Grant on Alpha
This just came in from Grant Morrison via email. An experienced Alpha practitioner…
We have been running Alpha for over 5 years. We run at least 2 courses a year. I have found it to be a great reaping tool. Here’s what we’re learning:
- Don’t fill the course with Christians, make sure you keep the ratio of leader/facilitator and assistant to 4-6 guests. This ratio I believe aids the effectiveness. The small groups where people can speak and not be overwhelmed by Christianese is important.
- The meal is essential. We have found that the meal and the time of relationship building is what keeps people coming.
- The Nicky Gumbel factor is critical. People who connect with Nicky Gumbel return week after week. Those who don’t leave after week one. Nicky Gumbel is pretty easy to listen to and I think he is a better option than doing it yourself. Also Nicky Gumbel doesn’t water things down and does explain things well.
- The retreat weekend is a must. We find getting people away on retreat out of the familiar environment and in that retreat setting breaks down a few barriers. We always have people make commitments to Christ at that weekend and there are always baptisms.
- Find a passionate supporter of Alpha to drive it. A key leader or two makes all the difference.
- We run Alpha off site. We only ran one on the church premises and it was the worst we’ve had.
- Another observation is that guests are more likely to come and stay when there is more significant relationship and connectedness to someone on the course or in the church.
- Coming to the course does not guarantee a commitment to Christ or connecting to the church but the “success” rate is pretty high.
