Strengthening the identity of the Adventist Church, preparing new generations of leaders, and developing actions through which it can contribute to advancing mission are priorities of the South American Division's (SAD) Strategic Plan 2026-2030, said church leaders during the division's Annual Council.
The strategy, developed following a detailed analysis using trend studies, offers guidance for decisions that may need to be made in the coming years. It also addresses immediate needs and aims to identify challenges, establish priorities, and prepare the church for changes that may impact mission.
According to Douglas Menslin, SAD vice president, thinking long-term ensures that decisions are approached with greater structure, protecting the church from making decisions hastily.
"Long-term planning presents a challenge because, in a world structured by speed and focus on immediate crises, people no longer have the time to think about and analyze their decisions based on data, concepts, and trends that are shaping them in subtle, imperceptible ways," he said.
In this way, Menslin explained, medium-term planning becomes a more sustainable strategy. "It can help us make fewer mistakes and support one another as we move toward a church in which members understand their roles, are aware of the challenges they face, and possess a clear purpose for continuing to preach the gospel."
The strategic planning process highlighted the need to better prepare new leaders. The analysis revealed a shift in the leadership profile and underscored the importance of establishing structured processes for sharing experience, knowledge, and responsibilities.
"Those responsible for strategic planning recognize that weaknesses can be turned into strengths. To achieve this, it is necessary to address them in a structured way," said Menslin.
To help train leaders, the SAD developed Mentoring Guide, a support book designed for pastors and leaders that provides tools and techniques for following and developing others, co-authored by Menslin and Derson Lopes, a professor at Brazil Adventist University.
"This guide aims to equip pastors with tools and techniques that help support the development of new leaders," Menslin said.
"It is not a single tool, but rather a process aligned with the needs of the church. And perhaps the key distinguishing feature of this material is that it presents initiatives that can be a great benefit to the church and aligns with the practices used in institutional mentoring," Menslin added.
The original article was published on the South American Division news site.
