» Richard on Alpha

Another day or so and I’ll give you a movements perspective on Alpha.

In the meantime here’s Richard’s thoughts.

1. Food is involved. Sometimes people have a full meal before the course but I have found just having a supper after the teaching helps to relax people and develop community. Many times, the times over the food becomes as important, if not more important than the teaching time.
2. The environment must be set up in the early meetings where you make it clear that there is no “stupid questions”. This gives the people permission to ask whatever they wish. Many older Christians have done the course and asked the most basic questions because there is no pressure on them to “perform”. Many non Christians come to Christ because they have the freedom to ask whatever they wish without feeling judged or stupid.
3. Make it clear that everything shared is not to leave the room. Confidentiality is a must. With these parameters in place it normally takes 3-4 weeks for people to relax with each other and open up. Real community can then start to take place.
4. The tapes give a lot of infomation. With this information and the questions that are raised it gives a perfect setting to give a lot of foundational teaching.

In short Alpha offers

• Real community and acceptance.
• It is a place where people can ask all there questions, so they are heard.
• It offers some very good foundational teaching which can be built upon during the course.

But one warning, I have seen it run well and seen quite a few people come to Christ and people grow in their love of Jesus, but I have seen it run badly which has turned people away from Jesus and his church. Again leadership will make or break the course. Choose wisely those you get to lead the course.

Richard Webster
New Directions Evangelism Minister
Launceston, Tasmania