FRIEND Compound, Lapinigan, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, January 26, 2026 – The Southeastern Caraga Mission (SCM) recently held a Pastors’ Adventist Church Management System (ACMS) Training within the Mission compound. The event was in response to a growing understanding that being a good steward starts with caring for every soul on purpose. There was a clear goal for the activity: to assist in keeping church membership records, improve pastoral oversight, and make sure that the church’s archives show both order and spiritual accountability.
The training seminar stressed how important the Adventist Church Management System (ACMS) is as more than just a place to store data. Instead, it was shown as a tool for ministry that helps with discipleship, visitation, nurturing, and reclaiming. The Office of the Executive Secretary under Pastor Edwin Magdadaro and the Union’s ACMS team collaborated with the Executive Secretary of the Southeastern Caraga Mission, Pastor Jerry Taguno, along with the Secretariat Department, and purposely gave district pastors more training and access to systems so they could work closely with church clerks to keep correct and up-to-date membership information. The following was done because church leaders were becoming busier and tended to overlook the church membership.
This way of working together shows that everyone is responsible for taking care of the flock. Church clerks are vital for keeping records, but pastors are the ones who are ultimately responsible for the spiritual care of members. Giving pastors access to ACMS makes the mission more accountable and makes ensuring that church leaders are informed, proactive, and responsive to the needs of the church.
During the training, pastors were told over and over again to help their local churches see the need for keeping structured and methodical records. Participants were reminded that keeping accurate records is important for keeping an eye on the spiritual health of members, keeping track of who is participating, and finding people who may be drifting away from active fellowship. ACMS serves as a bridge, linking data with discipleship and administration with compassion.
Ellen G. White emphasizes the sacredness of this duty, stating, “The work of God is a solemn, sacred work, and those who engage in it should feel that they are handling eternal interests” (Gospel Workers). This advice set the tone for the training sessions, reminding everyone that every name on the membership list is a soul for whom Christ died. Because of this, church records are not just reports of numbers; they are also records of lives that the church has been given to care for.
Another important part of the training was learning how important it is to be honest and accurate when keeping track of membership information. Leaders were told again that accurate records help the church plan well, use resources wisely, and respond quickly to the needs of the pastor. Participants learned that order and responsibility are not optional in God’s work; they are important concepts that represent Him.
Ellen White certainly agrees with this idea when she says, “Let everything be done decently and in order” (Testimonies for the Church). This advice was repeated many times during the training, which helped to reinforce the idea that organized processes help with unity, transparency, and mission effectiveness.
The training was more than just about the mechanical side of things; it also helped many pastors become more spiritually awake. They were asked to think of ACMS as a tool for deliberate shepherding, which means helping leaders spot patterns, respond to concerns, and make sure that no member is missed. In a period when people move around a lot and face new problems, it’s even more important for pastors to be well-informed and involved in their work.
Ellen G. White says, “Those who have the oversight of the flock should feel the responsibility of their position.” This is a holy trust for leaders. (Testimonies for the Church).
As the Southeastern Caraga Mission works to improve its processes and ministries, officials expressed hope that the accuracy of membership records will be maintained. More importantly, they see congregations where well-kept records lead to closer relationships, deeper spiritual growth, and a more united group of believers.
In the end, the Pastors’ ACMS Training says that taking care of church records is part of taking care of people. As the church proceeds forward in its mission, may every name be respected, every record be kept safe with honesty, and every soul be cared for with love until the Great Shepherd comes back.
