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
September 29, 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), Bishop Kimba Evariste (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Gene Floore (Alabama Emerald Coast), Dan Gildner (Allegheny West), Sam Gregory (West Plains), Jeff Jernigan (North Georgia), Jessica LaGrone (Trinity), Maxim Kvyatkovskiy (Central Russia), Paul Lawler (Mississippi–West Tennessee), Cara Nicklas (Heartland), Eugene Paik (Korean American), Vida Mei Rivera (Mega Manila), Daniel Topalski (Bulgaria), Bishop Mark Webb (USA)
Members Not Present: Erik Grayson (South Carolina), Tesia Mallory (Allegheny West), Henriette Okele (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Mike Schafer (Connectional Operations Officer)
Guests Present: Bishop Scott Jones
Staff Members Present: Dianne Burnett (Executive Director of Communications), Matthew Conover (Executive Director of Finance)
Executive Summary
The Connectional Council of the Global Methodist Church met on September 29, 2025, by Zoom, continuing its prayerful and purposeful work of governance, financial stewardship, policy refinement, legal support, internal accountability, and preparation for connectional gathering 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 9:01 AM and was presided over by Chair Jessica LaGrone. Eugene Paik opened the meeting in prayer, grounding the Council’s deliberations in dependence upon the wisdom, grace, and guidance of God. The Council’s work reflected a denomination continuing to mature in governance, strengthen its administrative systems, and steward its growing global responsibilities with seriousness and care.
The Global Methodist Church exists to make disciples of Jesus Christ and spread scriptural holiness across the globe.
The Council unanimously approved the September 15, 2025 meeting minutes, continuing its commitment to accurate recordkeeping, institutional continuity, and responsible corporate governance. In a global and growing Church, faithful minutes preserve trust, clarify decisions, and strengthen accountability across the connection.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on recommendations from the Finance, Administration, Pensions, and Benefits Commission. Bishop Scott Jones was present as a guest and presented a recommendation to grant a request for Nigeria legal funding. The Council unanimously approved the recommendation, demonstrating its willingness to support necessary legal and administrative needs within the global connection. This action reflected both prudent stewardship and connectional solidarity, recognizing that a worldwide Church must be prepared to assist its ministries in complex legal and organizational contexts.
The Council also unanimously approved the recommendation to reject the Kingdom Advancement Commission’s request to approve expenses of independent contractors. This action reflected the Council’s commitment to proper financial controls, clear lines of authority, and disciplined administrative practice. While the Church remains committed to kingdom advancement, that mission is best served when expenditure approval processes are transparent, accountable, and aligned with established governance standards.
The Council unanimously approved a GuideStone Corporate Resolution, strengthening the Church’s ongoing benefits and administrative framework. Such actions, while technical in form, are important to the denomination’s capacity to care for those who serve and to maintain healthy institutional operations.
A major governance action of the meeting was the revision of the Employee Handbook Complaint Policy. The Council approved several amendments to strengthen clarity, due process, confidentiality, corrective action, and accountability. These amendments addressed the review process, zero-tolerance commitment, and corrective action procedures. The revised policy reflects the Church’s commitment to creating and maintaining a workplace and leadership culture marked by integrity, safety, fairness, and faithful Christian accountability.
The Council also approved the assignment of a Complaint Review Team, with Dan Gildner, Sam Gregory, Jessica LaGrone, and Cara Nicklas named to serve. This action provides a practical structure for the implementation of the revised complaint policy and reflects the Council’s desire to respond to concerns with seriousness, discretion, and appropriate process. Healthy governance requires not only good policies, but also trusted people entrusted with carrying them out faithfully.
The Council then received an update regarding the upcoming Barcelona in-person Connectional Council meeting. This gathering will provide an important opportunity for deeper conversation, strategic discernment, relationship building, and holy conferencing. As the Global Methodist Church continues to grow across nations, cultures, and conferences, in-person connection remains vital for strengthening trust and clarifying shared priorities.
The meeting concluded with prayer offered by Jessica LaGrone and adjourned at 10:08 AM.
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Detailed Minutes
CALL TO ORDER
• Time: 9:01 AM EST
• Presiding: Jessica LaGrone, chair
• Opening Prayer: Eugene Paik
APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER 15, 2025 MEETING MINUTES
• Unanimously approved.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. Finance, Administration, Pensions, and Benefits Commission
• Recommendation to grant request for Nigeria legal funding presented by Bishop Scott Jones.
▪ Unanimously approved.
• Recommendation to reject Kingdom Advancement’s request to approve expenses of independent contractors.
▪ Unanimously approved.
• Guidestone Corporate Resolution
• Moved by Artie Cadar.
• Seconded by Cara Nicklas.
▪ Unanimously approved.
• Revision of Employee Handbook Complaint Policy
• Moved by Paul Lawler.
• Seconded by Bishop Kimba Evariste.
• Amendment under Review Process moved by Sam Gregory:
“Investigations will be conducted with respect for privacy and
confidentiality as much as possible.”
• Seconded by Daniel Topalski.
• Unanimously approved.
• Amendment under Zero-Tolerance Commitment moved by Sam
Gregory: “Such action may include but is not limited to removal
from commissions, …”
• Seconded by Harrison Bell.
• Unanimously approved.
• Amendment under Corrective Action moved by Bishop Mark
Webb: “… removal from commissions, task forces or other areas of
service, termination of employment, or referral to the annual
conference to process a judicial or administrative complaint.”
• Seconded by Gene Floore.
• Unanimously approved.
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• Assignment of Complaint Review Team
• Nominees: Dan Gildner, Sam Gregory, Jessica LaGrone, Cara Nicklas • Moved by Jeff Jernigan.
• Seconded by Paul Lawler.
• Unanimously approved.
2. Barcelona In-Person Connectional Council Meeting Update
CLOSING
• Next Meeting: Monday, October 13, 2025, at 9:00 AM EST
• Concluding Prayer: Jessica LaGrone
• Adjournment: 10:08 AM EST
Minutes Prepared By: John Beyers
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