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
Monday, May 4, 2026
8:15 AM CST
Present: Sherry Powers, Burt Palmer, Andrea Schadel, Debra Davis, Jane Finley, Brian Ebel, Margarita Todorova, Andy Miller, Kenneth Levingston, Leslie Tomlinson
Absent: Bridget Douglas, Dan Gildner, Diana Cabauatan, Teresa Marcus, Reuben Ososo, Bonface Wanyama, Daniella Masangu Ngoy
Brian Ebel opened the meeting in prayer.
Debra added to agenda two items:
• Discussion on an email received from the Heartland Conference re: CLM certification requirements
• Request from Daniella to cover expenses to travel to the General Conference as a member of the MHEC
Debra gave an update on the status of the Ministerial Training Fund. She indicated that we had heard from all but 3 conferences regarding the acceptance of the funds offered. Debra reported that the Finance team would wire the funds to the designated bank accounts by May 15.
A discussion was held about the email from the Heartland Conference questioning the interpretation of the BDD regarding CLM certification requirements.
Burt made a motion for Debra to send a response to the Heartland Conference that reflects the following:
The MHEC communicates to the Heartland Conference that the MHEC remains committed to certified CLM programs by the GMC so that there is consistency across the globe. It is our understanding that persons completing the CLM program in the Heartland conference are under the guidance and care of the Heartland Conference. Since the Heartland Conference program was not approved by the MHEC per ¶502.b & c., completion of that program would not transfer to a conference with an approved CLM program.
Leslie seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.
Bishop Levingston’s comments--Bishop referenced Colossians 4:6 and made comments on how this should guide our conversations with each other in this season of petitions- “seasoned with grace”.
Burt and Debra reported on the petition process. Burt reported that over 450 petitions had been submitted, and more than 65 of those were editorial in nature. Debra reported that all our commission petitions had been submitted on time. Leslie asked about sharing MHEC petitions with others, specifically the BOM cohort. All agreed that was acceptable.
The team discussed Daniella’s request for the commission to pay her expenses to attend GC 2026. A motion was made by Margarita and seconded by Brian to authorize up to $2,000.00 from the MHEC budget to support Daniella Massangu Ngoy to attend the General Conference as a member of the MHEC since she has been unable to attend the previous 2 in-person meetings due to Visa issues. Motion passed unanimously.
Sherry reported on her subcommittee’s work with the application process for CLM. She reported that 4 other conferences have expressed interest in having their programs certified: Mid-Texas/Truett, NC, N Alabama, and Northeastern. The committee will be sending instructions on how to apply to any conference who expresses interest in having their program reviewed and certified by the GMC.
On behalf of the CLM Sub-Committee, Sherry motioned to have Allegheny West’s CLM program certified for the full 6 years. The motion was unanimously approved.
Brian Ebel reported on the work by the Committee on Approval. There was discussion around the TRACS (Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools)) accreditation. Andy Miller spoke clarity to a certification of The Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). Brian indicated that the COA would need some travel funds to do some on-site visits in the coming months. Debra indicated that there are funds in the MHEC budget to support the travel.
Leslie reported on the BOM Cohort and indicated that most of their discussion has been around the MTF and GC2026 legislation.
Debra noted the next three meetings of the MHEC listed on the agenda – May 18, June 1 and June 15.
Margarita closed the meeting in prayer at 9:02 am CST.
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