{"id":81299,"date":"2024-09-11T14:12:00","date_gmt":"2024-09-11T20:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mesonaz.org\/?p=81299"},"modified":"2024-09-11T14:24:49","modified_gmt":"2024-09-11T20:24:49","slug":"called-to-disruption-2024-transforming-strategies-for-a-relevant-church","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mesonaz.org\/en\/called-to-disruption-2024-transforming-strategies-for-a-relevant-church\/","title":{"rendered":"Called to Disruption 2024: Transforming Strategies for a Relevant Church"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Saturday, August 31<\/span><\/span><\/span>, the Called to Disruption 2024 conference was held in Costa Rica, an event organized by the Nazarene Seminary of the Americas. It brought together over 180 leaders and pastors from Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Peru, and other countries to reflect on the importance of updating the church\u2019s mission in the contemporary world. With the theme \u201cDisruption,\u201d the conference aimed to encourage participants to rethink outreach and ministry strategies without compromising the essential message of the gospel.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese conferences led me to reflect on how we have been approaching ministry and evangelism. On many occasions, we have fallen into rigid and traditional patterns. Although well-intentioned, these patterns can limit the impact of the gospel\u2019s message in our society,\u201d said Chris Mes\u00e9n Gonz\u00e1lez from Sublime Grace Church of the Nazarene in San Jos\u00e9, Costa Rica.<\/p>\n

The concept of disruption, inspired by General Superintendent Emeritus Dr. Jerry Porter, emphasizes that while the church\u2019s message remains sacred and unchanging, the methods and ways of reaching people can and should change. This year, the event focused on the importance of reviewing evangelism, discipleship, and ministry strategies to adapt them to the needs and challenges of 2024. The call was to “break the molds\u201d of traditional practices and revitalize those that can still make an impact in a constantly changing world.<\/p>\n

The day began at 7 a.m. with attendee registration. Afterward, participants enjoyed breakfast before heading to the opening devotional in the auditorium, led by Dr. M\u00f3nica Mastronardi de Fern\u00e1ndez, which set the spiritual tone for the day. Throughout the day, attendees could choose from a wide variety of workshops organized into four blocks. The topics ranged from the use of digital tools in the church to addressing migration crises and mental health care.<\/p>\n

One of the workshops, for example, was titled \u201cI Can\u2019t Take It Anymore,\u201d led by specialist Miguel Leit\u00f3n. It addressed the crucial topic of mental health and suicide prevention. Elsewhere, the workshop \u201cMigrating Hopes,\u201d led by Pastor Elimelec Juant\u00e1, raised awareness among participants about the migration crisis and the role of the church in supporting migrants.<\/p>\n

Other workshops included \u201cWith Eyes Wide Open,\u201d which addressed the scourge of human trafficking, and \u201cFrom Brokenness to Resilience,\u201d focused on rebuilding families after divorce. \u201cDifferent but Equal\u201d dealt with issues of inclusion in the church for people with disabilities, while \u201cCreative Evangelism\u201d inspired participants to think of new methods to reach young people. These and other workshops were quite meaningful.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese conferences equipped me with a new perspective and a renewed passion to see the church as a place of innovation and creativity, where every leader and member should be motivated to think outside the box and be an agent of change in their community,\u201d said Mes\u00e9n.<\/p>\n

The event concluded with a closing service featuring an inspiring message from the institution\u2019s president, Dr. Rub\u00e9n Fern\u00e1ndez. The focus was on praying and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that the churches in the region may be revitalized and transformed.<\/p>\n

Called to Disruption 2024 was not only a learning event but also a space for transformation where church leaders deeply reflected on how to break away from the denominational \u201cstatus quo\u201d and adopt approaches that resonate with today\u2019s world. The conference made a significant impact on all attendees and will undoubtedly continue to inspire the church in Mesoamerica to remain relevant and disruptive in its mission to share the gospel in a constantly changing world.<\/p>\n

Source: Reverend Andr\u00e9s Fern\u00e1ndez<\/p>\n\n\t\t