As ministry continues to expand both on the ground and in digital spaces, administrative work is also changing.

Recognizing this need, the Adventist Administrative Network (AAN), the newly organized association of secretaries in the Southern Luzon Philippine Union Mission (SLPUM), conducted a two-day workshop for administrative assistants at the union headquarters.

Administrative assistants from different mission fields across the territory joined the hybrid gathering to learn practical digital skills, improve office systems, and explore ways to better support the growing needs of the mission.

Moving Toward Paperless Systems

One of the main focuses of the workshop was “Going Paperless,” an initiative encouraging offices to move away from manual and paper-heavy processes and begin using more digital systems.

Participants were introduced to AI-assisted tools and platforms such as Google Workspace, Notion, Canva, ChatGPT, and Google add-ons—one of which is Document Studio, which can help simplify registrations, reports, communication, planning, and other daily office responsibilities.

But more than simply learning new tools, the workshop emphasized why this shift matters.

Going paperless is not simply about keeping up with technology. It is also about reducing unnecessary waste, practicing better stewardship of resources, organizing files more efficiently, and making information easier to access when needed.

As the digital landscape evolves, offices and departments also need systems that are more responsive, connected, and accessible. Organized records, faster communication, and easier access to information help leaders and departments respond more effectively to the needs of the field.

The training also highlighted how digital systems can reduce repetitive administrative work, allowing administrative assistants to focus more on coordination, planning, communication, and ministry support.

Alongside digital skills training, attendees also received practical guidance on handling agendas and minutes, annual reports, constituency-related documents, schedules, and office communication.

For many participants, the workshop was both helpful and challenging.

Raquel Delos Santos from Cavite Mission shared that learning how to maximize Canva, create simple Canva website programs, and generate QR codes was especially useful in her work.

Others admitted that adjusting to new systems may take time, especially since many of the tools introduced were not traditionally part of administrative work before.

Katrin Rafallo from Bicol, one of the participants, shared: “By shifting to these digital systems, we are setting ourselves up to handle our daily tasks with more speed and efficiency.”

Veona Fallaria from SLPUM also reflected on the importance of adapting to changing technology. “Transition is not easy because many of these have not traditionally been part of the role of administrative assistants. If we remain closed-minded and limit ourselves to the mindset that our role is purely clerical, we risk becoming ineffective in the coming years,” she said. She added that going paperless is more than simply adopting new tools, but also developing “a mindset that is open, adaptive, and ready for the demands of the future.”

As SLPUM continues to grow, administrative assistants remain an important part of the mission. Through their work behind the scenes, they help maintain order, communication, and coordination across the field.

The workshop also forms part of SLPUM’s preparation for Tradigital Hope, the evangelistic approach of combining traditional and digital methods in ministry and evangelism.