BEHOLD 2024 Motions

Motion 1: Additional Administrative Support

Summary: The GMC of SC experienced rapid growth from an initial 40+ churches to over 100 in a 12-month period. This rapid growth expanded the workload of our two conference administrators as churches discerned and aligned with our conference.

It is possible that the GMC of SC will experience additional growth as new churches align with our conference in the next year. If this happens, we will not be able to extend our current administrative support to meet additional need. Neither Kathy King nor Amanda Griswold can increase their hours beyond their current arrangement.

Proposal: The Finance & Administration Committee proposes that the Annual Conference grant authority to the Conference Connectional Team (and their sub-committees of Committee on Superintendency and Committee on Finance & Administration) to monitor conference growth and to add additional administrative support as necessary if finances allow. This proposal would allow the Conference\Connectional Team to augment the budget for additional administrative support between annual conference sessions, if deemed prudent and necessary.

Motion passed on August 8, 2024.

Motion 2: $25,000 in Missional Conference Support

Summary: The GMC has asked all US annual conferences to prayerfully consider partnering with an international annual conference. The Global Methodist Church is growing rapidly around the world, yet many nations lack the resources to adequately launch an annual conference to support the work of pastors, churches, and the training of new ministers. The Global Methodist Church does not have a hierarchical or top-down approach to supporting overseas annual conferences, but rather relies on US annual conferences to discern how God is leading them to support the church abroad.

The GMC encourages US annual conferences to:

• Consult with the bishops to learn about the needs overseas and then prayerfully discern where God may be leading.

• Commit to partnering with a developing international conference for 5 years to help them reach sustainability. Sustainability is the goal and is achievable in most parts of the world, but many conferences need a little help getting started. Note: some regions of the world may never be sustainable if they’re located in extreme poverty or persecution.

• Consider developing a true partnership where there are relationships between clergy and laity in both conferences, an exchange of best practices, and a sharing of faith. While financial resources will assist a developing conference, we do not want to develop a relationship that is exclusively financial. Many of our overseas brothers and sisters can share a profound faith in Jesus Christ.

• Consider fundraising the equivalent of 10% of our annual budget to contribute to the formation and sustainability of the overseas partner. Consider how dialogue, relationship, and mutual accountability will be part of the partnership

• Consider ways to invite local churches to partner in support, not only financially but also in terms of sending missions teams, developing sister church relationships, and in sponsoring pastor exchanges.

• All support from local churches is optional and voluntary. We seek enthusiastic partnerships and freewill support and believe this is the best way to form a healthy ministry partnership.

Proposal: The Provisional District Advisory Team (PDAT) recommends that the GMC of SC move forward in supporting the development of the GMC overseas. We propose:

1. That the Missions Collective discern and recommend an international partner(s) to the Conference Connectional Team in the Fall of 2024. The Conference Connectional Team may choose to affirm the partner(s) and share their decision immediately with the annual conference.

2. That the 2024 Behold Conference allocate $25,000 from last year’s unused budget funds as seed money to support an international partner(s) selected by the Missions Collective.

3. That the GMC of SC immediately develop a relationship with the overseas partner, but follow-up with an annual conference affirmation of the partnership at Behold 2025.

4. That the Missions Collective create avenues for GMC of SC churches and individuals to be in ministry, partnership, and relationship with the international partner(s).

5. That the Missions Collective invite churches to make a free will offering to support this partnership(s). The Missions Collective will invite churches to make a 5-year step-down commitment to help build kingdom sustainability overseas.

Motion passed on August 8, 2024.

Budget Narrative: Fiscal Year 2024-2025

The Finance & Administration Committee is pleased to share a proposed budget for the new fiscal year. We encourage you to review the above Finance Report to gain deeper insight into our financial stewardship over the previous year of operation. We have a few values that guide our financial planning:

• First, the resources we manage do not belong to us, but to God. Our task is to steward them wisely for the glory of the God and the advancement of the kingdom.

• Second, the Finance & Administration committee has adopted a conservative fiscal approach. Our inclination is to underestimate anticipated revenue and overestimate expenses.

• Third, we echo the Global Methodist Church’s commitment to limited structure and minimal hierarchy; however, we will care for the employees who have given themselves to serving God through the GMC of SC. We are committed to paying our staff a salary that is commiserate with their experience, comparable positions, and with the quality of work we expect.

Here are highlights of the proposed new budget:

Conference Year. The GMC of SC will be shifting its conference year to start on September 1st. There are several benefits to this move. First, a September conference year allows for a new budget and leadership roster to take effect approximately one month after adoption at Behold, rather than waiting five months until the new year. Second, we are committed to having a very lean leadership structure. Our part-time Business Administrator also serves part-time as Finance Director at a local church. Many of our volunteers and staff serve in other roles which require them to do end-of-year financial work in

December and January. Moving our fiscal year to September allows them to serve our needs while in a part-time and/or volunteer capacity. Note: Churches are not asked to mirror the new conference year.

Projected Giving. Our estimate for connectional giving in the next fiscal year is $780,000+.

Presiding Elders. We will be moving from 2 to 7 districts starting on September 1st. Each presiding elder will be given staff support in the amount of $15,000 and an expense account of $5,000. The total impact for the addition of 7 new districts is $140,000.

Administrator Salaries. The Committee on Superintendency and Finance & Administration recommends increasing the salaries for our General Administrator and our Business Administrator. When both positions were created a year ago, we had approximately 40 churches and each position was 20 hours per week. Now we have over 100 churches and both positions have dramatically increased in responsibility. We propose a salary of $37,500 for each role.

Director of Church and Clergy Relations. The role of vice president pro tempore will likely disappear after General Conference. However, the Committee on Superintendency is retitling Rev. Kelly Snelgrove’s position to Director of Church and Clergy Relations. The Director will serve on the Executive Committee of the Board of Ordained Ministry, as Dean of the Cabinet, as a member of the Conference Connectional Team, will manage the clergy and church database, will assist with clergy credentialing and benefits, and will work toward the recruitment of new clergy. The Director will also serve as the second-in-charge of the annual conference. As Director, Rev. Snelgrove will continue to serve as pastor of Aynor Methodist Church. Her congregation will continue to receive $25,000 annual staff support, and Kelly will receive $10,000 compensation for her service to the conference. Kelly will serve in this capacity at approximately ¼ time.

Conference Superintendent. General Conference proposes retitling President Pro Tempore to Conference Superintendent. The Conference Superintendent is tasked with leading the annual conference, including the cabinet and presiding elders, the Conference Connectional Team, and the Conference Leadership Committee. The Superintendent will fulfill the tasks of a residential bishop as listed in the Transitional Book of Doctrines and Disciplines, but without the authority of ordination or tasks reserved for the general superintendency. The proposed budget includes salary and benefits to support a full-time conference superintendent. The majority of full-time presidents pro tempore across the United States are compensated between $110,000 and $130,000. Note: Rev. Erik Grayson is currently serving part-time in the president pro tempore position while continuing as the senior pastor of Lyman Methodist Church. Before a transition to full-time conference service, Lyman Methodist Church will be remunerated at 50% of Rev. Grayson’s benefits package starting September 1st. The Committee on Superintendency will determine if and when a transition to full-time occurs in response to the actions of General Conference.

Communications. The budget includes a new line item for communications. We need to communicate clearly about who we are in Christ and our identity as the GMC of SC. Continuing Budget Items. The majority of other budget categories remain unchanged from last year, with the exception of a few administrative line items. Please note the budget items with a single Asterix.

These are ministry areas not funded in other GMC annual conferences. We are committed to doing ministry in the areas of Church Multiplication and Revitalization, Clergy Recruitment and Support, and Ministry Leadership. These ministry areas are asked to plan on approximately 80 or 90% of their budgeted funds if there happens to be a budget shortfall. However, we anticipate a fully funded budge in fiscal year 2024/2025.

Proposed Budget for 2024 – 2025

Budget passed on August 8, 2024.

Leadership Committee

The Leadership Committee is tasked with preparing a slate for the annual conference to adopt for conference leadership positions. The committee worked to transition our existing committees to be compliant with the Transitional Book of Doctrines and Disciplines as we become a provisional annual conference.

A few highlights from our work:

• Transitioned our existing committees to conference committees.

• Solicited nominations.

• Created additional committees as prescribed by the Book of Doctrines and Disciplines.

• Assigned classes to committee members.

• Divided committee members between the classes of 2026, 2028, and 2030.

• A standard term will be 6 years, but staggering our classes allows us to prevent a loss of leadership when classes expire.

• Leaders whose term expires may request that the Leadership Committee consider them for a second consecutive term when the Doctrines and Disciplines allows.

• The committee felt it a best practice to have no more than two members from any one church serving on the same committee.

• The committee sought skilled leaders and a balance of laity and clergy, geographic representation, and church size representation.

• The Collectives have an appointed chair and vice chair. Other members of the collectives are not appointed by the Leadership Committee and determined at the discretion of the Ministry Leadership Collective.

Leadership Roster

GMC of SC Leadership

Erik Grayson, President Pro Tempore

Kelly Snelgrove, Vice President Pro Tempore / Director of Church & Clergy Relations

Martha Thompson, Conference Lay Leader

Amanda Griswold, General Administrator

Kathy King, Business Administrator

Conference Connectional Team

Rev. Erik Grayson, President Pro Tempore & Chair, 2030

Rev. Kelly Snelgrove, Vice President Pro Tempore & Vice Chair, 2030

Bonnie Blackman, At-Large, 2026

Martha Thompson, Conference Lay Leader, 2026

Norman Murdaugh, At-Large, 2026

Phil Owens, Finance & Administration, 2026

Elizabeth Sullivan, Committee on Church Multiplication & Revitalization, 2028

Grace Marie Ward, Committee on Annual Conference, 2028

Rev. Chris Snelgrove, Board of Ordained Ministry, 2028

Rev. Darren Hook, Committee on Superintendency, 2028

Judith Pfaehler, At-Large, 2030

Rev. Scott Allen, Ministry Leadership Team, 2030

[TBD], Committee on Investigations,

[TBD] Administrative Review,

Finance & Administration

Phil Owens, Chair, 2026

Bonnie Blackman, 2026

Glenda Ward, 2026

Kathy Niebauer, 2026

Brandon Fulmer, 2028

Larry Fulmer, 2028

Mary Everhart, 2028

Monica Tilley, 2030

Rick Brown, 2030

Wayne Smith, 2030

Amanda Griswold, General Administrator*

Kathy King, Business Administrator*

*Staff members serve as non-voting committee members

Board of Ordained Ministry

Chris Snelgrove, Chair, 2028

Carole Walters, 2026

Gerald Carter, 2026

Martha Thompson, 2026

Mike Burgess, 2026

Mike Rouse, 2026

Robert Hoover, 2026

Steve Garner, 2026

Ann Everett, 2028

Emma Murphy, 2028

Jane Jones, 2028

Jerry Temple, 2028

Jim Johnston, 2028

Lynn Jenette, 2028

Lou Perez, 2028

Daniel Griswold, 2030

Gryff Carosiello, 2030

Henry Altman, 2030

James Kimbell, 2030

Kelly Snelgrove, 2030

Patrick Griffey, 2030

Rick Brown, 2030

Stephen Fitch, 2030

Clergy Renewal

Robert Reeves, Chair, 2028

Emily Davis, 2026

Richard Herd, 2026

Cheryl Remchuk, 2028

Mickaylla McDonald, 2028

Bryan Meares, 2030

Stephen Fitch, 2030

Committee of Church Multiplication & Revitalization

Elizabeth Sullivan, Chair, 2028

Jim Boothe, 2026

Michael Carle, 2026

Robert Reeves, 2026

Ron Towery, 2026

William Floyd, 2026

Cheryl Remchuk, 2028

John Fahrney, 2028

Kim Taylor, 2028

Ron Hoeksema, 2028

Tim Ringer, 2028

Becky Jacobs, 2030

Carol Burdette, 2030

Dave Wehrle, 2030

Heather Norment, 2030

Michael Turner, 2030

Ministry Leadership Team

Scott Allen, Chair, 2030

Melodie Streett, Children’s Collective Chair, 2028

Amanda Beattie, Children’s Collective Vice Chair, 2026

Trevor Miller, Youth Collective Chair, 2030

Jon Brooks, Youth Collective Vice Chair, 2026

Mike Smith, Young Adult Collective Chair, 2026

[Name], Young Adult Collective Vice Chair, 2030

Janis Albergotti, Missions Collective Chair, 2028

Kam Stabler, Missions Collective Vice Chair, 2028

[Name], Lay Servant Ministries Chair, 2030

[Name], Lay Servant Ministries Vice Chair, 2026

Committee on Annual Conference

Grace Marie Ward, Chair, 2028

Alison Evans, 2026

Christian Istrate, 2026

Katie Woodfin, 2026

Laura Geloni, 2026

Scott Nurse, 2026

Aaron Todd, 2028

Mike Smith, 2028

Trevor Miller, 2028

Webb Belangia, 2028

Cheri Yates, 2030

Elizabeth Sullivan, 2030

Jon Persinger, 2030

Judith Pfaehler, 2030

Matthew, Scott, 2030

Committee on Superintendency

Darren Hook, Chair, 2028

Emily Davis, 2026

Phil Owens, 2026

Rick Jones, 2026

Danny Wiley, 2028

Dora Gafford, 2028

Cat Johnson, 2030

Kim Taylor, 2030

Leadership & Nominations

Erik Grayson, Chair, 2030

Martha Thompson, 2026

Arlene Privette, 2028

Emily Cope, 2028

Mike Hooker, 2028

Richard Lewis, 2028

Tim Steele, 2028

Bryan Meares, 2030

Kelly Snelgrove, 2030

Todd Davis, 2030

Leadership Roster Notes:

1. President Pro Tempore and Vice President Pro Tempore will serve on Discipline required committees during their term in office. The General Conference will specify term limits.

2. The Conference Connectional Team is composed of the chairs of the conference committees. The composition is set at 50% laity and 50% clergy.

3. The chairs for the Administrative Review Committee and the Committee on Investigation will be determined by those committee members, respectively. The chairs of those committees will then serve on the Conference Connectional Team

4. The Administrative Review Committee and the Committee on Investigation are nominated by the President Pro Tempore and submitted to the Clergy Session for approval.

5. The four vacancies on the Ministry Leadership Team may be filled ad interim between annual conferences by a vote of the Conference Connectional Team.

6. Mid-year vacancies on conference leadership committees may be filled between annual conference sessions by the Leadership Committee.