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FAQ: Community Ministry
How
does a church identify
opportunities for ministry
in the community?
If a church wants to
be involved in the community,
and is looking for opportunities
to partner with other
organizations, start new
ministries, or make changes
to existing programs,
a church ought to consider conducting a
Community
Opportunity Scan (COS).
A Community
Opportunity Scan:
-
guides a church to see
and hear what God is
already doing in the
community.
-
helps a church understand
its community.
- Reveals
ministry opportunities.
- Challenges
a church to become involved
in the community.
- Nurtures
a heart for the harvest.
What are
some of the steps involved
with a Community Opportunity
Scan (COS)?
- Determine
the commitment of the
church to the community
and review the purpose
of a COS.
- Assign
a special task group
made up of various ministry
leaders and interested
individuals.
- Identify
the scope of the scan
i.e. the size and location
of the community, estimated
costs, and a timeframe.
- Listen
to community leaders,
agencies, churches,
service providers, and
the local neighborhood.
- Identify
the gifts, passions
and resources of the
church for community
ministry.
- Pray
and discern God’s
call for the church
in response to needs
and opportunities in
the community.
What
are some ways
in which deacons may
lead the church to connect to its community?
There are many doorways
into the community that
God opens for us. Deacons
can participate in creating
some of the following
entry points for ministry
in the community.
- Creating
awareness helps church
members become aware
of the life experience
of particular people
in your community (to
help them connect).
- Identifying service opportunities
provides opportunities
for church members to
become personally involved
in service work and/or
a one-to-one relationship
(to help build relationships
with people).
- Developing partnerships through which the church
can work with other agencies/churches on a joint project (to
help accomplish
a task better).
- Evaluating existing activities to
consider how existing
programs could be reshaped
to provide better access, relevance and connection to the community.
- Developing new ministry activities that respond to specific needs or opportunities (to develop
an intentional Christian
response).
What
is Operation Manna?
Operation
Manna is a program
of Diaconal Ministries
Canada (DMC) which provides
funding and development
services for community
ministry based
in local churches and
non-profit Christian agencies
across Canada. Funding
is available for pilot
projects, community opportunity
scans, and new program
initiatives. The staff
of DMC provides partner
organizations with the
tools needed to develop
effective community ministries. Recent partner projects
include youth centres,
adult literacy programs,
job-readiness training,
community ministry coordinators,
and support services for
people with mental illness.
Is
Operation Manna available
throughout Canada?
Yes, Operation
Manna provides funding
and development services
for community ministry based in local
churches and non-profit
Christian agencies throughout
the entire country of
Canada. New partnerships
continue to be developed
with church plants, established
churches and Christian
community organizations. DMC staff are available
to meet with churches
and organizations interested
in learning more about
Operation Manna.
How
is the Operation Manna
program funded?
Operation Manna is supported
by the generous gifts
of Christian Reformed
Churches offered each
spring on Operation Manna
Sunday (frequently the
first Sunday in May).
This annual offering provides
the funds required to
provide grants to partner
projects, and supports
administration of the
program.
How
does a church/ministry apply for Operation
Manna funding?
New applications are accepted in August
each year. It is advisable to contact one of the
two Community Ministry
Developers to get an
application form:
How
is a diaconate able to respond to the many requests for assistance from its community?
A tool is available to
help deacons decide whom
they are best equipped
to help. It is titled
Guidelines
for Benevolence. These guidelines will help the church family to know when to spend a significant amount of time with a need or when to refer a person to other community agencies.
It is important to be
aware of attitudes and
behaviours that guide
your response to those
in need.
-
Listen to understand
-
Know your biases and
prejudices
-
Respect personal information
The
church is able to offer
supportive relationships
and programs that offer
hope. Churches by nature
have great potential to
develop relationships
with people in need. Emergency
help may be appropriate,
but unless it addresses
the reason for the crisis,
the crisis will likely be repeated.
Church members can show Christ’s
love to others most authentically through relationships.
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