Alpha

The Alpha course offers a welcoming and relaxed opportunity to explore the Christian faith.

Who is it for?

The course is open to everyone but is espicially of interest to new commers who want to find out more.

When is it?

An Alpha Course will start on Wednesday 21st September 2007 at The Oaks, Stocks Lane. Penketh If you are interested in taking part Contact Rev. Mike Buckley on 01925723235 or email: contact@worshiphimhere.org

Alpha course are held worldwide, if you want to find one near you click here.

How much is it?

The Alpha course is entirely FREE.

What others say

The whole thing began at Holy Trinity church in Brompton and is the brainchild of Nicky Gumbel; a minister and no mean preacher. It has spread throughout the world and over 2 million people have taken part. There are currently about thirty thousand courses running, with very positive feedback.

One objective of the course is to get people to talk to each other and, by so doing, get to know each other a little; as the Body of Christ – the Church is meant to be a family – a community.

There are 15 sessions and each one starts with a meal where the conversation is about the everyday things we talk about with our friends – their names, their home and their families, their work, their hobbies and, for some, their jokes.

The meal over, there is a talk on DVD by the Rev. Gumbel. He is speaking in church to an Alpha Group that seems to number about a hundred, many of them young people.

Following this there is a time for discussion; an opportunity to comment on what we have heard and either agree or disagree with it. Each session has a different theme and a précis of the arguments supporting the theme are in a small booklet, which we were given at the start of the Course.

There are some thought-provoking topics on the agenda, which the Rev. Gumbel takes in his stride using a mixture of Biblical references and anecdotal evidence. I think a tutor in public speaking techniques would probably discourage his style but his sincerity and his way of emphasising points make him both formidable and entertaining.

The subjects range from the need to pray and to read the bible, and how to do both these things; to the personality and powers of the Holy Spirit. There is a session on the place of the Church in all of this and of the need for all Christians to spread the good news.

The book that accompanies the Course describes it as an opportunity to explore the meaning of life. Many have said that they found it rewarding and stimulating.

Clive Stannard