All About the Global Methodist Draft Liturgies with Dr. Tesia Mallory – The David Donnan Podcast Season 3 Episode 8
September 30, 2026
Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcast, or watch on YouTube.
What are the Global Methodist Church’s draft liturgies, and how can your church use them? Dr. Tesia Mallory joins me for all of the information you could want about the draft liturgies. This is your one-stop conversation about what’s included, how the resources were developed, and how pastors and congregations can participate in the feedback process.
Tesia serves as Dean of Chapel at Asbury Theological Seminary and helped lead the drafting and editing process. This special episode, created in partnership with the South Georgia Conference of the Global Methodist Church, offers practical guidance for longtime liturgy lovers and those just getting started.
Show Notes:
Draft liturgies discussed on the podcast:
- Baptism for infants and adults.
- Reaffirmation of baptism and confirmation.
- Holy Communion, including a fuller service, an abbreviated service, and guidance for presiding without a formal written liturgy.
- Resources for laypeople taking previously consecrated Communion elements to those unable to attend church.
- Services of death and resurrection, weddings, and church membership.
Questions we explore:
- Why release draft liturgies and invite feedback from the wider church?
- How do shared prayers help shape our theology and identity as Global Methodists?
- How can historic liturgy and Spirit-led worship work together?
- Where can a pastor or congregation begin using these resources?
- Why should worship leaders practice reading the prayers aloud before leading them?
Resources and further reading:
- Tesia Mallory’s Asbury Seminary biography — Learn about her ministry, education, and work in worship and sacramental theology.
- Reflections on General Conference 2026 by Tesia Mallory — Tesia reflects on leading worship and announces the planned October 1 release of the draft liturgies, followed by a three-month review period.
- The Draft Litrugy
Follow Tesia Mallory:
Whether your next service includes Communion, a baptism, or welcoming new members, this conversation will help you begin exploring the draft liturgies and the faith they help us express.
This past September, the Global Methodist Church held its historic Convening General Conference. Reflecting on the event over the past few months, I wanted to document some surprises that stood out to me. These moments captured the spirit of this pivotal gathering and left a lasting impression.
1. Worship That Sounded Heavenly
Watching the worship services during the conference, I was blown away by how incredible the music sounded—even through the livestream. Mixing live worship bands for an online audience is notoriously challenging, yet the result was stunning.
This is a testament to the hard work and talent of the worship team, including Rev. Sterling Allen and Rev. Tesia Lee Mallory. Their efforts helped bring a sense of connection and reverence to all who participated, whether in Costa Rica or tuning in from afar.
2. Outstanding Coverage by Christianity Today
I was pleasantly surprised by the exceptional coverage of the event by Christianity Today. Daniel Silliman’s on-the-ground reporting brought the heart of the conference to life, capturing both its historical significance and joyful spirit.
Silliman’s insights on social media and articles like:
- “It’s Okay to Say We’re Born Again”: Global Methodists Embrace Evangelical Identity
- Global Methodists Find Joy in Costa Rica
- Global Methodist Bishops to Dance
Silliman’s writing highlighted the distinctive ethos of the Global Methodist Church, including its focus on sanctification and renewal. In an age where Methodism often receives less-than-favorable media coverage, it was refreshing to see the vibrancy of our tradition celebrated so widely.
3. Jimmy Towson’s Brief Candidacy as Bishop
A touching surprise was seeing Jimmy Towson briefly considered as a candidate for bishop. Each delegation was asked to present someone as a nominee alongside the existing slate of candidates, and Jimmy’s name was offered.
Jimmy has been a vital leader in the South Georgia Conference of the Global Methodist Church, and I have no doubt he would have made an excellent bishop. True to his humble nature, he graciously withdrew his name early in the process to help streamline the voting. Even so, his brief nomination was a moment of pride for many of us in South Georgia.
4. Missing Out on the Experience
The biggest surprise for me personally was not being able to attend the conference in Costa Rica. My daughter, who was recovering from a broken tibia, had an unfortunate fall just 30 hours before my departure, breaking her femur. While my wife encouraged me to go, I felt it was best to stay home and care for her during such a challenging time.
Although I couldn’t be there in person, I am deeply grateful to our South Georgia delegation. Both clergy and laity represented us with grace and faithfulness, helping to pave the way for a bright future in the Global Methodist Church.
The Convening General Conference was a historic moment for our denomination, full of worship, joy, and vision for the future. Though I watched from afar, I continue to reflect on how these surprises reveal God’s faithfulness and the promise of renewal within our church.
