what is the alpha course?

by Presley Maggio Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago 10 min read

What are some dangers of the Alpha course?

Some who have come through 'Alpha' tell us that they were encouraged to seek guidance through visions, voices and dreams. This, of course, is monumentally irresponsible and dangerous, but one never knows just who might be lecturing at any point and, in fairness, the organizers of 'Alpha' cannot always control everything. 3. Alpha is Too Worldly.

What do people say about the Alpha course?

What People Say About The Alpha Course The Alpha course is a most engaging way of passing on the basics of Christianity. It is a tool for evangelism and nurture that I highly recommend. - J. I. Packer, Professor of Theology, Regent College, Vancouver

How much does Alpha course cost?

How much does the Alpha Course cost? The course is free. Every attender to the course receives a pack containing a course manual and other information regarding the course. The only cost is for the Course Day away. However, we endeavour to keep the cost of this to an absolute minimum. Help is available for the unemployed etc.

What is the Alpha church program?

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. Alpha has empowered many Catholic parishes and organisations around the world to answer the call to the New Evangelisation.

How do you explain Alpha course?

0:201:30This 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 the Alpha course cost?

Everyone is welcome. How Much Will It 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).

What does Alpha mean in the church?

Alpha is an opportunity to explore life and the Christian faith, in a friendly, open and informal environment, usually over a meal. Alpha is no-cost, no-pressure and no-commitment. More than 4,000 Alpha courses have been run around the world, including in many Catholic parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit. TRY ALPHA.

What is Alpha course online?

Alpha is an eleven-week series of interactive sessions that explore the big questions of life through the lens of the Christian faith, in a relaxed and low-pressured environment, where no question is out of bounds.

What is wrong with the Alpha course?

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.

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

What does alpha mean in the Bible?

Table of Contents. 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 does the alpha do?

When an alpha comes into power, one of the first things he'll usually do is promote strong, loyal, effective leadership-types as his lieutenants. These are the betas. The betas serve the alpha by supporting his position and maintaining order. The alpha keeps the betas close to him.

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.

What country was Jesus from?

When Jesus was born, all of Jewish Palestine—as well as some of the neighbouring Gentile areas—was ruled by Rome's able “friend and ally” Herod the Great.

What is Alpha Canada?

Alpha is a series of interactive sessions exploring the basics of the Christian faith. Each session looks at a different question, and is designed to create conversation. No two Alphas look the same–they run in coffee shops, churches, bars, prisons, universities, schools and homes.

Overview

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. The course began in Britain and is run around the world by …

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…

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…

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…