Meeting Minutes List

Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasiGeneral Conference Commission (GCC)
April 14, 2026
9am EST
Voting Members Present: Sterling Allen, Tim Beardsley, Mary Blagojevich, Beth Ann Cook, Elie Diko, César Gazza, Jeff Greenway, Joy Griffin, James Kawadza, Chipau Audu Kilyobas, Bridget Kirk, Carol Loeb, Norma Morrison, Nicolas Munongo, Mack Parker, Bill Patrick, Charles Puno, Stacy Taylor, Jay Therrell, Molly Williams
Non-Voting Members Present: Laura Ballinger, Ginger Barbee, Rhonda Bourgeois, Dianne Burnett, Tom Lambrecht, Lamar Oliver, Mike Schafer, Becci Wood
Not Present: Shalom Azabe, Lyndsey Clark, Mike Grant, Tsvetan Iliev, Tesia Mallory, Davies Musigo
Opening Prayer: Mike S.
Minutes: Approved 14-0
Connectional Council Report, Mike Schafer:
• No updates that apply to the GCC
Event Project Manager, Becci:
• Working toward several upcoming deadlines - May 1 - VISA letters out and collecting of passport pictures (April 17); Who will monitor if everyone has their VISA by July 1? Discussion regarding if a delegate can be removed (by GCC) if they do not have a VISA - only an annual conference can remove a delegate. Delegations will be responsible for monitoring; A reminder will be communicated again.
• Team leads: Becci will schedule quick calls to discuss signage and what’s available; Make travel arrangements to Chicago; James and Eli’s VISA interview was rescheduled, pray specifically for VISAs!
• Recommendation: rearrange ballroom (where plenary and worship take place) to allow for 1300 persons max; Gallagher room (on the side) will be for overflow, at no additional cost for room or for AVL.
• Finance Team recommends capping the registrations at 1300 persons; 1267 invitations have gone out, expecting 1150 registrants plus choirs, friends and family of Bishops and walk-ins, Mission Experience volunteers are included in this number. Approved (including overflow space) 16-0
• Sponsors for Celebration of Africa - Wesleyan Divestment Foundation, Methodist Foundation of Mississippi and Oklahoma Methodist Foundation; Working on additional sponsors for breaks.
• Need to discuss how we will open the invitation for additional registrants? (Observers)
Worship Team, Tesia:
• Davies will be traveling through Zimbabwe to South Africa to meet with the choirs in early May.
Legislation, Tom:
• MOTION by Molly, seconded by Mack to raise the maximum of persons on a Legislative Committee up to 70 (currently 65) and keep the minimum at 35. Approved 13-0
• MOTION by Norma, seconded by James to amend the plan of organization to minimize evening plenaries. Approved 16-0
Currently, the Covenant reads:
I. DAILY SCHEDULE
The Agenda Committee will set the daily schedule and agenda, with all plenary meetings between the hours of 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM. The plenary body may vote by two-thirds to hold an evening session in consultation with interpretation services.
We propose:
I. DAILY SCHEDULE
The Agenda Committee will set the daily schedule and agenda. The Committee will not schedule a plenary session before 8:00 AM and will seek to minimize the number of plenary sessions after 6:00 PM.
This change would eliminate the need for a two-thirds vote to adopt the Friday agenda with an evening plenary.
• Petitions:
MOTION by Mack, seconded by Bridget to approve petition which will delete 2024 references from Paragraph 604.8 and 605.4. Approved 16-0
MOTION by Molly, seconded by Joy to approve petition which will remove convening General Conference from paragraph 705.1. Approved 15-0
MOTION by Chipau, seconded by Bridget to approve petition which will delete outdated references to paragraph 803. Approved 16-0
MOTION by Jay, seconded by Chipau to approve petition which defines good standing for clergy and laity. Discussion regarding being innocent until proven guilty. Sterling suggested a word other than “some”, Tom will change. Approved 14-1
Stacy will submit these petitions on behalf of the General Conference Commission.
• Nomination committee process is going well
• Working on pre conference journal
• Monitoring changes in delegations
Agenda, Norma:
• Continuing to clean up agenda
Petitions, Lamar:
• Reference committee is at work; +/- 50 petitions are in.
• Goal for petitions to be available in all languages by June 15.
Finance, Molly:
• The Legislative Team requesting an additional $12,000 for the layout and design of the Pre-Conference Workbook. This amount would also provide flexibility for translation into up to two additional languages beyond the six currently planned, if needed. The Finance Team moves to increase the Legislative Team budget by $12,000 for the Pre-Conference Workbook, to be funded from contingency. Approved 15-0
• MOTION by Norma, seconded by Carol that in light of new information regarding our contractual agreement which includes payment for 900 meals, we will pay for Alternate Delegates’ meals. Not including reserves, we have 837 meals being paid for at this time. We will reach 900 with sponsors. Approved 15-0
Sponsorships, Mack:
• Looking into raising the exhibitor spaces from 25-30. GMC store has not confirmed a table.
Missions, Tim:
• Deposit will be made for Uncle Tom’s Community Center for Spirit and Truth Training on Saturday morning.
• Looking to get food and supplies paid for by the Walther’s tourism grant. • Requesting additional communication to provide information on Mission Experiences and raising money.
• Tim will put together talking points which will be given to Bishop Greenway for communication to the other Bishops.
Prayer, Laura:
• Focused prayer using the prayer guides
• 14 and 40 day prayer guides are available
Housing/Logistics, James:
• Looking at details of storage and purchasing team’s items.
• Continuing to collect list of items to be purchased in country and paid for by tourism grant
Communications, Dianne:
• Selected a videographer (Sonics) in country;
• Please use link https://www.globalmethodist.org/communications-request-form for any communication requests
• Working with the Global Episcopacy Commission
• Heading to Bulgaria the next two weeks - please reach out to Teresa with Communication needs
• Communications Team met.
• Continuing to create podcasts. Next episode is Allen Shed. Upcoming podcast will feature James.
International Relations, Elie:
• Elie’s VISA to the DRC has been approved; VISA for traveling to Nigeria has been delayed. This is an important trip in order to persuade the government to approve VISAS for the Nigerian delegations.
Credentialing/Registration, Carol:
• No report
Hospitality/Volunteers, Stacy:
• Making sure all volunteers are getting registered.
Translation/Interpretation, Bill:
• May use the Episcopal candidate orientation as a launch for KUDO.
Assembly of Bishops, Bishop Greenway:
• Bishop Levingston will be preaching at the first service
New Business:
• Mike G and Sterling presented a petition regarding Financial Matters of the General Conference. Motion by Sterling, seconded by Mary to discuss.
Petition for the Adoption of ¶708: Financial Matters of the General Conference Rationale
The General Conference serves as the highest legislative body of the Global Methodist Church and is essential to the governance, doctrinal integrity, and connectional life of the denomination. As the church continues to grow globally, it is prudent to establish clear financial parameters and equitable provisions that ensure responsible stewardship of denominational resources while enabling fair participation from annual conferences worldwide.
This proposed paragraph establishes a financial ceiling for the cost of the General Conference and clarifies the responsibility for funding delegates from both United States and non-United States annual conferences. It balances fiscal accountability with the church’s commitment to global representation by providing necessary support for delegates from regions where travel costs might otherwise prevent participation. The petition also provides transparency in the funding mechanisms for the General Conference and defines the role of the Commission on Finance, Administration, Pensions, and Benefits in designating funds for the gathering. In doing so, it strengthens financial stewardship and promotes equitable participation in the legislative life of the church.
Proposed Text
¶708. Financial Matters of the General Conference
1. General Conference Budget.
The total cost of convening a meeting of the General Conference shall not exceed $4,500,000 USD. Funding for the General Conference shall be provided from funds designated by the Commission on Finance, Administration, Pensions, and Benefits. Beginning with the adoption of this paragraph, the maximum allowable cost shall increase by $500,000 USD every twelve (12) years, reflecting the anticipated growth and global expansion of the church. Any such increases shall not exceed $8,000,000 USD, unless otherwise approved by action of the General Conference. 2. Responsibility of United States Annual Conferences.
Each annual conference in the United States shall be responsible for covering the expenses of its elected delegates, alternate delegates, and such reserve delegates as it determines to send, including but not limited to travel, lodging, meals, and other related costs.
3. Support for Non-United States Annual Conferences.
For annual conferences outside the United States, the General Conference shall provide partial financial support for the participation of their elected delegates, alternates, and reserve delegates as follows:
• Governmental visa costs
• Ground transportation
• Hotel accommodations (dual occupancy)
• A meal per diem determined by the Commission on the General Conference based on the location of the conference
For annual conferences outside the United States of America in countries with a GNI per capita less than $1,145, may apply for up to 50% of their economy class airfare to be supplemented by the Commission on the General Conference. The remaining non supplemented cost will be paid by the annual conference.
4. Spousal Expenses.
When a spouse shares hotel accommodations with a delegate, the portion of lodging costs attributable to the spouse shall be paid by the delegate and not by the denomination.
5. Reserve Delegates.
Financial support provided by the General Conference for reserve delegates from annual conferences outside the United States shall not exceed the number of alternates elected by that annual conference.
Discussion as to whether this petition could be part of the plan of organization, rather than changing the Book of Doctrines and Disciplines? Due to the length of the meeting, and the need to discuss this in further detail, it was agreed to table until next meeting. PLEASE READ and PROVIDE FEEDBACK to Sterling via email before the next meeting.
Next meeting: Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 9am EST (Without staff, as they are on retreat.)
Motion to adjourn by Sterling, seconded by Jay. Approved 15-0 Meeting closed in prayer.
Minutes submitted by Stacy Taylorze this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.