At the beginning of a new year and the opening of a new five-year term, the Southern Luzon Philippine Union Mission (SLPUM), the Adventist Church headquarters based in Lipa City, conducted a two-day direction setting attended by officers and departmental directors from the four missions and one conference within its territory. The gathering underscored that effective strategic planning must go hand in hand with intentional organizational development.

SLPUM Focus: Christlikeness and Church Planting

During the sessions, SLPUM clarified its primary focus for the coming years: Christlikeness and church planting. Church leaders were reminded that all programs and initiatives implemented across the territory should intentionally nurture Christ-centered lives and contribute meaningfully to the establishment of new congregations.

A Shift Toward Need-Based and Collaborative Planning

Several important shifts in practice were also introduced during the direction-setting meetings. One significant change involves the planning and scheduling of departmental programs and events. In the past, departments independently prepared their calendars and forwarded them to the missions and conference for consideration. At the same time, departments at the local mission level also implemented their own programs, often resulting in pastors having heavily packed schedules—leaving little time for focused ministry in the local churches under their care.

This time, however, a survey questionnaire has been prepared and will be rolled out to church members across the territory. The survey is anchored on the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of the I Will Go Strategic Plan of the World Church. Through the survey results, churches will be able to identify both their strengths and areas for growth. Identified areas of need will then receive focused support and emphasis from the missions and the union.

This approach aims to ensure that trainings and interventions are truly need-based—strengthening areas that require growth while sustaining and building upon existing strengths. It also helps align local churches and members more closely with the global mission of the Church.

Moreover, a shift in paradigm was emphasized—from a traditional top-down approach to a more collaborative, lateral model. Local churches are encouraged to embrace the I Will Go framework of the World Church, while missions provide targeted assistance in identified areas of need through training and guidance. The union, in turn, supports this process by providing resources and training trainers. Through this shared responsibility, both the missions and the union work alongside local churches to help them fulfill their God-given mission.

With these clarifications and shifts in place, SLPUM begins the new quinquennium with clearer direction and renewed alignment. By grounding its plans in real needs, shared responsibility, and the I Will Go mission framework, the union seeks to better support pastors and local churches as they nurture disciples and plant new faith communities throughout the territory.