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ALPHA
MINISTRY
By PSWC Staff
ALPHA
AT FOOTHILLCOVENANT CHURCH
Alpha
has been a cause for joy at Foothill Covenant Church in Los
Altos, California because it has provided an ongoing outreach
that truly has reached many people in the community. Many
of those who have come to Alpha are the parents of high school
aged students in our youth programs. The lives of their children
have been changed as a result of having made a decision for
Christ in our youth ministry that these curious parents have
noted the remarkable change and been compelled to find its
source. Upon attending Alpha, and exploring first-hand their
own questions of faith, someparents have also chosen a relationship
with Jesus Christ. All this is
reason for joy. And so it is that each time a new relationship
with Christ begins at Foothill Covenant, a white silki rose
is placed at the front of their worship service in celebration
of new life.
Pastor
Jim Gaderlund comments, “I get so excited watching God
work in our guest's lives that sometimes after an Alpha evening
it takes me a while to get to sleep.” He explains further,
that the participants’ level of commitment has been incredible.
“They don’t miss a night. They seem to understand
that there’s something at stake.” Sharing a meal
seems key -- it draws them to a place of belonging, a community.
Pastor Gaderlund also notes, “Alpha has been a tremendous
encouragement, emboldening the team who works with Alpha.
It has taught them how to talk to people and how to trust
God.”
ALPHA
AT PASADENA COVENANT CHURCH
For years Pasadena Covenant has shared a burden for outreach,
and has participated in Bringing My World to Christ. But when
it came to actually bringing a non-believer to a church event.
Pastor Charlie Barkers notes, "We were hurting. Our worship
services spoke much more the language of beliers. We tried
inviting friends to Christmas events, but very few people
did this. We were a congregation affirming outreach, without
anything to which to invite people."
Part of
Alpha's appeal is that it is not a one-time event, but a process.
Alpha fosters an environment where people can wrestle with
their questions in the company of other non-believers. Typically
when a non-believer walks into a church, they are in the minority.
At Alpha, they're no longer in the minority--it's a safe place.
In fact, safety, respect, restraint from arguing and judging
are key to the Alpha experience. As a result people get to
experience the gospel while they
are hearing it.
Pastor
Barker's image of Alpha is a Banquet Feast - a feast of welcome
and grace. A feast of hearing the gospel and experiencing
it. A feast held in lovely homes, with fresh flowers, and
candles. A feast of friendship and grace in every way. About
150 people have experienced this feast through the ministry
of Alpha at Pasadena Covenant. Many in the church have invited
someone at some point. It is a ministry of the whole church.
Many have prayed, some have hosted, others have brought food,
some have served on the ministry team befriending seekers
and
leading discussion groups. Every course has brought new believers.
WHAT
IS ALPHA?
Alpha
is a way of doing intentional friendship evangelism that involves
a series of meetings coupled with a weekend retreat. At these
meetings, the major questions pre-Christians are asking about
God and the Bible's perspectives on him are addressed in a
non-threatening way. People are encouraged to process what
they hear honestly and openly. Meetings typically involve
a meal, an extended biblical response to a particular question
(often using a video tape available through David C. Cook),
some singing, and a small group discussion. The strong sense
of friendship that develops, coupled with the credible approach
to the seekers questions gives it a unique place among outreach
tools.
Why
is the Covenant "endorsing" it?
Actually,
we're not. According to Art Greco, Director of Prayer and
Evangelism for the Evangelical Covenant Church, it has never
been the Covenant's style to prescribe a certain way of doing
things for churches. Alpha has worked quite well for most
of the Covenant churches that have tried it. But it is not
the best answer for every church.
We are, however, promoting the consideration of Alpha. It's
proven to be a great fit for many. And, often with some of
the minor adaptations individual ministries require, Alpha
has been the catalyst for much enlivened outreach.
For
more information about Alpha
·
Within the conference call Anita Elseth at (925) 677-2140
or anita.elseth@pswc.org
· Within the Covenant call Carla Erickson in Church
Growth and Evangelism at (773) 907-3347
· For the Alpha website go to www.alphausa.org
Topics
for the 10-week course are as follows:
·
Christianity: Boring, Untrue, and Irrelevant?
· Who Is Jesus?
· Why Did Jesus Die?
· How Can I Be Sure of My Faith?
· Why and How Should I Read the Bible?
· Why and How Do I Pray?
· How Does God Guide Us?
· Who Is the Holy Spirit?
· What Does the Holy Spirit Do?
· How Can I Be Filled with the Spirit?
· How Can I Resist Evil?
· Why and How Should We Tell Others?
· Does God Heal Today?
· What About the Church?
· How Can I Make the Most of the Rest of My Life?
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