COS Tools
The following tools are available for you to download, and edit as needed. They are grouped according to components of the COS process described in Conducting a Community Opportunity Scan.
Is your church ready to undertake a COS?
Consider distributing the questionnaire Are we ready to reach out? at a council and/or deacons meeting. Discuss together the motivations and obstacles involved with starting new community ministry initiativies.
The importance of Prayer
Prayer walking is often referred to as "praying on site with insight." Be encouraged by these simple steps to plan a prayer walk in your church neighbourhood.
Gathering Information
DMC has compiled sample interview questions that can be used when meeting with community leaders, agencies, businesses and other churches. Helpful charts for summarizing the results of your conversations are also available.
First CRC in Calgary, Alberta, prepared a household survey that they creatively distributed to people in their neighbourhood.
Involving the Congregation
The COS process involves knowing your community and your congregation. An Offer Yourself Survey will help create a profile of the gifts and passions in your church.
Discerning Ministry Opportunties
The number of ministry possibilities revealed through a COS can be overwhelming. A discernment tool containing discussion questions and prayer suggestions will help your COS team identify ministry priorities.
You might involve your congregation in the COS process by asking them to identify ministry possibilities, similar to a Call for Proposals.
Sample COS Final Reports
Maranatha CRC in Cambridge, Immanuel CRC in Hamilton and the Churches of Simcoe, Ontario, all recently completed a COS within their communities. Maranatha CRC engaged in a COS as part of their church visioning process, and Immanuel CRC and the Churches of Simcoe as a way to learn more about their community and the opportunities for service. Their final reports (1) (2) (3) summarize the opportunities for community ministry these churches discovered along the way.
COS Links: Conducting a COS | COS Tools | Additional Resources | COS Stories
