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, May 14, 2026
ATTENDING:
1 Harrison Bell
2 Sam Gregory
3 Vivian Kinnear
4 Bishop Auta (NT)
5 Luvo Thwethwa (SAT)
6 Sung-Soo Kim
7 Jennifer Lineberry OUT
14 MEMBERS; 2 STAFF ATTENDING
8 Sherry Austin
9 Chris Akers
10 Jim Noble
11 Joy Perry
12 Matt Seel
13 Rhonda Bourgeois 14 Richard Croll
15 Olandor Boyce (LT) STAFF:
1 Molly Williams
2 Mike Schafer OUT 3 Matt Conover
WELCOME AND PRAYER –HARRISON
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING – VIVIAN
O The Commission approved April 30th meeting minutes as edited.
CONNECTIONAL COUNCIL UPDATE – SAM
o Kingdom Advancement submitted a proposal to establish an Executive Director position. The Assembly of Bishops is convening a team consisting of two bishops, four conference superintendents, two Kingdom Advancement members, and Mike Schafer to develop a job description and identify funding requirements. The position would report directly to Mike Schafer. The team will provide an update at the next Connectional Council meeting.
o This request is being driven largely by the pursuit of a $5 million Lilly Grant for church planting.
INSURANCE SURVEY FOR CONFERENCE LEADERS – Joy
o Joy reported on the status of a survey that had been prepared and adjusted based on committee feedback. It will be sent out by the end of the week, coordinated between Joy and Matthew, and distributed under Mike Shafer’s name. The response deadline is set for May 31st.
GENERAL CONFERENCE NOMINATIONS SLATE – Harrison
o Harrison shared that the Nomination Committee’s slate of nominees has been circulated, including nominees for this commission. This commission’s clergy nominees are Harrison, Matthew Seel, Jim, and Vivian. Its laity nominees are Joy, Olandor, Sherry, Luvo, Sam, and Lindsey Clark (North
Carolina Conference). The commission’s representation is largely carried over. The new commission will have the opportunity to add needed specialists when it convenes. He will send the full slate to the group.
GMC FOUNDATION NOMINATIONS – HARRISON
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o The commission held an extended discussion on how to form a Global Methodist Foundation, including who should serve on the initial formation team and how to identify candidates. o Harrison explained that the foundation does not require General Conference approval; Connectional Council controls membership. There are two primary drivers for urgency: o 1. Episcopal leaders know of individuals ready to donate substantial amounts and need a vehicle;
o 2. The Lilly Grant of $5 million for church planting requires the denomination to demonstrate how it would receive and manage outside funding.
o Harrison proposed nominating three clergy and three laity to form the foundation, though the total number is not fixed.
o Jim Noble and Chris Akers were nominated as initial clergy commission representatives to the foundation formation team. Harrison will speak with Bishop Jones about his involvement.
o The motion passed to have Harrison reach out to conference superintendents to request laity recommendations for the team. The commission’s members were encouraged to leverage their own networks for additional recommendations.
o Jim noted that the IRS Form 1023 process takes at least six months; bylaws and name are also needed to begin; suggested including Matthew, Molly, and Diane early in the process. o The goal is to have the foundation well on its way to formation or fully formed by the end of the calendar year.
MEETING DATES FOR THE REST OF THE TERM - VIVIAN
o The commission discussed whether to shift from every two weeks to a once-monthly meeting schedule and how to align with the Connectional Council’s schedule of 2nd and 4th Monday meetings.
o Consideration was given primarily to Matthew and Molly being able to close the prior month's books before a monthly meeting. Delays continue due to securing credit card receipts. The Commission concluded that the 4th Thursday of each month will be the standard meeting day. This would allow approximately 10 days before the Connectional Council’s first meeting of the following month. o The Commission’s confirmed meeting dates are:
o May 28
o June 25*
o July 23*
o August – no meeting due to General Conference schedule.
o September 24
o October 22
o * indicates secretary not available to set up Zoom or take minutes, and a volunteer is needed.
Other Business
o Matthew raised the need to begin thinking about the 2027 budget process, given the Commission’s transition on November 1. The current commissions should begin developing a proposed budget before the transition, before October 31.
o A prayer request for healing and recovery was made for Herman Dick and Dennis Bouch, treasurer in Mid-South.
CLOSING PRAYER - Chris
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Next meeting: May 28, 2026, at 7 AM Central Time (Daylight Savings Time)
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