Is This For Me? (Alpha)

By Julie Brunelle

It is being used to open doors for people around the world with questions about Christianity. Courses are being held in over 28,000 churches, universities, prisons and businesses worldwide. Alpha? If you’ve been around Central in the past year, you’ve probably heard something about it.

What makes Alpha so special? Why have more than 6 million people participated in Alpha? Why do we call the Alpha Course a "Beyond These Walls" opportunity even though it takes place inside our church? Alpha is simply an invitation, open to anyone, to explore the meaning of life.

Alpha is all about questions. Each week centers on a different question, for example: Christianity: boring, untrue and irrelevant? Who is Jesus? Why and how do I pray? What about the church? Is there more to life? The evening begins with a meal and socializing, followed by a short time of worship. There is a talk about the Christian faith, generally a video presentation. After the talk, there is a time of small group discussion where everyone is given the opportunity to express what he/she thinks and feels about what was said in the video. It is a safe environment where everyone has the freedom to choose his/her level of involvement in the discussion. The number of people participating in Alpha around the world shows there is genuine interest in learning about the Christian faith. The Alpha course shares that information in a non-threatening way. I encourage you to come experience Alpha for yourself this fall at Central.

Some of you may consider joining the Alpha logistics team. Administering the program requires a tremendous team effort. There are needs for everyone’s abilities on the Alpha Course. Bryan (my husband) is very outgoing and helps with the worship time between the meal and video presentation. I have a more behind-the-scenes role. I help with providing dinner to 40-80 hungry adults and 10-25 hungrier kids. These are great matches for each of us.

Where might you fit in? Do you have a favorite recipe that everyone always asks for? Are you a good listener? Do you love kids? Are you able to move tables and chairs? You may have a friend who would really benefit from experiencing the idea of community and the introduction to Christianity. Your role could be to bring them each week to dinner and show them a different side of the Church. We need prayer, too! There are so many ways that God can help you use your gifts on the Alpha Course. Alpha is for me….is it for you, too?

Alpha meets on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-9:00pm, September 1st through November 17th, with a weekend retreat in October. You can ask questions and sign up in the Concourse during August. Please pray about who you could invite to Alpha: friends, family, neighbors, co-workers. All are welcome!