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, August 20, 2026
ATTENDING:
1 Harrison Bell
2 Sam Gregory
3 Vivian Kinnear
4 Bishop Auta (NT) OUT
5 Luvo Thwethwa (SAT) OUT
6 Sung-Soo Kim
7 Jennifer Lineberry OUT
12 MEMBERS; 3 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
3 Matt Conover
WELCOME AND PRAYER –HARRISON
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING – VIVIAN
Rhonda moved to approve, and Chris seconded the motion to approve the August 6th meeting minutes and executive summary and to include that, by subsequent email vote, Tom Mulkey was nominated for the GMC Foundation.
HEALTH INSURANCE RENEWAL DISCUSSION - CHRIS AND MATTHEW
Chris Akers, Matthew, and Mike reviewed four Guidestone health insurance scenarios for the 2027 plan year. Guidestone’s proposed premium increase was reduced from 12.5% to 12%.
The group reviewed four options: Scenario A eliminates Health Choice 1000 and moves participants to Health Choice 2000, for a projected 9.5% increase; Scenario B moves participants to Health Choice 3000, for an 8.4% increase; Scenario C eliminates Health Choice 1000 and 5000 and offers only Health Choice 3000, for a 9% increase; and Scenario D keeps Health Choice 1000 and 5000, adds Health Choice 3000, and sets a 65% pastor responsibility for Health Choice 1000 premiums. Guidestone projected a 4.8% increase under Scenario D, but Matthew noted that without assumed migration and dependent-coverage changes, the increase would be about 10%.
Discussion centered on cost and practical impact. Mike noted that many Health Choice 1000 participants do not meet their deductible and may be over-insured. Richard observed that inflation has reduced the real value of a $1,000 deductible. Matt Seel said he would remain in Health Saver 4000, where pastors currently pay nothing, and questioned why younger clergy do not choose it. Mike confirmed participation in Health Saver 4000 remains limited.
Several concerns were raised about Scenario D. Harrison questioned whether clergy would actually move plans and expressed concern that higher premiums and deductibles could penalize pastors twice. Matthew noted that changing the 65% pastor responsibility assumption could undermine Guidestone’s pricing and increase future costs. The group also discussed maximum out-of-pocket amounts, estimated at $6,000 for Health Choice 3000, $5,000 for Health Choice 1000, and $6,500 for
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Health Choice 5000.
The group considered whether eliminating Health Choice 1000 would be more effective than incentivizing migration. Rhonda said a required change may work better because many clergy do not actively compare options. Mike cautioned that eliminating Health Choice 1000 could hurt clergy with significant health needs. Chris suggested focusing on adding Health Choice 3000 and eliminating Health Choice 1000, similar to Scenario B, with a projected increase of about 8.4%.
The group also discussed premium responsibility between churches and pastors. Jim noted that Mid Texas mandates clergy coverage, while churches often receive one Guidestone bill and pay the full amount. Harrison said percentage splits are difficult to enforce locally and should be presented as recommended rather than mandatory. Chris noted that annual conferences may be able to set their own percentage breakdowns later, though the 2027 implementation is unlikely.
The group agreed that Scenario C was not supported and that Scenario B, Scenario D, or a hybrid approach remained possible. Mike recommended waiting until after General Conference, as outcomes may affect long-term strategy. Harrison asked Matthew to obtain full Health Choice 3000 details, including coinsurance and maximum out-of-pocket provisions.
Matthew, Mike, and Chris will narrow the options to two or three viable scenarios and recommend one for the September 24 FAPB meeting before the Connectional Council meeting on September 28. Guidestone needs a final decision by October 1. No final decision was made.
UNIFIED COMMISSION STATEMENT ON HEALTH INSURANCE
Mike raised the need for a unified Commission statement regarding health insurance, noting that delegates attending General Conference in Johannesburg will inevitably be asked about the Commission's position on the anticipated cost increases and the future of the denomination's health insurance program. He emphasized the importance of Commission members communicating a consistent message during legislative discussions and plenary sessions.
Harrison reported that he has attended five delegation meetings and has consistently received questions regarding health insurance. He shared that his current message has been that the Commission cares deeply about the impact of rising costs, understands the concerns being expressed, and is actively exploring alternatives to Guidestone, including self-insurance. He also noted that a stipend model is not currently feasible for most conferences because the necessary administrative infrastructure is not yet in place. Harrison further reported that Joy's survey indicated that the preference for a national-level health plan extends beyond smaller conferences, with larger conferences such as Allegheny West and North Carolina also expressing support for maintaining a national plan.
Chris Akers reported on a conversation with Jason Burnham of the Trinity Conference, noting that Trinity's preference is not to withdraw from the national plan and assume responsibility for administering its own insurance program. Jason acknowledged that significant changes are unlikely to occur for 2027 and possibly 2028, but agreed that the current structure will need to evolve. Chris also
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suggested that, over time, health insurance administration could potentially be separated from the Commission and managed by a dedicated group funded through insurance premiums rather than connectional support.
The group agreed that the immediate message should emphasize that the Commission is actively engaged in addressing the rising cost of health insurance, is evaluating alternatives including self-insurance, and is committed to finding a sustainable long-term solution without forcing premature changes before the necessary infrastructure and governance are in place. Harrison will draft a brief unified Commission statement and circulate it to the group for review and feedback before General Conference.
CONNECTIONAL FUNDING — ATLAS AND CONFERENCE COMMUNICATION
Rhonda demonstrated an Atlas prototype providing conference-specific connectional funding information, including the applicable percentage, payment method, and instructions. The system can also generate a conference-specific flyer. The group identified the need to address print quality, multi language capability, and a process for keeping conference-specific information current.
The group agreed to expand Atlas from two payment options to three: (1) pay the general church and conference separately, (2) pay the conference for both, or (3) either option. Discussion also addressed district-level collection of funds in some international conferences, while reaffirming the preferred model of local churches reporting and paying directly to their annual conference. Local churches should have access to their giving records through the appropriate system, including Atlas for international churches.
Harrison suggested engaging bishops to verify conference-specific connectional funding data. Olandor requested that Mike explain connectional funding in his General Conference financial report, particularly for non-U.S. conferences unfamiliar with the Book of Doctrine and Discipline requirement. Mike agreed. Matthew reported that approximately 1,200 U.S. churches (28%) have not yet provided connectional funding. We celebrate that seven non-U.S. conferences have been contributing connectional funding (Grain Coast, Central Europe, Bulgaria, Central Russia, Eastern Russia and Central Asia, Northwest Russia and Belarus, and South Russia).
The Atlas flyer system remains a working prototype and will be refined after General Conference. Multi-language functionality and a process for maintaining conference data will be further developed.
PRAYERS FOR GENERAL CONFERENCE - Harrison
Next meeting: September 24, 2026, at 7 AM Central Time (Daylight Saving Time) before Connectional Council on September 28, 2026.
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