when was the alpha course founded

Who developed the Alpha course?

Charles MarnhamAlpha 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.

How long has the Alpha course been around?

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

Is the Alpha course Catholic?

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.

Who is Nicky Gumbel married to?

PIPPA GUMBELNicky Gumbel / Spouse (m. 1978)

Is Nicky Gumbel leaving HTB?

It follows Rev Nicky Gumbel's decision to step down in July 2022. Rev Gumble has led the 4,000 strong congregation since 2005 and has overseen considerable growth in that time. HTB is made up of a large, young, and diverse congregation and hosts eleven services each Sunday across six sites in West London.Dec 6, 2021

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

What is Alpha Christianity?

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.

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.

Where was Nicky Gumbel born?

London, United KingdomNicky Gumbel / Place of birth

What nationality is Nicky Gumbel?

BritishNicky Gumbel / Nationality

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 the Alpha Course?

One of the fastest growing evangelization programs in Evangelical and Charismatic Protestant circles these days is the "Alpha Course," developed over 20 years ago at a charismatic Anglican parish in London, Holy Trinity Brompton, and currently directed by Nicky Gumbel. It has been promoted to Catholics in the United States for six years by ChristLife Catholic Evangelization Services in Baltimore, which claims that "hundreds of Catholic parishes" are now using it. The purpose of this paper is to describe the process and content of the "Alpha Course", and to evaluate whether "Alpha", either in its original form or in the "Alpha for Catholics" model, should be recommended to Catholic parishes looking for evangelization tools.

Where did Alpha come from?

As mentioned out the outset, Alpha was developed by a parish of the Church of England, Holy Trinity Brompton in London. From Anglicanism, it has spread to other Christian groups. Yet one of the first detailed criticisms of the course came from an Anglican source—an M.A. dissertation written by Rev. Mark Ireland, Diocesan Missioner for the Diocese of Lichfield, in the year 2000. Ireland questioned the 426 parishes in the diocese about the evangelization programs they were using, and then his Bishop followed up with a letter to the parishes which used Alpha, asking if they had any concerns. "The main theological areas of concern centred on lack of teaching on the sacraments, social ethics and the resurrection, and the perceived over-emphasis on tongues, physical healing and substitutionary atonement." These issues were then raised in a meeting between Ireland and the Area Bishop of Shrewsbury with Sandy Millar and Nicky Gumbel at Holy Trinity Brompton. 18

What is the object of catechesis?

The object of catechesis is communion with Jesus Christ. Again, we can affirm the central emphasis of Alpha. "‘The definitive aim of catechesis is to put people not only in touch, but also in communion and intimacy, with Jesus Christ.’. All evangelizing activity is understood as promoting communion with Jesus Christ.

What is the first letter of the Greek alphabet?

If your church is looking for help in evangelism and discipling spiritual newborns, you might be asked to evaluate a popular course named for the first letter of the Greek alphabet, Alpha. Alpha is “a 15 session practical introduction to the Christian faith designed primarily for non-churchgoers and new Christians.” 1.

How is evangelism effective?

Principle 1: “ Evangelism is most effective through the local church. It mobilizes a whole army of evangelists and is friendship based .” 3 Alpha assists churches that want to train members in friendship evangelism. Teams of trained evangelists can then go out to universities and elsewhere. “But missions are more likely to bear lasting fruit if they are based in an ongoing program of local church evangelism, which has the great advantage of continuity of relationships.” 4 Amen. We can agree with that.

Who is Gordon Lewis?

Div.), and Syracuse University (Ph. D. in philosophy), Gordon R. Lewis is a senior professor of theology and philosophy at Denver Seminary. He is the author of numerous books including the three-volume Integrative Theology (Zondervan, 1996). 1 “Welcome to Alpha,” 3.

How to do friendship evangelism?

A typical Alpha evening begins with a light meal, preferably in a home, to help people relax and get acquainted. After a welcome and some songs of worship, people listen to one of Gumbel’s talks. Following a coffee break, participants meet in prearranged groups of about 10 to 12 to discuss the topic. Three or four trained leaders from the church become involved with each group. 10