The Alpha Course

[Holly's_Dream]

Recently it was reported that over 11 million people have attended an Alpha course acros 163 countries.

So what are peoples opinions on them?

Do you feel that the 10 or so topics depict the christian faith well enough?
Are they effective?
Do you think the discussions are affected by the denomination of the church in which they are held?

For those who have attended;
What did you think about it?
Did your opinions change?
How long did the process take to gain that faith?
At what point during the course (if at all) did you feel God's presence and ultimately decide your beliefs?
What were your opinions on the Holy Spirit day?

Basically this is a thread for anyone who as ever attended an Alpha course, considered attending or taken part in any way as a 'seeker', group leader, etc and their thoughts and reactions to the various talks, events and realisations.

 

[GeorgeWW]

Hi, Holly's Dream!

I have never heard of the Alpha course.
Could you describe it some more or post a link or something?

Sounds like something I would be interested in.

Thanks

 

[seashale76]

I've heard of it and read about it before. I think it's a sales pitch for a particular brand of charismatic feel-good easy believism. Quite frankly, it's against my religion.

 

[RobinRedbreast]

Hi Holly

I LOVE the Alpha course I've attended it both as a non-Christian and as a Christian!

Do you feel that the 10 or so topics depict the christian faith well enough? Are they effective?
Oh I think so I mean there will always be MORE information, but, Alpha is really a jumping-off point for many people. You can't do it all at once, you need to start somewhere, and Alpha definitely helps you with that. As a Christian though, you can still learn and enjoy fellowship and fun, you don't have to be a seeker-only to get something out of it.

Do you think the discussions are affected by the denomination of the church in which they are held?
I've attended Alpha in a few different churches, mostly Pentecostal and Non-Denominational Church. In my experience, there was an excellent ability to keep the information very consistent, but I do agree there is probably an opportunity for the information to change a bit based on where it is held. I currently worship in a Catholic church for instance, though I have not attended Alpha with any Catholic Church: I'd say based on some of the more extensive differences in Catholicism, it'd be hard for the information NOT to change with the church attended In contrast to protestant denominations that is.

What did you think about it? Loved it every time, though a little nerve-wracking for me because I have an anxiety disorder that includes social anxiety
Did your opinions change? I used to be an atheist I came to Christ through much searching and information, this was certainly part of the process, though not the sole point of conversion.
How long did the process take to gain that faith? Probably a year or two to make the official jump to Christianity and after that I spent a good x-number of years solidifying that faith. When I started, I was shaky, but let me just say shaky faith is very normal and I'll take shaky faith over no faith
At what point during the course (if at all) did you feel God's presence and ultimately decide your beliefs? As I said above, Alpha was not the sole turning point for me, it was a step in the information process. It's been awhile now so I have trouble remembering if I could "feel God's presence" as you state here during the Alpha course. The conversion process from Atheist to Christian was a strange one that involved for me a lot more on an intellectual level than just attending Alpha and saying 'Oh, I feel God, conversion over', you know? But I feel it was a wonderful environment to learn and connect with good people and great information.

 

[Holly's_Dream]

George:

http://uk.alpha.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_course

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=alpha+course&meta=

Seashale:

Considering that the alpha course's target audience are those wishing to explore christianity in an unthreatening and easy setting, surely a somewhat charasmatic approach is ideal in that situation. The alpha courses never try to impose any denomination onto its attendees and obviously the approach does change with each church, although i can see why the charasmatic element is necessary for those who want to know how god works today and to be welcomed into the faith. I am not suggesting that catholicism is not welcoming, more that attendees may want to drool over a new car before they learn how to drive it - bad example maybe but you get the idea.

Morning Glory:

Thank you for the reponse. I am quite interested that you say you attend a catholic church now. In my opinion, or from what i have read about the alpha courses there is a lot of criticism of the alpha from Catholics. Although the majority of the alpha course is spent looking into the denominational similarities as a way 'into' the christian faith in general, the course has recieved some 'bad press' in its lack of catholic or baptist beliefs.

 

[seashale76]

Seashale:

Considering that the alpha course's target audience are those wishing to explore christianity in an unthreatening and easy setting, surely a somewhat charasmatic approach is ideal in that situation. The alpha courses never try to impose any denomination onto its attendees and obviously the approach does change with each church, although i can see why the charasmatic element is necessary for those who want to know how god works today and to be welcomed into the faith. I am not suggesting that catholicism is not welcoming, more that attendees may want to drool over a new car before they learn how to drive it - bad example maybe but you get the idea.

I'm not Catholic, I'm Orthodox- we differ in theology, etc. This religion being pushed by the alpha course isn't the same as mine. In my faith, the only way to explore Christianity is to attend the services of the Church and see how Christianity is lived out in the life of the Church. Visitors are never pushed to convert and those who wish to do so are always catechized for a length of time to make sure it is a commitment they are willing to make. This alpha course thing is a modern western sales pitch that is far removed from the faith.

 

[Emmy]

Dear Holly`s Dream. I went to the Alpha Course about 10 years ago, and I found it very uplifting. I was already a Christian, but people were quite exited about it, and I found it deserving all the praise it was given. In the latter years I had not heard about it, but I prayed regularly for the continuance of it. Thank you for letting us know, Holly`s Dream. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ. P.S. Is Nicky Gumble still witnessing for our Lord? He was, and perhaps still is, a most convincing witness for our Lord.

 

[Holly's_Dream]

Dear Holly`s Dream. I went to the Alpha Course about 10 years ago, and I found it very uplifting. I was already a Christian, but people were quite exited about it, and I found it deserving all the praise it was given. In the latter years I had not heard about it, but I prayed regularly for the continuance of it. Thank you for letting us know, Holly`s Dream. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ. P.S. Is Nicky Gumble still witnessing for our Lord? He was, and perhaps still is, a most convincing witness for our Lord.

Nixky Gumble is indeed an intriguing man. (I have him on my ipod because im said and techie like that )