Meeting Minutes List

Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasiMinistry and Higher Education Commission
Meeting Minutes
Date/Time: Monday, July, 6, 2026, 8:15 A.M. CST (GMT-5 Hrs.)
Members Present: Debra Davis, Sherry Powers, Brian Ebel, Jane Finley, Reuben Ososo, Diana Cabauatan, Margarita Todorova, Dan Gildner, Teresa Marcus, Bishop Kenneth, Burt Palmer, Levingston, Bonface Wanyama, Andrea Schadel
Members Absent: Bridget Douglas, Andy Miller, Leslie Tomlinson, Daniella Masangu Ngoy
Opening
Debra Davis, chair, called the meeting to order and welcomed members. The meeting was opened in prayer.
Approval of Agenda and Previous Minutes
The agenda was reviewed and approved without changes.
A motion was made by Sherry Powers and was seconded by Jane Finley to approve the minutes from the June 15, 2026, meeting without any changes or additions. The motion was approved unanimously.
Subcommittee Reports
CLM–Sherry reported that applications have been received and that reviews are underway for the North Georgia, North Carolina, Mississippi-West Tennessee, and Truett (Mid Texas) CLM programs. Further changes to the Website will occur after the General Conference. The CLM Program Subcommittee will meet on July 21 at 3:00 p.m. EST to provide final recommendations for programs that have completed the process. Recommendations will be brought to the Commission at its August 3rd meeting. Debra reported that representatives from the Heartland Conference have requested a meeting with the Commission to discuss the standards it set for CLM certification. Those individuals will join us at our July 20th meeting.
Committee on Approval–Brian brought forth a motion to approve Northeastern Seminary, Kentucky Mountain Bible College, and Seminario Wesleyano de Venezuela for third-round site visits. The Commission unanimously approved the request. Brian also reported that his team will conduct a site visit with Gordon Conwell on July 21 and will visit with United sometime in September, although the date has not been confirmed.
The Commission also discussed whether it needed to fill the vacancy on the COA left by
the untimely death of Karl Neuschaefer. Brian indicated he would check the BDD to see if it addressed filling vacancies.
Legislation–Burt reported that more than 400 pieces of legislation had been submitted for GC 2026. Legislative committees are just beginning to work through the legislation. Forty-eight petitions were filed for the 500s. Burt also reported that Thadeus Sales would serve as chair of the Ministry Legislative Team and that Bridget Douglas would serve as secretary of that team. Debra asked all commission members to review legislation that would affect the Commission for discussion at a future meeting.
Partner Institutions Discussion–The Commission visited with representatives from MidAmerica Christian University and Truett Seminary’s Wesley House of Studies. Representatives provided Commission members with information about their institutions and programs. They affirmed the Commission’s standards-based approach to clergy preparation, supporting centralized oversight of core courses while allowing institutional flexibility. Both institutions reported no tension between Wesleyan theological distinctives and their host institution environments.
Announcements
Members were reminded of the upcoming meetings on July 20, August 3 & August 17. The Commission will meet with additional partners at the July 20th meeting.
Closing
The meeting was closed in prayer and adjourned at 10:15 a.m. CT.ze this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.