Meeting Minutes List

Describe the item or answer the question so that site visitors who are interested get more information. You can emphasiMinistry Higher Education Commission Meeting Minutes October 5, 2026 Plus Addendum
Current Members Present: Debra Davis, Bridget Douglas, Brian Ebel, Leslie Tomlinson, Jane Finley, Bishop Kenneth Levingston, Margarita Todorova, Andy Miller III, Burt Palmer, Sherry Powers, Reuben Ososo, Bonface Wanyama, Andrea Schadel, Diana Cabauatan, Dan Gildner, Daniella Massangu Ngoy
Absent:
Incoming Members Present: Kora Mujinga, Thadius Sales, Leesa Judd, Catherine Sullivan
Guests: Toby Chastain, Brad Dush
Staff Representative: Teresa Marcus
Welcome, Opening Prayer, Ratify Agenda (add results of MHED evaluation) Introductions
Review of 9/21/26 MHED Minutes: Motion to approve Jane Finley, second Dan Gildner. Motion carried
Bishop’s Comments: Expressed thanks to Ms. Debra Davis for her excellence in leadership, and gratitude for the commission. Mark chapter 1:15-17 The Kingdom has come, come near….the time has come, the time is fulfilled. For some on this commission, this part of the work might be fulfilled as far as the commission work, but today we also welcome others to continue the work, but Kingdom work continues. The invitation to follow Jesus is still real, He is still calling us, He is still changing lives.
COA Report (Brian Ebel & Guest):
● Motion to approve Indiana Wesleyan for full approval. Motion Carried Unanimously.
● Motion to deny United Seminary approval. Passed 10 yes, 0 no, 2 abstentions.
CLM Report (Sherry Powers):
● Motion to approval the North Carolina Conference Certified Lay Ministry Program. Passed Unanimously
Ministerial Training Fund (Bridget Douglas): A new document with some possibilities and conversation was presented.
● Motion to pass this document to the new commission, with a note that there is some time sensitivity to this being addressed for the first 2027 distribution. Dan Gildner, second Burt Palmer. Passed Unanimously
Commission Evaluation Conversation
● Communication is an area that we can grow in going forward.
Commission Handoff Document and Budget Recommendations Closed in Prayer
Addendum
Following adjournment, prayer, and the direction of the Holy Spirit, Chair Debra Davis presented the MHED Commission with two points of information to provide interim guidance regarding the MTF until the new document is completed. This guidance will be communicated to Bishops, Conference Superintendents, and Boards of Ministry for clarity and consistency.
The following was approved unanimously by all Commission members who responded to the email:
● Students who have begun their education at a previously recommended or approved institution remain eligible for MTF funds, even if the institution’s status subsequently changes.
● "A one-year transition period applies to paragraph 511 funds received in 2026 but not yet distributed. Annual Conferences must report all scholarships awarded and disbursed in 2026; however, they will not be deemed ineligible for 2027 distributions for carrying forward more than 10% of their 2026 allocation. Beginning in 2028, conferences will not be allowed to carry forward more than 10% of their allocation to receive future distributions. This provision is intended to accommodate the transition resulting from the change in legislation at General Conference 2026."ze this text with bullets, italics or bold, and add links.