“What history are we writing” and “Why are we here” were asked and answered in devotionals presented by Reverend Phill Tague, Ransom Church, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Earl McJett, LifePoint Church, Waldorf, Maryland, during the 152nd session of the General Board, November 19 and 20, 2024. The Wesleyan Church’s (TWC’s) mission and corresponding General Board responsibilities were underpinned by word and prayer before business began.
General Superintendent Dr. Wayne Schmidt celebrated the lay movement growing within TWC, noting that while two GodWorx (formerly Marketplace Multipliers) conferences were planned for 2024, an unexpected five conferences were held and in five different locations — College Wesleyan Church in Marion, Indiana; Community Wesleyan Church, Horseheads, New York; Radiant Life Church in Sturgis, Michigan; LifePoint Church, Waldorf, Maryland and Crossroads Church of South Texas, San Antonio, Texas. (See LifePoint commissioning service.)
Dr. Schmidt also presented an update on The Wesleyan Church Fiscal Year 2024 statistics.
Six topics were chosen by the General Board to direct its focus leading up to the 15th General Conference, May 17-20, 2026, at Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion, Indiana:
- Discerning Future Leadership — Starting the General Superintendent nomination process sooner.
- Trust/Unity Issues — Identifying issues that can potentially polarize TWC.
- Leadership Pipeline — Addressing barriers to TWC having a robust leadership pipeline.
- General USF/EIF Refinement — Continuing to explore best ways to steward TWC’s financial resources to fulfill our mission.
- Cabinet Restructure — Exploring processes that ensure maximum General Church leadership effectiveness.
- General Board — Considering the most effective member composition.
The General Board voted to amend General Board Policy to start the General Superintendent nomination process in September. This will allow more time for nominations and preparation before the General Board nominee(s) are presented to the General Conference for consideration and vote.
Jennifer Rouse, interim General Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer was unanimously elected General Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer to a term ending May 2028.
The Wesleyan Education Council edits to “The General Board Policy Standards of The Wesleyan Church for Educational Institutions” are progressing for final presentation at the May 2025 General Board meeting.
Editorial work on “The General Board Policy on Church Discipline and Ministerial Restoration” continues. Approved edits to “The General Board Policy on Church Discipline” include addressing false accusations, clarifying conflict and offense resolution processes, differentiating offenses as Disregard for Governance and Misconduct or Abuse, and adding the following offense definitions: Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Clergy Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault, Sexual Harassment, Intimate Partner Violence (Domestic Violence), Emotional Abuse, Financial Abuse, Physical Abuse, Spiritual Abuse and Stalking. Definitions were provided by Communication and Administration Division’s consultant GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in Christian Environments).
Tuesday night, General Superintendent Emeriti Dr. Jo Anne and Reverend Wayne Lyon joined General Board members and their spouses for dinner. Afterward, those assembled gathered around the Lyons individually and prayed for God’s continued guidance and care over them, specifically as Dr. Lyon begins service as World Hope International Board chair.
Updates were received from the committees revising the Gender Identity, Racial Reconciliation and Immigration position papers and reviewing the Sanctity of Life Memorial referred for study by the 14th General Conference. Annual reports were presented by TWC General Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer Jennifer Rouse, Wesleyan Investment Foundation Chief Executive Officer Craig Dunn and Risk Management Committee Chair Carl Shepherd.
The theme for the 15th General Conference, EMPOWERED, was announced by Communication and Administration Executive Director Janelle Vernon. Janelle explained that the theme’s selection by the Executive Cabinet was informed by Acts 1:8 and the consistency throughout The Wesleyan Church to empower women and men to expand God’s kingdom.
An update on the January 2025 International Conference of The Wesleyan Church (ICWC) was presented by ICWC co-coordinator Nikki Nettleton, Global Partners director of Learning and Leadership. Global Partners Executive Director Dennis Jackson requested prayer for persecuted Christians in Manipur, India. After prayer, he presented a proposed resolution for The Wesleyan Church of Haiti to become an Established National Conference. The General Board approved preliminary approval to the resolution that will be presented to 16th The North American General Conference.
Church Multiplication and Discipleship Director Katie Lance presented a newly released We Disciple app.
The meeting ended with General Board clergy representatives praying for General Board lay representatives.
May 6 and 7, 2025 are the dates of the next General Board meeting. Location to be determined.
Janelle Vernon is the general secretary of The Wesleyan Church.
