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Community Opportunity
Scan
A desire
to better know their communities
has led a growing number
of emerging and established
churches to undertake
a Community Opportunity
Scan (COS).
“At
First CRC
in Calgary,
we were hard-pressed
to speak knowledgably
about our
neighbourhood.
Thankfully,
we connected
with DMC and
the COS tool,
which helped
us discover
where God
is at work
and how we
can join Him
in doing it.”
Pastor Phil
Reinders,
First CRC,
Calgary, AB
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A Community
Opportunity Scan is a
comprehensive process
of getting to know the
people, organizations,
resources and needs of
a community first-hand.
With this information
a church can discern unique
opportunities to:
- Create
awareness of local issues
- Engage
in community partnerships
-
Evaluate existing programs
- Begin
new initiatives
A COS
also involves identifying
the unique gifts, resources
and purpose of your church.
How is God calling your
church to love your
neighbours?
In
Brighton, Ontario, it
started with a question:
“How can we become
more involved in our community?”
God gave a simple answer,
“Ask the community.”
Members of Fellowship
CRC asked this question
and they are truly grateful
that God opened doors
through a new partnership
with other local churches
and Youth for Christ to
provide a vibrant youth
drop-in centre.
The
various components of
a COS, recommended resources,
and helpful
suggestions are outlined
in Conducting a Community
Opportunity Scan.
Discover
the opportunities in your
neighbourhood through
a Community Opportunity
Scan!
| COS Tools that you can download
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. An outline of prayer suggestions and discussion questions 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.
Maranatha CRC, Cambridge, Ontario, completed a COS as part of a church visioning process. Their final report summarizes the opportunities for community ministry they discovered along the way.
| More COS Related Resources
DMC staff are available to help. They are eager to answer your questions, and are available to facilitate a discussion with your church council or diaconate about "When is the right time to do a COS?" and "Are we ready?" DMC staff can identify churches in your area who have already completed a COS; and they can provide information about financial support that may be available through Operation Manna.
Check out the resources and stories available from DMC. Your COS team might consider reading together one of the books listed in the Community Ministry booklist. You may find ideas and inspiration from some of our Operation Manna partners and stories found in Partners about Community Ministry.
Christian Reformed Home Missions (Staff) staff in your area can provide resources on topics related to the COS process, such as Prayer, Evangelism, Developing Small Groups, and Discovering your Gifts.
Steve Kabetu, the Race Relations Coordinator for Canada has helpful resources for churches in ethnically diverse neighbourhoods that are seeking ways to grow as an inter-cultural church.
CRWRC's Communities First material, edited by Jay VanGroningen is available from Faith Alive Christian Resources. The material contains a book, DVD and 8 workbooks. The book describes a framework for local community development. The workbooks have useful activities that help apply the framework principles to your church.
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