Church leaders from across the South Pacific gathered last week for a Division-wide strategy summit that fostered connection, learning and collaboration.
Held in Fiji, the three-day summit was a significant event for the South Pacific Division (SPD) as leaders gear up for the start of the new quinquennium in 2025. Attendees spent time critically reviewing the current strategy, reflecting on lessons learned and progress made, and considering future directions to further the mission of the Church.
Union leaders discussed the big issues affecting their territories, institutional heads reported on successes and challenges, and new research studies were presented which focused on areas such as nurture and retention, discipleship, media and development sustainability.
Throughout the summit, working groups from the key focus areas of the church—ministry, education, health, communications and media, people and culture, governance and support—developed strategic action plans which were presented on the final day.
Reflecting on the summit, SPD president Pastor Glenn Townend commended the spirit of unity and deep engagement in prayer and dialogue.
“People gave their best and listened to each other,” he said. “The cultural diversity was evident and embraced. There was a real spirit of unity and lots of good research presented, and strategies developed.”
Strategic planning has been a focus of the SPD for at least 20 years, he said.
“Each time we have learnt and become better at it,” he said. “This is the first time that we have had representatives from all of the unions and SPD institutions, departments and services together to work on the strategy. As a diverse Division it is important to understand and listen to each other’s needs as we prioritise God’s call in fulfilling His purposes.”
Pastor Townend also pointed to the success of the strategic planning leading up to this year’s PNG for Christ program.
“The PNG for Christ experience shows that strategic planning works when done in consultation with God,” he said. “The strategy back in 2016 focused on lay training in simple disciple-making tools and Bible Discovery groups—this preparation was a significant factor in the great results we saw in the reaping program in April and May.”
As a next step, the reports from the summit’s various working groups will be reviewed by SPD leadership. These insights will then be synthesised into a draft document for presentation at the year-end meeting of the SPD Executive Committee in November.
