BEHOLD 2025 Motions

Motion 1: Lay Equalization Plan

Background from the Conference Lay Leader My name is Martha Thompson and I serve on the Leadership and Nominations Committee. I serve as your Conference Lay Leader and it has been a blessing to serve in this position. Many of you I have met through church gatherings and meetings. The Leadership and Nominations Committee has the responsibility to fill positions on conference committees. We prayerfully lift up leaders to serve as we know this is an important task for shaping leadership in our churches and the conference. We solicit names with references to serve and place the names in classes. This year we had fewer vacancies.

The one item of business to bring forward is the Lay Equalization Plan. The current Disciplinary language only grants a charge one lay delegate per appointed clergy. Our Lay Equalization Plan proposes increasing the lay delegates per charge to match the number of churches on a charge. This would allow every church on a charge to submit one lay delegate per charge rather than one lay delegate per appointed clergy. If the Lay Equalization Plan passes this will be the standing practice for the remaining Behold Conference for this year. Our initial vote will only be open to the first lay delegate from a charge but voting will be extended to all lay delegates upon passage of the Lay Equalization Plan for this annual conference only. The Conference Connectional Team will address this challenge during the coming year. The committee will need to determine the remaining number if needed lay delegates to equal clergy delegates. We can observe what other conferences are doing and if needed, make recommendations at next year's Behold Conference. Thank you

Graciously Submitted,

Martha Thompson

Conference Lay Leader

Motion: Adopt the Proposed Lay Equalization Plan

Whereas, the “the voting membership of an annual conference shall be composed of active deacons, elders, and senior clergy who meet the qualifications of paragraph 520, as well as at least an equal number of lay members (emphasis added) elected by each charge or by the district or annual conference” (Paragraph 708).

Whereas, “only laity shall vote in the election of equaling laity” (Paragraph 708).

Whereas, “each church shall be entitled to as many lay members as it has appointed clergy” (paragraph 708). The resulting action is that churches on a charge are only represented by one lay delegate for the charge, rather than one per church and the annual conference may not be able to achieve equalization.

Whereas, “The annual conference may add lay members of the annual conference who are serving in conference leadership positions…Such members may be elected by a charge conference, district conference, or the annual conference, but they must be elected and not appointed” (Paragraph 708).

Therefore, the Conference Connectional Team (CCT) recommends the following Lay Equalization Plan:

• Allow every church on a charge to submit one lay delegate per church, rather than one lay delegate per appointed clergy.

• The additional number of lay delegates needed to reach equalization will be elected by the business session of annual conference. The CCT will nominate a slate of lay leaders serving in conference leadership roles, pursuant to paragraph 708, for election as equalization lay delegates by the annual conference.

• Lay delegates shall vote on the lay equalization plan as their first act of business during the Annual Conference session. The election of a slate of equalization laity will be the second act of business

• The Lay Equalization Plan will generate “at least” as many lay delegates as clergy delegates to Annual Conference and will allow greater representation and voice for each church in the GMC of SC.

• Adoption of the Equalization Plan will be in effect for future annual conferences unless amended or repealed.

Motion passed on June 26, 2025

Motion 2: Additional Lay Delegates

If passed, the above Lay Equalization Plan will grant a lay delegate to every church in the GMC of SC. It may still be necessary to elect additional lay delegates to Behold to equalize the number of voting clergy. In this event, the Conference Connectional Team (CCT) will furnish a slate of names representing those laity who are actively engaged in conference level ministries for the Business Session to consider granting voting status for the purpose of equalization. Only laity vote on equalizing laity

Motion passed on June 26, 2025

Motion 3: Committee on Superintendency Report

It has been a great move of God in the Global Methodist Church in South Carolina over the last year, and we have an incredible team helping to lead and support us: Erik Grayson, our Conference Superintendent, Kelly Snelgrove, our Conference Director of Church and Clergy Relations, Amanda Griswold, our Conference General Administrator, and Kathy King, our Conference Business Administrator. As Chair of the Conference Committee on Superintendency I have had a front row view of their work and I must say, in my opinion we have the very best team leading us in South Carolina. Their dedication to the spread of the good news of Jesus in this move of Methodism is so obvious and we are so grateful for their work.

Last year at Behold, the Committee on Superintendency made some recommendations that were approved by this body. We voted, contingent upon legislation at our Global Methodist Church General Conference in Costa Rica, to move Rev. Erik Grayson to full-time as our Superintendent. I am pleased to say our Committee on Superintendency voted unanimously to move Erik to his full-time role as our Superintendent and he began serving in that capacity March 1, 2025. Rev. Kelly Snelgrove continues to work tirelessly in her role and in many ways is Erik’s go-to person; they are doing amazing work leading our Conference.

Committee on Superintendency actions to date:

• Our committee voted unanimously to leave our Conference Superintendent package unchanged, moving into another conference year. Erik Grayson’s gross compensation is $118,000.

• Because of the increase in expenses due to covering the entire state, our committee voted to increase Erik’s business expense account to $18,000.

• We voted unanimously to increase Kelly’s compensation from $10,000 to $20,000. This will make Kelly’s compensation more in-line with the hours her position requires.

• Additionally, the committee voted unanimously to give both Amanda and Kelly a cost-of-living increase of 4%, which will move their compensation package from $37,500 to $39,000 moving into this year.

• The committee has $7,000 in contingency in our budget this year, for additional increases as our committee deems appropriate.

In consideration of the great work our team is doing, and the growth within the Global Methodist Church in South Carolina, these changes appropriately reflect how blessed our state is by their work, while maintaining a lean organizational structure. The Committee is encouraged by the growth and enthusiasm in the GMC of SC and looks forward to continuing to work with our outstanding conference staff!

Pastor Darren Hook

Chairperson, Committee on Superintendency Committee Members: Darren Hook, Emily Davis, Dora Gafford, Catherine Johnson, Rick Johnson, Phil Owens, Kim Taylor, Danny WileyMotion passed on June 26, 2025

Motion 4: Adopt the Proposed 2025/2026

Finance Report

Our Finance & Administration Committee has worked hard to provide diligent accounting and stewardship of the resources of the Global Methodist Church of South Carolina. We invite you to review our current Statement of Financial Position and Quarterly Financial Statements, found on the Behold page of GMCofSC.org.

Finance Statements Respectfully Submitted

Kathy King

Business Administrator

Budget Narrative: Fiscal Year 2025-2026

The Finance & Administration Committee has worked diligently to prepare a proposed budget for the 2025/2026 fiscal year starting on September 1st. Out of a commitment to transparency, we have prepared the following budget narrative to highlight any notable changes in the proposed budget.

Objective. The GMC of SC budget exists to support the ministries, programs, and conference staff that work hard to implement the Global Methodist Church’s mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ and spreading scriptural holiness across the globe. The budget reflects our missional priorities.

Values. The Finance & Administration Committee is committed to 1.) properly funding the ministries that advance the mission of the Global Methodist Church, 2.) maintaining a lean conference staff structure while simultaneously providing appropriate support for our staff to achieve ministry goals, and 3.) maintaining focus on equipping churches and pastors for the work of the church.

Resources. Our estimate of anticipated income for FY 25/26 is approximately $992,000. This is a conservative estimate that will likely be exceeded by additional churches joining our movement, yet our team seeks to make modest income projections for the sake of responsible stewardship.

Behold Annual Conference. We propose increasing the line for the Behold Annual Conference from $8,000 to $60,000. Mt. Horeb has graciously hosted Behold over the last three years, and starting in 2026 the conference will rotate through different venues in South Carolina. We are grateful for Mt. Horeb’s generosity in hosting this event over the last several years.

General Conference 2026. The GMC of SC will send a delegation to the 2026 General Conference in South Africa. We will provide up to $4,500 per delegate and alternate, at an estimated total of $54,000. We propose paying for this expense out of undesignated reserve funds for 2026.

General Conference Accrual. General Conference will be held every 6 years after the 2026 South Africa conference. We anticipate needing approximately $80,000 to send the delegation to the 2032 General Conference, and we intend to accrue 1/6th of that amount annually. The $80,000 target is an estimate based on next year’s projected GC delegation cost, and adding inflation over six years.

Leadership Retreat. The Conference Connectional Team (CCT) authorized the use of funds in 2025 for a leadership retreat for members of the cabinet and the CCT. The purpose of this retreat was prayer, planning, and vision-casting for the upcoming year. This time of discerning God’s will was deemed a necessary annual practice to keep the GMC of SC focused on its mission of making disciples and spreading scriptural holiness. We do not own property or maintain facilities, and while this is a significant savings for our conference, it does necessitate creating space for intentional face-to-face gatherings each year.

Cabinet Development. The cabinet is working diligently to support pastors, churches, and make appointments. As we grow, we need to provide tools and training to equip the cabinet to do their work. This new line item will provide funds to secure training for our cabinet members, such as conflict resolution, spiritual leadership, how to facilitate vision casting, human resources best practices, etc.

General Administrator & Business Administrator Salaries. A 4% cost of living increase is recommended for our General Administrator and our Business Administrator.

Director of Church & Clergy Relations. The Committee on Superintendency recommends a $10,000 increase in compensation to the Director of Church & Clergy Relations. This increase better reflects the actual workload of the Director.

Superintendent Expense Account. An increase from $8,000 to $18,000 is proposed for the superintendent’s expense account. The prior number reflected the baseline of part-time service, whereas full-time duties include more travel, meetings, and engagement with pastors and churches across the state.

Discretionary Bonuses for Conference Staff. The Committee on Superintendency requested funds to grant the 4 conference staff members Christmas / end-of-year bonuses.

Committee on Superintendency Contingency. This line item was requested as a conference staff contingency should unforeseen staffing needs arise mid-year.

Clergy Recruitment & Support. Two significant changes have occurred in this budget area. First, the total amount of support has decreased from $108,000 to $85,000. Actual expenditures in FY24/25 were significantly under budget and is reflected in this reallocation. Finance & Administration is committed to increasing funding as needed to support the work of the Board. Second, funds for the three sub-categories have been combined into one line item entitled “Board Expenses.” The Board has full discretion to allocate their funds among their ministry areas.

Church Plant & Revitalization. This budget area saw an increase in funding support. The Church Plant & Revitalization Committee requested an increase in funding to support additional new church starts. Line items were also combined to allow greater spending discretion among Church Plant & Revitalization projects.

Ministry Leadership Team. Four changes occurred in this budget area. First, funding decreased for the existing 5 collectives to reflect actual expenditures in FY24/25. Second, budget areas for the five collectives were combined to allow the Ministry Leadership Team discretion in allocation among their ministry areas. Third, the Ministry Leadership Team will oversee the conference’s new Alpha initiative. Fourth, the Ministry Leadership Team will be responsible for managing funds (via the Missions Collective) distributed to our International Missions Partners. Conclusion: The Finance & Administration committee submits the proposed budget as a fiscally responsible plan that will adequately support the mission and ministry of the Global Methodist Church of South Carolina.

Motion: Adopt the Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2025/2026

Budget - Fiscal Year Starting September 1, 2025

Motion passed on June 26, 2025

Motion 5: 2025/2026 Leadership Slate

A Note from the Leadership Committee

The Leadership Committee is responsible for preparing a proposed leadership slate for vacant annual conference roles. Our team has worked diligently to prepare the proposed slate listed below. Proposed leadership changes are highlighted in yellow. Unhighlighted names represent those leaders who were selected at a previous Behold and are continuing to fulfill their terms.

A few highlights from our work:

• The committee publicly solicited nominations from the annual conference for open committee and collective positions.

• This year we added a requirement for nominees to provide a pastoral reference.

• Added the role of Conference Secretary

• Created an Alpha Leadership Team under the Ministry Leadership Team to implement this new initiative.

• Created an additional lay and clergy seat on the Conference Connectional Team (CCT)

Motion: Adopt the Proposed Leadership Roster

GMC of SC Leadership

Erik Grayson, Conference Superintendent

Kelly Snelgrove, Director of Church & Clergy Relations

Martha Thompson, Conference Lay Leader

Amanda Griswold, General Administrator

Kathy King, Business Administrator

Conference Connectional Team

Rev. Erik Grayson, Conference Superintendent & Chair, 2030

Rev. Kelly Snelgrove, Director of Church & Clergy Relations and Vice Chair, 2030

Bonnie Blackman, At-Large, 2026

Martha Thompson, Conference Lay Leader, 2026

Norman Murdaugh, At-Large, 2026

Phil Owens, Finance & Administration, 2026

Michael Turner, Committee on Church Multiplication & Revitalization, 2030

Jon Persinger, 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

William Floyd, Committee on Investigations,

Krista Bannister, Conference Secretary, 2031

Elizabeth Sullivan, At-Large, 2028

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 Ministry

Chris Snelgrove, Chair, 2028

Gerald Carter, 2026

Martha Thompson, 2026

Mike Burgess, 2026

Mike Rouse, 2026

Robert Hoover, 2026

Laura Parrish, 2027*

Brian Preveaux, 2027*

Ann Everett, 2028

Jerry Temple, 2028

Jim Johnston, 2028

Lynn Jenette, 2028

Lou Perez, 2028

Rick Brown, 2029*

James Kimbell, 2029*

Daniel Griswold, 2030

Henry Altman, 2030

James Kimbell, 2030

Kelly Snelgrove, 2030

Patrick Griffey, 2030

Rick Brown, 2030

Stephen Fitch, 2030

Rachel Carosiello, 2031*

Amy Cooley, 2031*

Janice Holliday, 2031*

Cindy Muncie

Mari Gonlag

Rob Davis

Ashley Reynolds

Clergy Renewal

Robert Reeves, Chair, 2028

Emily Davis, 2026

Richard Herd, 2026

Cheryl Remchuk, 2028

Mickaylla McDonald, 2028

Dan Sullivan, 2029

Bryan Meares, 2030

Ken Freeman, 2031

Church Plant & Revitalization (CPR)

Michael Turner, Chair, 2030

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

Todd Blalock, 2029

Cristian Istrate, 2029

Becky Jacobs, 2030

Carol Burdette, 2030

Dave Wehrle, 2030

Heather Norment, 2030

Nicole Grunsky, 2031

John Elmore, 2031

Matt Yon, 2031

Ministry Leadership Team

Scott Allen, Chair, 2030

Melodie Streett, Children’s Collective Chair, 2028

Amanda Beattie, Children’s Collective Vice Chair, 2026

[Name], 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

Administrative Review Committee

The Administrative Review Committee is voted on by the Clergy Session per Disciplinary paragraph 710.7.b. These names are provided to the Annual Conference Business Session as information only.

Members:

1. Ken Freeman, class of 2027

2. Laura Geloni, class of 2027

3. Shawn Lehman, class of 2028*

Alternates:

1. Richard Lewis, class of 2027

2. Michael Turner, class of 2027

*Pending election in 2025 Clergy Session

Leadership Roster Notes:

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

2. 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.

3. The Administrative Review Committee and the Committee on Investigation are nominated by the Conference Superintendent and submitted to the Clergy Session for approval.

4. Mid-year vacancies on conference leadership committees may be filled between annual conference sessions by the Leadership Committee and affirmation of the Conference Connectional Team, if deemed necessary.

Motion passed on June 26, 2025

Motion 6: International Missions Partnerships

Introduction

The Missions Collective was tasked in 2024 with discerning International Missions Partners for the GMC of SC. Through prayer, discernment, site visits, and multiple interactions with missionary leaders, the Missions Collective is recommending a three-year partnership with the Oasis Conference in Africa and an additional year to explore a second partner, likely in South America.

The Oasis Conference

The Oasis Conference is a unique ministry of the Global Methodist Church as it is operating in Muslim majority nations in Africa. In many of these nations, conversion may be punishable by the death penalty, believers face economic and social embargoes, and the faithful follow Jesus at the threat of violence. Despite these hardships, faith in Jesus Christ continues to spread and the underground church continues to grow.

The proposed partnership with the Oasis Conference would include 1.) financial support from the GMC of SC, 2.) an avenue for local churches to support individual indigenous leaders and ministry projects, and 3.) immersion trips for small groups of GMC of SC members.

Partnering with the Oasis Conference allows South Carolina to support frontline evangelistic ministry where the gospel is advancing into places where Christ is not already known. The Missions Collective affirms the vital kingdom-significance of this work.

A Second Partner

The Missions Collective is actively discerning a second international missions partner. We are currently exploring a partnership with Peru, though this annual conference is still in their early formation period. A partnership with Peru would be more relationally-focused as travel is more accessible and more affordable.

The goal over the next year will be to send an exploratory team to discern the viability and potential terms of a partnership with Peru. If Peru is not a suitable partner, the Missions Collective will continue exploring a second partner that will be able to support greater travel and relational ministry between our two annual conferences.

Motion

The Missions Collective proposes that the GMC of SC 1.) sign a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Oasis Conference to support the persecuted church in Africa, and 2.) spend the next year discerning a suitable second partner with the capacity to host regular visiting teams from the GMC of SC, possibly in South America.

Motion passed on June 26, 2025