.
• Seconded by Paul Lawler
▪ Unanimously approved.
• Sam Gregory moved that the same process be applied to previous Minutes without executive summary.
• Seconded by Daniel Topalski.
▪ Unanimously approved.
• Cara Nicklas moved that the Connectional Council direct all Connectional Commissions to adopt the same process of publishing meeting Minutes with an inspiring executive summary from this point forward.
• Seconded by Gene Floore.
▪ 19 in favor; 3 opposed.
• Harrison Bell moved to ask the Assembly of Bishops to consider adopting the same process of publishing Minutes with an inspiring executive summary on the GMC website. • Seconded by Jeff Jernigan.
▪ Jessica LaGrone moved to postpone the motion until a Connectional Council Bishop is present.
▪ Seconded by Tesia Mallory.
▪ 10 in favor; 9 opposed.
4. Connectional Council’s Role and Relationship to Commissions
• Small group discussion of ¶807.4(a)-(o).
Break for Lunch at the Hotel
5. Global Structure of the Global Methodist Church
• Statistics
• 6,117 local churches
• 45 Annual Conferences
• 16 Transitional Conference Advisory Teams
• Global Partnerships
• Move away from Transitional Partnerships (primarily financial support of Annual Conferences highly dependent on UMC funding) to Missional Partnerships (primarily based on mission partnerships between USA and international Annual Conferences).
• Episcopacy
• Elect 6 to 8 Bishops with responsibility for 6 to 8 Annual Conferences
• Awaiting budget recommendation from Global Episcopacy Committee
• Global Staffing Task Force
• Composed of a group of 10 members
• Currently 12 full-time, 6 part-time employees
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• Global Financing
• Exceeding FY25 projected revenue of $8.1M
• Budget 90% of the 24-month average
• Staffing Projections
▪ Discussion around four Regional Director positions. Unanimous consent
to refer request to the Global Staffing Task Force and Kingdom
Advancement Commission for further study and recommendations.
▪ Discussion around Executive Assistant to the Bishops and Director of Information Systems Architecture.
• Jeff Jernigan moved to approve the salaries for the Executive
Assistant to the Bishops position and the Director of Information
Systems Architecture position and direct the Staffing Taskforce to
develop and approve job descriptions in consultation with Mike
Schafer.
• Seconded by Sam Gregory.
• 16 in favor, 1 opposed.
▪ Refer Executive Director of Global Relations & Commissions proposal to the Staffing Taskforce.
Dismissal for Dinner at the Con Cortada Castle Restaurant
with Barcelona Global Methodist Church leaders
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
• Time: 9:03 AM (Central European Time)
• Presiding: Erik Grayson
• Opening Worship: Tesia Mallory
• Devotional: Vida Mei Rivera
AGENDA ITEMS Continued
5. Global Structure of the Global Methodist Church continued
• Global Financing continued
• Review of September 2025 Financials
▪ Moved by Cara Nicklas.
▪ Seconded by Jeff Jernigan
• Unanimously approved.
• Ministerial Training Fund (¶ 511)
▪ Discussion around starting the fund with concerns for non-U.S. students.
6. Proposed Book of Worship
• Update on ongoing development of worship resources.
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7. 2026 General Conference
• Connectional Council Attendance at General Conference
• Gene Floore moved to provide resources for Connectional Council members not elected to Annual Conference delegations.
• Seconded by Paul Lawler.
▪ Eugene Paik moved to amend the motion to provide resources for all
Connectional Council members to attend.
▪ Unanimously approved.
• Unanimously approved as amended.
• Dan Gildner moved to begin new Council and Commission work on November 1, 2026 unless General Conference legislation prevents such.
• Seconded by Cara Nicklas.
• Unanimously approved.
Break for Lunch at the Hotel
7. 2026 General Conference continued
• Small Group Reports
Dismissal for Tour of the Basílica de la Sagrada Família
with ecumenical greetings from the Basilica staff
followed by Dinner at Restaurant Con Travi Nou.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2025
CALL TO ORDER
• Time: 9:07 AM Central European Time
• Presiding: Jessica LaGrone
• Opening Worship with Holy Communion: Artie Cadar and Dan Gildner
AGENDA ITEMS continued
8. Future Connectional Council Meetings
• Zoom: Beginning January 1, 2026
• Full Council Meetings: 2nd and 4th Mondays
• Working Group Meetings: 1st and 3rd Mondays
• In-Person: March 11-14, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia
• Begin on March 11 at 9 AM and end on March 14 at Noon
• Joint meeting with the Assembly of Bishops and Chairpersons of General Commissions
• In-Person: June 22-26, 2026
• Location to be determined following a visa study by staff.
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9. GMC Strategic Plan
• “To engage in proactive global strategizing, including developing a strategic plan for growth in evangelism, discipleship, and mission, and to implement the priorities established by General Conference.” (¶ 807.4.b)
• Working Group nominees: Steve Cordle and Sherri Tabaka-Morrissey (The River Network), Bishops, Conference Superintendents, Presiding Elders, Laity, prophetic voices • Connectional Council Working Group on Developing the Strategic Plan Process: Mike Schafer, Eugene Paik, Harrison Bell, Bulus Audu Daniel, Paul Lawler to report at the November 10 meeting.
10. Legislative Priorities
• Review questions and issues submitted by the Assembly of Bishops
• Address Clergy Health Insurance
• Develop a more globally-focused, less U.S.-focused “Book of Doctrines and Discipline” • Ask Tom Lambrecht to add a section to legislation submissions asking, “How does this legislation make the GMC more global in nature?”
• Legislation We’re Hearing About That May Be Proposed:
• Ordained ministry - clarifying orders and sacramental authority
• 90% budgeting
• Benefits on a global level
• Cleaning up language in BDD
• Shorten General Conference gap from 6 years to 4 years
• Possible Legislative Proposals
• When do the new Commissions and Connectional Council start?
• Having all Commissions represented on the Connectional Council
• What can be budgeted with connectional funding - we need greater clarity • Regional sensitivities but the BDD doesn’t codify - ecclesiology (persecuted church can’t structure), clergy formation
• Regionalization is a trigger but we need to work on how to embrace the sensitivities of being a global church - in our BDD and our leadership realities • Commissions/Council could hold mid-term elections for leadership between the 6 years - considering some new elections during the 6 years or putting people in classes
• Ministerial Training Fund
• Finance - auditing Annual Conference finances (Sam)
• Connectional funding mechanics - how do churches submit their connectional funding
• “Full Legislative Authority” - what does that mean?
• Rules around sexuality and leadership (this is coming from discussions in South Georgia where people are bringing charges against other churches concerning people they have in staff or lay leadership)
• Connectional Council Task Force on Legislative Issues: Sam Gregory, John Beyers, Cara Nicklas, Jeff Jernigan to develop a plan for communicating legislative priorities to report at the November 10 meeting.
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11. Small Group Priorities for Further Discussion:
• Zoom:
• The GMC should have an operational guide which will be extracted from the BDD ranging from appointments, elections, positions to be elected and appointed, positions to apply online and positions for elections in the GC and other important issues.
• The GMC should split Kingdom Advancement on Evangelism with that of on Disaster Response.
• Those questions posed last concerning removal of CS and other questions should be answered in writing and shared with all Connectional council members, it will immensely help.
• The two should be split because some are confused about it. Those under evangelism are saying disaster response is still under them.
• Community and Fellowship: Fostering strong relationships and a sense of belonging among members.
• Training
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Evangelism and Mission: Discussing effective ways to share the faith and reach new people.
• The Impact of Technology: Exploring how to use digital tools to strengthen connection.
• Support for the Annual Conference Office
• Group 1:
• Working definitions on roles and lanes, i.e. Connectional Council, Bishops, roles and expectations.
• Health and Benefits
• What it takes to be a movement.
• Team Norms we developed in March of 2025.
• Make an hour on the front end of our meetings for worship, prayers and posturing our hearts for hearing God.
• Transition Plan for new Connectional Council.
• Guarding against burnout. Many people working primary jobs, and yet serve on a commission, sub-teams of commissions, and additional GMC denominational responsibilities.
• Group 2:
• What decisions by the connectional commissions need to be brought to the Connectional Council for ratification or approval?
• How do we address the need for more diversity in the US, i.e., Hispanic and African American churches?
• Broaden paragraph 807(4)(d)(i-v) to apply to more than just budget.
• How do we address the surplus at the end of 2025?
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• Hiring a Director of Development
• How do we address the “complaints” about Kingdom Advancement? What are the concerns?
• Additional Issues
• Use of EOY Reserve
• Engaging a Development Officer
CLOSING
• Next Meeting: November 10, 2025, via Zoom, at 9:00 AM (Eastern Standard Time) • Concluding Prayer: Singing “The Doxology”
• Adjournment: 11:43 AM (Central European Time)
Lunch at the hotel with
working groups meeting before departing Barcelona.
Minutes prepared by John Beyers with the gracious assistance of Sam Gregory.
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