alpha course who supports it

Is Alpha good for Catholics?

Alpha is a practical tool inspiring Catholic renewal by answering the call to the New Evangelization, the call of Christ and His Church to "go and make disciples of all nations". Alpha is proven to awaken faith in lapsed Catholics, those on the fringe of parish life and those outside the faith.

What is good about Alpha Course?

The Alpha Course is a great way to find out more about God and learn what having faith is all about. It's also good for new Christians who want to learn more about the journey with God. You will likely make new friends at the course and it's an ideal way to join in with church life.Sep 13, 2017

Who started Alpha?

Nicholas Glyn Paul Gumbel (born 1955), known as Nicky Gumbel, is an English Anglican priest and author in the evangelical and charismatic traditions. He is known as the developer of the Alpha Course, a basic introduction to Christianity supported by churches of many Christian traditions.

What denomination is HTB?

Anglican churchHoly Trinity Brompton with St Paul's, Onslow Square and St Augustine's, South Kensington, often referred to simply as HTB, is an Anglican church in London, England....Holy Trinity Brompton.Holy Trinity, BromptonCountryEnglandDenominationChurch of EnglandChurchmanshipCharismatic evangelical AnglicanWebsitehtb.org18 more rows

Why is Alpha called Alpha?

The Greek alpha comes from the Hebrew and Phoenician aleph, a form of the word for "ox," eleph, possibly because the character resembled an ox's head.

What is Alpha church program?

3:015:01An Introduction to Alpha - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd we've heard of so many churches that were in decline struggling finances are going down havingMoreAnd we've heard of so many churches that were in decline struggling finances are going down having to close off programs things like that and then they start looking out and using this tool called

How old is the Alpha course?

The Alpha Course had been founded in 1977, by the Reverend Charles Marnham, but Gumbel developed it into its current format. Courses involve sessions over a 10-week period, which are preceded by informal suppers.Mar 31, 2013

Who is Nicky and Sila Lee?

Nicky & Sila Lee are the family life pastors at Holy Trinity Brompton, London, United Kingdom. They have spoken to thousands on the subject of marriage and family life and have authored numerous books, including The Marriage Book and The Parenting Book.

What is alpha in the Bible?

Alpha and Omega, in Christianity, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, used to designate the comprehensiveness of God, implying that God includes all that can be. In the New Testament Revelation to John, the term is used as the self-designation of God and of Christ.

What type of church is HTB?

AnglicanHoly Trinity Brompton, the evangelical HQ that claims the new primate as one of its own. From the street, Holy Trinity Brompton – known universally in Anglican circles as HTB – hides its light under a bushel.Nov 10, 2012

Who is the new vicar of HTB?

Rev Canon Archie CoatesA new vicar has been appointed to lead Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB), the Church of England's largest church. Rev Canon Archie Coates, 51, the current Vicar of St Peter's Brighton, has been chosen as HTB's vicar designate. It follows Rev Nicky Gumbel's decision to step down in July 2022.Dec 6, 2021

What is the Alpha Course?

The Alpha Course is ecumenical, and any course that can appeal to the wide range of traditions and denominations, as the Alpha Course does, has to sacrifice many essential Bible truths. A wide tent that is inclusive of those who hold teachings contrary to the tenets of the faith for which we are to contend ...

Where was Alpha Course started?

We must be discerning in evaluating the qualifications of the person or people teaching the course. The Alpha Course was started in the United Kingdom, at Holy Trinity Brompton Church, by Nicky Gumbel and Sandy Millar in 1977.

What is the Alpha Course?

The Alpha Course is an effective form of evangelism when done by and through the local church. By focussing on the essentials of the Christian faith, it opens the door for Alpha to be used in almost any context so that everyone has the opportunity to see their friends’ lives transformed by the gospel.

Where did Alpha start?

Alpha began at a church called Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) in London in 1977, it was taken by Nicky Gumbel in 1990 and repositioned as a course for those outside the church. The number of people attending Alpha at HTB grew quickly into the hundreds and attracted the attention of other churches across denominations seeking to find an effective tool ...

What is an alpha course?

The Alpha course is an evangelistic course which seeks to introduce the basics of the Christian faith through a series of talks and discussions. It is described by its organisers as "an opportunity to explore the meaning of life". Alpha courses are run in churches, homes, workplaces, prisons, universities and a wide variety of other locations.

What is the Alpha for Prisons course?

Caring for ex-offenders is a follow-up to the Alpha for Prisons course, supporting released prisoners by providing them with material assistance including accommodation, work, food, and pastoral support through church life. It operates in Britain, Canada, South Africa and the United States.

How long is Alpha?

Alpha is organised as a series of sessions over 10 weeks, including a day or weekend away. Each session starts with a meal, followed by a talk and then discussion in small groups. The talks aim to cover the basic beliefs of the Christian faith.

When was Alpha founded?

Alpha was started in 1977 by Charles Marnham, a curate at Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB), a parish of the Church of England in London. It started as a course for church members regarding the basics of beliefs commonly held by many believers in Christ but then began to be used as an introduction for those interested in the faith.

What is Explore for kids?

In conjunction with Youth for Christ, Alpha International produces two study programmes designed for children aged 11–14, exploRE: The Christian Faith a 12-week programme on the Christian faith, and exploRE: The Life of Jesus, a 14-lesson study of Jesus' birth, life, death and resurrection. The capitalised RE is a reference to religious education, part of the British curriculum. The materials are aimed at religious education teachers.

What is St Paul's Theological Centre?

St Paul's Theological Centre. St Paul's Theological Centre is Alpha/Holy Trinity Brompton's theological institution , with aims to provide lay and clerical training in theology and resources for theological training in churches across the world, as well as theological guidance for Alpha.

Is Alpha a charismatic course?

Alpha has been criticised for having a charismatic emphasis, with some non-charismayic evangelicals criticising Gumbel's emphasis upon the person and work of the Holy Spirit in particular. As a result, some churches have chosen to teach a different view of the Holy Spirit in the course, although this is discouraged in Gumbel's book How to Run the Alpha Course .

What is the Alpha Course?

It presented the Alpha Course as a wonderful 10 week Christian course that anyone from all backgrounds, religions, and viewpoints can attend. It’s supposed to be designed in such a way that people can come to investigate and ask question about the existence of God, the purpose of life, the afterlife, the claims of Jesus and more in a totally hostile free environment. Some people want to get beyond religion and find a relationship with God that really changes their life. Others just come for the close, long-lasting friendships that are built during the Alpha course. The Alpha course has been around for many years, but it’s gaining in popularity again. Please note that each church can tailor the Alpha course to their liking. If it does not reflect the outline below exactly, it does not mean it is any less dangerous.

Why did Angie Golding walk out of church?

A WOMAN has walked out of her church and is holding services in her living room, because she says she cannot bring herself to “snort like a pig and bark like a dog” on a Church of England course. Angie Golding, 50, claims she was denied confirmation unless she signed up for the Alpha course, which she says is a “brainwashing” exercise where participants speak in tongues, make animal noises and then fall over.

What is the period between the first and second advents?

Christians have always referred to the period of time between the first and second advents as the age of Grace, or the Church age . That has not changed. Why encourage now, in such a precarious spiritual climate, the New Age concept of the Age of Aquarius (the spirit)?

What is power evangelism?

Heavily influenced by the ‘Signs and Wonders’ ministry of John Wimber in the 1980s, power evangelism has been one of the preparation grounds for the Toronto Experience. It focuses on a pragmatic/experiential rather than a proclamatory/doctrinal approach to spreading the gospel. As such it tends to shift the focus away from the shed blood of Jesus on the cross and onto the supernatural works of the Holy Spirit carried out by men. This is the method of evangelism favoured by Alpha. [Telling Others pp21-24;29-31].

Who is the architect of Alpha Course?

One of the key figures in this and the main architect of the Alpha course as it now exists is Nicky Gumbel, currently curate at Holy Trinity Brompton. It was through Gumbel's vision and work that Alpha grew to have the impact it has today.

Did Jesus lay hands on his disciples?

Jesus NEVER laid hands on his disciples, the result of which were "manifestations" of uncontrollable laughter, mayhem, shaking, animal noises, vomitting, or any of the other demonic disorder of the Toronto and Brownsville "things".

What is Alpha?

The Alpha course is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith. Each talk looks at a different question around faith and is designed to create conversation. Alpha is run all around the globe, and everyone's welcome. It runs in cafés, churches, universities, homes - you name it.

Attend an Alpha

For information about attending an Alpha course, go to alpha.org. You will be able to find where and when there's an Alpha being run near you, as well as lots of helpful details about what a course entails. For course reading suggestions, click here.

Run an Alpha

It's worth getting as much information as possible before you start to plan an Alpha course. In this shop you can find lots of print or DVD resources, as well as personalisable banners, posters, invitations, and wallet cards. Here is a suggested list of course books to start you off.

What is an alpha talk?

The Alpha talks are designed to engage people from all walks of life and inspire conversation. They explore the big issues of life and faith and unpack the basics of Christian belief, addressing questions like “Who is Jesus?”, “Why and how do I pray?” and “How does God guide us?”

How long is Alpha?

Alpha is an 11-week course that creates a space, online or in person, where people are excited to bring their friends for a conversation about Jesus. Parish Impact Endorsements.

Who is Mary Healy?

Doctor Mary Healy, Professor of Sacred Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. Alpha offers a very human, nonthreatening door for everyone to enter. I encourage people to try this model of evangelisation. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila.

Who is Fr James Mallon?

Fr James Mallon, Author and founder of Divine Renovation. We have lost the art of evangelising those who don’t know the gospel at all. Alpha is re-training us how to do that. Doctor Mary Healy, Professor of Sacred Scripture at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit.

Why do we eat food together?

Eating food together creates space for people to connect and share life on a deeper level.