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 (edited) – THURSDAY, July 23, 2026
ATTENDING:
1 Harrison Bell
2 Sam Gregory
3 Vivian Kinnear OUT
4 Bishop Auta (NT)
5 Luvo Thwethwa (SAT)
6 Sung-Soo Kim
7 Jennifer Lineberry OUT
13 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
Meeting opened with prayer for the Global Methodist movement and delegations preparing for Johannesburg.
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING – HARRISON
Matt Seel moved to approve, and Jim Noble seconded to approve the May 28th meeting minutes without corrections.
BUDGET PERFORMANCE AND EXPENDITURES
o Total assets exceed $13.5 million, with funds held primarily in bank money market accounts and securities certificates of deposit (CDs).
o Liabilities include approximately $885,000 in deferred revenue, representing Connectional funding for the second half of 2026.
o The undesignated, unrestricted General Fund balance is approximately $800,000, which adds a month on top of our already reserved six-month operating reserve for a total of 7 months' reserve. o Interest and investment income exceeds $1.3 million, more than offsetting bank service fees. Global Operations is $187,000 ahead of budget.
o Connectional funding is at 115% of budget, compared to 110% expected, with revenue continuing to trend ahead of plan.
o Total commission expenditures are $1.3 million compared to a $1.4 million budget (93%), or approximately $87,000 under budget.
o Significant budget variances include:
o The Connectional Council appears over budget year-to-date but is expected to incur lower expenses during the second half of the year.
o The Assembly of Bishops has spent $663,000 of its $789,000 budget (84%). Full-time salary expenses are scheduled to begin on November 1.
o Several commissions remain under budget. The Finance Commission is currently over budget due to an in-person meeting, but expenditures are expected to normalize by year-end. o Kingdom Advancement is approximately 25% over budget (about $100,000), with leadership indicating the variance is expected to narrow during the second half of the year. Additional details are pending.
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o Jonathan Leung was hired as the new IT Director. A budget oversight review is planned with Rhonda.
o The financial report through June was moved to be accepted by Jim Noble, seconded by Matt Seel, and approved.
MINISTERIAL TRAINING FUND
o Payouts occur twice annually (by semester) via applications through annual conferences’ boards of ministry.
o Second allocation planned by end of July 2026.
o Meeting set for August 6, 2026, to review fund structure due to potential negative U.S. tax implications for recipients.
ANTICIPATED PERSONNEL AND SALARY IMPACTS
o Full-time bishops begin Nov 1; salary and travel increases budgeted for Nov–Dec. o Salaries line may exceed budget due to new hires (IT Director, Episcopal Administrative Assistant, Lilly Grant position); grant-funded role tracked under grant, not salaries.
2027 BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
o Goal to retain institutional knowledge from current commissions.
o Preliminary budgets to be requested from current commissions/chairs in late Sep–early Oct 2026. o Aggregate and present to incoming chairs/commissions in Nov–Dec 2026 for 2027 review/adjustments; legislative outcomes may reshape commission structure. o Management reports through September will support preparation.
o Key variables: cost-of-living adjustments and bishops’ travel tied to home base locations.
INTERNATIONAL BANKING CONSTRAINTS
o Some non-US banks are under pressure to avoid USD/US transactions; exploring alternatives. o Some transfers require person-to-person cash handoffs (typical $8,000–$10,000; recent $20,000); GMC a primary conduit for salaries, donations, training funds.
o Emphasis on accountability: match cash to bank deposits, signed receipts, robust documentation.
o Risks noted in some countries; preference for traceable bank deposits.
o Intermediary-country transfers considered but raise ownership/governance challenges. o Current plan: continue with strong documentation, avoid stranding funds, await non-US-side finance team guidance; explore options (e.g., Swiss banking) if feasible.
o Issue deferred pending recommendations.
GLOBAL METHODIST FOUNDATION: BOARD FORMATION AND GOVERNANCE o The aim is a small initial board (“three clergy and three laity”) with possible ex officio additions; to be expanded later via bylaws.
o Initial nominees to present to Connectional Council:
o Clergy: Todd Chancey, Chris Akers, Bishop Scott Jones
o Laity: Suzanne Jones
o Additional lay candidates are under consideration, two of which will be forwarded in the near future. One has international accounting systems experience. Bishop Pena will investigate one Nigerian nominee.
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o Governance concept: Foundation board focuses on fundraising and investments; recommends distributions; Connectional Council retains approval/oversight. Nonprofit filings and bylaws to proceed; ex officio roles to include Episcopal, Finance Commission, and global operations staff.
o Procedural view: General Conference approval may not be required if governing documents don’t specify.
o Informal consensus to allow use of commission budget for foundation attorney fees to begin operations.
o A motion was made to accept the proposed nominees by Sam Gregory to forward them to the Connectional Council. Matt Seel seconded the motion, which passed.
TRADEMARK USE AGREEMENT (GMC LOGO AND CONTROLLED USES)
o Need for structured policy for specific cases (e.g., grave markers) beyond common informal uses. o Concerns: practicality of royalty remittance for non-revenue uses, enforcing termination on permanent items, and one-size-fits-all provisions.
o Motion to approve was paused after questions; no final approval. Further review and presentation requested from Communications (Teresa Marcus; Diane).
SEEDBED DATA SHARING REQUEST
o Andy Miller of Seedbed requested access to the GMC database of member churches to identify disaffiliated "orphan churches" and support recruitment efforts.
o Members expressed concerns regarding the potential commercial use of the data, including the creation of mailing lists and the risks associated with providing a consolidated database of email addresses that could facilitate mass outreach. While much of the information is publicly available, members noted that consolidating the data significantly increases its accessibility and potential for misuse.
o Discussion was postponed pending further consideration. Andy Miller's written request was circulated to committee members, and the possibility of inviting him to a future meeting to discuss the request was raised.
MINISTRY SAFE CONTRACT RENEWAL
o Current 3-year contract at $75,000/year expires year-end; services valued at ~$1.2 million last year, ~$1 million YTD.
o New 2-year contract offered at $100,000/year, below anticipated market rate. o Contract covers dashboard/training; local churches pay discounted background checks; supports safeguarding for children and vulnerable adults.
o Rhonda Bourgeois moved to accept, and Sam Gregory seconded, to approve accepting the two year contract. Communications encouraged to publicize partnership, especially after a recent incident in South Carolina.
HEALTH INSURANCE STRATEGY FOR 2027
o GuideStone communicated a premium increase, though discrepancies were identified in the information provided. Clarification has been requested from Cody. Typical national health insurance increases were noted to range between 6% and 9%.
o The committee discussed adjusting the employer/employee premium contribution structure, including different contribution levels for employee-only versus family coverage. o A self-insurance webinar is scheduled for the 7th. Chris Akers will distribute the meeting link. Presenters will include Richard and Jeremy from Gallagher Benefits.
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o Members discussed the possibility of using denominational reserves to temporarily offset premium increases while recognizing the governance and long-term sustainability considerations of such an approach.
o The committee's goal is to develop a clear recommendation and establish decision deadlines before General Conference.
CLOSING PRAYER -Sam
Next meeting: Aug 6, 2026, at 7 AM Central Time (Daylight Saving Time)
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