what is alpha church course

by Jairo Brakus Sr. 10 min read

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".

Full Answer

Is the Alpha course a replacement for the church?

I am glad you like the Alpha course, but it is not a replacement for the church. This is Jesus’ church, not Alpha course, so you can’t compare the two. One is manmade, the other is created by God. You cannot ring your family or anyone to Christ. I am glad they are saved, but God is the evangelist and without His Spirit, none of us could be saved.

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.

What is Alpha Course by John D Christian?

Nancy Thomson This 325 page Alpha Course book by John D. Christian is truly a masterpiece of research that brings together the hidden agenda behind the global takeover. Alpha is being used in over 150 countries encompassing 49 different languages.

Is the Alpha course part of the spiritual formation list?

Lighthouse Trails Research has added the Alpha Course to its Spiritual Formation list. This list is comprised of Christian organizations that are promoting Spiritual Formation (i.e., contemplative spirituality).

What are the topics in the Alpha course?

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 do you explain Alpha course?

0:201:30What is the Alpha Course? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis alpha is a series of sessions exploring life faith and meaning it's a space to explore the bigMoreThis alpha is a series of sessions exploring life faith and meaning it's a space to explore the big questions to say what you think and hear other people's points of view.

How much does Alpha course cost?

There is no charge for attending the Alpha course. There will be a $3 fee for adult dinners (Kids eat free and free childcare is available during class). There will be a fee for the weekend away in order to offset costs for that also. What Happens At Alpha?

How long is an Alpha course session?

They're about thirty minutes long and explore the big issues around faith and unpack the basics of Christianity, addressing questions such as Who is Jesus?, How can we have faith? and How does God guide us?

Is Alpha good for Catholics?

Alpha is proven to awaken faith in lapsed Catholics, those on the fringe of parish life and those outside the faith. It gives faithful Catholics a path and a language to fulfill their baptismal call to evangelize.

Is the Alpha course Catholic?

Afterall, Alpha didn't come from the Catholic Church. Alpha started in an Anglican parish in London called Holy Trinity Brompton. It was further developed and popularized by an Anglican vicar named Nicky Gumbel. And it has gone on to be used in churches of virtually every Christian denomination and tradition.

How long does Alpha last?

Alphas tend to last between 6 and 8 weeks. Which means you should book your alpha assessment within a fortnight of starting your alpha.

Who started the Alpha course?

Charles MarnhamAlpha course / Founder

How much does Alpha Online cost?

For $120 a year (or $40 every 3 months), get access to all-inclusive online visits for over 60 medical conditions including cold & flu, rashes, and more. Mental Health Service, Weight Loss and Diabetes are not included.

Where does Nicky Gumbel preach?

Since 2005, he has been Vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton in the Diocese of London, Church of England.

How long are the alpha videos?

around 30 minutesThe Alpha videos are designed to be engaging and inspire conversation. Usually around 30 minutes long, they explore the big issues around faith and unpack the basics of Christianity. You'll have a chance to watch with others in a live discussion during each video!

How many episodes are in the Alpha series?

24AlphasNo. of episodes24 (list of episodes)ProductionExecutive producersBruce Miller Ira Steven Behr Zak Penn Gail Berman Lloyd Braun Gene Stein Robert Hewitt WolfeProducersMichael Karnow Nick Copus Julie Siege Kevin Lafferty21 more rows

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 the Alpha Talks series?

The Alpha Talks have been repackaged for today’s audience in the Alpha Film Series and the Alpha Youth Series was created to reach a younger generation with the Gospel. Even as times have changed, the Alpha course has continued to be used by the church as an effective tool to reach the lost with the gospel of Jesus Christ.

When was Alpha filmed?

As interest grew Alpha conferences were organized internationally and the original Alpha Film Series was filmed in 1994 to make it accessible to the widest possible audience. Now all over the world millions of people have tried Alpha and it has been translated into 112 different languages.

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.

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 Alpha Film Series?

In April 2016, Alpha introduced the Alpha Film Series, where traditional Alpha content is shown in a series of films, featuring stories and interviews. This series is mainly presented by Nicky Gumbel, Toby Flint (a curate at Holy Trinity Brompton) and Gemma Hunt.

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 many courses were there in 1998?

A peak was reached in 1998, when 10,500 courses were run. By 2001 this had fallen to 7,300. In 2018, the Alpha website described the course as running in over 100 countries and over 100 languages, with over 24 million people having taken the course.

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.

Who is the supporter of Alpha?

Its supporters include many Catholic cardinals, Anglican archbishops and bishops, and leading figures of all denominations. Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey described the courses as "superb." Rowan Williams was an enthusiastic supporter when he was Bishop of Monmouth and Archbishop of Wales and continued his support as Archbishop of Canterbury, opening an Alpha conference and accepting an invitation to speak at an Alpha supper in London in 2004. He describes it as "a very special tool" and "a unique mixture of Christian content and Christian style". Father Raniero Cantalamessa, a monk of the Order of Friars Minor Capuchin and Preacher to the Papal Household for Pope Benedict XVI wrote a document praising Alpha in June 2005.

Where did the Alpha start?

Since London is known to be the headquarters of the occult, it is not surprising that the Alpha originated there. In1970 an English cleric, Charles Marnham, devised a four- week series of lessons for non-churchgoers and new Christians. In 1981 a former barrister of Holy Trinity Brompton extended the course to 8 weeks.

What are the dangers of the Alpha Course?

Dangers are that the main message of the gospel is glossed over to make it have basically little or no effect.

What is a good Bible study?

A good study Bible with commentary is an excellent source for learning. So are many Sunday school classes, Wednesday night Bible studies, and a Word-centered worship service.   Instead of depending on an Alpha Course, look to He Who is the Alpha and the Omega.

Is Alpha a good course?

Indeed, as several people have commented, the Alpha course serves more as an introduction, and not an exhaustive Theological course. It may not be perfect, yes; but it is to a good extent suitable for its intended audience, and it has helped thousands of people come to the Christian faith.

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.

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?”

Is Alpha a silver bullet?

Alpha is not a silver bullet; it ’s a tool. When used as part of a larger pastoral strategy, it is the best tool that I’ve found for jump-starting and sustaining parish renewal. 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.

What is the Alpha Course?

The Alpha Course, though teaching some truth, also lays truth alongside error. The wooing of people using the gospel message, only to later enslave them in ritualism, works salvation, and occult manifestations is one of the great deceptions of our time.

Who is the architect of Alpha?

After Marnham's initial input, Alpha gradually evolved. 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.

When was Alpha 10-3-98 made?

Alpha 10-3-98. Blessings! The foundations of the Alpha course were originally laid in 1979 through the work of Charles Marnham. During his time at Holy Trinity Brompton in west London (one of the main proponants of the Toronto "Blessing" and where Steve Hill of Brownsville picked up his ability to "slay people in the spirit"), ...

What is the Alpha Course?

The Alpha Course is a course that has been used by many as a way to attempt to introduce the false doctrines and practices of the Third Wave into mainstream denominations.

Why is the Alpha Course important in Lighthouse Trails?

Alpha Course Promotes Spiritual Formation.

Who is the face of Alpha?

Its first presenter was a man called CHARLES MARNHAM but today 'the face' of ALPHA is the assistant curate ' NICKY GUMBEL and to a lesser extent his boss, the vicar of HTB ' Sandy Millar.

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Overview

Structure

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.
In April 2016, Alpha introduced the Alpha Film Series, where traditional Alpha content is shown in a series of films, featuring stories and interviews. This series is mainly presented by Nicky Gumb…

History

Alpha originated in 1977 with the work of 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. John Irvine, Marnham's successor curate at HTB, took over the running of the course in 1981 and developed the 10-week format which co…

Doctrine

Alpha's teachings are intended to centre upon aspects of Christian faith on which all denominations are in general agreement. Nicky Gumbel says (quoting the current Apostolic Preacher Raniero Cantalamessa), "What unites us is infinitely greater than what divides us."
Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox distinctives, such as those concerning the Virgin Mary and certain sacramental teachings are absent, as are Baptist teachings on baptism. Instead, individua…

Influenced by

Possibly Alpha's greatest influence came from the ministry of John Wimber, who visited Holy Trinity Brompton a number of times during the 1980s and 1990s. Nicky Gumbel's approach can also be linked to the ministry of E. J. H. Nash, an influential Anglican cleric who set out to evangelise "top boys at top schools" and who organised summer camps at Iwerne Minster in Dorset. David Fletcher, who took responsibility for the camps after Nash, described Alpha as: "ba…

Usage

Although originating from the evangelical Anglican tradition, Alpha is now used in various denominations around the world. Its supporters include many Catholic cardinals, Anglican archbishops and bishops, and leading figures of all denominations. Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey described the courses as "superb." Rowan Williams was an enthusiastic supporter when he was Bishop o…

Criticism

Alpha has been criticised for having a charismatic emphasis, with some non-charismatic 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.
More conservative critics (especially from a Reformed and evangelical perspective) have complai…

See also

• Awareness Course
• Cursillo
• Living the Questions