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What is Alpha?
The Alpha Course is an opportunity to explore the meaning of life. It's low key, friendly and fun and is supported by all the main Christian denominations
You're not on your own either, more than 2 million people worldwide have found it a worthwhile experience. Started at Holy Trinity Brompton about 25 years ago, the Alpha courses are now offered at about 37,000 churches throughout the world. The courses have received national media recognition and have been attended by many well known members of the public such as Sir David Frost and Geri Halliwell
What's involved?
The Alpha course consists of a series of talks looking at topics such as:
- Who is Jesus?
- Why and how do I pray?
- What is the point of life?
- What happens when we die?
- What relevance does Jesus have for our lives today?
- How do we deal with guilt?
There is a meal together at the beginning of each session which gives you an opportunity to get to know each other. After each talk we divide into small groups for a time of discussion. Listen, learn, discuss and discover ... and ask anything. Alpha is a place where no question is too simple or too hostile
Who is Alpha for?
Alpha is for everyone, especially:
Those wanting to investigate Christianity
New Christians
Newcomers to the church
Those who want to brush up on the basics
What will it cost?
There is no charge for the Alpha course, although you may be asked to make a donation towards food
All the courses are well researched and resourced. There is support material and books available for further reading
Relationships
ALPHA is about sharing the Christian Gospel, both in the content of the course and in the commitment and action shown through the people who help to run the course. The building and sharing of friendship whilst on the course is a very important part. As people who are open to learning, begin to learn about their personal relationship with God and with each other. It is the most beautiful and wonderful experience to be part of helping people to grow, and through that we grow also. There is no doubt that relationships are part of everyone's lives, we cannot live unless we relate to one another. Often through traumas and influences in our lives we choose to stop relating to loved ones, we choose to stop loving. We shut down emotionally and become afraid to let our feelings out or to let anyone touch our feelings again. We do this to prevent ourselves from being hurt again. We build a wall around ourselves. We have no hope, no future, even though we pretend all is well, we are going nowhere in our lives. Someone once said to me 'I don't want to get to 70 and have regrets, I'm living now! 'But sometimes we have forgotten how to live, how to be happy, how to be the person locked inside our brick wall.
With Alpha we all have a chance to start looking at that wall, and to start removing bricks if we wish to. The journey of rediscovery of ourselves and our relationships begins. Taking the first step is the hardest thing, sometimes its easier when you do it with a friend. Age is no barrier and life can still begin at 70! We have had people attend ALPHA from 18 to 83
Like to know more?
Here at Baxenden we currently run Alpha once a year from September to December, although we may do it more often if demand and personnel are there. On a Saturday in November this year we visited Whalley Abbey for our Alpha away day where we think more about experiencing God the Holy Spirit in our lives
At the present time we plan to hold our next Alpha in September but things could change. If you would like to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed, friendly environment with no strings attached, or if you would like to know more about the Alpha Course, the Alpha Conference or would like to help on Alpha at St. John's then please contact us
Here are a few personal testimonies from the many people who've enjoyed the course in Baxenden
So why not join us on a journey of discovery!
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