Conducting a COS

“… [W]hile he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with
compassion for him, he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him”
Luke 15:20 (NIV).

At the centre of the story of the prodigal son, is the rejected father who never stops watching and
waiting – longing – for his son’s return. When he sees his son in the distance, we can imagine him running with arms waving until he has his son securely in his embrace!

Today, that same Father is still waiting and watching. His command to us to love your neighbour
as yourself means that we, too, are partners with Him in searching for and enfolding those in need of mercy, compassion and a new relationship with God.

Loving our neighbours will look different in different churches and at different times in the
unfolding story of each church. How is your church involved in loving it neighbours? Perhaps
people within the church are asking “How can we become more involved in the lives of people in our neighbourhood?”

A church that is ready to see its relationship with its neighbours in a new way will find that a
Community Opportunity Scan (COS) opens doors to exciting possibilities. A COS is a process of discovery. It will not only identify needs, it will also affirm the unique gifts and assets in the community and in the church.

Click here (PDF) to read more and to learn about the key elements in a COS.